Shadow's Pathology Report

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Angela & Blackie & 3 Others

Member Since 2010
The vet called me at almost 1:30 with the sad news. Squamous cell carcinoma. I told him that we'll bring her in to have the stitches removed, but after some consideration for her well being, I called them back, and asked the receptionist to let him know we'll be putting her down Saturday. It wouldn't be fair for me to continue to keep her as comfortable as possible while she's suffering. This is an aggressive form of cancer, and it will more than likely travel to her bones, her brain, etc. Both DH and I knew that it was cancer, and I kept praying to God to let it not be that.

I have the appointment scheduled for 9:20 a.m. as that's the only opening Saturday. She will be euthanized, and then cremated. She'll be my 3rd baby to have gone across this year. :cry: :cry: :cry:
 
Oh no! I'm so sorry Angela. I had been watching and hoping it was something else. Hate cancer. I know you and your DH are heartbroken about this. I totally understand about not wanting to prolong Shadow's suffering. You have a few days to hug her and hold her close before setting her free. Whenever possible, I would always chose to avoid pain and suffering for my kitty... even though it will be painful for you to lose her. (((((((Angela)))))))

I'm sorry I had the names mixed up. :? I saw it said Shadow and my brain said Blackie... so very sorry. (((Hugs)))
 
Oh Angela, I'm so sorry to hear this. It's not the news anyone was hoping for, and it's not an easy decision to make, especially with your other losses so recent. Please take comfort in knowing that you have given Shadow a good life and that the gift of being at peace without suffering is the greatest one you can give her now. Thank you for being strong enough to make that choice out of your love for Shadow. Hugs . . .
 
I am so very sorry to hear this , Angela. You have been the best bean ever to sweet little Shadow, and she knows that. Many hugs and prayers....
 
I am so very sorry. This is a very unselfish and kind thing to do but I know your heart will be ripped out. Praying for Shadow and you. Wish there was something I could say or do.........

Fondly,
Bern
 
Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. CD, it's Shadow, not Blackie (thank goodness) who'll be GA on Saturday. However, I know what you meant. :YMHUG:

I've spent a few moments with her in the office, and had her on my lap. She's still strong enough to give me patty cake claws (OUCH!). I guided her towards the litter box, and I guess she's not ready to go just yet. She ate kibble on her own, and knows where it is, and went straight towards it from the litter box, which gave me the chance to change out her bedding. I've put a folded up towel underneath a folded up sheet to make it more softer for her. Now, I'll be tending to her wound, and the vet said it was ok to put Neosporin on it since I'm still concerned about the oozing. I knew her time was limited, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Ok, she went straight to the box. :D No, poo, but still a pee. Good girl!
 
(((((Angela))))), We are very sorry that it is Shadow's time to leave. You show your love and your respect for her in everything you do. She knows that you will do what is best for her. We pray that her remaining days will be pain-free and full of love.

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Ella & Rusty
 
Angela, I'm so sorry for this diagnosis for Shadow. :sad: Setting our babies free from pain and suffering , is the hardest thing we're called on to do, in our journey with them.
I'm so sorry (((Angela)))

Barb.
 
Cancer sucks :cry:
It took 3 of my furbabies recently.

Keeping you and Shadow in my thoughts and prayers...

MJ
 
Angela, I am so sorry .. I was praying for you that it wasn't cancer either .. Shadow is very lucky to have such loving beans who will take care of her until it's time to set her free .. Had her other previous owners still had her, she'd probably just suffer till the end .. :YMHUG:
 
Had her previous owners still had her, they wouldn't care. I can honestly say that we've had her for 4 years of her life... We've given her a good home, food, love, a box for her outside complete with pillow and a heating pad for those cold winter days/nights. At the time DH didn't want her inside as we already had 8 in the house, and having 1 more may have caused stress between the others and her (not to mention, when I saw her poop, she'd drag her butt across the lawn :lol:). Now, she's indoors, in the office, secluded from the others so that they can't mess with her, and she has a constant supply of food, water, and a constantly cleaned out LB. I think I've freshened her water at least 3x already today just because I saw a hair or something floating in it.

The vet told me that he could send us to a specialist if we wanted to try that, but there's no cure for cancer, and it'll just be selfish of me to put her through all that just to prolong my own agony, let alone her suffering. It's going to hurt like hell, but I know she'll be pain free, and meeting up with the others who have gone across. She'll always live in in my heart and my memories.

Thank you all for your thoughts, and prayers. I know I'm not done crying, and the pain of this will go away eventually.
 
Oh Angela,

I am so so sorry. This is heartbreaking for sure.

When you say goodbye on Saturday, it is a badge of love if you send her on her journey with a snot and tear filled halo. Smooch her, love on her and talk with her, so she knows what is happening and will no longer suffer or be in pain.
 
Angela, I'm so sorry. I was hoping it would be a better report. Make the most of these next few days and love her as much as you can. I know it doesn't make it any less painful, but you're doing a very loving and unselfish thing so she won't have to suffer. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your DH. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
I'm so sorry to hear that Angela. I'm glad you realize you gave her a lot of love and a nice life for the last 4 years. It's hard to make that decision, but it sounds like in this case, it's the right one. I'll be thinking of you and sending prayers your way.
 
(((Angela)))
I am so sorry to hear this.... :cry:
Sending prayers and hugs to you, your DH and Shadows.
 
Angela I am so sorry. I had so hoped this would not be the news would be reading. I do know though that she has had the best life ever with you. A good caring home and she has been content, happy. Make the est of the next few days. I know you will. Hugs to you to your DH, and much love and scritches to Shadow.
 
Angela, I admire your strength. You know what is best for your girl and though it is terribly heartbreaking, you are doing this for her. Blessings to you and extra scritches to your sweet Shadow.
 
((((angela)))) i'm so sorry. we love our little ones and it's so painful letting them go. she's lucky to have had her last few years with you.
 
Thank you, everyone, for your continued prayers for strength for both my DH and I. DH spent some time with her last night when he came home, and he came out of there with tears in eyes. He told me that they were happy tears.

I came into the office this morning (again, I was awake early.. This time being 4:15 ish), and decided to get up anyway. Got coffee made, cleaned the boxes outside the office, and when I opened the office door, I noticed that there was some LB action overnight. Good girl! No poo, though. I'm not sure if she's constipated or not. She's mainly in the box 99% of the time, and doesn't move around much except to go to her food bowl, and the LB to do #1, and I haven't seen any traces of butt draggin's on the carpet (she did this outside on the grass a lot :lol:).

I picked up a kibble and presented it to her to see if she'll eat something. She sniffed it, and turned away. It may be that she's not hungry right now, I don't know. I'll try again later. If she doesn't eat today, then I'll know she's given up. At this point, it doesn't matter.

Today, I'll be spending some time with her again. I'll gently coax her out of her box, and place her on my lap, and she'll have lap sit time (where she'll probably claw the heck out of my legs again.. :lol:... That's ok.. That's what towels are for), and hopefully she'll eat something. I think I hear purring under my desk. I know she's happy to have one of her people close to her. I'm happy to be near her for a while, and to spend some time with her.

The other's are probably jealous, I'm sure, and they want to come in here and check her out, but I'm refusing. I don't want them anywhere near her, or vice versa. Especially Blackie, whom was very interested in the closed door, and sniffed under it yesterday. Blackie usually gets fed in the office, however, has been fed in the bedroom instead. I've set up a LB next to my crafting bureau, and she's been meowing and not finishing her food. DH has to wake up and tell her to go finish her food. :lol: I'm not sure if she listens to him, or not. All I know is that her bowl is finally cleaned when I or he brings it to the kitchen.

Soon, they'll have their office back, and their humans, too. I don't want to do this again for a very long time. (Jr. Mint, GA Februrary 28, 2013; Scooter, GA July 6, 2013, Shadow, set free September 21, 2013). No more, Lord, please. No more.
 
If I may suggest, get a simple clay kit to make her paw prints with. You will cherish this so much after she is gone. You can order one online, but I'd be concerned it would take too long to arrive, check out a local arts & craft store for a kit - usually they are list for baby foot or hand prints.

I so wished I thought of this before my Sydney died, because I was hugely disappointed with how the cremation place made one of her. They took only one paw (never told me if left or right) when there was plenty of room for 2 even 4 paws on it.

That is when I decided to make my own for Maui and Buster.

This is where I got mine, and there was enough to make three round keepsakes. You can make it like a christmas ornament, I have mine hanging on the wall, year round.

http://www.castingkeepsakes.com/product ... cts_id=209{4}22{62}280{36}147

Take lots of pictures/video too, you will want these keepsakes too.

If you want to keep her fur, ask the vet to provide that to you.

I hope this helps!
 
Tears are streaming down my face, as I know I would have made the same decision. It doesn't make it easier on you knowing that of course. I am so sorry. There is nothing I can add to what others have already written. If you are even on this board, you know you are in the top percentage of pet owners and you have given everything to your furry one.
 
You can use Sculpey clay for the imprints, which should be available at any craft store like Michaels, A.C. Moore, JoAnn's, etc. It's the same stuff as in the kit. I originally found an ornament kit but then decided to do impressions of each paw, so bought more clay to do this.

I do not have pawprints of Butthead, as he is the first cat I had cremated and returned to me, and had no idea what to expect :sad:. So as others have said, treasure the time you have, and create as many memories as possible.

Bless you for taking care of her.

MJ
 
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