11/7 Calistica AM update - Ultrasound results

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Thelma and Calistica

Thelma and Calistica

Member Since 2011
Calistica's vet just called me. This is the first time she's seeing her since she was admitted. She said that Calistica is stable, alert, looking around and at the front of the cage. She thinks that Calistica believes she owns the place. She also mentioned that she is working well with the techs. She has urinated too. No food for her this morning because she'll be getting a heart and abdomen ultrasound.
Her glucose was 147 this morning. New kidney values will be checked later on today so no new values since yesterday's high Creatinine of 4.3
They are watching her breathing to make sure she can tolerate her fluids. So far she is breathing fine but the cardiologist will determine how much fluids she can tolerate both while there and at home. Dr. C doesn't want to stop her IV fluids until her numbers go down because she fears the may just go up again.

She will call me back in the mid to late afternoon to let me know how the ultrasounds went.

I asked her if she would be able to urinate if she had a blockage. She said it depends on where the blockage is at
If in her urethra then she could not be able to urinate
If in her ureter she would be able to pee.

I also asked her if pancreatitis could be causing her kidney values to be the way they are today. She said that is sometimes seen with dogs but not necessarily with cats.
As long as Calistica isn't declining then I think she will be OK. I just pray they don't find any stones!
Thanks for all those healing thoughts and prayers!
Thelma
 
Re: 11/7 Calistica AM update

Hi Thelma,
This report sounds very encouraging. We will be continuing to send those healing vines and good thoughts for the U/S and any other procedures that might be done today. Calistica is a strong kitty.

Hugs to you and Ray,

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: 11/7 Calistica AM update

Good to hear! Of course she owns the place. She's the queen. :smile: Sending tons of positive energy to Calistica, you and Ray.
Liz
 
Re: 11/7 Calistica AM update

That sounds encouraging, and I love the comment that "Calistica thinks she owns the place" - that's also very encouraging. More vines and prayers for her healing and recovery.
 
Re: 11/7 Calistica AM update

Thanks for updating - things are sounding encouraging. Sending more healing vines, etc

I don't know if I've mentioned this to you, but Calistica sure is one gorgeous girl!
 
Re: 11/7 Calistica AM update

Hi guys .. I did not realize that calistica was at her vets .. I'm sorry to hear she wasn't feeling so hot, but glad to hear she seems stable today .. I hope that the tests come back good for you guys .. will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!
 
Re: 11/7 Calistica AM update

Thanks for the update. Continued snowflakes, healing vines, white light and prayers. She is holding her own, great.
 
Sounds like some positive news, especially since she is acting like she owns the place around there. My kitties would have been cringing in the cage, scared to death. Sending lots more prayers and positive thoughts.
 
My heart is breaking because we didn't get good news about Calistica's u/s.
The pancreas looks incredibly different than it did on 10/13. There is a mass on it now and they also found small nodules on the lining of either her stomach or intestines. The radiologist says it is consistent with disseminated cancer.
I've not been able to speak with Ray but I am a mess and I just want to curl up into a ball.
Just like with human pancreatic cancer the prognosis is not good. She could go downhill very fast. We could do a u/s guided needle aspirate biopsy but that may only confirm what the radiologist is seeing. Chemo will not buy her more time.
We could choose to bring her home but we don't know how quickly she could go downhill.
My gut feeling says to let her go before she suffers too much. I don't want to bring her home and watch her get really sick on us. That would not be fair to her. I am trying not to be selfish about this. I want her with us forever but I won't sacrifice her well being just so I can have one more night with her.
I haven't spoken to Ray yet so not sure what he wants us to do.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
Thelma
 
((((Hugs)))) for all of you, sweet Calistica, you and Ray. I'm so sorry this is happening. There is no good way to come to the end. And no words that make it easier. Just know we care.
 
Thelma, I am so sorry. You and Calistica are in my thoughts. I have recent experience of being overwhelmed even "just" by diabetes, only to find out there is something much worse wrong as well. My heart is breaking for you and again I am SO sorry. Hoping against the odds for some better news in the coming days.
 
(((((((((((Thelma and Calistica and Ray)))))))) I am so sorry. You can bring her home and do things to keep her quality of life higher, share some love, and help her become an angel when she is ready. You may have days with her, weeks or even longer. You have valuable info on what you are dealing with - I think this is better than not knowing. Every single day we have with them is a gift to cherish and treasure. I wish I could give you a real hug. I know you'll get great advice from the family here.

I lost Maverick suddenly at a routine vet appointment this past April. No notice or time to prepare. I didn't have to help him cross, he took this painful decision out of my hands. But what I wouldn't give for just one more day with him. It's never ever long enough even if he had lived until 20, I'd still have wanted one more day.

Keeping you, Ray and Calistica in my thoughts.
 
I'm sorry to hear this .. I was hoping for good results .. I can understand you not wanting to be selfish and wanting to let calistica go before she suffers .. but it doesn't mean she will be suffering today, you know? You might be able to bring her home and give her the sweetest last days here with her family .. I can't tell you what to do, I can only give suggestions .. My heart is breaking for you ..
 
(((Thelma & Ray)))

What is Calistica telling you? If she's telling you it's her time, listen. If she's telling you she wants more time with you, no matter how short, listen to her, as well.
 
(((Thelma))) I am so sorry to hear this.

Three weeks ago, I lost my cat, Teddy. He was a seven year survivor of intestinal lymphoma, and had frequent pancreatitis attacks. Under circumstances very similar to yours, I took him in for an ultrasound and blood work, and the results were not good. Like Calistica, he was anemic, and the ultrasound showed changes.

I then took him to see his oncologist, and he did have an ultrasound guided fine needle aspirate, which diagnosed pancreatic carcinoma. The oncologist said that chemo would not be of any help for his cancer.

I was able to take him home with me for a long weekend. He went home with a Fentanyl patch for pain, and I had injections of Cerenia to give him for nausea. He was very quiet at home, but I was grateful for the chance to have him with me for just a bit more time.

The choice you and Ray make will be personal, but I know that it will be made with love and concern for what is bets for Calistica. Only you can know what is right for your family. There is no harder decision to make.

I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
 
I feel for you. It is so difficult to know what the right thing to do is. Only you and Calistica can make that decision.
Enjoy your time with her.
 
((((((((((((Thelma and Ray)))))))))))) I am so sorry to hear about the US results. You are such good beans, only wanting what is best for Calistica. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: Go to see her and she will let you know when she is ready to leave you. You are so brave to be willing to help her with the final step.
 
Thank you all so much for your kind words. I spoke to the vet about bringing Calistica home and she is afraid to disconnect her from the IV fluids because her creatinine went up. she is afraid that if we disconnect her her numbers will continue to climb.
Thelma
 
Thelma and Ray,
I am so sorry to hear about Calistica. You have my deepest sympathy. It is such a hard place to be. You will do the right thing for Calistica. No matter what you decide, you know that you gave her a happy life with the greatest care. No kitty could ask for more.
 
hi Thelma,
my heart is breaking for you as i know how special Calistica is to you and Ray....i'm sorry on the findings of the ultrasound....did they do the aspirate while they did the u/s?

i'm not so sure you remember when Rocket was first dx with his possible pancreatic cancer....i say 'possible' cause the IM vet and reg vet both told me that without an actual biopsy they couldn't give me a definite answer....it wouldn't change the outcome regardless.....as heart broken as i was and as devastated the news were....i was sent home to care for Rocket and he was given tops 3 months to live....my financial resources did not allow me to pursue chemotherapy and i would NEVER get a biopsy on him due to his age....so i opted with the least invasive and financially available option and we started treatment with the pred and the bupe....neither would ever cure what he has....it would only give him QUALITY OF LIFE...

fast forward to almost 9 months since diagnosis and Rocket is still with me....i gauge it all based on what Rocket wants/feels....back then i thought i had to say good bye to him in matters of days....but he proved to the vets he was not ready to go...and with lots of TLC and love he is still doing the Rocket things he did before....not to the extend as to when he was young and could jump on the countertop....but

what i'm trying to say is.....gauge on whether Calistica is telling you she is ready to go....it sounds to me from what you say that she is still fighting....she is alert and wants to be around...don't let a diagnosis as devastating as it may be to influence your decision if she is not ready to leave you....

as per Petuly....you know in your heart she was ready to leave you...she told you she was....and i know it was a hard decision....but sounds to me like Calistica is not ready....

if it were me..i'd bring her home....let her be in her own environment....

when i was sent home to wait for Rocket die on me....i asked his vet if when the time came if she could come home and be there for him then....and i was shocked to find out they don't do that....i was given names of vets that go to homes....and i still think (and must deal with that) for when the time comes and if indeed it's at home a total stranger will put my baby to sleep....sounds like you have a good vet and group of vets that care for her....let her tell you and it sounds like that's not what she is saying....

i'm going by what you have said on all your updates....

wishing you peace in this very difficult time....praying for strength and knowledge....and praying for Calistica who is still showing signs of a fighter....

moral of Rocket's story (even though he never received top notch care when diagnosed)....he has proven the vets wrong and continues to do so.....
 
this is absolutely heartbreaking.

prayers for you and your sweet baby...

Praying_Kagura_pt__II_by_Photo_Cap.jpg
 
Dear ((((Thelma and Ray)))),
Your beautiful Calistica will let you know when her time comes. I hope that you will be able to bring her home, so that she can be comfortable and loved in her own environment. I am so sorry that you got this diagnosis and I know how devastating it can be to hear it. Listen to your girl and know that everyone here is behind you in whatever you decide is best for your Calistica. I pray that you will have some good quality time left to share with her.

Many hugs,

Ella & Rusty
 
Rocket & his Mom said:
i'm not so sure you remember when Rocket was first dx with his possible pancreatic cancer....i say 'possible' cause the IM vet and reg vet both told me that without an actual biopsy they couldn't give me a definite answer....it wouldn't change the outcome regardless.....as heart broken as i was and as devastated the news were....i was sent home to care for Rocket and he was given tops 3 months to live....my financial resources did not allow me to pursue chemotherapy and i would NEVER get a biopsy on him due to his age....so i opted with the least invasive and financially available option and we started treatment with the pred and the bupe....neither would ever cure what he has....it would only give him QUALITY OF LIFE...

fast forward to almost 9 months since diagnosis and Rocket is still with me....i gauge it all based on what Rocket wants/feels....back then i thought i had to say good bye to him in matters of days....but he proved to the vets he was not ready to go...and with lots of TLC and love he is still doing the Rocket things he did before....not to the extend as to when he was young and could jump on the countertop....
Click to expand...

Wow. I knew you were going through a lot with Rocket, didn't know all the story. Very similar to us. October 1st, we got a probable dx of SCC. Probable because we opted not to put him under for a biopsy. Got a second opinion that was the same. Came home with Pred. and Bupe, told that we had weeks maybe days left with Tom. We're enjoying every moment and Pred. is actually making him feel a lot better.


if it were me..i'd bring her home....let her be in her own environment....
Click to expand...

I agree. Hugs to you.
 
(((Thelma and Ray)))) my heart is breaking for you. It has only been six weeks since we got a lymphoma diagnosis on our sweet Teddi (16). We did choose to start chemo (which we had an option of and I'm so sorry you don't) and we did have her home with us for a bit before she decided to cross. And I agree with everyone else that Calistica will tell you and you will know in your heart when it is time. Our Teddi was so glad to be home even though it was just for a short time....it was the greatest gift to us all just like Linda's time with Bear Man. Calistica's creat may go up but it's not scary high right now. My GA Max's creat was out the roof and he was still at home and eating.

Holding you so close in thought and prayer for your sweet, beautiful girl.

I am so glad Claudia posted because I was going to recommend that you contact her. She is an inspiration and so is Rocket. Who is, I believe, the same age as Calistica.
 
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