Long story short, late last year Cindy began having problems, and through surgery in January was diagnosed with mast cell cancer. Surgeon thought he got the entire tumor out, and she did really well on chemo. She had her 6th and final chemo a couple months ago. Friday before last she had her ultrasound, where they noticed a slight thickening of the colon, coupled with elevated levels of something in her blood that the oncologist associated with mast cell. He thought she was probably out of remission, but wanted to get a biopsy to make sure it wasn't IBD or parasites. When he spoke with the ultrasound technician, they told him the area was too small to get a needle aspirate. So, we took her back Monday for needle aspirates of lymph node, liver, and spleen. The lymph node was too small to get a sample (which the oncologist felt meant it likely was okay), and no cancer was found in her liver or her spleen.
The oncologist recommended we take her to see the internal medicine specialist at the hospital. It's been a chore getting her to get back to us and get an appointment, but we finally have one for today (thanks to a cancellation).
Her symptoms, which have been escalating over the past month or so, are:
- Eating more than she used to and not gaining weight (actually losing a little)
- Drinking more than she used to (she used to dip her paw in the water and lick her paw; now she drinking normally and for a long time)
- Vocalizing more than she used to, usually begging for food
- Pooping more frequently, and they've become very soft
- Pooping outside the box occasionally (which I think is because the litter has been used. Note: we have 5 litter boxes, 2 cats, and they're all cleaned at least twice a day.)
- Sometimes seems to be restless, especially in the evening. She will sometimes go from place to place to place before finally settling down to sleep
- Other than that, she's active, friendly, sometimes playful, not hiding (except when she thinks a vet visit is coming). She bathes, grooms, interact with Swanie, etc.
Because our initial visit with the internist wasn't scheduled until next Tuesday, yesterday we took her to our primary vet. She did a comprehensive blood test, urinalysis, and blood pressure to check for Thyroid, parasites, anything that might cause those symptoms. I was actually disappointed it wasn't one of those, because I guess that means it likely is the cancer back.
Her blood test indicated elevated levels of:
Differential Neutropolis 11680 (normal range 2500-8500)
Eosinophilis 1920 (normal range 0-1000) (this is what the oncologist associated with mast cell)
Protein 1+ (normal range Neg)
Our oncologist is fantastic, top oncologist on the east coast or some such thing, and he has indicated to us that even if the cancer is back (which he believes to be the case), there are other treatments and it's not hopeless yet. Cindy will most likely have to have a colonoscopy and possibly and endoscopy. I hate the thought of that, but we have to know what we're dealing with.
I'm sorry this has gotten long, we are leaving in a half hour for our appointment and I know the wonder TCS vibes have done wonders in the past. I'll check in with an update when we get back.
The oncologist recommended we take her to see the internal medicine specialist at the hospital. It's been a chore getting her to get back to us and get an appointment, but we finally have one for today (thanks to a cancellation).
Her symptoms, which have been escalating over the past month or so, are:
- Eating more than she used to and not gaining weight (actually losing a little)
- Drinking more than she used to (she used to dip her paw in the water and lick her paw; now she drinking normally and for a long time)
- Vocalizing more than she used to, usually begging for food
- Pooping more frequently, and they've become very soft
- Pooping outside the box occasionally (which I think is because the litter has been used. Note: we have 5 litter boxes, 2 cats, and they're all cleaned at least twice a day.)
- Sometimes seems to be restless, especially in the evening. She will sometimes go from place to place to place before finally settling down to sleep
- Other than that, she's active, friendly, sometimes playful, not hiding (except when she thinks a vet visit is coming). She bathes, grooms, interact with Swanie, etc.
Because our initial visit with the internist wasn't scheduled until next Tuesday, yesterday we took her to our primary vet. She did a comprehensive blood test, urinalysis, and blood pressure to check for Thyroid, parasites, anything that might cause those symptoms. I was actually disappointed it wasn't one of those, because I guess that means it likely is the cancer back.
Her blood test indicated elevated levels of:
Differential Neutropolis 11680 (normal range 2500-8500)
Eosinophilis 1920 (normal range 0-1000) (this is what the oncologist associated with mast cell)
Protein 1+ (normal range Neg)
Our oncologist is fantastic, top oncologist on the east coast or some such thing, and he has indicated to us that even if the cancer is back (which he believes to be the case), there are other treatments and it's not hopeless yet. Cindy will most likely have to have a colonoscopy and possibly and endoscopy. I hate the thought of that, but we have to know what we're dealing with.
I'm sorry this has gotten long, we are leaving in a half hour for our appointment and I know the wonder TCS vibes have done wonders in the past. I'll check in with an update when we get back.
