- Joined
- Nov 11, 2014
- Messages
- 22
- Purraise
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How do you know when it's time to say goodbye? Ive been trying to mentally prepare for the day when I have to euthanize my beloved cat, but I'll never be ready.
Ive been told "he will let you know". I ask him all the time, I lay with him, cradle him, beg him to give me a sign if he is ready to cross the bridge. I just don't know?!
He still fights like crazy when we give him his Leukeran pill (although his fight isn't as strong as it once was -it's still there). He still purrs (when he's not too congested). He still scratches his post... he still eats (but he's lost 2lbs or so from his 15lb playing weight).
He has small cell lymphoma, nasal and orbital area. Ive been giving him Leukeran combined with steroid shots. He does not eat Oral Pred, no matter how deliciously served (trust me, Ive tried everything). It's nearing week 6 of Leukeran/Steroid treatment. We've gone from Leukeran 2x's every 7 days to Leukeran every other day. He gets a Pred Acetate shot now (which is closer to the Oral Pred, and not as taxing as the Depo we originally gave him). He's so darn fussy and hard to medicate... but that's only b/c he likes to "call the shots". He's his own boss! If he only knew we are only trying to help and be cooperative!
I give him pain meds 2x's a day. I don't think he's in much pain, if any. I know he wants to see warm weather, he still loves to cuddle... yes, his behavior is a little different, but I think he still has fight?
His eye looks awful nowadays... it was better last week, but if his eye is better, it seems his respiratory difficulties act up.
Should I keep going? By typing this I think Ive answered my question (yes, keep going), but I was hoping to get some feedback from some of you? Id love to hear a success story where Leukeran/Steroids brought a kitty back to health from a previously grim looking situation.
Im mentally drained, tired, difficult time working, et., but it's not about me. I'll keep fighting as long as he wants to fight his damned lymphoma. He has the hard part! I just don't want to be selfish and overlook what's best for him, you know? Which I guess is why Im here typing tonight.
How long can it take for small cell lymphoma to go into remission? I wish I had a more cooperative patient/pet, but my vet & I have had to be creative with this treatment (which I hope doesn't diminish his chances). The Pred Acetate shots are a newer twist to the longer lasting Depo steroid he had been getting (in hopes the Pred Acetate allows his body more recovery time between steroid influx/doses).
My cat is snoring like a Truck Driver at a Jersey motor-lodge right now. It sounds awful -but he's actually in a sound, deep REM sleep! His eye looks like Horner's Syndrome (without the facial droop, only eye membrane -now covering about 3/4's of his eye). We gave him an antibiotic again early this week which is helping the sinus infection a bit from last week (secondary, colored boogers, et).
I don't know. I'll miss him so much when he's gone. When Ive boarded him for recent health reasons at vet's I think I see him out of the corner of my eye, and remember he's not home. When he's actually gone... man, I'll be Ok I guess?... but I'll let you all know beforehand so you can buy stock in Kleenex.
Thanks for your time. I cant sleep, rambling post... my apologies, but my cat is sawing some serious logs! (I don't have the heart nor desire to move him from my bed... so I guess a sleepless night it shall be!).
* So, how does one know when it's time to say goodbye and that their kitty wants to cross the bridge?