Patricia&Brownie
Member Since 2010
Just wanted to update everyone on Brownie. They did an abdominal ultrasound at GA Vet Specialists (the ICU/Emergency hospital in Atlanta) and found that Brownie has a 3.7cm x 3cm tumor in his liver. They performed a needle aspiration and the cytology came back as "highly suspicious of carcinoma", which they tell me is pretty definitive for a needle aspiration (as opposed to a larger biopsy specimen). He also had a pretty bad case of pancreatitis, which was probably what was causing him the extreme abdominal pain. His weight was down from 11 pounds in April to 8 pounds... He was treated with fluids, bupe, tramadol, antibiotics and regular insulin. They advised us to bring him home and try to get some quality time in with him. Four different vets told us that the prognosis for the liver cancer was extremely poor and that it would be a very rapid progression. They all said that he had anywhere from 1 week to 3 weeks to live. My DH drove up to Atlanta last night, while I readied the house for Brownie's return. He didn't sleep well (kept getting on and off his bed) and had that spacy look that Bupe gives him. He used the litterbox this morning, ate and drank a little. I dropped the kids off at their half-day soccer and art camps and went straight back home. I put Brownie on his heated bed up on the bed with me and we had a long talk (after 20 years, we have pretty much been through everything together). I cupped his head in my hand and stroked his head as I talked and he really started to relax. He was due for more Bupe at 10am, but he looked so much better without it that I haven't given him his next dose yet. I think it keeps him from sleeping. He stretched out his legs and even hung one over the side of the bed (always a sign of relaxation). He purred and kneaded his paws on me and we both fell asleep for over an hour. I woke up feeling so peaceful and so happy that he was having some relief from the abdominal pain, but now unable to make a decision about having him put to sleep. I'm just going to let him guide me at this point... He's still sleeping on his bed and looking very peaceful, so we'll just enjoy this day together. I can't tell you all how much strength your posts gave me yesterday. I feel profoundly depressed, uncertain if I will ever be truly happy again, and utterly terrified at being separated from my best friend. I can't even remember my life before him. Losing him will rip my heart from my chest and I'm afraid that it will go with him. I still have my other old guy (almost 20 year old Simpkin), but I find myself dreading his demise and the pain that will cause. I remember looking at them when they were about a year old, realizing how deeply I loved them, and how deep the pain would be someday when I had to let them go. But, of course, I opened my heart and loved them with everything I have. And that was the best decision I ever made... I'll keep you guys updated on Brownie. Thanks again for the support and love - there's nobody else who understands how we feel about these little souls who share the journey with us.
