Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-25) UPDATE

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Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

Member Since 2009
I have to leave in about 15-20 mins. This is the appt that is 10 days earlier than the original plan called for. So, wish him luck (I guess) or that the tumor is responding to the last chemo.

I am afraid they will think I am a "bad cat parent" because he is so filthy. I can't keep him clean. We had a big cleaning session, which he HATES last night and he was fairly clean this morning, but I fed him and then he "cleaned" himself... now he is filthy again. And stinky because the food has salmon oil in it and he has spread that all over his face. Sigh. I miss the 'sigh' emoticon from the last board).

Oh, he sucked down all 4 Tb this morning in one feeding! That's the most ever.
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15)

Saying prayers for you and Jeddie right now. I'm sure they see patients like Jeddie all the time and know that it's so difficult for you and him to keep him clean and they can see you are doing the best you can for him. Anyone who meets you two can just see how much you care for him.

Praying they have some encouraging news for you today....

As always, :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15)

Very encouraging his appetite is so good. Praying for good news report!
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15)

Hope all went well today and that there was good news to be heard.

Anyone who knows what he's going through and how much you do for him will understand that he's not able to be as "coiffed" as he normally is. Don't give it a second thought!

And as for the appetite - that's GREAT news!!!
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15)

Good to hear his appetite is better. Praying you get a good report today!

Libby (& Hershey, too!)
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15)

Prayers for you both today and will be watching for an update..Sweetie the mere fact that you are walking into their clinic tells them you aren't a bad pet parent, a bad pet parent would have never been there in the first place, because their animal would have been put down after the dx. The fact that you are trying makes you so much better than most.

((((Hugs))))

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15)

Thanks everyone! You are right, I should not worry about what others think about me or how I care for my cats. I think it stems from the vet tech at a snooty practice here in Chicago that came as close as possible to telling me that my cat needing 8 teeth extracted was my fault. Said cat was 3-4 y.o., a stay I took in, and, as it turned out, had FOLRs. Needless to say, I found a new vet.

OK - the good news: he GAINED .72 lbs in ten days! I was hoping for no loss. To me, this is huge. His blood values are all in the normal range. Also, the tumor has not grown. Bad news: it has not shrunk either. (but the fact that they told me that means they are looking for it and it is a possibility).

I asked about cleaning him and she really doesn't want me using hydrogen peroxide on him because it is very drying to the skin. She suggested a spray or foam no water shampoo, followed by a water wiping and then drying. I also asked about a mouth rinse and she said to try plain water or diluted tea. Tea has tannins which are astringent and antibacterial.

I am supposed to keep doing what I am doing and he goes back in 10 days for the next chemo. This includes giving him bupe every 8 hrs. I have been giving it every 12 so he isn't a total zombie and that seems to be working well for him. I asked for a script for a vial to fill at my pharmacy because it is probably cheaper (I hope), but they insisted on putting "prefill into needle-less syringes" on it. I guess I cannot be trusted to have a vial of narcotics in my possession, just the prefilled syringes, 'cause God knows, I can't "use" them that way. :roll: Geeze. I have been transferring the dose to an insulin syringe, which is a bit of a pain, to shoot subQ since he just drools out most of the dose if I squirt it into his mouth. So, if I wanted to abuse this drug, I would not have any problem doing so. Also, I said I still have 8 doses and only needed 12 (for bid), but the script is for 30. "We don't trust you, but here is twice as much as your cat needs". Oh, well.....

He had another 4 Tb of food when we got back!
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15) UPDATE

Well while not the greatest news ever it isn't the worst either, at least he is gaining weight and you are right that is huge! The fact that the tumor hasn't grown is fantastic as well, granted shrinking would be better but there is something to be said for staying the same too, no worse off at least so there is still hope of it starting to shrink, and they do seem to be expecting it to. And fantastic that his appetite is improving because that says he at least feels better.

As you already know with a diabetic it isn't about how fast you get there it is the journey along the way, every little sign regardless how small is a huge victory over what might have happened. All we can do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Revel in your small victories when things look the worst and remember that he still loves you as much as you still love him.

(((((Hugs and continued prayers for you both))))

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15) UPDATE

JWD. you are a good momma bean. and good boy jeddie for eating.
continued prayers your way
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15) UPDATE

ANOTHER 4 Tb!!! That makes 12 Tb/6 ozs so far, which is more than he manged during both of the last two days. His daily max that I strive for is 16 Tb. he should easily reach that today.

I have to mention, because I think its important, that after I gave the oncologist my report on him and showed her my treatment chart, she asked, "And how are you doing?" Controlled substance scripts aside, I have been very impressed with the docs and staff there. I know Laura has had some different experiences with the ER docs there (and that one doc is gone now?), but they do seem to have their priorities in place (quality of life, ability to manage on the human's part) as well as being board certified in their specialties and having a state of the art facility. I have also noticed that the people waiting for their cats and dogs that are in for treatments are friendly and easily start conversations. I knew one of the women that was waiting last time I was there.

(Dian, I had to look up what JWD meant, lol. Thanks.)
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15) UPDATE

Great news Sheila - all the way around. Food, no growth, increased weight... VERY GOOD.

Now, about that radical that is you... :o :lol: :lol: When I took Hope in last week, I mentioned to the doc I had tried to give her some pain med (bupe). She was like "what did you use? where did you get it?" She'd die if she knew that my medicine cabinet is filled with 3 bottles of Excedrin (extra strength, back & body, and PM - my "gotta work", "gotta move" and "gotta sleep" meds0 while the pets', on the other hand... let's just say there's a WHOLE lot more in their cabinet! ;-)

...but I'm sure they wouldn't ask us, if someone hadn't already abused it!

Continued prayers for both of you - and more good days like today!
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15) UPDATE

Hey Sheila, your heading is wrong - today is the 25th, not the 15th ohmygod_smile

I had to read it twice because I looked at when you opened the thread and the date you put in the subject line and was very confused.

That's excellent that he has gained weight! So all your feeding efforts are worth the struggle. I'm sorry he can't stay clean. I don't think hydrogen peroxide would be bad if you were just wiping the top of his hair and not bathing him in it.

I'm so glad he ate well today. What a good boy! cat_pet_icon
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15) UPDATE

Hi Sheila,
Well I have been watching for updates on Jeddie. It is great news that he gained weight and the tumor did not grow.

Hang in there, you are doing a fantastic job.

I got these pet wipes from Biglots for Mickey. They were in a pink package. Between bath wipes they were called I think. Only 50 cents for 20 of them and they smelled nice. I still have 3 or 4 packs left if you would like to have them.

((Hugs)) to you and Jeddie.
 
I just don't like the "guilty until...we decide otherwise" attitude that government has about things like pain killers and sudafed. Are there people that abuse it? yes. There are people that abuse just about anything... well, it's not that important - just irritating and it's the inconsistencies that really get to me.

Thanks, Vicky, that was a typo. I remember glancing at the date on my computer as I was typing. I think the hydrogen peroxide (henceforth to be referred to as hp) is causing skin irritation. I am thinking he needs aloe or something to put on afterwards. He growls at me whenever I try and clean him now. I kinda think he would bite me if he could.

Peggy, thanks for the offer of the wipes. Venita sent me a container with 200 or something in it. They work ok, but seem like they are not wet enough and they don't have any "tooth" to them. I am using a handiwipe I cut into smaller pieces and it works pretty well at grabbing gunk and then washes out pretty easily.

They tried cleaning his face with the no water shampoo at the vet today. I noticed it right away. Have you ever known someone that goes to the hairdresser, who spends all kinds of time styling their hair, only to have them wash it out as soon as they get home? Well, that's what he did - as soon as I got him home and fed, he washed himself back to sticky, filthiness.

Just fed him his forth bottle (4 Tb) today! So he has had 8 ozs today - his optimum - with one more feeding to go. After he eats he drools more for a while, so of course he decided my pile of clean underwear on the bed was the best place to curl up and sleep. :roll: I managed to get a t-shirt out of the laundry basket and drape it over them before he was too settled. It's bad enough that I have food stains on my shoulders and front, but I can do without them on my underwear! It's a little like having an infant that you bottle feed and then they spit up on you - except I don't know any infant that spits up salmon and turkey.
 
Re: Jeddie has oncology appt this morning (6-15) UPDATE

Sheila, this is such good news.

And this is so cool......:)


Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
I have to mention, because I think its important, that after I gave the oncologist my report on him and showed her my treatment chart, she asked, "And how are you doing?" Controlled substance scripts aside, I have been very impressed with the docs and staff there. I know Laura has had some different experiences with the ER docs there (and that one doc is gone now?), but they do seem to have their priorities in place (quality of life, ability to manage on the human's part) as well as being board certified in their specialties and having a state of the art facility. I have also noticed that the people waiting for their cats and dogs that are in for treatments are friendly and easily start conversations. I knew one of the women that was waiting last time I was there.
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I love that you are so comfortable with the staff. This is so important. And that she actually asked how you were doing says a lot about how much they care. That says so much.

Also cool that you met someone you knew there from before. :)

And that Jeddie is eating better.....always good news too of course. :)

Just fed him his forth bottle (4 Tb) today! So he has had 8 ozs today - his optimum - with one more feeding to go. After he eats he drools more for a while, so of course he decided my pile of clean underwear on the bed was the best place to curl up and sleep. :roll: I managed to get a t-shirt out of the laundry basket and drape it over them before he was too settled. It's bad enough that I have food stains on my shoulders and front, but I can do without them on my underwear! It's a little like having an infant that you bottle feed and then they spit up on you - except I don't know any infant that spits up salmon and turkey.
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Just saw this....that is funny considering I had my baby granddaughter for the whole weekend as you know. Sounds familiar. LOL

Sheila, it will be okay. You are such a good Mommy to him. It has to be so hard at times, but hang in there. Jeddie loves you for all that you do....he knows.

Continued prayers my friend.

Pamela
 
Just a quickie related to your script for buprenex - my vet doesn't have it. (I don't know why - possibly licensing issues? He runs a frugal business....) He kept trying to give me torbutol or whatever it is that doesn't last long enough and isn't strong enough. When I finally convinced him to give me a prescription for bupe, I couldn't find a SINGLE pharmacy here that would fill it. The technician eventually took pity on me and my aching cat and called the practice where she used to work and THEY gave me five syringes, for which they charged me an arm and a leg. Maybe your hospital is aware of a similar difficulty in filling prescriptions.

Wonderful news about the weight gain! I know what you mean about the unpleasant condition of poor Jeddie's fur. Scruffy had that awful urine smell from kidney failure for weeks, and his fur - which was never exactly lovely anyway - was terrible. I kept apologizing for how he smelled when I took him for treatments, and then I thought, neither of us can help that, and he was still my sweet boy. I think the fact that Jeddie's interested in grooming himself - effectively or not - is very significant. In fact, I think your whole report was nothing short of amazing. He's one brave and determined kitty.
 
This is great news to me. When my drooler, Woody, was diagnosed with cancer, my biggest problem was his appetite when he was going through chemo. Could not get him to eat at all. For Jeddie to increase his food intake is a wonderful sign. He is hungry, and wants to groom himself. So good! I think the tumor not growing is a positive sign. You are doing an amazing job Sheila.
 
Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
I just don't like the "guilty until...we decide otherwise" attitude that government has about things like pain killers and sudafed. Are there people that abuse it? yes. There are people that abuse just about anything... well, it's not that important - just irritating and it's the inconsistencies that really get to me.
Click to expand...

There are much bigger drug problems than people abusing buprenorphine. If they will go to the trouble of making meth, they don't care about some little pain liquid, trust me. It is stupid. Rant off.

Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
Thanks, Vicky, that was a typo. I remember glancing at the date on my computer as I was typing. I think the hydrogen peroxide (henceforth to be referred to as hp) is causing skin irritation. I am thinking he needs aloe or something to put on afterwards. He growls at me whenever I try and clean him now. I kinda think he would bite me if he could.
Click to expand...

That's a possibility if you're getting his skin wet with it. Some cats just don't like being messed with. Gandalf was like that, especially as he got older. Even Murrlin is like that. I had to pull a couple ticks off him the other night after his adventure and I had to trap him under my arms to keep him from struggling on the couch. Unfortunately maybe you can't really give him treats afterwards, he's still eating the turkey meat right or is he unable now?

Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
Peggy, thanks for the offer of the wipes. Venita sent me a container with 200 or something in it. They work ok, but seem like they are not wet enough and they don't have any "tooth" to them. I am using a handiwipe I cut into smaller pieces and it works pretty well at grabbing gunk and then washes out pretty easily.

They tried cleaning his face with the no water shampoo at the vet today. I noticed it right away. Have you ever known someone that goes to the hairdresser, who spends all kinds of time styling their hair, only to have them wash it out as soon as they get home? Well, that's what he did - as soon as I got him home and fed, he washed himself back to sticky, filthiness.
Click to expand...

Did you get some of that shampoo? I would get it from them because over the counter stuff sometimes is no good. I bought some "no water" wipes for Murrlin when I picked him up from the airport and they smell so bad, like baby powder. Ugh. Making them smell like a flower only works for a little while and then makes the smell later that much worse.

Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
Just fed him his forth bottle (4 Tb) today! So he has had 8 ozs today - his optimum - with one more feeding to go. After he eats he drools more for a while, so of course he decided my pile of clean underwear on the bed was the best place to curl up and sleep. :roll: I managed to get a t-shirt out of the laundry basket and drape it over them before he was too settled. It's bad enough that I have food stains on my shoulders and front, but I can do without them on my underwear! It's a little like having an infant that you bottle feed and then they spit up on you - except I don't know any infant that spits up salmon and turkey.
Click to expand...

Oh my goodness, I had a good laugh over that. Good that he and you have a sense of humor. I bet he laid on the underwear on purpose - he only wants you having things that smell like him ;-)
 
Yes, he is still me sweet boy, even if he doesn't smell sweet. I think his smell repels the other cats. He tried to cozy up to Beau last night and Beau gave him one lick on the face and them complained loudly and left. So sad. They have separated. In some ways it is good as it happened slowly over several weeks - it prepares them both for the inevitable. But it is also sad because they both took so much comfort from each other. Jeddie did sleep right next to me all night, so he is getting some cuddles and companionship. I know it is not the same.

I did not get shampoo from them yesterday. I am going to so some on line searches to see what the websites that have cat care say about various products. Yeah, I don't know why they insist on making the flowery/baby powder scented products for cats. Well, I do, it's because stupid people that don't know any better buy them for the scent and not the safety and comfort of their pets. But wouldn't lightly mint scented be better for everyone?

I am going to take the script to my pharmacy and ask if they can fill it. My vet *might* sell me a vial. She trusts me and knows my abilities to dose, etc. I know they have it - started a few years ago. It is a licensing thing or something. They have to keep it under lock and key and "prove" that they do.

He had 10 ozs of food yesterday! And today he started off again by downing the entire 2 oz bottle. When you use the bottle, at some point you have to remove it from their mouth and let it refill with air so you can squeeze out the rest. Up to yesterday, when I did that, he would not let me stick the nipple back in his mouth - he was done. Yesterday and this morning he barely let me remove it from his mouth long enough to get the air into it. I think it takes him about 1 minute to finish the bottle.
 
I have been out of pocket for the past few and definitely missing my daily Jeddie update. It's funny, I can almost see the smile and uplifted spirit in you just through your writing. I'm so glad for the good news that I think you were already seeing ;-) ;-)

Both you and Jeddie deserve this reprieve and the special, precious time of peace right now. And I think it's just perfectly fitting that Jeddie is sharing his messiness with you and your "coat". Thick as thieves you two!!!

((((Enjoy this time Sheila....every single minute))))
 
Hugs Sheila! (....psst...u smell funne...)...sorry, I just couldn't resist... :lol:

I'm so glad sweet Jeddie's WANTING the food now! Just from your descriptions today, he's actually feeling a big better than a few days ago...??

Many vets have the license and can dispense the narcotic themselves but cannot write a script for it. Stupid I know but guess there are places things like that ARE needed....

Another big hug,
 
Nothing else to be said except you are an awesome kitty Mum Sheila. Glad Jeddie is eating pretty good for you considering. I know it’s a rough go though.
Prayers and positive vibes comin your way.

Donna and Asher
 
Hi sheila!
yes you are awesome Momma!
and I think it is wonderful that he is eating so much better
and yes it is great news that his tumor has not grown
hopefully this good progress will continue!
 
This journey is a day to day thing. He is in a funk since last night when I tried to "thoroughly " clean him. His fur on the side of his face has been damp and crusted over so long that it is coming out. I had to trim his once lovely cheek plumes because they were just falling out in clumps and it is more fur for stuff to get stuck in. He hated it.

Then, after his last feeding last night, he immediately started cleaning his seat so I checked and it was all damp and matted and had what looked like poop stuck in one mat. I had to very carefully clip it out and I tried clipping a few other mats until he had enough. He was trembling. I was not hurting him, but he was scared anyway. After that he went to the far corner of the dining room where it is hard for me to get him and stayed all night. I had to pull him out for his morning feeding and he went right back in. And all the work I did to clean him has been superseded by him overnight and his paws and face are all filthy and crusty again. I am sure that it hurts to have his fur like that AND to be cleaned even gently several times a day. I think it would help if I could rinse out his mouth after a feeding, but he totally freaks out about that. I have tried explaining to him why it would be good, but he just doesn't want it. Sigh....
 
Poor Jeddie. Doesn't understand that what used to work no longer works anymore. :cry:

I am sorry this is happening Sheila. Hopefully tomorrow will bring better sunshiny days.
 
Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
I think it would help if I could rinse out his mouth after a feeding, but he totally freaks out about that. I have tried explaining to him why it would be good, but he just doesn't want it. Sigh....
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So that means if you even put water in the bottle to rinse out his mouth he won't drink it? Not sure what you mean by rinsing out his mouth after feeding that he doesn't care for. :(

Poor baby. I wish I had some helpful suggestions for you Sheila to help get him clean and for it not to be so unpleasant for him. You are such a good mama to him. I am sure in his heart he knows you are trying to help him. Continued prayers that each day is less of a challenge and that the tumor will shrink. (((Sheila)))
 
I have been trying to squirt water into the sides of his mouth with a feeding syringe. The oncologist gave me a syringe with a curved tip, both of those things freak him out. I have tried putting water into one of the kitten bottles, but I only have one long nipple and I use that for the food bottle. I guess I need to local one more bottle with a long nipple.

When he eats, and even in anticipation of eating - like when he is hungry and starts to sniff at the reg food bowls and when I get him all wrapped in his towels to feed him, he starts to salivate and drool. So there is a lot of drool with food in it at the end of a feeding, plus I am sure he can't clean inside his mouth with his tongue and swallow. I am sure that is what is getting on his paws and then on his face. If his drool were just saliva it might be less of a problem. Thanks my thinking at least.

He stayed in the corner all day except for feedings. I have not tried to clean him, but I did stop to pat him several times and I just picked him up and put him on my lap for a cuddle for about 15 mins. I gently brushed him and he purred and put his head down on my arm, but then he wanted to leave and go try to drink some water.
 
Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
He stayed in the corner all day except for feedings. I have not tried to clean him, but I did stop to pat him several times and I just picked him up and put him on my lap for a cuddle for about 15 mins. I gently brushed him and he purred and put his head down on my arm, but then he wanted to leave and go try to drink some water.
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He sounds so sweet. He loves you SO much and knows what you're doing is all for his own good. You are such a good mama!!!
 
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