Emma - Serious Problems

Emma is my orange tabby whom I acquired in December, 2010 at 11 years of age.
The family that owned her couldn't give her as much time as she deserved, so
they unloaded her on CraigsList. (That's pretty rotten, but she ended up in a
good home!)

She was in for dental work a couple weeks ago - a big deal on a cat
approaching 14 years of age due to the anesthetic. There had been a small
scratch near her nose, which by the time the dental appointment rolled around
a few days later had turned into a substantial sore. They biopsied it and
performed the dental stuff- removal of a couple infected teeth and a cleaning.

It seemed to grow bigger by the hour, and when the results came back in a
couple days, it was bad news - an aggressive sarcoma that had eaten completely
through her snout area from outside to inside. I scheduled an urgent
appointment with my oncologist/surgeon.

She had major surgery a week ago, and to their astonishment within a day was
running around and purring. I was able to visit her on the second day, and
took her home on the third day (Sunday, four days ago.) Other than having a
shaved face and no whiskers, plus some stiches, she's been pretty happy and
eating an amazing amount of food - odd for her.

Unfortunately, the subsequent biopsies taken during the surgery came back with
bad news - the cancer had spread throughout the biopsied area and almost
certainly has spread incurably past her face. We're told that it will
probably come visibly back within a few months, and will rapidly spread. I'm
guessing that within a year we'll have to put her down.

It's a shame - she's a real sweetie and having her for 2 1/2 years has been a
pleasure.

Art

On 8/15/2013 8:56 PM, Art Shapiro wrote:
Emma is my orange tabby whom I acquired in December, 2010 at 11 years of age.
The family that owned her couldn't give her as much time as she deserved, so
they unloaded her on CraigsList. (That's pretty rotten, but she ended up in a
good home!)

She was in for dental work a couple weeks ago - a big deal on a cat
approaching 14 years of age due to the anesthetic. There had been a small
scratch near her nose, which by the time the dental appointment rolled around
a few days later had turned into a substantial sore. They biopsied it and
performed the dental stuff- removal of a couple infected teeth and a cleaning.

It seemed to grow bigger by the hour, and when the results came back in a
couple days, it was bad news - an aggressive sarcoma that had eaten completely
through her snout area from outside to inside. I scheduled an urgent
appointment with my oncologist/surgeon.

She had major surgery a week ago, and to their astonishment within a day was
running around and purring. I was able to visit her on the second day, and
took her home on the third day (Sunday, four days ago.) Other than having a
shaved face and no whiskers, plus some stiches, she's been pretty happy and
eating an amazing amount of food - odd for her.

Unfortunately, the subsequent biopsies taken during the surgery came back with
bad news - the cancer had spread throughout the biopsied area and almost
certainly has spread incurably past her face. We're told that it will
probably come visibly back within a few months, and will rapidly spread. I'm
guessing that within a year we'll have to put her down.

It's a shame - she's a real sweetie and having her for 2 1/2 years has been a
pleasure.

Art

Oh, Art. I'm so very sorry to hear this.

Jill

On 8/15/2013 8:56 PM, Art Shapiro wrote:
Emma is my orange tabby whom I acquired in December, 2010 at 11 years of age.
The family that owned her couldn't give her as much time as she deserved, so
they unloaded her on CraigsList. (That's pretty rotten, but she ended up in a
good home!)

She was in for dental work a couple weeks ago - a big deal on a cat
approaching 14 years of age due to the anesthetic. There had been a small
scratch near her nose, which by the time the dental appointment rolled around
a few days later had turned into a substantial sore. They biopsied it and
performed the dental stuff- removal of a couple infected teeth and a cleaning.

It seemed to grow bigger by the hour, and when the results came back in a
couple days, it was bad news - an aggressive sarcoma that had eaten completely
through her snout area from outside to inside. I scheduled an urgent
appointment with my oncologist/surgeon.

She had major surgery a week ago, and to their astonishment within a day was
running around and purring. I was able to visit her on the second day, and
took her home on the third day (Sunday, four days ago.) Other than having a
shaved face and no whiskers, plus some stiches, she's been pretty happy and
eating an amazing amount of food - odd for her.

Unfortunately, the subsequent biopsies taken during the surgery came back with
bad news - the cancer had spread throughout the biopsied area and almost
certainly has spread incurably past her face. We're told that it will
probably come visibly back within a few months, and will rapidly spread. I'm
guessing that within a year we'll have to put her down.

It's a shame - she's a real sweetie and having her for 2 1/2 years has been a
pleasure.

Art

I'm so sorry to hear this but I'm sure you'll give her plenty of love
while she can still appreciate it. I know you'll have to make that
horrible decision. Purrs for you all.


--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On Fri, 16 Aug 2013 00:56:10 GMT, (Art Shapiro) wrote:
Unfortunately, the subsequent biopsies taken during the surgery came back with
bad news - the cancer had spread throughout the biopsied area and almost
certainly has spread incurably past her face. We're told that it will
probably come visibly back within a few months, and will rapidly spread. I'm
guessing that within a year we'll have to put her down.

It's a shame - she's a real sweetie and having her for 2 1/2 years has been a
pleasure.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for furries, you have a lot of experience
taking care of kitties in this situation. I know the worry and the anxiety
too, and I hope that Emma will have a good amount of high quality time left
with you.

On Fri, 16 Aug 2013 00:56:10 +0000, Art Shapiro wrote:

Emma is my orange tabby whom I acquired in December, 2010 at 11 years of
age. The family that owned her couldn't give her as much time as she
deserved, so they unloaded her on CraigsList. (That's pretty rotten,
but she ended up in a good home!)

She was in for dental work a couple weeks ago - a big deal on a cat
approaching 14 years of age due to the anesthetic. There had been a
small scratch near her nose, which by the time the dental appointment
rolled around a few days later had turned into a substantial sore. They
biopsied it and performed the dental stuff- removal of a couple infected
teeth and a cleaning.

It seemed to grow bigger by the hour, and when the results came back in
a couple days, it was bad news - an aggressive sarcoma that had eaten
completely through her snout area from outside to inside. I scheduled
an urgent appointment with my oncologist/surgeon.

She had major surgery a week ago, and to their astonishment within a day
was running around and purring. I was able to visit her on the second
day, and took her home on the third day (Sunday, four days ago.) Other
than having a shaved face and no whiskers, plus some stiches, she's been
pretty happy and eating an amazing amount of food - odd for her.

Unfortunately, the subsequent biopsies taken during the surgery came
back with bad news - the cancer had spread throughout the biopsied area
and almost certainly has spread incurably past her face. We're told
that it will probably come visibly back within a few months, and will
rapidly spread. I'm guessing that within a year we'll have to put her
down.

It's a shame - she's a real sweetie and having her for 2 1/2 years has
been a pleasure.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TuTu and I send best wishes and purrs for Emma and those who love her.
What a low blow for that sweet kitty. You have always taken such good
care of your pets and I'm sure you are doing whatever will give Emma
comfort as needed. MLB
Art

"Art Shapiro" wrote in message news:kujtb9$a62
Unfortunately, the subsequent biopsies taken during the surgery came back
with
bad news - the cancer had spread throughout the biopsied area and almost
certainly has spread incurably past her face. We're told that it will
probably come visibly back within a few months, and will rapidly spread.
I'm
guessing that within a year we'll have to put her down.

It's a shame - she's a real sweetie and having her for 2 1/2 years has
been a
pleasure.

I couldn't save one of my dogs from this either. I took him to Cambridge and
got the best chemo. but it didnt work. It did give him a bit more time but
only weeks.
His face exploded and on his last day, when I knew, I made his last
appointment, and I took him for the best walk he ever had. In the woods and
I let him off his lead to do anything.

On Fri, 16 Aug 2013 00:56:10 +0000, Art Shapiro wrote:

Emma is my orange tabby whom I acquired in December, 2010 at 11 years of
age. The family that owned her couldn't give her as much time as she
deserved, so they unloaded her on CraigsList. (That's pretty rotten,
but she ended up in a good home!)

She was in for dental work a couple weeks ago - a big deal on a cat
approaching 14 years of age due to the anesthetic. There had been a
small scratch near her nose, which by the time the dental appointment
rolled around a few days later had turned into a substantial sore. They
biopsied it and performed the dental stuff- removal of a couple infected
teeth and a cleaning.

It seemed to grow bigger by the hour, and when the results came back in
a couple days, it was bad news - an aggressive sarcoma that had eaten
completely through her snout area from outside to inside. I scheduled
an urgent appointment with my oncologist/surgeon.

She had major surgery a week ago, and to their astonishment within a day
was running around and purring. I was able to visit her on the second
day, and took her home on the third day (Sunday, four days ago.) Other
than having a shaved face and no whiskers, plus some stiches, she's been
pretty happy and eating an amazing amount of food - odd for her.

Unfortunately, the subsequent biopsies taken during the surgery came
back with bad news - the cancer had spread throughout the biopsied area
and almost certainly has spread incurably past her face. We're told
that it will probably come visibly back within a few months, and will
rapidly spread. I'm guessing that within a year we'll have to put her
down.

It's a shame - she's a real sweetie and having her for 2 1/2 years has
been a pleasure.

Art



I juust managed to read this sad newes. TuTu and I sending purrs and be
comfortable wishes for her. We shall keep her comfort ion our
thoughts. MLB

On 11/5/2013 6:53 PM, MLB wrote:

I juust managed to read this sad newes. TuTu and I sending purrs and be
comfortable wishes for her. We shall keep her comfort ion our
thoughts. MLB

Thank you - that's very kind.

She's not looking good - the face is quite red and swollen around the
nose. There have been a couple mornings when I got up and found blood
all over the house.

The specialist thinks she'll make it to about the end of the year, but
right now she's not apparently in any pain, and it isn't yet affecting
her breathing or eating. So I don't have an urgent problem (yet).

Art

On 11/6/2013 1:38 AM, Art Shapiro wrote:
On 11/5/2013 6:53 PM, MLB wrote:

I juust managed to read this sad newes. TuTu and I sending purrs and be
comfortable wishes for her. We shall keep her comfort ion our
thoughts. MLB

Thank you - that's very kind.

She's not looking good - the face is quite red and swollen around the
nose. There have been a couple mornings when I got up and found blood
all over the house.

The specialist thinks she'll make it to about the end of the year, but
right now she's not apparently in any pain, and it isn't yet affecting
her breathing or eating. So I don't have an urgent problem (yet).

Art

I hesitate to say this, because I know it's extremely difficult. But
the end of the year isn't that long off. We never want to let go. But
sometimes, we hang on for selfish reasons. We love them so much and
wish things would change just for a little bit longer. I know you'll
keep her comfortable. You're both in my thoughts.

Jill

"Art Shapiro" wrote in message
...
On 11/5/2013 6:53 PM, MLB wrote:

I juust managed to read this sad newes. TuTu and I sending purrs and be
comfortable wishes for her. We shall keep her comfort ion our
thoughts. MLB

Thank you - that's very kind.

She's not looking good - the face is quite red and swollen around the
nose. There have been a couple mornings when I got up and found blood all
over the house.

The specialist thinks she'll make it to about the end of the year, but
right now she's not apparently in any pain, and it isn't yet affecting her
breathing or eating. So I don't have an urgent problem (yet).

Art

Purrs for her not to suffer, and for you to know when to make that most
painful, loving decision, and for your comfort.

Joy