My kitty might have cancer and I am scared to death

Thank you much. I am wondering about a 2nd opinion too. She still has her Monday appointment next week with an internal medicine vet. I don't know what she might say. I've heard excellent things about her bedside manner. Today though she saw an oncologist by chance. I figured he would know best, but I really didn't care for his manner. I wanted to just take her and say forget it.

My vet just called and......I'm so sad. She said she's not 100% sure because I cant afford a biopsy and I don't really want to put my kitty thru that but she's thinking it's lymphoma...    I don't know what I am going to do if I lose my kitty. I have had him since he was born. I'm trying not to get upset because I don't want him to see me and get upset too. I'm still praying for your Mindy kitty... because this is very hard to have to do and make decisions. 

We all share the same stories I'm sorry I'm still waiting to hear back from my vet because Mimi was fine until today she had pink blood in her poop and was in pain.. I on the other hand can afford biopsy and what not but I know even if I do it.. It's not guarantied that she will be ok, or even get worse from the pain of the surgery or hall that. I will talk to my vet about increasing her prednisolone dose or even get chemo, yes even without seeing the inside of her belly. I hope she will tell me it's just a common upside down from the ibd.

Hang on all! We in this together and it's nice that we can share these stories. People usually look at me weird when I say I have depression because my best friend, my kitty is sick. I send positive vibes to all of our kitties.

Heckle's mom-I'm so sorry to hear that. Please don't beat yourself up about finances. You do the best you can do with what you have available.  I know it's hard to not be upset around Heckle, but he can tell. I've done that myself with Mindy and I can see it upsets her. I will be praying for you and Heckle too.  It is so difficult, but I am glad we have this site to rely on each other!

We are going to get a 2nd opinion on Monday. I know the diagnosis will be the same, but in consultation with my regular vet, we feel a different Dr with a different approach and more support would be better.  I don't want the other Dr to work with her treatment wise based upon or experience today.  We are going to start prednisilone (probably spelled that wrong) tomorrow with the understanding that any further biopsies would be effected.  I am choosing not to put her through the surgical biopsy because I know she can't handle that.  The ultrasound was traumatic enough.

arinlars-it's sad that so many people don't understand the connection and bond that we have with our kitties.  We should consider ourselves the lucky ones!  Hang in their with your Mimi as well-positive thoughts to her too!

@MissMindy  @Heckle

I'm sorry you both are going through this. Enjoy the time you have with your cats and ensure that the time that they have left is enjoyable.

@Miss Mindy @Heckel
I'm sorry to hear of what you are going through. My 15 year old sweet boy Scooter is dealing with somewhat the same thing. He has enlarged lymph nodes that are pressing on his colon and the vet thinks it is most likely a lymphoma. I to don't want to put him through a biopsy or any surgery but really don't know what course is best. He still acts like his usual self and is still eating well but losing weight anyway. The biggest issue I am dealing with is his constipation. I've tried various remedies but nothing seems to work to well for him. I don't want him to be in any pain and I don't think he is at this point. I assume the prednisone he is taking is helping. He has a follow up in a few days and we will have to see what that brings. I really don't know what to do.

I know how you both feel as this guy has been through thick and thin with me over the past 15 years and the thought of not having him around is so hard. My best wishes and prayers go out to you both and to your cats.

@Soxfan  Thank you very much.  Best wishes for Scooter.   It's so hard to know what to do.  I wish they could just tell us how they were feeling.  Stay strong and hang in there Scooter-sending thoughts your way!

@MissMindy, thank you for the kind words. It really helps to know other people are going through the same things and feelings. I'm very glad to have found this site. Please stay in touch as we work through whatever the future has in store.

While we all want to share and learn from each others' experiences, I need at the this stage to remind members of the TCS rule that states:

'Do not provide medical advice. Discussing various options is encouraged and you may share your experience including details about what kind of medication was administered and dosage. However, do not suggest to another member that they should change anything in the course of treatment prescribed by their vet without first consulting with a qualified veterinarian.'

There can be a very grey area between explaining something that has worked for your cat and giving advice on treatment, but especially in the case of alternative medicines, it is best to err on the side of caution in case you are interpreted wrongly.

Best of vibes to all who are going through terrible times.

An update on Mindy-

It was confirmed that she either has lymphoma or multiple myeloma.  The vet said she has an unusal presentation.  The cancer is extensive.  We decided do prednisilone and then perhaps lukeran depending on how she responds.  Her appetite has come back a bit which is nice to see.  Hopefully she will have more comfortable days.  I hope everyone else's kitties are continuing to do ok.

I am so sorry to hear this, but at least you now know what you are dealing with. It is good that she is getting some help in making her comfortable.

MissMindy said:

 
An update on Mindy-

It was confirmed that she either has lymphoma or multiple myeloma.  The vet said she has an unusal presentation.  The cancer is extensive.  We decided do prednisilone and then perhaps lukeran depending on how she responds.  Her appetite has come back a bit which is nice to see.  Hopefully she will have more comfortable days.  I hope everyone else's kitties are continuing to do ok.

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@MissMindy ..... I am really sorry to hear of your cat Mindy having extensive cancer.  I don't have any experience with the treatment of this disease, but want to offer you encouragement to stay strong at this difficult time.

... I just read your thread, and have to say that you members are so supportive of one another, in the way that you care for your own cats but share in each others' heartache.

You have to look after yourselves, too, because your cats' will want you to be okay. 

Making difficult decisions for your cats is never easy, so remember to eat and sleep regularly.

    Whatever you do to help your cats, they know you love them.

I'm sorry the results of the test were not good. Like catnap, I have no experience with the treatment but I'm sending vibes that the treatment will ease some of the problems she has.

Missmindy I am so sorry to hear that. These are heartbreaking news. Like every member said, the only thing that matters now is to make her feel comfy and cherish the days you have together. Each day make it nice for both of you.

How did the vet diagnose that? I am sending positive thoughts to you and kitty. Be strong for you and kitty.

MissMindy said:

 
Mindy had her ultrasound today instead of waiting until next week.  It revealed a caulliflower like growth on her liver and spleen.  It was biopsied to see for sure if it is lymphoma.  The oncologist gave her a very poor prognosis.  He thinks chemo may give her another 1-3 months.  He also mentioned steroid injections.  Due to her age and the fact that she was terrified in his office (I can't blame her he was pretty rough with her), he doesn't think she will do well with treatment.  He even suggested doing nothing and letting her go today.  Seeing her so upset makes me want to never have her see the inside of a vet's office again.

I called my regular vet after I finished sobbing, and she said she would consider treatment if I thought the extra time would be enough.  This is so hard.  Mindy has been my best friend and rock for so long.  I feel like I am going to have a nervous breakdown.  I don't know what the right decision is.  I think she's happy here with me still, but how do I really know?

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MissMindy, before I finish reading the rest of this thread, I just want to tell you not to pay too much attention when they tell you 1-3 months.  My Cindy didn't have lymphoma, she had a different kind of cancer. We did chemo for her and it has been 1 year and 6 months since she had the surgery to diagnose the type of cancer.  Her oncologist also gave her 1-3 months with chemo.  Now, she has other issues, but no sign of the return of the cancer, but she is still with us and I thinks till enjoying her life.  So if you haven't already, try a second opinion. I can't believe a vet would be rough with a scared little kitty and I've been lucky with most of the vets I've seen because Cindy is a scared little girl at the vets office.  And ay vet who would ever suggest you let them kill your cat (sorry, I don't use euphemisms for it) needs to NOT BE A VET.

It is so hard, but I think you will know. It doesn't make the decision any easier, but cats have a way of letting their owners know when they have had enough. They just look at you a certain way, you see the misery and pleas for help in their eyes and you know. If Mindy is still enjoying life and there are ways to keep her comfortable then it is not yet time.

Hi everyone,

Thank you again for all of your support. 

@arinlars  Mindy's cancer was diagnosed through a fine needle aspiration.  There is a chance that it could be multiple myeloma, but that would require a bone marrow sample, so I am not going to pursue that. 

I spoke with the vet that was rough with her, and he has been much more helpful.  I still don't want her to have to visit there though.  He said my regular vet (who is the kindest and most patient person I've ever met) can handle the treatment for her with consultation from him.  That was good to hear.  She continued to perk up over the weekend, but seems a little tired now.  Can't blame the poor girl.  She is taking prednisolone 5mg 2x a day and just started an appetite stimulant.  I think I am going to try leukeran with her.  I'm a bit nervous about side effects or making her feel sicker, but I suppose we will take it as it comes. 

@Misty8723  Hopefully Mindy too will stick around longer than what was suggested.  She's a tough little kitty.

Thank you everyone else for your kind words and thoughts for Mindy and me.  She seems to still be mostly happy with more ups than downs.  The vets don't seem to think she is in any pain.  The only thing I've noticed is she doesn't sleep as much as she has been in the past few months.  She's currently enjoying her window seat and supervising the neighborhood-ever the nosey neighbor.

Well, Mindy had a rough night. She started passing bloody urine and making trips to the litter box all night. Her appetite is off again despite the stimulant and the pred. Her vet had me bring her in for a pain injection to see if that helped. They can't find a reason for the urinary issues unless there is an infection that needs to be cultured. I think Mindy needs a break from vet visits for a while. As long as the oncologist still thinks it's safe to start leukeran we will. I just don't want to put her through heck just to buy her a little more time with me.

Rough nights are hard on the cat and the human. Is the pain med helping? Did the vet prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic? Have her kidney values been checked lately?

Hope tonight is easier.

The pain med seems to have helped. She has been on antibiotics, but when she started to decline last week, we stopped them since there was no sign of infection. The culture will probably be the next step if it continues. Her regular vet was thinking it might be a stress response. Her oncologist tested her kidney levels and said for her age everything looked good. We were nervous about that. She doesn't seem to.be sleeping very much these past few days. I have to go back to work tomorrow, so.maybe getting back into the routine will help. Hate to think of her alone all day at home though.