Jeddie - vet - not good

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Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

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He has a lesion under his tongue on the right side that looks like a tumor starting to grow. The vet didn't see it, but his tongue was "listing" to the left. I was holding his paws and caught a glimpse of it - very red looking - so she looked further. There is really nothing else it could be. I had her take an xray in case it was a foreign object lodged there - no luck.

I have to do some more research, but oral cancers in cats have a very poor prognosis even with treatment. And the area is very vascular so it is risky to do a biopsy there. I have to decide what to do. I want to know for sure, but it wouldn't change the treatment as I don't think I would do anything more than steroids anyway regardless of the dx. Surgery would involve very invasive cutting and while it might buy 6 months he would live without most of his tongue and probably part of his jaw. I can't do that to him.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and offers of help. I may need to take you up on them. I lost an older cat to nasal lymphoma 5 years ago (tomorrow), so I have an idea of what to expect. I'd really rather not know. And Beau will be devastated, again, to loose another cuddle buddy.

I am very sad about this. It just is so unfair. He is only 12.
 
Sheila, I am so sorry to hear this :YMHUG: to you and Jeddie , I live in constant fear that something is wrong with callie !! even though I bring her to the vet to get checked all the time !! I wish I had other vet options ! sending hugs and lots of prayers for you and Jeddie !!
 
I pray there's a way to get a definitive diagnosis, so that you can go forward with the best treatment, whether that be steroids or whatever is in his best interest.

We will be praying for Jeddie and for you through whatever comes to be. You have the support of everyone here for sure.

((((Jeddie)))) ((((Sheila)))) ((((Beau too))))
 
(((Sheila)))
I am so sorry you didn't receive better news, was so hoping it was just a bad tooth. I will continue to keep Jeddie in my prayers. You definitely have the support of the board. Please let us know how we can help.
My heart goes out to you, Jeddie, and Beau.
 
Oh Sheila I was so hoping it was just a bad tooth.

You know you both have our prayers and all the support we can give you.

((((((Big long heartfelt hugs to you and your beautiful boy))))))


Mel, Maxwell, Musette, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
Sheila & Beau & Jeddie said:
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and offers of help. I may need to take you up on them.
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You have it my friend. Anything you need. This is horrible news. I am so sorry and so darn mad that this has happened to your sweet Jeddie. So, so not fair.
 
((((((Sheila))))))

I'm so sorry, it is not fair at all.

What ever you need just let us know.

Give Jeddie and Beau a snuggle from me.

Robin
 
I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. There is no way I can "do" this on my own.

I'm sort of cross posting in Health - trying to get some input from people who have gone through it. Today I called the practice where Beau was Dx and treated for HCM and his acute p-titis at age 3. Dr. Yohn, board certified internist, owns the practice. She is a very good, very compassionate vet and her techs know a lot. I spoke to one of them today about what to do next.

I asked about having her exam him and do the biopsy, but the vet tech I spoke to said that Dr. Yohn recommends going right to a board certified surgeon who can excise the entire mass trying for clean margins and have that biopsied. If it is cancerous then the whole thing was removed already and another surgery isn't needed right away. Whereas a smaller biopsy still leaves tissue behind. The catch is that the first surgery runs $1000-$2000. I can get Dr. Yohn to do a small biopsy for probably $400-500 (I think). She is $125 to walk in the door.

As much as I want to go at this aggressively, in my heart I don't want to put him through a painful and disfiguring surgery making his last months awful. So, if it was cancerous, I would do what I can to keep him comfortable as long as possible. I am hearing that steroids won't do much for this if it is cancer.

But it would be good to know as soon as possible if it isn't cancer and a treatment option can be figured out.

I feel like I don't have much time to make a decision. And I hate being at a place in my life where I can't just make a decision based on what is best for him and not my wallet. I used to be able to do that - back when I had a FT job with good benefits. Suggestions for lottery numbers anyone?
 
Awww Sheila,

Small diopsy $500, full removal $1000. Only you can decide which way you want to go and what quality of life you want him to have after surgery.

If you have Venita set up a chip in, I'm in. I owe you my friend.
 
Wow Sheila, I really didn't think it sounded like a mass - my heart aches for you and I'm so sorry that you and Jeddie are going through this.

Other than having a diabetic cat....my husband and I rescue other animals. In the past few years, amongst some very healthy ones, we've worked with 4 with different forms of cancer. Each time my heart breaks, each time I'm filled with doubt, questions, fear......but what I find leads to me to clarity is making sure I am as educated and informed about all of the possibilities.

To do that, at the beginning of each journey, I take money out of the equation. It's not that money isn't important and it's not that money isn't considered later, but at the beginning, for me, it just clouds my judgement. Like you, the most important thing I feel I can do for my guys, is to make sure I offer THEM the best quality of life. And to do that, I need to look at and evaluate the situation without any walls or obstacles.

Then I ask questions, and questions, and questions, and then a few more questions. Before I do any procedures or any testing, I want to know about the different kinds of cancer it could be. And then I want to know for each of those possibilities, what the treatment options are, what the prognosis are for each, and what quality of life does each offer. I then want to know could it be anything else and if so what and if what, how is that treated? I talk to the specialists and I read everything I can because I want to know I can make the BEST decision for the little one that needs me to be smart, strong, and compassionate.

I find it's only at this point that I can even think about making a decision about whether to even to go through with a diagnosis....much less any treatment. I think you'll find that once you know what it all could mean, it will be so much clearer to you and although your heart will still lead you, you're mind will step in just when it should and just when Jeddie needs you to.

In my humble experience with cancer, I have walked vastly different paths with each of my animals, some treated, some not. But with each path, I have found peace because I know for us, we knew all of out choices and options and that each of those choices and options were able to be considered with quality of life and compassion at the front of it all.

(((Sheila and sweet Jeddie))) my thoughts and hopes are with you.

Jessica
 
I agree with Robin. Please contact Venita and inform her of the options. Jeddie is too young to give up on at this point. I know you are not doing that or going to do that, but I hate to see the money aspect being the decision maker rather than his quality of life.

It would probably be best to have the surgeon evaluate it and do the best they can if they recommend surgery. A surgeon is going to be more certain as to whether they can remove it without much adverse affects. Please consider the U of I at Chicago, if they have a vet clinic. I believe they may even be somewhat cheaper than a private practice vet, particularly in the Chicago area. I've paid ridiculous sums to my local clinic for surgeries such as skin tumors removed - Gandalf's last one involved 2 lesions and it was almost $1000. His entire surgery at the U of I for his parathyroid tumor, as delicate as that was, was only $1400.

Care Credit may be an option. You apply for it at the clinic if they offer it. You may be able to get a deferred interest on the balance for 6 to 24 months, usually depends on the balance charged. I've been using it off and on since '08, I understand and can explain it 'cause there are "catches," if you aren't aware. Also, what the U of I did was charge the highest amount they estimated the surgery and after-care to be, then once all charges were finalized, they credited the difference back. They do that in case there are complications and the cost goes up. I was charged much less in the end than their estimate, which was $3K. So even if you're given a high estimate, it may not be near that much.

I don't know if any of that will ease your mind or not. I also agree with Jessica that it's nearly impossible to know what the best option is without more information about each. You know we're here to help in any way we can.
 
I have made a bunch of calls this morning gathering information and looking at finances and I have made a decision on what to do next.

I can't not do anything. I have to find out what we are dealing with. And I say we, meaning all of us here who care about Jeddie and those that have offered financial help. There are so many angels here and your concern and caring is truly overwhelming - in a good way!

I am taking him to the surgeon next Tuesday morning where they will do blood work and xrays and make sure that surgery will benefit him (in other words no evidence that it already metastasized) and if so, he will have the procedure the same day. I will ask questions about how destructive the surgery will be to his mouth and tongue and what his quality of life will be before giving the final go ahead. They are not sure if he will have to stay overnight or not. He might because he is diabetic. Next Tuesday will be a very long day for me - and for Jeddie.

But a few minutes ago he was basking in the sun on my balcony.
 
((((Sheila)))

Both you and Jeddie will be in our prayers on Tuesday especially. And of course we will be sending bunches of cyber chin scritches and whisker kisses to Beau while his buddy has to be away from him. Wish we were closer so I could hold your hand through all the scary stuff, but the best I can do is send you a done of cyber hugs and big benign prayers.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette, Autumn & The Fur Gang

PS: Maxwell says if you weren't so far away he would be there in a paw flash to snuggle with Beau until his buddy gets home again. Orinch & white guys have to stick together ya know?
 
There are some folks who swear by neoplasene as a treatment or adjuct treatment for some types of cancer. I have not personally used it, though I came across it during research for a cat with mammary cancer (too late to help, even if I could have found a vet willing to try it)

http://holvet.net/neoplasene.html

http://www.buckmountainbotanicals.net/pdf/tipsforsuccess.pdf

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Neoplasene_for-Cancer/

http://nyholisticvet.com/testimonials/ see Dee from Brooklyn 2010 testimonial
 
I am so upset to see this.
Sending prayers this is not cancer and everything vibes!

If you do a chip in I will help you!!
I am so sorry you are going through this.
(((Sheila-Jeddie-Beau))))
 
Sheila, I'm so sorry to read your update on Jeddie! Purrayers and healing vines and everything I can think of being sent your way. I understand your wish to not sacrifice Jeddie's QOL for more time if it does turn out to be cancer. I'm praying hard that it does turn out to be something less deadly and more treatable though. I chipped in this morning and folks are responding! 5 contributors for a total of $255 so far.

May I ask where you are taking Jeddie? Is it Animal 911 where Dr. Yohn's office is?
 
First: Thank you Venita and DCIN!

Second: Laura, I am taking him to the Veterinary Specialist Center in Buffalo Grove - must be somewhat close to you. I had called Dr. Yohn's office about having her see him and do a biopsy because my vet was reluctant to do it herself as she doesn't have experience. I respect that honesty. I do not feel comfortable having her colleague do it, hence my call to Dr. Yohn. Her tech said they refer people to VSC because their surgeons are board certified with a lot of experience in soft tissue surgeries and will remove the entire lesion, trying for clean margins, and send that for biopsy. This means the tumor/mass is removed in one procedure rather than two which is more expensive, but so much better for the patient.

I will be stepping into an experience where I don't really know what to expect, with new people I have not met, and putting Jeddie's life into their hands. To say I am nervous about it is an understatement, but I trust Dr. Yohn, so I trust her recommendation.

Please keep the prayers, white light, good thoughts coming. I know they are here and surrounding him.

And thank you for donations! Every dollar helps.
 
Hi Sheila,

Veterinary Specialty Center is where Harley was hospitalized last year for pancreatitis, and where I had his abdominal ultrasound and an echocardiogram done. It's a 45 min. drive from here. In my experience their ER/ICU, radiology and cardiology departments are top notch. The only trouble I had, if you may recall, was an internal medicine vet who seemed to be way off base when it came to interpreting Harley's issues and was not willing to work cooperatively with me. That's when you gave me Dr. Yohn's name to follow up with.

I was referred to Dr. Rhonda Feinmehl, DVM at VSC's oncology department after Princess had her mammary tumor removed in case I wanted to pursue further treatment. But as you know I decided against it. But I heard wonderful things from 3 vets about VSC's oncology program so you should be in good hands. I wish I could skip out of 3 work meetings on Tuesday and be there with you!

ETA: I forgot to mention that I was told not only are VSC's surgeons the best, they also have a good palliative care program and can help with pain management as cancer, especially oral cancers can be painful. If I ever change my mind about Princess, I'll be taking her there.

One thing they do there that I'm not sure if other ER/Specialty hospitals do is when they show you into the exam room, they take the kitty to the back to be examined and then the doctor comes in to consult with you. In other vet practices I've been to, they usually bring the cat out after the first exam and you can be together while you discuss findings/treatment options with the vet. At VSC they keep the kitty in back I guess assuming that if you want to pursue treatment they already have the cat and can get started. I'm just mentioning this because when I've been there I've been in a highly charged emotional state and I felt like my cat was being held prisoner or something. As I'm standing there talking to the vet and trying to process all I'm hearing, I'm thinking in the back of my mind "Where's my cat?????" It's probably just a me thing, but I thought you might want advance warning so you can be prepared as next Tuesday will be a stressful day.
 
Thanks for the heads up, Laura. I remember that Dr. Yohn took Beau in the back to exam him, but he was brought back after each exam when she talked to me about things.

I don't think your "issues" with that style is a "me" thing. When we hear bad, or difficult news about our cats it is helpful to have them there to touch for mutual comfort, but I do know that after the tests and consult with me, if I decide to go ahead with the mass removal surgery, they will do it that day. I am assuming right away. I also know they will have to give him a sedative or anesthesia to do a full visual exam. They might prefer to keep him sedated if he is to go right into surgery so binging him back out doesn't make sense in terms of medical care.

But, yeah, it does seem a little "controlling" if there isn't a medical reason to keep the animal in the treatment areas.

PS - yes, would be great to have you there, or even to just meet you. I thought Buffalo Grove was closer to you than me, but it supposed to take me about 45 mins to get there as well - that's almost all on 94/294.
 
I've been working for the past two days (hospital....long shifts) and have been anxious to get on this morning and see how things are progressing. One of my dogs had Chondrosarcoma and we went through a similar process at the University of Florida Vet Hospital. He had to be sedated for the exam so that they could have a full understanding of the extent of the mass. He remained sedated as they came and talked to me about their impressions and plan and we made the decision right there and then whether surgery was the right option. Ultimately it was. They were able to remove the entire mass with clean margins (along with 5 ribs!) and 5 years later, he's still here wagging his tail every day :smile:

My thoughts will be with you. I'll hoping for very the best and wishing you all of the strength and wisdom and compassion you'll need for Jeddie! He's blessed to have you Sheila, we all are.

Jessica
 
Jessica, I am so glad that your dog is still doing ok - that is good news. But how does he manage without the ribs? Doesn't that make him "fragile" in the chest area? I guess he had to give up his football career, huh?

BJM, thanks for the links about neoplasene. I looked into it. There are some articles against it as well. It isn't "mainstream" and as much as I would love a true miracle cure, I have come across so many in my researching and it is impossible to know what is a real benefit and what is not. I am focusing on giving him the best nutrition I can now and after the surgery to support healing.

Thanks to all of you for the well wishes, prayers and contributions. Please keep him, and me, in your thoughts on Tuesday. The appointment is at 10:30. They will start with blood work and xrays and a physical exam - other than that I don't know what to expect.
 
Sounds crazy I know....I don't think anybody really knew how big the mass was until we got there. From the outside, it only felt like a ping pong ball size knot under his arm. When they sedated him for the exam, they did a CAT Scan and were able to see the enormity of it. They described the size being like a brick. They ended up using wire mesh that connected Rib #1 to #7 and 2-6 were removed. He's a big, big boy (115lbs), and the recovery was intense. We were in the ICU for 5 days. For the first month, his breathing on that side was paradoxical, meaning his rib/chest would flail in the opposite direction on inspiration and expiration. Today, you wouldn't have any idea and in hindsight, it was the right decision.

You are unquestionably in my thoughts!
 
Sheila-I'm very sad to read this. Please know you and Jeddie are in my thoughts and prayers. Happy to help out with fundraiser.
you should be at vets now-will check in later to hear update.
 
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