11/23 ChrisFarley life inspite of lymphoma update

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Melanie and Smokey

Melanie and Smokey

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Late condo: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ome-vinechrisfarley-pathology-results.147037/

Chris has seemed to be doing a lot better. He spends less time in the bed he claimed by the front door and more time in the bedroom where everyone else hangs out. A few times I've been woken up by him walking up the bed to climb on top of me for pets. He's been playful and exploring the house more.


Last night we ended up taking him to the e-vet because he was going from LB to LB trying to pee and not getting anything out, or only a little dribble/spot. Vet didn't do any bloodwork or urinalysis (wasn't any urine in the bladder and doesn't want to risk any needles into the bladder with the lymphoma anyway), but he did an US and didn't see any blockage and the bladder was intact - so looks like Chris has a bladder infection on top of everything else. Started him on some pain meds and a different AB right away and I only saw him in the box once this morning and it was a productive pee :woot: He's pretty knocked out by the pain meds.

He still seems to have a little nausea, especially the evenings as we get close to his Cerenia dose. He is eating much better, but doesn't eat enough to support his big guy size. We started letting him have access to all the food in the house and he decided that he would like to eat the highest carb dry food we have :oops: I started to supplement some calories with syringe feeding kitten wet food and he is getting used to that and actually seems to like it. Hopefully we can get him to maintain his weight this week and not drop below 16lbs. Hubby is picking up the script for Mirtazapine today. Finally got them to fill that one.

His BG is still holding despite the steroid and dry food - 99 today :D:D:D
 
Wow, a lot going on with poor ChrisFarley, but he is soldiering through it. As Sienne said, I'm more concerned about you! How are you doing with all this? I know first hand how stressful it is. I hope you are taking some time to relax and destress.

Sending vines and prayers for your whole family, with extras for the tough little big guy!
 
It sounds like he's doing pretty well with everything he has going on. I hope the bladder infection clears up quickly. Don't forget to take care of yourself so you can be there for your furbabies. Just take things one day at a time and make the most of each day. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug:
 
Thanks everyone for your caring for Chris and us! There are days I just sit on the couch next to him and cry. The unfairness that his time with us is limited no matter what we do breaks me. We have always made sure that we can do whatever it takes to take care of our babies and we are fixers. That there is nothing we can do is not within my wiring. That I see him doing better helps. Each setback is a kick in the gut. . Its all so unfair to such an amazing soul. This is the second extremely bonded pair of cats that we've had, the second that we lost one half. Every day for the last 3 1/2 years my heart has broke for Mittens and now it breaks for Chris and Cecil. Husband is better at accepting things as they are and focusing on the now with him.

I did have my annual checkup shortly after Chris's diagnosis. I am on my dr.'s radar ;) She's been my woman's specialty dr for close to 20yrs and is more like a friend, she knows me well and also understands the love of a pet, not like my former general prac dr who told me I needed to "get rid of some cats" to get more sleep :mad: I promptly went out and got 2 new fosters :smuggrin:
 
Poor Chris...hope the bladder infection goes away soon.

You are a wonderful bean and he is so lucky to have you!

(((hugs)))
 
Melanie and Smokey said:
She's been my woman's specialty dr for close to 20yrs and is more like a friend, she knows me well and also understands the love of a pet, not like my former general prac dr who told me I needed to "get rid of some cats" to get more sleep :mad: I promptly went out and got 2 new fosters :smuggrin:
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Atta girl - You are so awesome!

Wish I had something more useful to say about Chris - you're right, it is unfair. I think he's trying to tell you how much he appreciates you by jumping up on the bed to you for more pets. He is one great cat.
 
Melanie and Smokey said:
not like my former general prac dr who told me I needed to "get rid of some cats" to get more sleep :mad: I promptly went out and got 2 new fosters :smuggrin:
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totally made me laugh with that one, Melanie! You go girl!

I'm glad Chris Farley's doing a bit better. Everything I hear about cats and lymphoma is very optimistic - so hang in there and think positive. I'm so glad to see an update today.
 
I'm glad you caught the infection as if undetected they can damage the kidneys. It happened to my lymphoma kitty. Have you tried ondansetron for the nausea? It often works better. Vines.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Have you tried ondansetron for the nausea? It often works better.
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Unfortunately both the vet that is handling his case at our vets office (not our normal vet) and the oncologist both think that Cerenia is an anti-nausea med by itself and should be enough. I've ask about adding Zofran a few times now. The nausea is better, we are going to add an appy stimulant as soon as we get the tramadol cleared from his system.

julie & punkin (ga) said:
I'm glad Chris Farley's doing a bit better. Everything I hear about cats and lymphoma is very optimistic
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Thanks! Small cell lymphoma has a pretty good prognosis for long term survival. Unfortunately large cell, which Chris has, does not. It is one the poorest prognosis cancers even with chemo :( Not that we won't kick the crap out of it as long as possible. If cancer's going to take one of our babies, its going to take a beating while doing it.

Chris is feeling pretty good today :) Lots of purrs. Appy isn't as good as we'd like and no Lb action, but overall he seems pretty active and perky.
 
I'm glad to see your update for Chris; I wanted you to know, I've been praying for him and you. I know what you mean about sitting there and crying! It is the worse thing in the world for us "Fixers" to sit and do nothing, been there, done that...And worse, the kitties seem to be able to just accept it, at least Tiger did, and that just made me cry harder :-(

Has Chris ever had Mirtz before? I don't want to scare you, but some kitties have a weird reaction to it? I think it's called serotonin syndrome? The antidote is cyprohepadine, which is another appetite stimulant. Is he getting cerenia every day? I wish your vet or oncologist would give you a script for ondansetron.

Sending continuing truckloads of healing prayers and vines for your boy and you- Cancer sucks :-(
 
Tiger(GA) and Ruth said:
Has Chris ever had Mirtz before? I don't want to scare you, but some kitties have a weird reaction to it? I think it's called serotonin syndrome? The antidote is cyprohepadine, which is another appetite stimulant. Is he getting cerenia every day? I wish your vet or oncologist would give you a script for ondansetron.
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Thanks Ruth. Glad someone brings it up. The vet just put a damn pot-it on the script for the meds to call before giving it with the tramadol the e-vet put him on. Tramadol was on the insert listing for not contra-indicated drugs. When I called the vets office and said I was calling to find out about giving the Mirtz with the Tram, after being on hold for a while the receptionist came back and said the vet needed to look it upo_O A tech called back later and just said that I shouldn't give them together (already figured that out!) and I should wait until 24hrs after stopping the Tramadol. Never bothered to mention the complications (life threatening!) or the signs to watch for.

I did ask about the continuous use of the Cerenia too. Just got told they have lots of patients that use it long term and are fine. My normal vet always has us take the break and prescribes it at a lower dose. I am going to skip it tonight and tomorrow if he seems like he is still not vomiting. I will ask about the ondansetron again on Friday. The oncologist may be avoiding it at this point since he is having constipation issues. He is not vomiting now, but I think there is still nausea there and that is why he won't eat sometimes despite wanting to.

Chris is doing really good right now except he is still constipated, wants to eat but doesn't eat or doesn't eat much, and doesn't seem to want to be out in the sunlight long. He used to bask in the sun, now when he gets too much sun on him he goes back to his sleeping place in the closet.

Thanks everyone for their continued prayers, well wishes, and vines. It means the world.
 
Chris's oncology appt today didn't go as planned. Because of the week he had she decided to do and ultrasound and we have masses in the stomach, bowel, bladder, and severe pncreatitis. He doesn't have a bladder infection the mass in his colon is pushing up into his bladder.
He was pretty perky and energetic today so we were hopeful :*(. We gave cancer one last kick in the nuts with elspar to see if he can have some comfortable days. But our hopes for months with our boy seem to be gone.
 
Perky is good...and you never know - no one can put a timeline on any of us. The Elspar may do the trick, but no matter what happens, Chris will always know how much he is loved.
 
I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but as Amy said you never know what will happen. Make the most of each day and try not to think about the next day. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Melanie and Smokey said:
Chris's oncology appt today didn't go as planned. Because of the week he had she decided to do and ultrasound and we have masses in the stomach, bowel, bladder, and severe pncreatitis. He doesn't have a bladder infection the mass in his colon is pushing up into his bladder.
He was pretty perky and energetic today so we were hopeful :*(. We gave cancer one last kick in the nuts with elspar to see if he can have some comfortable days. But our hopes for months with our boy seem to be gone.
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Each day that we are able to share out love with our furkids is a good day. I am SO SO sorry to hear that your time with Smokey may be more limited, but each day is important, both for you and your baby. Drink in the time you have and always hope for much more. :bighug: :bighug:
 
(((Melanie))) sorry about the news update. :bighug::bighug::bighug: Every day we have with our furred ones is a blessing. Sounds like Chris's QOL is pretty good right now. Paws crossed for the Elspar - it gave months to a friend's lymphoma drooler.
 
{{{Melanie}}}

Having recently gotten similar news about my civvie, Minka, I know how you are feeling right now. Just treasure every moment you have with Chris, and as long as he is perky and eating, you have more time together. Sending tons of vines and prayers to you both. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Melanie, I've been out of town for nearly 2 weeks and hardly online, so haven't read back through threads or know all that's gone on....but just now saw this and want you to know how sorry I am for this news and you going through this and I'm thinking of you.
 
Thanks everyone. The elspar and prayers/vines/well wishes seems to be working :) Chris started eating on his own again early in the morning. This afternoon while I was at the shelter dropping off Deandra for open house he got up looking for food and the climbed in bed for snuggles with Daddy. He's napping with his belly in the air and demanding pets, always a good sign with Chris.
 
rhiannon and shadow (GA) said:
just praying.....it's all i can do......

i've got one refill left on Shadow's ondansetron......it's 30 bucks if you want me to get it refilled.
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Thank you for the prayers and the offer.

Happily, Chris's nausea has been completely gone since the elspar. It seem to have worked on the stomach mass. His appetite was AMAZING yesterday and right now he is munching away again. We are still letting him eat what he wants (stopped eating the i/d for the p-titis), he just goes down the line of foods sampling everything. Chris's heaven!
Still some LB issues. Signs that mass has shrunk, but still in n out of the box a lot as his pain meds wear off. Diarrhea back today.
He's staring at me now, one of the selections on the buffet isn't up to par.
 
Da%$$it on Monday's oncologist appt :-( But readng further down, that is a good sign that Chris wanted to eat, I hope the Elspar is going to continue to help him and reduce that mass in his colon. Did they do the Spec fpl to diagnose pancreatitis, or was this determined by the US? ((((((Melanie and Chris)))) I;m sorry I've been away, but want you to know you've got my strongest prayers, hugs and vines!!!
 
Every day counts - sounds like the Elspar is helping. I'm so glad he had a good day today. Continuing to send healing vines your way.

by the way, the intermittent use of cerenia was what vets used to do - my understanding is that it can be given continuously now. That's what my vet told me, at least.
 
Tiger(GA) and Ruth said:
Did they do the Spec fpl to diagnose pancreatitis, or was this determined by the US?
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US only. It was severely inflamed on the US and I am guessing they don't figure more testing needs to be done with Chris's prognosis :\ Even if it was another mass instead of inflammation, the care would be the same.
Since his BGs are holding in the low 100s or under despite 2 weeks of prednisone, his pancreas is holding up well!
Other than diarrhea, he had a fabulous day. Lots of time snuggling in the bed. We ended up having to limit his food he was eating so much on his own.
We have script for flagyl to get filled tomorrow to use if the diarrhea persists. I hope it doesn't, nasty stuff.
Chris proved himself the king of not taking pills. I gave him the Cerenia last night around 9. After his SubQ fluids I was setting him in the bed and he calmly spit his Cerenia pill out - an hour and a half after I gave it to him. Goofball.
Thanks for all the good thoughts, we are paying them forward too for our fellow LLs. Tough around here lately.
 
I figured they saw it in his US, I hate pancreatitis so much, I hope Chris continue to eat good for you; Tiger's main symptom was inappetance and lethargy. That is true on the treatment being the same.

I'm sending my strongest vines and prayers for Chris and you--hope his diarrhea is better and you don't need the metronidiazole. Are you giving subQ's daily? Ask your vet if you can get injectible Cerenia and Ondansetron. It has been very tough in LL all this year hasn't it!
 
Wishing Chris a beneficial response to the meds, continued strong appetite, and just a general return to normalcy despite the circumstances. We're hoping for the best possible outcome for you guys!
 
oh gosh, so very sorry for the rough ride you're on. I'm sending lots of vines, prayers and hugs for both tough fighter Chris and his incredibly devoted equally tough bean. Each day is a victory and I'm so glad to hear he's having better days.
 
Thank you all for you good thoughts for Chris. He has had some good days with lots of eating, snuggling, playing, bathing, and trucking around the house. Other than a lot of diarrhea, and a sore bum from it, he has been doing really pretty good. The oncologist says that with the cancer being a GI disease, there likely isn't much we can do about it. We started the metro on Monday night so only about 2 days into that. He does better than any other cat I've had on that, still drools, but not as terrible as it could be. We started limiting his food despite a ravenous appetite and that seems to be helping, or at least reducing the frequency due to reducing the triggers.

Today he felt so good he jumped on the counter to steal food. Chris hasn't really ventured out of the bedroom side of the house. Last night he started following me to the kitchen looking for food, today up onto the counters! Chris can't jump, so that was pretty impressive.

He is also climbing on top of mom to snuggle again :joyful:

Day-by-day and today goes in the good day column:joyful::joyful:

Tiger(GA) and Ruth said:
Are you giving subQ's daily? Ask your vet if you can get injectible Cerenia and Ondansetron. It has been very tough in LL all this year hasn't it!
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Yes we are doing 100/day. My vets don't let too many injectible meds out of their office. I know Cerenia they will only do the pill. I can't get Ondanesetron out of anyone in any form for Chris. It has been VERY tough on LL land this year :(
 
I have the injectible Ondansetron. I don't like to use it, as the dose is a lot of liquid, so the shot takes a while, and it hurts when it goes in. I only use it when Minka (or one of my other cats) can't keep food down so pills aren't an option. I would be happy to send you a bottle of it, and some syringes, if you would like me to. PM me if you want it, and we'll work it out.
 
(((((Melanie))))(((((Chris))))) Yay for snuggles in your lap...Thanks for the update, I pray Chris is still feeling good and looking good! Yes you are so correct, I haven't been here as long as you have, but it sure seems like this has been the most horrible year in Lantus/Levemir Land :( I'm continuing to send my strongest vines for Chris, prayers and hugs too!

I think it is Thriving Pets that you can fax your Rx and get the injectibles? My vet just offered to send home pre-filled Cerenia for my Buster, but she also said they didn't have the injectible, nor did they have Ondansetron.
 
Tricia & Cinco & Harvey said:
I have the injectible Ondansetron. I don't like to use it, as the dose is a lot of liquid, so the shot takes a while, and it hurts when it goes in
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Thank you for the offer Tricia. Is that dosed on weight? I wonder how huge of a dose Chris would get, he is still close to 16bs.

Right now, blessedly, Chris is not experiencing any nausea. He has been feeling really good the last week. He is snugging in bed or on the couch instead of sleeping in the closet or the bed in the entryway. He is jumping up on the back of the couch, his favorite spot (he'd like to know what that white stuff is doing where the geese used to play). He's got a hardy appetite. He plays. He motors around the house (just passed him headed upstairs, he hasn't went up there for weeks). Its been wonderful to see the old Chris come out. The diarrhea continues, though it seems to be better when I don't let him have the dry i/d and while his appetite is up, getting rid of the dry works.

He got doxorubicin this last Friday. It is their big gun of chemo there and said that protocols including that seem to have the best success rates. His protocol wasn't supposed to include it until next week, but it sounds like they are going to use elspar and doxo only for now, depending on how he is doing. If he is feeling good, doxo, if he declines at all, elspar. He responded so well to elspar. They didn't US this time, but on palpation the stomach mass was definitely reduced, last time the notes said 3cmX3cm and this time its 2cm irregular.

I have so much admiration for the workers in the oncology field. What a hard field to be in where you will lose many of your patients even after a hard fight. Chris has the personality to charm everyone, even when he's sick, his tech did a lot of crying with me last week and this week she beamed with happiness when she saw his improvement. Her heart must break over and over again doing her job.

So on to another precious week. Chris's meds are down to just the Cerenia, pred, and subQs. He is enjoying that.

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes, we are feeling them.

Some pics of his week: giving mom stinkeye and getting fiesty after getting his meds, a day where he and his BFF cuddled (have been avoiding each other since just after surgery) and sneaking up on the counter to eat the other cats' food ' cause i/d just doesn't cut it some days.
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What a handsome guy! I'm glad he's back to snuggling with his BFF, maybe it was the vetty smell? Our vet gave us injections of cerenia for Zener. They had huge harpoon-sized needles and stung. We were glad to learn there were pills, easier on everyone and much cheaper.
Liz
 
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