3/4 Fortune PMPS 170 +2 395
- Thread starter RachelG
- Start date
Katherine&Ruby
Member Since 2020
How was the appointment with the oncologist today? Been waiting for your thread! 
carfurby (GA)
Member Since 2012
I hope Fortune surfs safely tonight. I hope the oncologist visit went well.
Nice PMPS!
RachelG
Member Since 2021
Thanks Katherine! Still processing, to be honest. I am very very upset, and scared to google. Doing a bit of a brain dump.
The good news:
Fortune's WBC is good, and improved since chemo
He is much calmer when handled now, and the onc teams loves him
I mean, who wouldn't?
He loves his carrier bed - he actually SAT IN IT when we got home (I put it by the heating vent, but still a W!)
He is not constipated! Scooped the litter box today, and wowza! lol
His weight is stable (still too skinny, but we'll take the W)
The not good news:
His creatinine is now 8; it was 4 when he was discharged
His potassium has dropped further since being discharged
His RBC is a bit lower, but we can continue chemo (if we choose), and we may need to administer darbepoetin if it drops
Next steps:
(the onc is terrific and walked over to the internist and made her look at the blood work. They agreed to the following)
Increase subQ to every day
Increase potassium to every day
Restarting the antibiotic he was on - he showed improvement on it - also in the hospital - so while it's a long shot, I wanted to try it to see if it helps.
I also forgot to ask what his phosphorous level WAS - in the hospital it went UP during his stay to 9.7
The internist, when asked on Tuesday about a binder, said he does not need one at this time. I forgot to ask the oncologist about it, and I keep forgetting to order it - so I made DH do it even though they didn't recommend. I don't think the internist is being proactive. She has repeatedly said that it is his CANCER is causing his nausea, however everything is pointing to his kidney 
The onc explicitly said she believes it's what is causing everything.
On u/s a week ago, his left kidney showed only mild changes, so I'm at a loss as to why it is progressing so damn fast. And I forgot to ask her thoughts...
I'm so so upset. He IS eating, but only a little bit at a time, so I'm trying to remember to offer him food frequently. I'm working on a calorie counting sheet to pull in total calories by day so I have an idea if we are feeding him enough to gain.
If he doesn't start to improve, I think we are going to have to say goodbye. And just writing that is KiLLiNG me.
But I cannot wait it out; right now he is doing well most of the day - he had a good breakfast, didn't pee in his carrier (the long trip + long wait in the hospital can be a lot and sometimes he cannot hold it), he had a nice snack when we got home, and he climbed up his cat tree and sunned for a while. We had lots of snuggles both pre-and post vet visit. He had food at +10 and PMPS (yay) and I'm going to offer him some more in a bit.
We increased the ondansetron again to 4mg 3x/day to hopefully help. I saw my new GP in the hallway and asked about cypro - she said it's more of an appetite stimulant vs nausea control. Fortune HAS an appetite, the nausea just stops him from eating more
My good boy loves his food. I also want to give him gabapentin to see if it helps a bit - my biggest fear is that he is in pain. I am praying like hell that the antibiotic + fluids help my poor bunny, but I don't know if we have a chance. I want to provide him with the best palliative care possible, and if I cannot do that...
I just don't understand WHY it's progressing SO DARN QUICKLY!
Oh, I dislike his internist immensely. We are on a waiting list for Oradell. They may be doing "everything reasonable," but they are uncollaborative and brusque. I don't have confidence in her decisions (sound familiar, lol), and while I love that the oncologist can quickly consult with them and push them, it shouldn't be that way. The onc is indirectly managing everything. I am hoping so hard that he remains stable til his next recheck appt on 3/11 - if we don't get into oradell sooner. Hopefully 3/11 is lucky all around - it's when we are getting our second dose!
The good news:
Fortune's WBC is good, and improved since chemo
He is much calmer when handled now, and the onc teams loves him
I mean, who wouldn't?He loves his carrier bed - he actually SAT IN IT when we got home (I put it by the heating vent, but still a W!)
He is not constipated! Scooped the litter box today, and wowza! lol
His weight is stable (still too skinny, but we'll take the W)
The not good news:
His creatinine is now 8; it was 4 when he was discharged
His potassium has dropped further since being discharged
His RBC is a bit lower, but we can continue chemo (if we choose), and we may need to administer darbepoetin if it drops
Next steps:
(the onc is terrific and walked over to the internist and made her look at the blood work. They agreed to the following)
Increase subQ to every day
Increase potassium to every day
Restarting the antibiotic he was on - he showed improvement on it - also in the hospital - so while it's a long shot, I wanted to try it to see if it helps.
I also forgot to ask what his phosphorous level WAS - in the hospital it went UP during his stay to 9.7
The internist, when asked on Tuesday about a binder, said he does not need one at this time. I forgot to ask the oncologist about it, and I keep forgetting to order it - so I made DH do it even though they didn't recommend. I don't think the internist is being proactive. She has repeatedly said that it is his CANCER is causing his nausea, however everything is pointing to his kidney The onc explicitly said she believes it's what is causing everything.On u/s a week ago, his left kidney showed only mild changes, so I'm at a loss as to why it is progressing so damn fast. And I forgot to ask her thoughts...
I'm so so upset. He IS eating, but only a little bit at a time, so I'm trying to remember to offer him food frequently. I'm working on a calorie counting sheet to pull in total calories by day so I have an idea if we are feeding him enough to gain.
If he doesn't start to improve, I think we are going to have to say goodbye. And just writing that is KiLLiNG me.
But I cannot wait it out; right now he is doing well most of the day - he had a good breakfast, didn't pee in his carrier (the long trip + long wait in the hospital can be a lot and sometimes he cannot hold it), he had a nice snack when we got home, and he climbed up his cat tree and sunned for a while. We had lots of snuggles both pre-and post vet visit. He had food at +10 and PMPS (yay) and I'm going to offer him some more in a bit.
We increased the ondansetron again to 4mg 3x/day to hopefully help. I saw my new GP in the hallway and asked about cypro - she said it's more of an appetite stimulant vs nausea control. Fortune HAS an appetite, the nausea just stops him from eating more
My good boy loves his food. I also want to give him gabapentin to see if it helps a bit - my biggest fear is that he is in pain. I am praying like hell that the antibiotic + fluids help my poor bunny, but I don't know if we have a chance. I want to provide him with the best palliative care possible, and if I cannot do that...I just don't understand WHY it's progressing SO DARN QUICKLY!
Oh, I dislike his internist immensely. We are on a waiting list for Oradell. They may be doing "everything reasonable," but they are uncollaborative and brusque. I don't have confidence in her decisions (sound familiar, lol), and while I love that the oncologist can quickly consult with them and push them, it shouldn't be that way. The onc is indirectly managing everything. I am hoping so hard that he remains stable til his next recheck appt on 3/11 - if we don't get into oradell sooner. Hopefully 3/11 is lucky all around - it's when we are getting our second dose!
Paws crossed for the new treatment plan making a difference. =
I learned that with multiple meds on board, and multiple conditions, it payed to be patient to see results. Neko's numbers and demeanour would often get a bit worse with a new med. It's like her body needed some time to integrate it into the mix. Then a few days later she'd be back to where she was.
Do you need to see the internist, or can you just work with the oncologist as your primary contact?
=I learned that with multiple meds on board, and multiple conditions, it payed to be patient to see results. Neko's numbers and demeanour would often get a bit worse with a new med. It's like her body needed some time to integrate it into the mix. Then a few days later she'd be back to where she was.
Those sounds like positives on the QOL scale.
Do you need to see the internist, or can you just work with the oncologist as your primary contact?
Liz & Minnie
Member Since 2021
Oh Rachel, what a lot to take in. You have written this up very well and my heart goes out to you, you've gone through so much! If I were you (easier said than done, I know) I would try not to google anything tonight. Actually, that's a lie. I would be googling already. But try not to!
I will suggest you try to eat and sleep and cuddle Fortune tonight. It will be 'easier' if your own body is fed and rested, and you can think about things with a fresh-ish mind. And I know for sure it is very easy to say that and very hard to do it, but it's still true. You are a superb advocate for him, poor little guy is lucky to have a mama like you
PS I think I grew up near where you are, we lived in Westwood and my Dad worked in Oradell
@Wendy&Neko - I love reading your posts. You are so good at being empathetic while keeping focus on the facts and actions. And so concise! What a skill.
You have written this up very well and my heart goes out to you, you've gone through so much! If I were you (easier said than done, I know) I would try not to google anything tonight. Actually, that's a lie. I would be googling already. But try not to! I will suggest you try to eat and sleep and cuddle Fortune tonight. It will be 'easier' if your own body is fed and rested, and you can think about things with a fresh-ish mind. And I know for sure it is very easy to say that and very hard to do it, but it's still true. You are a superb advocate for him, poor little guy is lucky to have a mama like you
PS I think I grew up near where you are, we lived in Westwood and my Dad worked in Oradell
@Wendy&Neko - I love reading your posts. You are so good at being empathetic while keeping focus on the facts and actions. And so concise! What a skill.
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
Couldn't have said it any better than Liz, Fortune is so lucky to have you
RachelG
Member Since 2021
I'm so grateful for the overwhelming support and kindness It really helps us feel less alone, and I'm so appreciative.
Yes, it made me so happy to see him go in the tree! We added some stairs to it and the boys have been using those instead of jumping, and it was Fortune's second day going up! I did help him into the higher bed (Marty's spot
) where he was sunning himself all afternoon.
Unfortunately, I think I do need to see the internist. They scheduled us for the same time as our second vaccine dose so I had to reschedule for 3/23 (three WEEKS after his hospital discharge) because they would not accommodate earlier or later in the day, or offer any other dates. The onc discussed it with me (vaccine dose, cannot move, otherwise I would!), and pushed the internal medicine team/internist so that I could drop Fortune off earlier and not worry about missing my appt. It is so painful to work with them! They are not outright rude with their language, but brusque and difficult.
Thank you Liz I didn't even ask my "normal" questions, I'm in such a fog. I'm coping by posting here, and I just joined two CKD groups. I have a good sense from when I was googling about his creatinine being 4, I'm just trying to focus on how he is doing right here with me.
We are extremely lucky to have him! And you are so right, I have a huge sleep/rest deficit since February 3. I use an Oura ring to track my HRV, and it has been telling me my heart rate isn't dropping. Not great. I am trying to remember to take care of myself, I just have no motivation.
I'm in Essex County.
And I agree wholeheartedly, @Wendy&Neko has a way of making you feel heard and held, but getting to solutions/facts quickly. I appreciate you so much, Wendy.
Paul, I am just welling up with emotion. Fortune is so so special.
It really helps us feel less alone, and I'm so appreciative.Those sounds like positives on the QOL scale.
Do you need to see the internist, or can you just work with the oncologist as your primary contact?
Yes, it made me so happy to see him go in the tree! We added some stairs to it and the boys have been using those instead of jumping, and it was Fortune's second day going up! I did help him into the higher bed (Marty's spot
) where he was sunning himself all afternoon. Unfortunately, I think I do need to see the internist. They scheduled us for the same time as our second vaccine dose so I had to reschedule for 3/23 (three WEEKS after his hospital discharge) because they would not accommodate earlier or later in the day, or offer any other dates. The onc discussed it with me (vaccine dose, cannot move, otherwise I would!), and pushed the internal medicine team/internist so that I could drop Fortune off earlier and not worry about missing my appt. It is so painful to work with them! They are not outright rude with their language, but brusque and difficult.
Oh Rachel, what a lot to take in.
Thank you Liz
I didn't even ask my "normal" questions, I'm in such a fog. I'm coping by posting here, and I just joined two CKD groups. I have a good sense from when I was googling about his creatinine being 4, I'm just trying to focus on how he is doing right here with me. I will suggest you try to eat and sleep and cuddle Fortune tonight. It will be 'easier' if your own body is fed and rested, and you can think about things with a fresh-ish mind. And I know for sure it is very easy to say that and very hard to do it, but it's still true. You are a superb advocate for him, poor little guy is lucky to have a mama like you
We are extremely lucky to have him! And you are so right, I have a huge sleep/rest deficit since February 3. I use an Oura ring to track my HRV, and it has been telling me my heart rate isn't dropping. Not great. I am trying to remember to take care of myself, I just have no motivation.
Not far at all!
I'm in Essex County.And I agree wholeheartedly, @Wendy&Neko has a way of making you feel heard and held, but getting to solutions/facts quickly. I appreciate you so much, Wendy.
Paul, I am just welling up with emotion. Fortune is so so special.
tiffmaxee
Member Since 2013
I agree with what Wendy wrote. Cyproheptadine is an appetite stimulant. It might help him eat more. I think a phosphorus binder will help too. The high phosphorus is not good for his kidneys and can make him nauseous. I hope you can work everything through your oncologist too because she’s right on about the issues and seems to truly have Fortune’s best interests in mind. You are the best CG and fur mom.
RachelG
Member Since 2021
Thanks Elise
Binder is on its way, DH ordered tonight. I kept looking it up and forgetting to buy
I hear you re: cyproheptadine. Mirataz didn’t seem to be helping so we stopped it to see if there was a difference, and there wasn’t so we stopped it. I’ll leave a message for the oncologist tomorrow.
Thanks for the support.
Oh! And he has been eating the A/D! I was able to get my hands on some before I committed to a case on chewy. Going to ask for a script
Binder is on its way, DH ordered tonight. I kept looking it up and forgetting to buy
I hear you re: cyproheptadine. Mirataz didn’t seem to be helping so we stopped it to see if there was a difference, and there wasn’t so we stopped it. I’ll leave a message for the oncologist tomorrow.
Thanks for the support.
Oh! And he has been eating the A/D! I was able to get my hands on some before I committed to a case on chewy. Going to ask for a script
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Katherine&Ruby
Member Since 2020
I second the idea of getting cypro. Ruby's been SO MUCH BETTER on it with the ondansetron versus the cerenia + mirtazapine. I gave her some yesterday and her appy is still going strong today and she seems really happy and not outright weird like she was on the mirtz.Thanks Elisa
Binder is on its way, DH ordered tonight. I kept looking it up and forgetting to buy
I hear you re: cyproheptadine. Mirataz didn’t seem to be helping so we stopped it to see if there was a difference, and there wasn’t so we stopped it. I’ll leave a message for the oncologist tomorrow.
Thanks for the support.
Oh! And he has been eating the A/D! I was able to get my hands on some before I committed to a case on chewy. Going to ask for a script
You have so much to manage with Fortune's health and you are doing it so well. The Oura is telling you something important tho. Take a nice warm bath before you go to bed or something. Let your brain and body rest. Fortune also feels your energy and if you're depleted then that's not good for him either.
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Member Since 2018
♥you,DH and Precious Fortune are in my thoughts always ♥
you,DH and Precious Fortune are in my thoughts always ♥