Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Fri Dec 3

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chriscleo

chriscleo

Member Since 2009
Harry has a mass in his lung that looks confined to the left cranial lobe. We think it's lung cancer. He's scheduled for surgery sometime after 9:30 am pacific time today to remove the mass.

Abdominal ultrasound last week showed no masses and looked good. Blood and urine tests looked good, too. Hematocrit was 30, which i'm not thrilled about, but internal med vet says he thinks that may be because of the mass. It's a normal number but near the bottom of the normal range. Chest xrays showed asthma and that single mass in the lung. The same surgeon, Dr Mehl, removed Cleo's spleen last year and she did a good job.

Just hoping mass is single mass and confined to that lobe, and nothing scarier or more extensive. I'm actually looking forward to the surgery because I'm one of those people who think your best bet is getting that sucker out. I'll instruct vet that if mass is positioned so Harry has a good chance of not surviving surgery, I'd just as soon not finish surgery and concentrate on giving Harry a great life in the time he has left. But so far based on 3 sets of xrays his chances are looking very good that he'll have a normal life after surgery. He's started making a funny noise like a light groan or grunt (sleepy noise, not painful noise), so things are starting to go on around there that i'm hoping we'll nip in the bud with the surgery.

I really do believe in the power of this board, and hope you'll join me in praying for Harry's successful surgery and complete recovery. He'll be staying there at least overnight and maybe 2 nights if deemed necessary.


[pls no snowflakes/vines--somehow those images scare me re sickness/hurt lungs, and i've just been so emotional since cleo's death oct 31. harry has cleo's coloring and has comforted me so much since i lost my little girl. he's 14.5 years old and is a purebred norwegian forest cat. here is a link to his private photo album: http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/edtwo/Cats/Harry/. the password is fdmb06.]

[updated coz surgery was postponed to today pending radiologist okay of CT scan -- updated below in thread]
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

((((((Chris))))))

Plenty of prayers and purrs coming from us for a very successful surgery for dear Harry, and a speedy recovery.

We will keep all fingers and paws crossed that he will be back to his old self in time to celebrate Christmas with you.

Love those Wedgies!

Mel, Max and the fur bunch
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

I will be keeping you and Harry in my thoughts, and praying for a successful outcome on Thursday. (((Chris))).
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

(((Chris))) lots of prayers for a quick and easy surgery, successful outcome and fast healing for dear sweet Harry.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

Of course Chris!
I will be thinking of you and Harry, wishing for a successful surgery and good recovery for Harry.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

(((Chris)))

Sending many prayers for you and Harry, and I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

Chris I too believe in the power of prayer. Of course it's in Gods hands but I believe He listens. Continued prayers for your dear Harry.
jeanne
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

You got it..crossing all paws here, and sending successful surgery vibes for sure.
Wrapping you in cyber hugs ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((CHRIS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

Oh Chris. I will be saying many prayers for Harry that his surgery will be a success and that he has many more happy years with you. This must be so hard. Please give your handsome boy a gentle kiss for me.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

((((Chris)))) We are hoping and praying for the best for Harry.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

I hope all goes well even surpassing the best you can expect. Will keep you and Harry in my positive thoughts.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

((Chris)) and ((Harry)) Will be praying for you both and keeping you in my thoughts.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

thank you, guys. i'm really looking forward to this surgery coz i want that nasty mass out now. just praying harry gets through the operation great with no complications, and that he recovers fully. it's so hard to wait when we know there's a mass in there.
harry's acting okay if a little scruffy. he is definitely working it and asking for baby food snacks a lot.

guess nobody here's cat has gone through a lung operation before? just wondering what we can expect and what danger signals to watch for afterward. his vet is not good at communicating that kind of stuff.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thursday De

not much here, but this site says
# If your pet undergoes a thoracotomy, hospitalization will be required for at least several days post-operatively. This is a complicated surgery done only at referral hospitals. Careful post-operative monitoring is required. Most animals will have tubes placed in the chest during surgery to drain fluid that may form following the procedure. Tubes also help evacuate air from around the lungs. Your pet will only be sent home when the lung function appears stable.

# Once at home, your pet will need to be carefully monitored for labored breathing or abnormal posture, which may indicate an increased effort to breathe. Animals having difficulty breathing will often extend the head and neck, and hold their front limbs away from the body. They may be reluctant to lie down, as this may increase their respiratory effort.

fingers and paws are crossed here for a successful surgery. we'll keep you guys in our thoughts tomorrow.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Just wanted to stop by and offer my support and wishes for tomorrow. I hope Harry is having an OK day today.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Been thinking about you guys too. I hope tomorrow's surgery goes wonderfully. Finger and paws crossed here for you!
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

What time is the surgery tomorrow?....I want to light a special candle for Harry as he goes in, it is my own little good luck supersition. :-D

I have a candle shaped like a cat that I have always lit when one of my babies goes under the knife and so far no one has ever had complications. Hope the blessing will extend to Harry.

Mel & Max
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Many, many positive thoughts coming your direction. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow; please post as soon as you know anything.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Praying for a very successful surgery tomorrow, and for a complete and quick recovery for Harry.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

i'm to meet with surgeon at drop off at 9:30am pacific time, then she'll do CT scan and then straight off to surgery if CT view okays it. definitely appreciate your thinking of harry then. he is a very loving, social little boykitty. gonna be hard not having him back that first night but i know it's for the best. can't wait til they fix him!
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Sending you lots of prayers and thinking of you and Harry,for a positive outcome tomorrow.

((((((( :YMHUG: )))))))
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Lots of prayers coming all the way from Canada.

((hugs)) ((Chris)) ((Harry))
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

chris, you know I'm thinking of harry and have been and will continue to send him healing wishes and prayers for Harry. And for you chris-- thoughts of warm beaches and the MBA and nice places like that to keep you in a nice positive zone.

I love Harry's hairy toes :-D

((((((( Chris )))))))))))

(((((( Harry ))))))))))
 
thank you!
i'll be bringing him to the surgeon in just over 5 hours.
he needs this surgery so i'm really happy it's finally happening.
fingers crossed surgery is easy/quick, and i have him back home in great shape in another day or two. i've heard lung surgery hurts, so i'm hoping we'll be able to keep pain minimized as much as possible. harry's a really talkative kitty, so i'm sure he'll tell me off later. :cool:
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

maybe make sure you have a pain control talk w/ the surgeon if you haven't already.

Are you sleeping YET? (nag nag nag :mrgreen: )
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

awww, gee, cheryl, busting my chops here.
going up now to sleep. removing the water and food is already gone so hopefully DH doesn't accidentally let harry out to sneak either.
gee, if i'd thought of it earlier i'd have put harry and me in a guest bedroom for the night but i think it's probably best to keep to the routine as much as possible.
thanks, everyone. :)
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Loads of prayers and best wishes coming from Delaware.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Dearest Chris,

Please know that Harry and you are both in my thoughts and prayers. And, we all know the power of this wondrous Board... Please give an update when you can, okay?

And, please take good care of you. Harry's going to need you to be rested when he comes home.

Much love and countless hopeful, healing prayers,
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, forever whispering in my heart...
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

prayers for harry and you, today..

celi & binks
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Sending prayer and good vibes for Harry's success and quick healing.

Remember to take care of you during this time... be loving to yourself as if you were Harry... it will help.

Amanda
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

You and Harry are in my thoughts and prayers today Chris.

((((HUGS))))
 
surgery postponed

during CT scan, surgeon found 2 lesions on harry's right lung (in addition to the mass on the left lung), so she cancelled surgery for the day pending radiologist's review.

surgeon thinks the lesions aren't cancer but rather are age-related calcification in one area and evidence of airway disease (related to asthma) in the other. if radiologist thinks they're metastases, we'll have to change our game plan re surgery. but we're planning tomorrow (friday) as if radiologist will agree with surgeon, and will begin surgery as soon as we get the okay in the morning. means poor harry gets food cut off again but this time at 5am friday morning instead of 10pm thursday night (half hr from now). so i'll have to drop him off again at 9:30 so surgeon can start right away when she gets the radiologist analysis. expected the info later tonight or sometime tomorrow morning.

this means surgeon would be around for the day after harry's surgery (saturday) rather than both days after surgery as we'd planned (she only works there thursday thru saturday), but c'est la vie, i guess.

harry was stoned and starving when i brought him home. he just gave himself a big bath so clearly he's feeling pretty good. he had anesthesia for the CT scan, and came out of it totally normally, which was a very good sign for a kitty with asthma.


[lantus landers: i know it's been hard not using the "s" and "v" words i requested you avoid in my post to start this thread, but i appreciate it.]
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Been waiting to hear Chris.
Still praying for Harry.
I'm glad to hear he is grooming. Always good to see this.
 
Re: Pls Pray for Harry's Successful Lung Surgery Thurs Dec 2

Hoping hoping hoping new lesions found are not cancer.

wow what a lot of stress (((( chris ))))

it sounds like Harry is happy to be home and recovered nicely from his CT.

Here's to a green light and successful surgery tomorrow.

((( harry ))) cat_pet_icon
 
off topic: wendy

woo hoo, wendy, sneaked a look at boo's SS and see boo's numbers are looking a lot better! very happy you stuck to the plan and did the dose increases. very good job. a lot of it i think is just getting his system used to insulin again. :)
 
Continued prayers for you and Harry..
All my gang is crossing all paws that everything goes to plan today. (that's 3 kitties and 3 droolers!)
Many thoughts!
He is an incredibly handsome boy! Thanks for sharing your pictures!
 
surgery cancelled

looks like surgery cancelled because of radiologist interpretation but i haven't heard details yet. waiting to hear from surgeon. will post when i know more.
 
Ack this must be so frustrating but at least Harry's getting some good stones out of the called off activities and I am sure he's glad to be home again.
I wonder what the interpretations are?

Tell Harry big wishes here for him.
 
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