Lung Cancer

After everyone harping on me to quit smoking, they were successful. I quit smoking 2 years ago. I have now been diagnosed with lung cancer. I have a tumor in my chest, a paralized vocal cord and advanced emphazima. I'm single with 4 cats. My family lives a couple hours away. I'm worried about my cats and how I'm ever going to rehome them. We all know how difficult it is to rehome cats that are in desperate need. I can't stand the thought of them ending up in a shelter. I would rather be ahead of the ball and find them good homes instead of leaving that up to someone else. I don't want to be in the position of not being able to care for them if I'm too sick. I am beside myself with worry about this.

Oh my God, I am so sorry.... Have you just learned this?
I have no idea of what to say... I think a lot about that too... I am also single with 4 cats, but my family, everybody lives in Brazil and I am 100% alone in here if something ever happens to me...
I am so so sorry you are going through this...

Oh my God, I am so sorry... many vibes and prayers coming your way!!

I am so sorry... Lots of and prayers for you and your kitties!

I'm very sorry to hear this

Many vibes

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I hope you can find loving homes for your babies.

Oh hun, I don't even know what to say... Stay strong, know we are thinking of you and hoping everything works out.

I'm so sorry to hear this Sending lots and lots of vibes your way!!!!!

I understand your anxiety about your cats. I think about that very same thing myself. However, you love your cats and they love you, and I think you all could benefit from each others' continued companionship. Animals have a way of making us feel better, even if we aren't healthy.

I am very sorry to hear this. Do you think maybe you are rushing things and may not have to give up your kits at all. I don't know what your oncologist will treat you with, maybe chemo and radiation. I had both of these and was able to care for my kitty the whole time. Of course everyone has different symptoms, I was lucky not to have a lot of side effects. So please don't hurry to re-home your kits, see how you feel first after taking your meds. You may be able to take care of them after all. Good luck to you, I wish you the best.

My prayers are with you. As serious as lung cancer is, there are many survivors. I know several.

Originally Posted by LaRussa

I am very sorry to hear this. Do you think maybe you are rushing things and may not have to give up your kits at all....

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Originally Posted by Rockcat

My prayers are with you. As serious as lung cancer is, there are many survivors. I know several.

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I am so sorry to hear the news, and I can only imagine the shock, the worry, the fears.... but I hope as you work with your docs on a treatment plan, your perspective will change!

In the meantime, we're here for support, vibes/prayers, and hugs!

!!!!!

I am so sad to hear this and am hoping your prognosis is good and you won't have to rehome your kitties but understand why you want to be prepared Love and support to you on this

Oh hun,I am so,so sorry to hear this,please don't give up hope but I know how you are thinking,obviously when you have treatment you may not be able to look after them.I think you need to find someone near you who will be willing to help you out with your kittys.x

I'm so sorry

Originally Posted by LaRussa

I am very sorry to hear this. Do you think maybe you are rushing things and may not have to give up your kits at all. I don't know what your oncologist will treat you with, maybe chemo and radiation. I had both of these and was able to care for my kitty the whole time. Of course everyone has different symptoms, I was lucky not to have a lot of side effects. So please don't hurry to re-home your kits, see how you feel first after taking your meds. You may be able to take care of them after all. Good luck to you, I wish you the best.

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Believe me, the last thing I want to do is give my cats up. I'm worried I'm going to get sick from the chemo and radation and not be able to physically take care of them, let alone financially. We all know how long it takes to rehome a cat, especially when you love your animals the way we do. I wouldn't rehome my cats to 3/4 of the people in this world. I'm thinking maybe when I ask someone, they will take them if push comes to shove. I just don't want to leave that for someone else to do. I don't trust anyone with my cats - they are my kids.

I am feeling very sad for you tonight and am praying hard for you and your cats. I would be doing the same thing if I were in your shoes. I really hope someone you trust steps up and offers to take your cats together is it really comes down to that.

...I´m really so sorry ...
for you can rehome at your babys!...

Oh honey, many prayers and coming your way!

As for your kitties, I can understand the concern you have as you don't know how treatment is going to effect you. I would check with your vet to see if they may know someone that would be willing to come in and help you out if it comes to that. They may have an employee or volunteer that would be able to swing by a few times a week and scoop the litter boxes or whatever. Or check with local church groups. I wouldn't worry about rehoming them, but you may need a hand now and then.

Hope everything goes well and please keep us up to date.

Originally Posted by Feralvr

I am feeling very sad for you tonight and am praying hard for you and your cats. I would be doing the same thing if I were in your shoes. I really hope someone you trust steps up and offers to take your cats together is it really comes down to that.

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I am so, so sorry to hear such sad news. I would be feeling the same way too if I were in your shoes. My cats mean everything to me, and I would not leave them to just anybody.

If you need to go thru chemo, isn't there something like hospice care where someone would come in to help you out with the kits?

I'll certainly be keeping you in my thoughts & prayers.

I'd like to thank everyone for their prayers and support.  It worked!  I have finished my radiationi and chemo and I'm CANCER FREE.  I still have all 4 cats and so far everything has worked out very well considering the initial diagnosis.  Thanks again!