15 yr old cat had surgery on lip, diagnosis is cancer. Need advice!!! Boston

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sheila33

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My 15 year old Salem had a sore on his lip which kept growing. We were told it wasn't cancerous but it grew bigger was was an open sore so we decided to have it removed. his lymph node on same side was enlarged. Surgeon removed the sore as well as the lymph node. They sent out the lymph node and cells from the lip to pathology and a few days after surgery, doc called & said it showed as cancerous..and that he probably wouldnt have long to live. Thanks doc for sharing that w/me after putting my cat thru surgery & spending almost $1000!  Salem was very weak before the surgery (he just fought diabetes which was brought on by a Depo shot to help the sore lip). We had to wait til his diabetes was under control (gone) to schedule surgery. He had the surgery in Sept of last year..and had a great recovery..put on weight after and was back to his normal self. These days, however, he's been slowing down, looks like he's losing weight, not eating as much. sleeping alot. He has developed some kind of internal growth right where the lymph node was removed, it doesnt feel round or solid..weird. I called the surgeon today to get advice of where to go..he said most likely the tumor grew back (lovely)..he didn't tellme that could happen before the surgery.  He recommends coming in for a checkup,where they can either aspirate or do a biopsy...or go see a oncologist. I'm not going to put Salem thru chemo, or radiation. I want him not to suffer. He doesnt seem like he's in pain, like I said, he's sleeping alot. I'm just curious as to what this growth is and what our options are at this point. He's my little lovebug and he's such a strong boy, a survivor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Sheila
 

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I looked back through your earlier threads and see that you had the surgery done at Angell. That's the best vet hospital in the Boston area, IMO. I'm pretty sure you can schedule a general check up with any Angell vet, not just with the surgeon. All the vets collaborate with each other on cases. I can recommend the vet I use.

The surgeon probably tried to get clean margins when removing the lymph node but might have missed a tiny area which resulted in something growing back. It happens unfortunately
 
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sheila33

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yes, well I'm not sure if he got it "all" since we werent even sure if he had cancer before surgery. The vet before that who did a biopsy said it was not cancerous but that was months before the surgery. I'd like to bring him to a vet closer to home rather than trek all the way back to Angell Memorial. If you have a vet closer to north shore area, please let me know the name. I'm not sure if I should schedule apptmt with an oncologist or regular vet, probably one that specializes in cancer, so an oncologist would be best. Salem is eating, pooping, drinking, sleeping just acting a little "not like himself". He has a brother who's 14 (Bailey) and when Bailey walks by him or touches him, he hisses at him, so I feel Salem is agitated, annoyed or just not feeling well.
 

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Sheila, I'm so sorry you and Salem are going through this.  It's unbelievable to me how many of our beloved pets are facing a cancer diagnosis these days. My daughter's 16-year-old, 5 1/2 pound cat, Lexi, had a biopsy done last Thursday.  Her vet believes it's cancer.  She had a golf-ball sized hard lump in the area of her right kidney.  The lab results today were not definitive for cancer because of "too few cells" so they are running the pathology test on the biopsied tissue again.  I am a proponent of natural medicine in addition to typical Western medicine, because I feel that so many of our vets and M.D.'s do no more than treat symptoms.  I do, of course, take my own cats to their vet they've gone to all of their lives, but he is very open to natural supplements and alternative medicine.

There is a product called AHCC, made by American BioSciences, which is a proprietary blend of hybridized mushrooms. It is gentle, easily digested, and doesn't interact with other medications.  There are some oncologists who prefer not to use it during chemotherapy when Doxorubicin or Taxotere are being used, because it uses the same metabolic pathway.  Others allow it with no problems being experienced by anyone I personally know who has been allowed to use it during chemo.  It actually makes chemotherapy much easier for the patient. It has been used in cancer treatment in Japan for more than 30 years and is the #1 selling supplement there.  I had cancer and underwent the conventional therapies of surgery/chemo/radiation.  Several years later, the cancer returned, in metastatic form.  I immediately began taking therapeutic AHCC (3 grams per day).  I was diagnosed on August 8, my oncologist ran two months worth of tests, ending with a PET scan on October 8, which showed that the tumors were completely gone.  I swear by this stuff.  

They now make a version for pets called NK-9.  It's available online at Only Natural Pet.  Dosage is 250 mg/daily, and I think it works best when given every 12 hours.  It is most definitely for cats as well as dogs.  I had a unopened bottle of AHCC, which I gave to my daughter. I can find no variation in the formulae of these two supplements, and I study alternative medicine.  Lexi began taking 125 mg. every 12 hours of the AHCC on Friday night.  No other medication or supplement has been given to her.  Tonight, the lump on her side is completely GONE.  Her side is normal and concave once again, exactly like the other side.  I do not know at this point (because of the inconclusive lab test) if she actually has/had cancer, but I do know that she had what seemed to be a tumor. She was given no antibiotics, nothing other than the AHCC.  

If any of my own beloved cats were diagnosed with cancer, they would be getting AHCC or NK-9 so fast their little heads would spin.  I had my daughter dissolve the powder from the capsule in some tuna water or chicken broth.  She syringes it into Lexi's mouth with no problem.  I realize that for those unfamiliar with what supplements can do, this may sound crazy.  But I am living proof that it works, and when faced with a diagnosis of inoperable, untreatable or aggressive cancer, it can save a life. It furnishes the immune system with triple the normal amount of NK cells, which, for lack of a better way to describe them, function as the immune system's 'ammunition."  The latest cutting edge cancer research focuses on using the patient's own immune system to fight the cancer.  That is exactly what AHCC and NK-9 do.  There are so few options out there, but this is an excellent one.  If you would like to read more about AHCC their website is AHCCresearch dot com.  It is amazing what the immune system can do when it has adequate ammunition. Wishing you and Salem the very best!
 
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sheila33

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I did order a product called LifeGold which arrived today, I'm hoping it'll boost his immune system. Salem hasn't been eating much these days and sleeps alot. His breathing seems alot faster that before as well.  I made an apptmt with an oncologist for June 6th. I'm not sure if I should start giving him LifeGold now or wait til I talk to the vet.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

maggiemay

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I did order a product called LifeGold which arrived today, I'm hoping it'll boost his immune system. Salem hasn't been eating much these days and sleeps alot. His breathing seems alot faster that before as well.  I made an apptmt with an oncologist for June 6th. I'm not sure if I should start giving him LifeGold now or wait til I talk to the vet.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I would go ahead and start him on the LifeGold.  It not only boosts the immune system, it also helps the body rid itself of toxins.  You're supposed to mix the drops with his food.  If he balks at that, you may have to get creative.  Some cats do not like the taste of LifeGold; others like it a lot.  Getting food into his system is more important than getting these drops into him, so don't continue to put the drops into his food if he doesn't like the taste.  Giving him LifeGold won't make any difference as far as his vet appointment goes, other than giving him two weeks of immune support prior to the visit, which is a good thing.  Do you have anything prescribed to him for pain?  It sounds like he may need a pain medication.
 
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sheila33

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So yesterday was Salem's apptmt with the Oncologist in Woburn. He did full exam of Salem., felt the growth that filled in where the lymph node was removed. He believes it's the cancer that came back. I told him I wasn't interested in putting Salem thru another surgery or radiation. He said there's no guarantee even with radiation/chemo that the cancer woult not return. I opted out of the chest xray also. I just wanted him to examine him for any other lumps he could feel (and he found nothing). He said Salem appeared like he was not in any discomfort, his weight was good (9.5lbs), he's eating, pooping and peeing, sleeping well. He understands I want my cat to have a good quality of life that he can at this time and said that if things change (if I feel the growth is increasing in size, if he can't eat, or chokes), to bring him back in and we can see where we are. He mentioned chemo pills that I could give 3x a week. That would not shrink the growth, but could stop it from growing and spreading. If anyone has advice, or in the same situation (or was in the past), I would appreciate any advice you could give me.  Thanks, Sheila
 

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So yesterday was Salem's apptmt with the Oncologist in Woburn. He did full exam of Salem., felt the growth that filled in where the lymph node was removed. He believes it's the cancer that came back. I told him I wasn't interested in putting Salem thru another surgery or radiation. He said there's no guarantee even with radiation/chemo that the cancer woult not return. I opted out of the chest xray also. I just wanted him to examine him for any other lumps he could feel (and he found nothing). He said Salem appeared like he was not in any discomfort, his weight was good (9.5lbs), he's eating, pooping and peeing, sleeping well. He understands I want my cat to have a good quality of life that he can at this time and said that if things change (if I feel the growth is increasing in size, if he can't eat, or chokes), to bring him back in and we can see where we are. He mentioned chemo pills that I could give 3x a week. That would not shrink the growth, but could stop it from growing and spreading. If anyone has advice, or in the same situation (or was in the past), I would appreciate any advice you could give me.  Thanks, Sheila
Hi, Sheila, so the vet thinks the cancer is back, but the diagnosis isn't definitive?  I haven't had to deal with a cat with a cancer diganosis, and although my daughter's cat is now undergoing treatment, we're not to the chemo stage yet.  She is taking AHCC, 250 mg. daily, along with other supplements.  There are many members here who have gone through cat chemotherapy who are far more qualified than I am to comment on that. However, it sounds like Salem is doing well at this time.  All of his bodily functions are fine and his weight is good, so wonderful to hear that!  I don't blame you for opting out of another surgery and recovery.  Did the vet give you anything for pain?  I always like to have Buprenex handy just in case.  My cats all seem to have their crises when the vet's office is closed.  Hugs to you and Salem.
 
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sheila33

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Update on Salem: he's been losing weight, not eating a lot or drinking. the other day I thought it was time to take him to vet to put down, but he got better and yesterday/last nite he was acting more like himself. He ate (although not a huge amount) at least had a lil wet food and some treats, some water and used the litter box. He slept in the bed with me like he usually does. The nights before that he was sleeping on the floor in a corner of my bedroom. I have a 2pm appointment w/the oncologist we saw a couple months ago to see what our options are. I feel he may be in some pain (not sure if cancer has spread internally) but the tumor on his neck appears to have grown a little and I'm hoping not blocking his airway. He breathes faster than normal and sleeps a lot. Any advise would be appreciate..BTW, Salem turns 16 in Oct.  Thanks. Sheila
 

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Update on Salem: he's been losing weight, not eating a lot or drinking. the other day I thought it was time to take him to vet to put down, but he got better and yesterday/last nite he was acting more like himself. He ate (although not a huge amount) at least had a lil wet food and some treats, some water and used the litter box. He slept in the bed with me like he usually does. The nights before that he was sleeping on the floor in a corner of my bedroom. I have a 2pm appointment w/the oncologist we saw a couple months ago to see what our options are. I feel he may be in some pain (not sure if cancer has spread internally) but the tumor on his neck appears to have grown a little and I'm hoping not blocking his airway. He breathes faster than normal and sleeps a lot. Any advise would be appreciate..BTW, Salem turns 16 in Oct.  Thanks. Sheila
I do not have any experience myself with this issue.  But I wanted to let you know you are doing a great job taking care of Salem.  It is great that you have another vet appointment with a specialist this afternoon so that you have a better idea of what your options are.  I would personally not make any decisions until your appointment today.  If you think he is in pain would your vet be willing to let you come in and pick up pain meds without bringing Salem in since he is going to the specialist?  You could try calling your regular vet for pain meds and see if they will help you.  Perhaps you could also try calling the Oncologists office if they have seen him before may be they would be willing to let you pick-up pain meds for him before the appointment.  You and Salem are in my thoughts please provide an update after your appointment.  Hugs to both of you during this difficult time.
 
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sheila33

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I will just take him today. It's not a long ride. We don't have a regular vet, I've been to several as I haven't had luck with many of them. The last one was this oncologist who I was happy with and he's with a large referral vet hospital in the area. I prefer not to give Salem any pain meds so the oncologist can see him the way he is. I feel they will give him a shot of prednisone or something if he seems to think he's in pain, I will follow up later this aftn with an update  :)  thanks!
 

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Are you close to Concord MA? Hopefully this vet you are going to today helps you out. I recently went to Domino Vet Hospital and I was very pleased with them..he is familiar with cancer and has treated with chemo if that is something you want to pursue but he also won't pressure you to do additional tests etc if you don't have the money. I highly recommend them.
 
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sheila33

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We decided to put Salem down today (this aftn).The vet told us the other lymph node was now swollen and cancer could've spread there too. He lost 1.5lbs in a month and breathing was rapid. Options were to take him home, give him pain meds & see how he would do. I just felt that I didn't want to stress him out any furher. The pain meds, yes they may have helped, but then he'd probably sleep all day and still not be enjoying his life. It was a real  tough decision. I didn't want to be selfish and just take him home to have him with me another day or week, or month. I loved Salem so much, he was like part of the family to me. Such a love bug and happy boy..but lately he was just declining. I cried all aftn and still am, my eyes hurt. My heart is broken and will take time to get over this. I have another cat, Bailey, he's 14 and healthy. He will wonder where his big brother is and I hope he doesnt get too sad  :(   Thanks for all of your support and advice.. Salem is now passing the Rainbow Bridge and I hope he met up with Gizmo, my cat before him.. RIP Salem baby. MAMA loves u always.
 

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I am so very sorry for your loss. sounds similar to what I went through last week. We decided to do one night of meds then the next day set her free. She was ready. I am again so sorry for the hard decision you had to make. He is no longer in pain or hurting but we now have to take on the pain of them leaving us. Sending you hugs and prayers!
 

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@Sheila33 the team at TCS would like to let you know that we are so very sorry for your loss.

We lock these threads out of respect for your kitty.  If you feel you would like to, our Crossing the Bridge forum is a good place to leave a tribute to your boy.
RIP Salem
 ​
 
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