Update on Cindy

So the vet called a little earlier today with the results of the needle biopsy.  She was a bit rushed because she had to head into surgery, and some of what she told me has gone out of my head right now.  But it seems the bottom line was they didn't find cancer in the samples, but they did find a lot of ruptured cells.  The Cytologist (sp?) said it was still indicitive of lymphoid.  The vet spoke with an oncologist to see if he could check the DNA if she has been on Pred.  He said he could, so she asked if we wanted to have that done.  I, of course, said YES!  If it works to come back with a diagnosis and keeps my Cindy out of exploratory surgery, I'm all for it.  I guess with the DNA they could see if it is lymphoma and figure a treatment from that.  The vet said that Cindy could have a little tumor in there, like a pituatary gland tumor, and that might make surgery more of an option.  So now the waiting begins again.  Won't know til the end of the week.  But I'm hopeful that we are getting there

OK! I'm not familiar, but !!!!!!!!! And, of course, :heart2:

on having to wait yet again, but maybe that's a good thing ?  LDG has been down the Lymphoma road, and Lazlo is doing fine so far, so we know there is hope there, if that's what is happening. 

Thank you all!  Yes, we are looking at this as not bad news.  I'm just impatient because I want to begin treatment, but I'm very happy with this vet for suggesting the DNA route and not right to surgery like the other one was talking about.  I can't help but wonder if they had done the DNA after the first ultrasound and biopsy, we might have had an answer sooner.  On the other hand, I'm grateful this vet was willing to see us and willing to fit us in to get the ultrasound a week sooner than otherwise.  I like both vets - so I don't know what I want to do long term, but for now I'm so glad DH decided he wanted to consult with them.

And yes, LDG and her Lazlo have given me lots of hope, and we are in this fight for the long haul.  We are so not ready to lose Miss Cindy yet!

She's SO pretty! :heart2:

LDG said:

She's SO pretty!

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Thank you! We think so too.      She has a very sweet personality as well.

She looks like she does. :heart2:

during the waiting!

Minor update.  We won't get the results of the DNA test until Monday, I guess.  We have tentatively set up an appointment with Vet #2 (the one who did the ultrasound) to hear her opinions, and then we will go back to Vet #1.  We spent some time yesterday evening talking with the vet tech (of our original vet), after I had had a total meltdown after talking to Vet #2.  Long story.  But I felt so much better after coming out of that office and hearing what she had to say.  I'm pretty sure unless there is some compelling reason to pick Vet #2, we are going to go with our original vet and her recommended oncologist.  One of the vet's cats had lymphoma and he is still alive and doing well 3+ years later.  Still, the waiting is so hard..

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Laurie.

Got the DNA (PARR) results back, still no conclusive diagnosis.  Only options are to go in and do a bigger needle biopsy or surgery.  I guess we are leaning toward surgery.  I really wish I knew what was best for her.  I guess it's hopeless no matter what we do, I just want her to have as much comfort and happiness and we can manage for her in however long we have her. 

Well, what do the Vets suggest as the best option at this point... another needle biopsy, or surgery.  Since you are working with 2 Vets, I would get both of their opinions, even if it's just via the phone.  They are professionals, so might help you with your decision.  Ask them to be perfectly honest with you and give you all the pros and cons either way, or if you were to do nothing (invasive wise)

       

Oh hun, what a bummer!!!! I can only imagine how disappointed you are. :heart3:

I don't know what to suggest. We'd probably be asking our vet "what would you do if this were your kitty?" at this point. :heart2:

I was in a very bummed out mood when I typed the previous post.  We had just come from Vet #2 and received the inconclusive results to the latest test, and after speaking with her about prognosis and what not, I had another serious meltdown.  She had 3 options.(1) another needle biopsy with a larger needle.  The problem with that is it could drag some of the cells to another area in her body.  And based on the luck with had with the other needle biopsys, why risk that. (2) surgery, where they could at least "de bulk" so she was more comfortable, get a better look at what was going on, and do a biopsy that would hopefully finally give us an answer.  She has a surgeon at a local vet hospital that she highly recommended and offered to get in touch with him. 

When we left there, we got an appointment to see our primary vet.  They are so positive and upbeat, that I felt immediately better after talking to them (the vet and her vet tech).  The same thing happened Wednesday evening.  After speaking on the phone with vet #2, where she explained better the results from the needle biopsys, and my having my first serious meltdown, sobbing uncontrollable.  Vet wasn't in, but vet tech was and she talked with us quite some time.  I felt good and positive when I left there. 

Anyway, my primary vet agreed that surgery was the best option at this point.  She stated that other than this, Cindy is pretty healthy, no other diseases or conditions, her blood work is good, her X rays (of her chest and lungs) were good, and she's not that old (she guesses around 9 or 10, we don't know for certain).  She also agreed that the surgeon recommended by the other vet is excellent and she has a personal relationship with an oncologist at the same hospital who has done the cancer treatments on her own cats (she has many) and referred a lot of people to him with good results. 

Throughout this entire process we have been asking that, what she would do if it were her cat.  We also asked the other vet.  Both of them said, the ultrasounds would have been their first choice.  I have been beating myself up about not going for the surgery initally.  Our primary vet told us she has never seen a case where we didn't have a clear diagnosis by now.

So, we have asked her to set up the surgery.  She does have another surgeon she thinks highly of who would do the surgery in her clinic.  The hosptial will cost us about $1,000 more (she guestimates), but we would have the oncologist right there and other resources as well.  Since it was late Friday afternoon, she said she would send an email with details of the case to the oncologist and get him on board.  Then get back to us next week.  At some point she is going to set up a meeting with the surgeon and oncologist for us, but I don't know if that is before or after the surgery.  I trust her, and I think she'll do everything she can to help Cindy.  Her specialty is special needs cats, and she has even driven an hour and half each way to rescue a kitten who was going to be put down because it needed eye surgery.  Her clinic is overrun with cats she has rescued, and she has a bunch of cats and dogs at her own house (like 18 or something like that).  So I feel confident that whatever happens, she will do her best for Cindy.  She's also willing to communicate with vet #2 on this.  We have made a point of keeping both of them in the loop, and keeping both of them on board.

So thank you so much for your concern and good wishes.  Until we find out what or if the treatment might be, we are just trying to do whatever we can to make Cindy comfortable and happy.  The good news is that she still has an appetite, doesn't appear to be in pain (if we can go by the signals the vets explained to look for), and right now she's watching something intently out the window.  I've been able to get to play a little bit of "finger bug" and she had some fun watching Swanie play with his toy.  We love her very much, and especially DH who she is closest to.  I've always said she was his girlfriend."  We are still on pins and needles, and have our ups and downs, but I am hopeful.

Oh, one other thing.  The oncologist who did the PARR test would like a sample of the mass frozen and sent to him so he can study it in the hopes of helping other kitties in similar situations.  We are happy to do that, and if nothing else, maybe little Cindy Lou can help some other poor kitties somewhere.

Oh I'm SO glad there's now a consensus on what to do, and that you're feeling better! We've had a number of kitties have surgery, and of course it is ALWAYS worrisome. But given she's otherwise in good health, I'm sure it will go well - especially with such a highly recommended surgeon. We will, of course, be here for hugs and support. :heart2:

Continued and !!!!!!

We have to have hope for the surgery .. without it I know there isn't any long term hope at all. I Don't know if I could get through this without all the wonderful support we have been receiving, so thank you!