10/25 Max -- Back from Ultrasound; Waiting for Test Resu

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Hi Dale. All I can offer is support. I've never had to deal with any of this, yet. Mannie went through an U/S in July, where a small "mass" (inconclusive) was noticed on his liver.. due to his age we elated not to do any sort of invasive procedure to determine what it is, if anything. We will be returning in a few months for another U/S to see if there is any significant change. I will hope the best for Max, that there is a good answer, one that will allow treatment, Hugs to all there. Hugs to Max.
 
Well, poop...we all had paws crossed for better news. As Sienne has written many times in LL, "knowledge is power", so the more you learn, the better you can make decisions for Max's care. If knowledge is power, then waiting is a B**CH. We will be sending helps of hugs, snowflakes and strength to you, DH and Max.
 

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Dale....this is not the news any of us were hoping for but we will be optimistic that it will benign and Max will be absolutely fine. Anne is right...the more you know, the more you can know what to do. In the meantime, we all wait with you with prayers in our hearts for you and your family and darling, darling Max.
 
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by. I am crying. I can't believe that less than a month ago we had an OTJ party for Max. I was having fantasies that he would live to be 20! It's hard for me to understand how he could have pancreatic cancer and be OTJ for almost 6 weeks. My husband suggested that until the blood vessels grew to feed the tumor, the pancreas didn't have enough blood. However, it can't be coincidence that we had his teeth cleaned and he went OTJ so soon afterward. So, I am still hoping for the best, but it is going to be very hard for us to wait until Monday or Tuesday to find out what type of cancer this is.

Max is outside on the chaise lounge. I usually don't let him out after dark because of coyotes, but there is a huge party in the park across the street (Renaissance Faire), and tons of people are camping out over there. The coyotes should have cleared out for the weekend, and DH thinks Max should be able to do whatever wants give the circumstances. I don't really agree as I couldn't stand it if he just disappeared, and I never knew what happened to him. I want him to have a peaceful death, not one via coyote. For now. with all the people partying down, I'm not going to make him come inside.

He'll sleep next to me tonight and cuddle with me for the first 1/2 or so before he gets too hot and moves out near my legs. I can't help but think about how much I will miss that when he does leave us. We have had him for so long it's almost as if here was no life without him.
 
I'm with you Dale.
It's very hard to think about it. The only thing I ever find that helps is to keep counting the blessings... It doesn't fix the pain, but
it sure helps to focus on every moment you have had together....
:YMHUG:
And that you still have now!!
 
Oh Dale, my heart goes out to you. I've been in a somewhat similar place and I know the fear and worry. One day at a time...

We hold you close and pray for miracles. ((((Dale & Max)))))
 
Dale, So sorry you are going through this. I hope you get some answers Monday and there is still hope for treatment and recovery for Max. Hugs and positive vines, my heart goes out to you.
 
Thank you all for your kind words. Max slept on the bed with me last night. He seems to eat about as often as he used to, but he eats less. He isn't hiding. He was sleeping on the chaise lounge earlier before the Halloween party. He spent the party on my bed, and he ate both before and after.

Max has been pooping in the leaves outside. He did this before we left for the ultrasound, and then he did it again yesterday afternoon. Today during the party, he left a small poop by my pillow, but continued to sleep on the same bed. That's odd. I wonder if it stuck to his fur. He's not eating nearly as much as he used to, and he's having very small poops, but the radiologist said that the only way this thing would affect his intake/output would be due to the fact that the pancreas has a lot to do with the processing of food. I'm not sure what that means.

Hope you are all well.
 
If Max is eating less, he's going to have less waste. As long as he's peeing and pooping, that department is good. I know the waiting is hard. Max doesn't know he's got medical issues going on. Just enjoy the snuggles with your kitty.
 
Remember how we say here that the kitty is more than the numbers? They also say "treat the cat, not the numbers". Celebrate every day.....the fact that Max is doing normal things and feels well is fantastic. He might be stronger than you think.

As Carolyn said...one day at a time, my dear friend. Thinking of you. Luv and hugs.
 
Waiting on results is the worst part. We are all keeping our fingers toes and paws crossed that its not as bad as you fear...
 
Thanks, all of you. It is very helpful to come here and find your messages. As we have all experienced, "regular" people don't respond well always to hearing that your cat might have cancer (or diabetes for that matter.) I would think they could easily analogize to a child being sick and follow the same rules: say as little as possible, and if you aren't sure what to say, just say I'm sorry to hear that! So, I don't mention this to just anyone for fear I'll get the thoughtless (yet sometimes well-intentioned) comment. I don't need that right now, and I might say something I'd regret.

Max slept with us last night, too. He's been hungry, and continues to eat and drink. That is a relief. He's been outside to check on his territory this morning, and I suppose all was well. There are many chairs out there that "don't belong," but I assume he didn't find that too disturbing. Now, he's on the bed with DH all curled up to keep his naked belly warm.

What he did find disturbing apparently is that I cleaned his fountain yesterday. He's been using it, but he wanted to drink out of the toilet this morning. I let him and helped him stay balanced whether he needed it or not. He has a lot of fur between his toes, and his feet slip a little. Emma came to see what was happening. She's not allowed in the toilet, of course, and there is usually a lock on it. I could tell she wanted to know what Max found so interesting. She watched him drink, and all I could think is - I'm going to find her trying to drink out of the that toilet sooner rather than later!

I'm trying to enjoy him as much as possible, but it's not possible to stop thinking about the future.

I have so many cupcakes left over from yesterday. I wanted to share a recipe with you. It is delicious. If you can't or don't want to eat eggs, oil or butter, you will not believe how delicious these cupcakes are: Choose a super moist box cake - I used Betty Crocker German Chocolate and also White/Yellow -- Put pumpkin pie spice* in the cake mix and 1 (one)teaspoon of vanilla. Then mix in 1 (one) can of pumpkin OR 1 (one) can of coconut milk (with the cream, too). Fill cupcake wells higher than you would usually as this won't rise as much as with eggs in the mix. You should get about 14-16 cupcakes instead of 24. The
pumpkin style will end up very lumpy and will not even out on top; the coconut milk style will spread out and have a flat top. I topped mine with whipped cream cheese. *Pumpkin pie spice: 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger; 1/8 teaspoon of ground allspice or ground cloves; 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.

My other mommie's group is having their Halloween party here today, but I don't have to do much, thank goodness. I was wiped out last night, and I've caught a slight cold.

Hope you are all well.
 
Hi Dale, so good to hear from you. I so understand what you're saying about not telling some people who you think might not understand about Max. Sometimes I get "the stare" from neighbors here if I start talking about Maggie in conversation. Sounds like the Halloween party was a lot of fun. Those cupcakes do sound so yummy. I bet Emma had a ball. I had to laugh when you mentioned Max drinking from the toilet and Emma wanting to watch and they copycating Max. I have a good imagination. :-D
Just enjoy Max and what you're doing and enjoying the time. It's good to hear he's drinking and eating and pooing and all the good stuff and sleeping in bed. I hope you hear something tomorrow. Lots of hugs and prayers for you and Max and Emma and DH.
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions ???

Thank you, Ann. You are so kind.

I am concerned that Max does have metabolic acidosis, and that we haven't started to treat that yet. This is why

It seems to me that Max's abdomen is smaller today, and his skin isn't as tight across his belly today. At first my husband said no, I'm imagining it. I look down at him from above, and he looks different than he did before. He used to look pregnant. Now, he looks a bit overweight. However, I can feel the tumor right in front of his left hip, and the difference between the way the two sides feel is significant. Now my husband agrees that he looks thinner in the abdomen.

I don't know what to think, but he's eating and drinking, and wanted to hang out outside before the guests starting arriving. He still wanted to be out here in the family room sitting on the love seat despite the fact that there are 3 more children here and 3 more adults.

Then, he spent the entire party on the love seat. We were outside on the patio, and the kids kept coming into the room where he was and playing with toys. He didn't mind, and he didn't move. When everyone left, he went outside.

He must not feel as bad as he looks if he wants to go outside? It is possible that this tumor was a big ball of liquid, and it has leaked because of the needle they used to take the aspirate? Should I be more concerned that he has metabolic acidosis, and I haven't had him tested or treated for that?
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions? ???

Dale

I'd be careful about letting him drink out of the toilet if you use any chemicals at all to clean it with. Even if you don't, it's not sanitary and I'd just be cautious.

When they did an aspiration of Teddis intestinal wall, it somehow caused alot of fluid in her abdomen which changed her shape. I have no idea what caused it but the doctor said its normal. They put a stocking on her abdomen to pressure bandage it so fluids would resorb quicker. Mi don't know if that's the same as Max or not.

Sending you prayers.....pls keep us posted.
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions? ???

((((Dale))))
I can very much relate to "outsiders" not getting it. You are definitely safe here to worry out loud and talk about all of it. I think most all
of have the same fears and same rounds of thoughts. I know I do.
i've gotten entertainment as of late from those asking me how I'm doing.... and I give them an earful ... and I know they want to run.... :-D as I tell them all about the things I've been doing to save my cat.

Even though I am in a much better place at the moment ( I think) with her health, I was dreading that day
when it's time to let go. I've been doing it for a few years as this is the longest I've ever had a pet live so I
thought we were approaching that time rapidly and I hope now it's not the case but I still savor each day as
best I can since anything could happen. Kathy and Cleo are a good example of that sudden unexpected event.

The not knowing is really weighing heavily on your emotions right now. We are all hoping and praying it won't be the worst case and you are bracing yourself in case it is.
But some things often sound worse than they are and you think they spell the end and yet there are examples
of those who go on or those whose pets go on much longer than ever imagined.
My own mother has had congestive heart failure for years, sounds like she should be on her way out and yet
she isn't. I don't know specifically about renal failure but I suspect it is much the same.... That it can be
managed for quite some time and once you know the specifics of what to do, just like FD, you'll have some
new rules to follow. We are all hoping you have caught this early enough to reverse it, to fix it, to treat it.

So hang on to your hope , Max is feeling good, he's hanging out, his quality of life is still there....
The time to really worry is when he won't eat and he hides all the time , even from you.
There is still hope until the vet or Max tells you otherwise. It sounds like right now, he's full of love and
he's saying, Love me.


Like you, I live with that ugly cloud over my shoulder wondering when .... and every one keeps telling
me to try to stay in this moment and enjoy what I have and stop grieving before it's time. It's hard to do...
I slip up quite often.... and then I go hold her and cuddle. And that pretty much applies to everyone we love.

I know it's so very hard.
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions? ???

On New Year's Eve, Zener told me, "More petting, less worry". We try but, boy howdy, is it hard. Thinking of you this week.
Liz
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions? ???

((((((((((Dale)))))))))) WE all know too well the sensation of biting our tongues when talking to "outsides" even if they ask about our furkids. It's equally hard to hear "live in the moment" but that is all any of us can do. We choose to let them into our hearts knowing that there will be a day when we loose them. We are made better by sharing our hearts. People who cannot understand our love are the poorer for their deficit.

Max is being Max. There is joy in the moment.
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions? ???

Hi Dale,
That is so interesting with Max on the love seat and not minding the children and adults. Would his normal behavior be to run and get away from the kids and adults. I'm glad he's eating, drinking, peeing, etc and seems to be feeling good. It sounds like he wants to be close and around you and family and doesn't mind the company. I read the part on metabolic acidosis and the tests and treatment on Tanya's website. When the Vet calls with the results, you could ask about the tests and what all is involved. If it's going to relieve your mind and you would always be wondering if you should have had the tests, that's something to really consider. How often does Max get the fluids? Does he seem dehydrated at all?

Wow, I'm not sure about the aspiration and the possibility of it leaking. That is another good question for the IM Vet or your regular Vet. In reading Marje's experience with Teddi, it sounds like it might be normal sometimes for it to happen. When Maggie just recently had her U/S, there were a few questions I had later (after the exam and U/S consult) for the IM Vet who examined Maggie. It's like my brain didn't process it all the day of the exam and U/S, so I called him directly and asked questions. My regular Vet was gone for the day. It sounds like you have a really good Vet. I can understand all the thoughts and questions.

Sending positive thoughts and prayers for you and Max today and hoping today you will get the results. Lots of hugs.

Ann
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions? ???

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope it turns out much better than it sounds. Good that Max is being 'himself' and I'm glad that he looks smaller.

My heart is with you.

Jo
 
Re: 10/25 Max -- Questions? ???

More thoughts and prayers for you, and I hope the news you get today or tomorrow is as best as can be. I agree with the "others" ... people at work now look at me a little funny because they know I am up many nights with "a CAT for god's sake" so I try to keep it to myself, but there are a few who ask after Leo, even if they don't understand. So it's wonderful to come here and be able to share and cry and feel hope and talk about furry friends in bed with cute shaved bellies and the vagaries of poopies.

((((hhhhhhuuuuuugggggsssss)))))))
 
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