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Tumor / SCC: Defying the Odds with Hospice Care - Living with a Terminally Ill Loved One, I share w
- Thread starter 2Cats4everLoved
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Simon's Diary: "Our Bittersweet Journey...the long goodbye"
Saturday April 30th, 2016
@mrsgreenjeens
Thank you.
However, I just wanted to be clear to those following that I'm taking this seriously. Every change my boy goes through I see with clear eyes. Every change is considered and taken into account on what is best for his well-being.
I understand some pictures may be off-putting, the way his face has changed, but until today, he has done very well eating and being engaged by life at home.
Truthfully today was a little rough, so far at 9 p.m.he only ate about 7 tablespoons of the Royal Canin recovery... While he didn't want to eat food, he did manage to lick/eat a couple of pieces of Swiss cheese, so I know he can still swallow. He never liked wet food and was always repulsed by it. I feel this may been a show of force on his part, wanting to be independent again. I am glad he ate the cheese, but he needs the high cal food.
While being accepting to the idea he may have had his last hurrah this past week, I hope tomorrow he'll surprise us again. I was hoping for another week... fingers crossed.
I think the higher powers above may have other plans.
Without eating much yesterday or today, he's already lost some of the weight he's managed to put back on.
below, Simon lounging after he took back his bag from Chestnut.
This was soon after the drugs were kicking in.
Simon's Journey continues.
Saturday April 30th, 2016
@mrsgreenjeens
Thank you.
However, I just wanted to be clear to those following that I'm taking this seriously. Every change my boy goes through I see with clear eyes. Every change is considered and taken into account on what is best for his well-being.
I understand some pictures may be off-putting, the way his face has changed, but until today, he has done very well eating and being engaged by life at home.
Truthfully today was a little rough, so far at 9 p.m.he only ate about 7 tablespoons of the Royal Canin recovery... While he didn't want to eat food, he did manage to lick/eat a couple of pieces of Swiss cheese, so I know he can still swallow. He never liked wet food and was always repulsed by it. I feel this may been a show of force on his part, wanting to be independent again. I am glad he ate the cheese, but he needs the high cal food.
While being accepting to the idea he may have had his last hurrah this past week, I hope tomorrow he'll surprise us again. I was hoping for another week... fingers crossed.
I think the higher powers above may have other plans.
Without eating much yesterday or today, he's already lost some of the weight he's managed to put back on.
below, Simon lounging after he took back his bag from Chestnut.
This was soon after the drugs were kicking in.
Simon's Journey continues.
We already know this. You've been very clear about what is happening, and the pictures are part of sharing Simon's journey, and yours, with us. Please don't distress yourself on our behalf.
Margret
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- #144
@ Margret - I had an off day today, due to lack of sleep.
With Simon being playful yet not wanting food, it threw me for a loop.
Someone very kind, mentioned something in the best interest of Simon and I, and with me being a bit "off" it didn't sink in right away and I may have spoke to soon.
Bottom line, as prepared as I am, I'm not prepared at all. The thought of not seeing Simon when I walk through the door is becoming an all to overwhelming realization.
Tomorrow's another day. I think he'll let me know within the next day or so what he want's to do.
I appreciate all your help. Your energy has been much needed.
Thank to you all, very much.
With Simon being playful yet not wanting food, it threw me for a loop.
Someone very kind, mentioned something in the best interest of Simon and I, and with me being a bit "off" it didn't sink in right away and I may have spoke to soon.
Bottom line, as prepared as I am, I'm not prepared at all. The thought of not seeing Simon when I walk through the door is becoming an all to overwhelming realization.
Tomorrow's another day. I think he'll let me know within the next day or so what he want's to do.
I appreciate all your help. Your energy has been much needed.
Thank to you all, very much.
There's no such thing as being "prepared" for the death of a loved one. You may know that it's coming to the day, the minute even, and when it happens it still hurts like hell. I speak from experience.
Yes, it's good to have a chance to say "Goodbye," but that doesn't make it any easier to watch slow death.
In the late eighties my father died of primary liver cancer. When he knew he was dying he moved back to Colorado to be near me and his siblings during his final months. He bought a small house near us, and I visited every day. I gave him Reiki, which seemed to help with the pain, a little bit, and made him feel very loved, but it did not cure the cancer. With the cooperation of hospice we managed to keep him at home, where he wanted to be, until the end. Hospice nurses visited frequently. One day they told us that we could expect him to die within the next three days. I moved in to his house, sleeping in the basement so that I could be with him every waking moment.
The night he died I took the late shift sitting up with him. When I came into the room he asked "Am I still alive?" I told him that he was and asked whether he minded. He lifted his hand and wobbled it in a six-of-one-half-a-dozen-of-the-other gesture. He wanted to watch television, so I got the remote and turned it on and began searching for something good to watch. He decided he liked the channel flipping and asked me to keep doing it, as fast as possible -- he was enjoying the sense of speed. We finally stopped on a rerun of F Troop, an old sitcom about a fort in the desert Southwest, crewed by a troop of misfits. The only competent people there were the young commanding officer and his older second in command, who were basically there as straight men -- kind of like Gilligan's Island, with more people. I don't believe my dad had ever watched it before, but he was much taken with the commanding officer for some reason. After we turned the television off my dad confided to me that he was worried that the floorboards couldn't support the weight of that elephant over there. I suggested that maybe we should put the elephant outside, but he said that he was worried that if we did so that nice young officer might get in trouble. I said that the officer seemed quite competent and I thought he could take care of himself, and that elephants aren't really happy in houses, so my dad agreed that yes, we could put the elephant outside. Fortunately, he didn't insist that I escort it to the door, merely deciding to put it out was apparently enough to take care of the hallucination.
I went to bed that night fully expecting that my father would be dead by morning, and I was correct. My brother woke me up in the morning to say that our father had passed during the night. And it was still a shock. We had been living with this illness for months; we had known all along that it was likely to be terminal, despite the experimental treatment programs we'd gotten him into; we had been told to the day when it was going to happen; by the time his body died his mind had already begun checking out, and still some part of me was expecting a miracle. That's just the way the human mind works.
All you can do is take it one day at a time. You'll know when it's time to let Simon go, and you'll do what you need to do. And it will still hurt like hell, and you will probably second guess yourself, asking yourself whether there wasn't just one more thing you could have done, and the answer will be "No! You did everything you could for Simon, used all the resources you had to make his final weeks and days and hours as good for him as possible." And on some level you will still blame yourself, because that also is the way the human mind works. But that doesn't mean that you're right to blame yourself. It means that you're in an intolerable situation and grasping for some feeling of control, which, unfortunately, is illusory. You're already controlling as much as you can, with pain meds and high calorie meals and massage and all the rest of it. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint), our ability to control circumstance does not extend to godlike powers.
I stand by what I said before. Whether you know it or not, we all know that you're doing everything you can for Simon, out of love, and when you need a shoulder to cry on we're here for you. We understand that you're under incredible pressure right now, and it would be astonishing if you didn't have a day when you say something you regret. One way or another we've all been through something like this. You are sharing Simon's journey both for your benefit and our benefit, and we appreciate it. But sharing Simon's journey means sharing your own journey with Simon, and that means sharing the bad days as well as the good ones, and we all get that. You're welcome to tell us that you feel embarrassed by something you said here, and we'll understand. But we will continue to believe that no apology is necessary, and we'll tell you when we think that you're blaming yourself irrationally. Because that is our job on this thread, okay?
Margret
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- #146
Simon's Diary: "Our Bittersweet Journey...the long goodbye"
May 1st 2016
Yesterday was an emotional day for me, with lack of sleep and Simon not wanting food, for the first time I was extremely overwhelmed and felt hopeless. I thought I had before, and I've had doubts but reality knocked the socks off me this time.
Thank you all again for your support.
Last night I gave Simon his dose of buprenex at 12:30 a.m.
My husband and I settled in to sleep, then 2 young men started arguing outside my window, when I checked out the situation, I noticed Simon was still lounging in the kitchen. He came into the living room with me as we watched the two argue. I would have gone to bed but one was standing over the other with a brick in his hand while the other sat on the ground against my fence, after an 45 minutes a neighbor shooed them away, and police didn't need to be called so I went back to bed. Simon went back to the kitchen.
Simon in the past, would normally wait until we were all tucked in, then make his grand entrance to bed after we'd call him for a few minutes, and that's exactly what happened last night. After begging him to join us, he leaped into bed.
I pet him as we dozed off telling him if he needed to let go, it's okay.... He reached out with his paw and pressed it into my lips, then I dozed off. I woke up fairly early and saw he was lounging in between his daddy's legs, then I dozed off, and when I woke again he was in his spot by the window.
He seemed reluctant to eat and drink but wanted to.
I had taken the blended IAMS Max Cal out of the fridge to get room temperature earlier when I first woke up, but It seems with the heat in the apartment, it made the high protein food rancid, it smelled so bad. It was a new can I opened and blended before we went to bed. Quickly I put him away from it. I didn't want him to get turned off and didn't force the issue.
He laid on the bed, I wiped him down with a damp cloth, brushed him and gave him his daily massage. I took a Q-Tip, wet it with water and he licked it. His daddy also gave him a nice brushing.
At this point I let him be.
I had to run to the market, and while there, I had remembered reading a thread on The Cat Site where someone (I think @foxycat) suggested getting Ham Gerber Baby Food. I picked up a jar, although without my glasses with me, what I thought was ham was a picture of a roast beef, LOL.
Anyway, when I got home I put a little on my finger, much to my surprise Simon gobbled it up, the entire jar. After he was finished, I ran to the store and picked up 3 more jars. This was how I got him to start eating back in March, I should have done this yesterday. Oh well...
I'm pleased to say, by noon today, Simon finished an entire jar of baby food, 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and the drank a very satisfying amount of water, all on his own.
below, Simon slurping down the jar of baby food 10:00 a.m.
It could be the high protein food became too rich for him, got sick of it, it wasn't smooth for him to swallow, I don't know and I'm baffled.
But, If my baby has to leave me, at least he'll go with a full belly...
With the sound of rain hitting the window, he's drifted off and is napping. I'll slip him his pain med's while he sleeps.
I don't know what this week will bring, but I'll take it one day at a time.
Thank you all again for your kind words of support.
@Margret - Thank you sooooooooooooo much for your kind words, you gave me lots to think about and you hit the nail on the head with your story. I'm going to collect my thoughts and address your post in a little while. Thank you for positive energy...
May 1st 2016
Yesterday was an emotional day for me, with lack of sleep and Simon not wanting food, for the first time I was extremely overwhelmed and felt hopeless. I thought I had before, and I've had doubts but reality knocked the socks off me this time.
Thank you all again for your support.
Last night I gave Simon his dose of buprenex at 12:30 a.m.
My husband and I settled in to sleep, then 2 young men started arguing outside my window, when I checked out the situation, I noticed Simon was still lounging in the kitchen. He came into the living room with me as we watched the two argue. I would have gone to bed but one was standing over the other with a brick in his hand while the other sat on the ground against my fence, after an 45 minutes a neighbor shooed them away, and police didn't need to be called so I went back to bed. Simon went back to the kitchen.
Simon in the past, would normally wait until we were all tucked in, then make his grand entrance to bed after we'd call him for a few minutes, and that's exactly what happened last night. After begging him to join us, he leaped into bed.
I pet him as we dozed off telling him if he needed to let go, it's okay.... He reached out with his paw and pressed it into my lips, then I dozed off. I woke up fairly early and saw he was lounging in between his daddy's legs, then I dozed off, and when I woke again he was in his spot by the window.
He seemed reluctant to eat and drink but wanted to.
I had taken the blended IAMS Max Cal out of the fridge to get room temperature earlier when I first woke up, but It seems with the heat in the apartment, it made the high protein food rancid, it smelled so bad. It was a new can I opened and blended before we went to bed. Quickly I put him away from it. I didn't want him to get turned off and didn't force the issue.
He laid on the bed, I wiped him down with a damp cloth, brushed him and gave him his daily massage. I took a Q-Tip, wet it with water and he licked it. His daddy also gave him a nice brushing.
At this point I let him be.
I had to run to the market, and while there, I had remembered reading a thread on The Cat Site where someone (I think @foxycat) suggested getting Ham Gerber Baby Food. I picked up a jar, although without my glasses with me, what I thought was ham was a picture of a roast beef, LOL.
Anyway, when I got home I put a little on my finger, much to my surprise Simon gobbled it up, the entire jar. After he was finished, I ran to the store and picked up 3 more jars. This was how I got him to start eating back in March, I should have done this yesterday. Oh well...
I'm pleased to say, by noon today, Simon finished an entire jar of baby food, 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and the drank a very satisfying amount of water, all on his own.
below, Simon slurping down the jar of baby food 10:00 a.m.
It could be the high protein food became too rich for him, got sick of it, it wasn't smooth for him to swallow, I don't know and I'm baffled.
But, If my baby has to leave me, at least he'll go with a full belly...
With the sound of rain hitting the window, he's drifted off and is napping. I'll slip him his pain med's while he sleeps.
I don't know what this week will bring, but I'll take it one day at a time.
Thank you all again for your kind words of support.
@Margret - Thank you sooooooooooooo much for your kind words, you gave me lots to think about and you hit the nail on the head with your story. I'm going to collect my thoughts and address your post in a little while. Thank you for positive energy...
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Babyfood always works in my house..Ham-chicken-Turkey-Beef=whatever I grab they love it. And it doesn't have anything else in it other than meat and stock. And I think each jar has 70 calories=so 2 a day is 140 calories which is pretty good for a sick cat.
Take a break tonight from your thoughts-I know-I know-Its So HARD to do-but since you know about Reiki-how about some meditation? Simon will go when he is ready. And all we can do is assist them until its time. The fact that hes eating and drinking-speaks ALOT-that's one of the ways to gage life enjoyment-for tonight-rest in the thought that he is OK.I hope you get some much needed sleep.
I hope he continues to do well and gives you one more day...sending you lots of HUGS!
Take a break tonight from your thoughts-I know-I know-Its So HARD to do-but since you know about Reiki-how about some meditation? Simon will go when he is ready. And all we can do is assist them until its time. The fact that hes eating and drinking-speaks ALOT-that's one of the ways to gage life enjoyment-for tonight-rest in the thought that he is OK.I hope you get some much needed sleep.
I hope he continues to do well and gives you one more day...sending you lots of HUGS!
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Have you tried kitten food? For awhile, that worked with Lucky and Sara. I don't know why adult love it as much as they do - they just do. It's also very smooth. I am so glad he ate the baby food. That's a pretty big victory! Eating is always a big victory to me.
Been following. Was too hard to reply for awhile, as I was having my own demons with Sara. I want you to know I'm here to support you, and think you are doing a fantastic job with Simon. I completely understand your telling him it's ok to go. The night before I put Sara to sleep, I had a conversation with her, telling her if she needed to go, that it was ok. It's so hard, you sit there and try to analyze them, and at the same time enjoy every tiny little victory, even in the midst of a continual decline.
This thread has been very educational for me. I'm hoping I don't have to go through what I have the last few weeks again for a VERY long time. But, there were times I was trying to understand what I should do. How did hospice work. Etc. There are tons of articles out there, but it felt so... informational and cold. This has helped me to learn, and understand, so much.
Been following. Was too hard to reply for awhile, as I was having my own demons with Sara. I want you to know I'm here to support you, and think you are doing a fantastic job with Simon. I completely understand your telling him it's ok to go. The night before I put Sara to sleep, I had a conversation with her, telling her if she needed to go, that it was ok. It's so hard, you sit there and try to analyze them, and at the same time enjoy every tiny little victory, even in the midst of a continual decline.
This thread has been very educational for me. I'm hoping I don't have to go through what I have the last few weeks again for a VERY long time. But, there were times I was trying to understand what I should do. How did hospice work. Etc. There are tons of articles out there, but it felt so... informational and cold. This has helped me to learn, and understand, so much.
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- #149
@Donutte - Providing Simon starts eating and finishes up the baby food, I'll try the kitten food. It didn't even dawn on me to try it.
I do remember chatting about Sara, and again, I'm so sorry your little girl had to leave you. I keep doing that with Simon - analyzing every movement, expression etc, I think so much so, it was driving me a bit mad. I think I was waiting for him to talk to me. But this new Paw thing he's doing where he's stroking our faces, tells a lot.
Last night, he wouldn't fall asleep without touching me.
I have read only one website on hospice for animals and it was called something like Pawspice Care. It had good tips, but nothing personal.
I know I don't have a very long time, but every Sunday I ask Simon, "how about another weekend".... "just one more" and for some odd reason, he sticks around.
Thanks again for your kind words of support and tips.
I'm glad you find Simon's Journey useful.
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@2Cats4everLoved hang on in there, you are doing a sterling job. I have asked all the same questions as you a hundred times recently.
Its so hard when you can't ask a simple question like 'how are you' or 'are you ok' and instead have to make it up/fill in the gaps and you end up going a bit crazy and second guessing yourself continually.
I remember someone saying to me some time before my mum died, 'at least your mum is still here. You still have her' (the person who said this had just lost her dad) and it totally altered my perspective of those last weeks because I thought you're right. Instead of thinking about everything I have lost, and am about to lose, why don't I forget all that and cherish what is right here, right now.
In modern parlance, I guess we would call this mindfulness, just taking this moment.
I thought less about all the things my mum could no longer do (talk, walk etc) and focussed on reading to her and revelling in her physical presence. It transformed that last bit of time. It was still hard, but it was so much more fulfilling.
Sorry, all a bit heavy but we are all human and this is part of the deal - losing pets, parents, lovers, the whole lot and we don't really talk about the nitty gritty of this stuff but we all go through it!
Wishing you some more happy times with Simon.
Its so hard when you can't ask a simple question like 'how are you' or 'are you ok' and instead have to make it up/fill in the gaps and you end up going a bit crazy and second guessing yourself continually.
I remember someone saying to me some time before my mum died, 'at least your mum is still here. You still have her' (the person who said this had just lost her dad) and it totally altered my perspective of those last weeks because I thought you're right. Instead of thinking about everything I have lost, and am about to lose, why don't I forget all that and cherish what is right here, right now.
In modern parlance, I guess we would call this mindfulness, just taking this moment.
I thought less about all the things my mum could no longer do (talk, walk etc) and focussed on reading to her and revelling in her physical presence. It transformed that last bit of time. It was still hard, but it was so much more fulfilling.
Sorry, all a bit heavy but we are all human and this is part of the deal - losing pets, parents, lovers, the whole lot and we don't really talk about the nitty gritty of this stuff but we all go through it!
Wishing you some more happy times with Simon.
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- #151
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- #152
@foxxycat you are 100% right. I actually spent most of the day on the phone with friends and hunkered down on this cold rainy day and am watching a marathon of Orphan Black (my obsession for the past 4 years). And while I did that, my husband has been laying on the bed with Simon brushing him and enjoying his company, taking a bit of the stress off me. Also, giving me time to relax with my lovable Chestnut on the sofa.
Plus, I got myself a nice bottle of wine which will soon be opened, and enjoyed with pleasure.
Thanks for your advice. You really have give good tips on various threads, which I've implemented throughout this journey.
Have a great night...
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- #153
Simon's Journey continued this evening eating another entire jar of the beef baby food. YAY!!! At first I tried to feed him the ham and he didn't want it, but I could tell he was interested, so I went and got the beef jar and sure enough, I used the cap of the jar as a dish and kept filling it until he was done.
So May 1st started out much better than the ending of April...
What a difference a day makes.
I know the situation isn't ideal, but again, if he has to go, at least he had a nice meal.
With that said, I am taking the advice of you all, and I'm going to unwind with my bottle of wine and kick back to Game of Thrones.
The support you've all given me this weekend was truly a gift. It made such a difference in my attitude and Simon's.
Enjoy your evenings or mornings, depending where you are...
Simon and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
I know, one day at a time... today just happened to be good!
So May 1st started out much better than the ending of April...
What a difference a day makes.
I know the situation isn't ideal, but again, if he has to go, at least he had a nice meal.
With that said, I am taking the advice of you all, and I'm going to unwind with my bottle of wine and kick back to Game of Thrones.
The support you've all given me this weekend was truly a gift. It made such a difference in my attitude and Simon's.
Enjoy your evenings or mornings, depending where you are...
Simon and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
I know, one day at a time... today just happened to be good!
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@2Cats4everLoved ahhh look at Simon enjoying 'special time' with his gf....there is life in the old dog yet lol. Thank you for posting that....
I'm glad you got some time out - you'll be better for Simon if you do that. I remember some years back when Eddie had a difficult medical issue and I was hovering over him to the point that it wasn't healthy for either of us and in the end, I deliberately took myself out of the house to write in a cafe on my lap top. It did us both good. But I appreciate that it is hard to do when you suspect the end could be close. Game of Thrones and wine sounds at home like an excellent alternative.
My overall feeling is to cut yourself as much slack as possible. This is hardest of human experiences. There is so much wrapped up in 'loss' and as you say, it brings all those other characters (parents, friends, relatives etc) back into the frame. Perhaps that 'lightening of the load' that you mentioned is a project to absorb yourself with in the near future...
I'm glad you got some time out - you'll be better for Simon if you do that. I remember some years back when Eddie had a difficult medical issue and I was hovering over him to the point that it wasn't healthy for either of us and in the end, I deliberately took myself out of the house to write in a cafe on my lap top. It did us both good. But I appreciate that it is hard to do when you suspect the end could be close. Game of Thrones and wine sounds at home like an excellent alternative.
My overall feeling is to cut yourself as much slack as possible. This is hardest of human experiences. There is so much wrapped up in 'loss' and as you say, it brings all those other characters (parents, friends, relatives etc) back into the frame. Perhaps that 'lightening of the load' that you mentioned is a project to absorb yourself with in the near future...
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- #155
Simon's Diary: "Our Bittersweet Journey...the long goodbye"
Monday, May 2nd, 2016
Last night ended better than the weekend started...
I took my own advice as well as the advice of all of you "members" and vegged out last night. We slept so well, I feel rested and ready to take on today with clear eyes and clear mind. New Start, New Day...
It helped having my hubby around yesterday to spend time with Simon and give him "different" attention & vibe. He and Simon have their own special relationship, and with hubby's crazy hours lately, he hasn't spent quality time with him, so it was very healthy for Simon to have his daddy around.
Simon was looking around this morning for water. He wasn't sure about drinking from the faucet, so I fed him water from a tablespoon which he drank, not sure why he didn't want to drink out of the faucet, this is something he's done since I found him. Guess this is something I need to keep an eye on. It's possible with the bathroom window open, it was cold.
I did put down a bowl of milk and he drank it up. I then put Simon in his spot on the bed, set it up for feeding, and got out a jar of Gerber beef baby food and he gobbled up a half of it.
below, Beef for Breakfast... yummy!
He only received one dose of the pain med's yesterday, so after eating, this morning at 8:45 a.m. he received his dose of Buprenorphine.
below, Simon relaxing in his blanket fort.
taken, 10:45 a.m. eastern time. My baby... Settling in for a rainy day.
I'll use this time now to take care of work I've been neglecting and try not to hover, I also need to spend time with my "Sweet Chestnut".
Have a great day people... Many thanks again...
Monday, May 2nd, 2016
Last night ended better than the weekend started...
I took my own advice as well as the advice of all of you "members" and vegged out last night. We slept so well, I feel rested and ready to take on today with clear eyes and clear mind. New Start, New Day...
It helped having my hubby around yesterday to spend time with Simon and give him "different" attention & vibe. He and Simon have their own special relationship, and with hubby's crazy hours lately, he hasn't spent quality time with him, so it was very healthy for Simon to have his daddy around.
Simon was looking around this morning for water. He wasn't sure about drinking from the faucet, so I fed him water from a tablespoon which he drank, not sure why he didn't want to drink out of the faucet, this is something he's done since I found him. Guess this is something I need to keep an eye on. It's possible with the bathroom window open, it was cold.
I did put down a bowl of milk and he drank it up. I then put Simon in his spot on the bed, set it up for feeding, and got out a jar of Gerber beef baby food and he gobbled up a half of it.
below, Beef for Breakfast... yummy!
He only received one dose of the pain med's yesterday, so after eating, this morning at 8:45 a.m. he received his dose of Buprenorphine.
below, Simon relaxing in his blanket fort.
taken, 10:45 a.m. eastern time. My baby... Settling in for a rainy day.
I'll use this time now to take care of work I've been neglecting and try not to hover, I also need to spend time with my "Sweet Chestnut".
Have a great day people... Many thanks again...
You do know not to totally withdraw the buprenorphine now don't you? He could go through withdrawal, not convulsive crazy withdrawal but anxiety, restlessness, etc. It IS addictive just like any other narcotic, fine to use long term in this situation but if used a long time for post surgical pain, it has to be withdrawn slowly. No reason to withdraw Simon from it though.
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- #157
Yes, I've actually discussed this with the vet. Simon works well with doses 16 hours apart, 12 hours keeps him too doped up. I would't stop the buprenorphine at all, he'd definitely be uncomfortable.
From my notes, the pattern is, he eats lots about 1 1/2 hours after receiving the doses.
Yesterday, he received 1 dose after having 2 doses Saturday. I'll give him another around 11 p.m. I'm waiting for a call from the vet regarding the long term use of the clindamycin. It's so harsh.
I would imagine he'd have to stay on this until the end... I don't see him coming off it. It relaxes him enough to loosen up and eat.
So far today, Simon had finished 2 jars of Gerber beef... Lot's of water "finally" and for dessert, sweetened slightly whipped heavy cream.
He was eyeing another jar, but then decided a nap would be better.
So far so good...
Thanks for the info. It's useful for someone who may not know effects for short term use with healthy cats vs. use for terminally ill...
My heart breaks for you. Literally breaks in two. I, too, am going through cancer with my beloved Maggie but a completely different kind. I have spent hours upon hours of reading research, trail & error and my attempt, like you, to make this ride on earth the most comfortable and enjoyable possible. She's currently going through chemo (we just got back after treatment #4) and I'm trying not to hover. I try not to fret (Maggie can tell, they ALL can tell) and my vet tells me her outlook depends on me. So I cry in other rooms, I go run outside so I can blow off steam and I just do the best I can. What we're all doing for our babies...just the best that we can.
Every word you write, every picture you post shows what a wonderful person you are and how much your precious baby is loved. I wish you both a long, painless time together still and the peace of knowing that you are his champion, you are his angel when it comes time to help him cross the rainbow bridge.
Every word you write, every picture you post shows what a wonderful person you are and how much your precious baby is loved. I wish you both a long, painless time together still and the peace of knowing that you are his champion, you are his angel when it comes time to help him cross the rainbow bridge.
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@mphscat
Your words are very sweet, kind and most welcomed.
I'm very sorry to learn your sweet girl Maggie having to endure such a traumatic journey. In no way is this an easy ride. But it makes it all worthwhile seeing our "babies" happy and able to enjoy life. And with Simon, when he looks at us with that sweet loving expression, my heart melts.
Yes, not hovering or checking on them every second is hard. Simon definitely noticed when I was stressed. It's important to take a step back, breathe and clear your mind.
I've found that is actually easier said than done. As you can read in my posts from this past weekend. LOL
Keeping a written notebook with feedings, med's, activities, moods, has been KEY thus far. In moments of confusion and stress, I had my notes to keep my head straight.
I can't imagine having to go through chemo. My goodness, what you much be going through... What kind of cancer does Maggie have? Do you have a thread started, I'm interested in Maggie's journey.
I'm certain Maggie is very thankful for you being there, loving her and making her comfortable as she continues her fight.
I truly hope you and Maggie share many-many-many more memories together.
Be well.. Simon and I thank you again.
2Cats...yes, I keep a journal as well and it definitely makes sense of all this info., all these questions I have swirling in my head. I am so lucky that the oncologist is one who still wants to learn so she has been very open and very supportive of the herb supplements that I've bought through Only Natural Pet. She is so patient with answering my questions and is so supportive...that alone makes the process so much more bearable.
Maggie was diagnosed with large cell nasal lymphoma which is treatable. For two months the primary care vet kept saying it was a nasty cold (raspy breathing, leaky eye) but when he noticed as I had that her left eye seems pushed slightly forward, he said that I immediately need to go for a diagnostic visit with an internal specialist. $2000 and one rhinoscopy, CT scan and biopsy later, we had a definite diagnosis. The goal as with all cancers is to get her in to remission and keep her there. They've made incredible progress with radiation therapy as well for her kind of cancer but the nearest location that offers it is 5 hours away and Maggie simply HATES riding in the car. And my vet just put her dog through it and radiation therapy is not kind. It may work but you have to way the pros and cons of the aftermath it may cause.
I haven't started a thread but I've asked a lot of questions on here....LOTS of questions. And it was suggested that I reach out to the Yahoo Feline Lymphoma website for answers and support. Have you tried that?
Maggie has been a fighter all her life. She was born in the country and the owner and his wife didn't want kittens so they threatened to throw them in a pillow case and drown them. My best friends neighbor (a nurse) heard of this and piled in her car and went and got the kittens, then went back the next week and got the mother (that my best friend still has). This was 2000. The neighbor had dogs so had put the cats in a large, outside bird cage but they got out and another name came running to ask us to help us round them up. We thought they had them all and I heard a noise and turned around and from under the nurses garage door came running the smallest, grayest kitten I had ever seen. I picked her up and said, "what are you doing out here by yourself?" and....she licked my nose. I was HERS hook, line and sinker.
So I packed her up and had her shipped to my home....in Italy. Had the plane held when it arrived until Maggie was removed from the aircraft and escorted to customs to clear customs and handed over to my then boyfriend. She stayed with me there until 2010 when we had to return home back to the States (my parents were very sick and it become evident that I was there heathcare plan). She has literally been all over the world with me and it is inconceivable that one day she won't be with me. What in the world am I to do?
And about this oncologist...in early 2000 before Maggie, I had another cat that was diagnosed with a tumor the side of his head. I called my vet in the States and asked him what in the world to do and he put me in contact with a local oncologist. I told her that I would send money, do ANYTHING but I needed help. She answered all my e-mails and gave me as much support as she could...for free. Unfortunately my cat did not make it but I never forgot her kindness. So fast forward 16 years....and I find myself needing her again. So I wrote to her, told her who I was, made an appointment and when she walked in the door, she looked at me and said, "Oh my God, I cannot BELIEVE I'm finally getting to meet you"...and walked up and hugged me. (yes, we hug a lot in the South). I KNEW then that I had found the right oncologist for Maggie.
So I did NOT mean to hog your thread and will end now....but it just proves that we all have our own stories with our babies and we all share one common link together....we're on this website because we CARE. Because these furry beings have our hearts and souls and we're just trying to do the best, learn what we can, get answers to our questions and hope and pray that we've done it all, that we've done it right.
Simon is blessed to have you fighting for him. He knows that. I know he KNOWS that.
I wish you two the very best.
You had asked for a picture of Maggie....here is my sweet girl.
Maggie was diagnosed with large cell nasal lymphoma which is treatable. For two months the primary care vet kept saying it was a nasty cold (raspy breathing, leaky eye) but when he noticed as I had that her left eye seems pushed slightly forward, he said that I immediately need to go for a diagnostic visit with an internal specialist. $2000 and one rhinoscopy, CT scan and biopsy later, we had a definite diagnosis. The goal as with all cancers is to get her in to remission and keep her there. They've made incredible progress with radiation therapy as well for her kind of cancer but the nearest location that offers it is 5 hours away and Maggie simply HATES riding in the car. And my vet just put her dog through it and radiation therapy is not kind. It may work but you have to way the pros and cons of the aftermath it may cause.
I haven't started a thread but I've asked a lot of questions on here....LOTS of questions. And it was suggested that I reach out to the Yahoo Feline Lymphoma website for answers and support. Have you tried that?
Maggie has been a fighter all her life. She was born in the country and the owner and his wife didn't want kittens so they threatened to throw them in a pillow case and drown them. My best friends neighbor (a nurse) heard of this and piled in her car and went and got the kittens, then went back the next week and got the mother (that my best friend still has). This was 2000. The neighbor had dogs so had put the cats in a large, outside bird cage but they got out and another name came running to ask us to help us round them up. We thought they had them all and I heard a noise and turned around and from under the nurses garage door came running the smallest, grayest kitten I had ever seen. I picked her up and said, "what are you doing out here by yourself?" and....she licked my nose. I was HERS hook, line and sinker.
So I packed her up and had her shipped to my home....in Italy. Had the plane held when it arrived until Maggie was removed from the aircraft and escorted to customs to clear customs and handed over to my then boyfriend. She stayed with me there until 2010 when we had to return home back to the States (my parents were very sick and it become evident that I was there heathcare plan). She has literally been all over the world with me and it is inconceivable that one day she won't be with me. What in the world am I to do?
And about this oncologist...in early 2000 before Maggie, I had another cat that was diagnosed with a tumor the side of his head. I called my vet in the States and asked him what in the world to do and he put me in contact with a local oncologist. I told her that I would send money, do ANYTHING but I needed help. She answered all my e-mails and gave me as much support as she could...for free. Unfortunately my cat did not make it but I never forgot her kindness. So fast forward 16 years....and I find myself needing her again. So I wrote to her, told her who I was, made an appointment and when she walked in the door, she looked at me and said, "Oh my God, I cannot BELIEVE I'm finally getting to meet you"...and walked up and hugged me. (yes, we hug a lot in the South). I KNEW then that I had found the right oncologist for Maggie.
So I did NOT mean to hog your thread and will end now....but it just proves that we all have our own stories with our babies and we all share one common link together....we're on this website because we CARE. Because these furry beings have our hearts and souls and we're just trying to do the best, learn what we can, get answers to our questions and hope and pray that we've done it all, that we've done it right.
Simon is blessed to have you fighting for him. He knows that. I know he KNOWS that.
I wish you two the very best.
You had asked for a picture of Maggie....here is my sweet girl.
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