Diagnosed with lung cancer-get rid of cat?

A co-worker has been diagnosed with lung cancer, in fact had one lung removed last week. She will be undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. I heard from someone else that she is being told she may need to get rid of her cat.

Have any of you ever heard of such a thing? Is is just due to needing to stay away from germs? I have offered (through the other person) to take the cat, or keep it short term-whatever she needs. But if it is just germs, maybe we could take turns cleaning the litter box for her or something. Seems like a terrible time to lose your cat, when you need it most to lay in bed with you on your bad days!

I am really not close to the person with the cancer-she is a very private person and has a high level job. So we are not "friends", but have worked in the same company for many years. Please do pray for her and keep her in your thoughts, but also if anyone knows about the advice to get rid of the cat, I would appreciate it!

Thanks, it is so nice to have this community of friends!

Just a guess, but I'm betting it has to do with extremely reduced lung capacity and cat dander.

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

. Seems like a terrible time to lose your cat, when you need it most to lay in bed with you on your bad days!
Please do pray for her and keep her in your thoughts, but also if anyone Knows about the advice to get rid of the cat, I would appreciate it!
Thanks, it is so nice to have this community of friends!

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Awwww Becky this broke my heart....
Poor kitty, that´s no fair...
hope the guy to make concious and find a good home for this creature...

MY PRAYERS to this lovely kitty that he don´t find the Street and find a Good home who take care of him

Thats such a shame

My mum had cancer but she kept her cat without any problems?!

awww..well that suxs...I an not sur why but I will prayer for her and all you can do is hope for the best for the cats sake

Originally Posted by CoolCat

Awwww Becky this broke my heart....

Poor kitty, that´s no fair...

hope the guy to make concious and find a good home for this creature...

MY PRAYERS

to this lovely kitty that he don´t find the Street and find a Good home who take care of him

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No, Rigel, the kitty can come stay with me for as long or short as he needs to. But for the owners feelings, I hope she can either keep him with her, or at least get him back from me after she is done with chemo and radiation. But he will be a sad kitty to come visit with strangers instead of staying with his beloved Meowmie.

My cats don't come in my bedroom, so I plan to keep him in there away from the other cats at first. She doesn't have kids or a dog, I'm afraid the chaos of the living area in my house might be overwhelming at first!

But it would be nicest if she could just keep her kitty herself. If not, I will have an extra guest for however long it takes. I will never put him out on the streets! But I will be nice and give him back when she is ready!

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

No, Rigel, the kitty can come stay with me for as long or short as he needs to. But for the owners feelings, I hope she can either keep him with her, or at least get him back from me after she is done with chemo and radiation. But he will be a sad kitty to come visit with strangers instead of staying with his beloved Meowmie.
My cats don't come in my bedroom, so I plan to keep him in there away from the other cats at first. She doesn't have kids or a dog, I'm afraid the chaos of the living area in my house might be overwhelming at first!
But it would be nicest if she could just keep her kitty herself.

If not, I will have an extra guest for however long it takes. I will never put him out on the streets! But I will be nice and give him back when she is ready!

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So sorry for my missunderstood Becky....
You´re right about the "Chaos"... my best wishes to you for you can organizate well
Definately this family has my thougths and my prayers for this missfortune... .....

I must say I have never heard of this but why don't you send a message to CyberKitten? She is an oncologist and would definitely know if there is any link between lung cancer and your co-worker not being able to keep her cat.

I would have thought that the cat would be very therapeutic for your colleague, but perhaps she has been so advised simply because it will become increasingly harder for her to look after her little kitty.

Well, being new to having a mum diagnosed with cancer, I would say she is doing the best thing for some in her position...It depends on what stage she is in...But my mum could not possibly care for a cat at this stage..SHe is undergoing treatment next week starting and is in alot of pain...

I hope it all works out..

I think it's because of the low immunity this person will have with treatment, and any cat feces can cause an infection.

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

I must say I have never heard of this but why don't you send a message to CyberKitten? She is an oncologist and would definitely know if there is any link between lung cancer and your co-worker not being able to keep her cat.

I would have thought that the cat would be very therapeutic for your colleague, but perhaps she has been so advised simply because it will become increasingly harder for her to look after her little kitty.

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Thanks, I pm'ed CyberKitten. I hope if the issue is the effort to care for a kitty, and litterbox issues, we can pitch in and help her keep kitty home. But if necessary, he can come stay with me!

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

Thanks, I pm'ed CyberKitten. I hope if the issue is the effort to care for a kitty, and litterbox issues, we can pitch in and help her keep kitty home. But if necessary, he can come stay with me!

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Good for you, Becky!! You are so sweet be worried about this poor lady & her cat. Her cat must sense that something is wrong & will be worried about her mewommy. And I know that I feel better when my cats are around, pain is less, etc. I am hoping that your offer to help come care for the cat will be the answer, and that the lady will be open to that suggestion - it sounds like she might have been independent for a long time. It would be a great solution, let the cat stay home & give the lady some companionship that should be helpful at a time like this. But if her battle is too hard, maybe it's better for the cat to leave now, and find another home. Thank goodness it's you! I'll be saying prayers for comfort, healing & guidance for all involved! God Bless, Susan

What a terriible situation for this poor woman and her furkid. She is lucky to have you to help her in whatever capacity that turns out to be.
Maybe a whole lot ot TCS Board Magic will help. I am sending thoughts and prayers her way.

It's to do with keeping away from germs AND the fact that she will ahve a reduced lung capacity. People undergoing chemotherapy have severely reduced immune systems for some considerable time, and the fur and dandruff form the cat won't help her much with weakened breathing. That's why she'll hav ebeen told it's best for the cat to go. I do hope that some solution can be found to suit all parties. Prayers to this lady and her bravery, and hugs to you

Just because a person is immunodeficient (from chemotherapy/immunosuppression or diseases such as AIDS) does *not* mean they have to give up their pets. Here is some good information from a group that works to keep pets with their HIV+ people. It's from the Centers for Disease Control, and maybe your friend can share this with her physician:

http://www.sonic.net/~pals/safe/safe_pet.html

Hmmph - tell that to my late mother, who kept ALL FOUR of her cats throughout her battle w/colon cancer. While I see some logic in a lung cancer patient possibly rehoming due to diminished lung capacity, it only makes sense to me if she was mildly allergic in the first place. Otherwise, the immunosuppression issue is easily overcome with a little help from friends, if indeed it becomes an issue in the first place.

Methinks her onco just ain't a cat person. . .

We're talking lung cancer here though.
One lung removed, greatly reducing lung capacity and the supressed immune system from chemo.

Originally Posted by Arlyn

We're talking lung cancer here though.
One lung removed, greatly reducing lung capacity and the supressed immune system from chemo.

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The supressed immune system is similar in patients receiving chemo and those with AIDS. If AIDS patients can successfully (and safely) live with pets then chemo patients can too.

Makes sense to me that with help she can keep the kitty. I have not spoken to her firsthand, I got the message from someone who is severely allergic to cats.

My hope is that she will be able to keep her kitty, with me as a back-up in case it becomes overwhelming. But each person has to do what they think is best based on their doctor's advice. And it is a little hard, since I am not close to the "patient", I don't have any details. But I know the other lady said the patient was very concerned about her cat. I will keep you posted when I know more.

I reckon that it's worth trying to keep the cat and only having to give it up if there are problems.