TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Lexi has cancer....
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Lexi has cancer....

post #1 of 100
2/27/11 at 9:29am
Thread Starter 
I found a scab on Lexi 2 months ago and thought nothing of it. I thought that maybe Keira had gotten to her. About 2 weeks ago I noticed she had licked all the hair off in one area. Well, I felt a growth on her and took her to the vet that very same day.

After the agony of having to wait a week for the results - I already feared that it might be a sarcoma and they confirmed that when the results came in.

Needless to say, I was devastated. Lexi is the last gift from my mom and I never thought that I would have had to worry about her health this soon.

My options are limited and I refuse to put a cat through radiation. They can give her shots, but there is no guarantee and with as aggressive as it is I want to stop it from coming back.

The cold hard reality is that if I want to give her the best quality of life that she has left and keep it from spreading then my only option is to amputate her leg. Under the advisement of both vets and all my friends - I have to say this is the hardest decision I ever had to make.

I would rather have her than not and I don't know what I would do if she weren't in my life. These past few months have been hard already and for once in my life I just want something good to happen because all this negativity is wearing me out.
Reply
post #2 of 100
2/27/11 at 10:09am
Oh no!! I'm so sad to read this! What a difficult time for you and for Lexi. Praying for you both.

I watch a webcam at a rescue group and they have 3 tripod kitties, one of which lost his leg recently. He's doing fantastically and can even climb stairs! There's a lot of hope for amputees and they really only need a few modifications to live a normal life.
Reply
post #3 of 100
2/27/11 at 10:35am
Oh, no. Mega for Lexi, and for you.
Reply
post #4 of 100
2/27/11 at 10:38am
Cats adapt to missing limbs very well. If the doctors feel that the cancer hasn't spread past the limb, I would recommend the amputation.
Reply
post #5 of 100
2/27/11 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by katachtig View Post
Cats adapt to missing limbs very well. If the doctors feel that the cancer hasn't spread past the limb, I would recommend the amputation.
If that's going to get rid of it i wouldn't have to think twice

Lots of mega healthy coming for Lexi
Reply
post #6 of 100
2/27/11 at 11:17am
So sorry to hear this news. But if it gives her a real chance of some more quality time, then I would do it.
Reply
post #7 of 100
2/27/11 at 11:23am
Thread Starter 
That's why I am doing this. I asked the vet point blank if she thought the tumor was low enough so that it wouldn't come back. She said this would be the slimmest chance of it returning.

I have to do what is best for her and I can't stand the thought of it spreading and making her suffer more than she has to.

Her surgery is this coming thursday.
Reply
post #8 of 100
2/27/11 at 11:31am
Your Lexi will be just fine and so will you. I am sorry you and Lexi are going through this. I have seen many cats with three legs and they get along quite well without a problem. This will be hard on you and I wish you all the best for the surgery Thursday
Reply
post #9 of 100
2/27/11 at 11:31am
I'm very sorry to read about your little Lexi. I am, however, glad to read that there is a good treatment available, even though it must be a radical one.

I am currently awaiting biopsy results on one of my cats. I understand what you've been going through.

for a fast recovery!!!!
Reply
post #10 of 100
2/27/11 at 4:13pm
Please check out this site/group. I used to belong there when my angel kitty Taco was dealing with sarcoma. There are many owners there whose kitties have/have had sarcoma....many whose kitties underwent the amputation and now YEARS LATER kitties are doing very well. They can give you all kinds of support and info. In Taco's case, the location of his tumors were such that amputation wasn't an option. He did have surgery twice to remove the tumors but they returned.

http://www.feline-vas-support.org/
Reply
post #11 of 100
2/27/11 at 4:23pm
I'm so deeply sorry you're facing this nightmare. I know you don't want her in any pain and that you'd trade places with her in a minute. Sending a ton of vibes for you both and whatever decision you make, Lexi knows how deep your love is.
Reply
post #12 of 100
2/27/11 at 4:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_food_lady View Post
Please check out this site/group. I used to belong there when my angel kitty Taco was dealing with sarcoma. There are many owners there whose kitties have/have had sarcoma....many whose kitties underwent the amputation and now YEARS LATER kitties are doing very well. They can give you all kinds of support and info. In Taco's case, the location of his tumors were such that amputation wasn't an option. He did have surgery twice to remove the tumors but they returned.

http://www.feline-vas-support.org/
Thank you for the link. I will check that out. She did have the surgery done to remove the tumor and with the strong advisement of a friend who had to put his cat down after multiple surgeries due to a sarcoma - he said that if he had the option I had he would do it in a heartbeat.

Even though it is a radical decision - I don't want to watch my cat suffer from cancer like my dad did.
Reply
post #13 of 100
2/27/11 at 4:37pm
I am sorry to hear that and am hoping for a good outcome, if it comes down to an amputation, I am not trying to trivialize things but I hope this helps a bit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
I have seen many cats with three legs and they get along quite well without a problem.
A buddy of mine had a cat with three legs, she was missing one rear leg.

He rescued her when she was about a year old, the leg was deformed, atrophied and of no use; a birth defect. The leg was amputated.

That was quite a while ago, they lost her to an age related ilness about 2 years ago, she was quite an old girl by then.

She lived a long, happy life though. They used to take her outside on a harness and she would still catch grasshoppers, even with three legs. She was quite a "pet" and seemed very happy.
Reply
post #14 of 100
2/27/11 at 4:40pm
I really so sorry,....

:vibes to you and lexy!...
Reply
post #15 of 100
2/27/11 at 5:09pm
Reply
post #16 of 100
2/27/11 at 8:44pm
Oh, she will adapt beautifully! I had a 3-legged cat when I was a kid. His name was Tom (and boy, was he a Tom cat...part of the reason his leg had to be amputated). She will adapt and have a chance at having a wonderful rest of her life, cancer-free. I think you are making a great decision for both you and her! *hugs*
Reply
post #17 of 100
2/27/11 at 8:49pm
I too would likely make the same decision if faced with the options for most of my cats.
Reply
post #18 of 100
2/27/11 at 9:27pm
I am so sorry. major for you and precious Lexi
Reply
post #19 of 100
2/28/11 at 11:06am
Like you, I took my moms cat in. I know what a strong bond is there between you.

Sending prayers for Lexi to come through fine. And for you. Your mom is proud of you.
Reply
post #20 of 100
2/28/11 at 11:19am
I will keep Lexi in my prayers . I'm sure I would be doing the same thing if this happened to one of my girls.
Reply
post #21 of 100
2/28/11 at 12:40pm
Aw Sabrina, I'm so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With all you've had to face sweetie, I know this brings up all kinds of pain. But it's the right thing for her, and when she's all healed up and in your lap purring, your heart will be singing again.

MEGA vibes to you and Lexi!
Reply
post #22 of 100
2/28/11 at 2:13pm
Awww, Bless her heart I think you are making the right decision, my Bella had her leg amputated and she got along fine Many vibes for her surgery
Reply
post #23 of 100
2/28/11 at 2:19pm
I'm so sorry you and Lexi are facing this; I would make the same choice you've made if it were one of mine.
Sending loads of healing to sweet Lexi, and a (((big hug)))to you, sweetie.
Reply
post #24 of 100
2/28/11 at 2:47pm
Lots if healthy healing for lexi and big for you sabrina
Reply
post #25 of 100
2/28/11 at 2:49pm
Best wishes for her complete recovery!
I'm so sorry you had to make such a tough decision and I pray that it pays off perfectly!
Reply
post #26 of 100
2/28/11 at 3:00pm
I'm sorry

Lots of vibes coming Lexi's way!!!

Mike has a kitty named "Trace" that is missing one of his hind legs. So Mike set up a station where he can still scratch his itches! Check out this video....too cute!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr8D1xTC7sY

Lexi will do fine with 3 legs. Cats adapt very well. And you are helping to prevent the spread and to improve her quality of life for as long as possible. What you are doing is a good thing!
Reply
post #27 of 100
2/28/11 at 4:08pm
i am so sorry about the bad news, hope whatever decision you make is for the best.
Reply
post #28 of 100
2/28/11 at 8:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone! Lexi sleeps with me each night like a person would and I don't know what I would do if she were no longer able to do so. Sometimes I think she is the only reason I can sleep at night.

My vet comes back on wednesday so I want to ask her a few questions before the surgery. I will keep you all posted on how it goes and how she is doing.

She has been on the couch with me tonight and always such a sweet girl. She is the perfect cat.
Reply
post #29 of 100
2/28/11 at 8:43pm
Many prayers for you and for Lexi.
Reply
post #30 of 100
3/2/11 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 
My vet had to go out of town for a family emergency, but the other vet (we have 3) will be able to do the surgery on monday. She had planned to take tomorrow off, leaving only one vet at the clinic and I just don't want to do that to him. That is way to much for one person to do, plus see patients.

Since they are booked for friday - I will have her do it on monday.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cat Health
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Cat Health › Lexi has cancer....