Steve and Rorschach are sad

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Steve & Jock

Steve & Jock

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Rorschach's labs are back and they're not good at all.

Definitive diagnosis of Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. Not benign.

http://www.felipedia.org/~felipedi/wiki ... _carcinoma

Plus this note on the sample: "Given the presence of neoplastic cells at the surgical margins, local recurrence is considered likely."

Dr. Mo will be getting back to me with other options, but neither of us has our hopes up. The only usual recommended treatment is "total ear canal ablation with bulla osteotomy" which is very invasive, likely disfiguring, quite painful, and not really all that guaranteed to permit an extra two years of high-quality life.
:YMSIGH: :-| confused_cat
 
Oh Steve, I am so sorry. I know we don't really know one another, but I followed the previous thread and was so happy for you when he came home from the vets. I am truly sorry and I hope you and Dr. Mo can figure something out for your poor boy.
 
Aw, Steve, I am so sorry and so sad to read this about Rorschach. Was praying that all would come up negative. Has the vet said anything about time if not treated? I honestly don't know if I would put one of my older ones through anything like what the surgery sounds like. I feel so bad for Rorschach and for you. Poor baby cat_pet_icon
 
Oh no. Sorry the news came back that way :cry: Continued prayers that Rorschach is able to spend as much quality, pain-free time as possible with you.
 
Steve,

I am so sorry for such an awful diagnosis for your poor naked boy. Just hope you can keep him comfortable. I've cared for several Sphinx in a rescue program over the last 5 years. They are adorable, especially your Rorschach.

Good luck with him.

Claudia
 
Hope + (((Baby)))GA said:
Aw, Steve, I am so sorry and so sad to read this about Rorschach. Was praying that all would come up negative. Has the vet said anything about time if not treated? I honestly don't know if I would put one of my older ones through anything like what the surgery sounds like. I feel so bad for Rorschach and for you. Poor baby cat_pet_icon
Click to expand...

Yeah, the only option we've discussed so far is basically total removal of the entire ear canal. If that works, there's a good chance he's cured, but it's an expensive operation with considerable risk of complications. And we haven't really got much information on how far the nasty stuff has spread, so it may not even get it all.

Anyway he's a 15-year-old cat, I probably wouldn't put him through that. So sad for the little guy, hoping some good options come up to keep him happy and well for some time.
 
Steve, my Friday was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 18, and I have never regretted going the palliative care route. Quality of life is so important, and weighing that against the pain and side effects of a treatment that may or may not prolong their lives is a difficult choice, but you made the same decision as I did. I got 11 more good months with my girl, and never regretted it.

Wishing you and your boy many more months of good time together.

((((Hugs))))
 
KarenRamboConan said:
Steve, my Friday was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 18, and I have never regretted going the palliative care route. Quality of life is so important, and weighing that against the pain and side effects of a treatment that may or may not prolong their lives is a difficult choice, but you made the same decision as I did. I got 11 more good months with my girl, and never regretted it.

Wishing you and your boy many more months of good time together.

((((Hugs))))
Click to expand...

Thanks, Karen, that's what I'm hoping for too!
 
I followed your previous thread and I was delighted that he did so well. I am very sorry to hear this news. I hope you and Dr. Mo can work something out and you get many more quality months with your boy. My boys and I will be sending you lots of positive energy and prayers for some long-time comfort and happiness.

Please take care!!

*many hugs*
 
Oh Steve, I am so sorry that the news wasn't better, but hopefully you will have many more quality months/years with him.

The entire Fur Gang and their humble servants will be sending lots of positive good time vibes to both you and Rorschach.

Mel, Max and The Fur Gang
 
Oh Steve, I'm so sorry to hear this diagnosis. I had such high hopes that it was benign, and curable.
I'll be praying for good quality time with Rorschach. We know you will do what is best for him, and please, please, take care of yourself too.
Barb
 
I'm so sad about the bad news, Steve. Be sure to let us know if you need any more help to get Rorschach what he needs to be comfortable.
 
I am so sorry to hear this news.

I know you will do what is best for Rorschach. Quality of life is so important.

But such a difficult diagnosis.

My prayers are with you.
 
I hope your vet comes up with some supportive care recommendations and things you can do or give him to help ease any pain and discomfort.

Putting cost aside, it comes down to what is in Rorschach's best interest given his age and QOL. And when you look at all the options, of course cost is a factor, but really doesn't weigh in when you seem to already know what is best for him.

I'm sorry you didn't get better news.
 
I'm so sorry, I didn't expect to read this. I hope Rorschach still has some good days left and you can love him for awhile longer.


:YMHUG: Sandy - Dottie, Jeter & Tilly
 
Thank you for the good wishes, my sisters and brothers.

Rorschach1.jpg


I just gave a purring Rorschach a big hug and videoed it for you all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4NCre2h11I

He's had a good life. He's nearly 15, he's lived in 5 countries, had a very good mom and dad and the love of his adopted brother Jock for all that time. And his littermate Minivan for most of it.

Lui ne regrette rien. He'll spend as long with me as he's happy to do so!
 
Oh ((Steve)) and of course sweet ((Rorschach)). I am so sorry to read this news. But I do know you are a great bean and I know how much you love him. I know you and your vet will come up with the best plan for him to keep him comfortable for as long as possible. Can I stress how much I hate cancer!! Hugs to you during this time.
 
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((STEVE and RORSCHACH))))))))))))))))))))))

I am so sorry for this DX. That truly S*CKS. I was as were all of us, hoping for it to be benign.
 
Geez, now I'm in tears after watching your video. I pray that whatever is growing it takes a lot more years before it becomes too much for Rorschach. He is so adorable and sure loves those body massages. Steve, if there is anything we can do to help, even more money to help with cost of pain meds, etc. please ask .....don't hesitate to let us know. After watching that video and seeing how content and happy he is there is no way I would ruin the time he has left by doing such invasive surgery. He may surprise us all ....I hope he does.
 
Awww Steve...This IS sad news. I'm so sorry. But our kitties have a way of confounding us. Let us hope, this is the case.
Continued prayers,
jeanne
 
Steve and Rorschach,

My civvie Butthead also was diagnosed with ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma and had this surgery in Sept 2010. He recovered from it very well. He had some temporary issues with his right eye afterwards (pupil size, blink reflex) that resolved completely in a month or two. His tumor also unfortunately showed evidence of angiosarcoma, so its chances of showing up elsewhere were higher. I too hesitated when the vet wanted to remove his ear, even though he's a Scottish Fold and it wasn't that noticeable. In the end, it's just an ear. If you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to send me a message.

MJ&Donovan&Butthead
 
Steve & Jock said:
Rorschach's labs are back and they're not good at all.

Definitive diagnosis of Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. Not benign.

http://www.felipedia.org/~felipedi/wiki ... _carcinoma

Plus this note on the sample: "Given the presence of neoplastic cells at the surgical margins, local recurrence is considered likely."

Dr. Mo will be getting back to me with other options, but neither of us has our hopes up. The only usual recommended treatment is "total ear canal ablation with bulla osteotomy" which is very invasive, likely disfiguring, quite painful, and not really all that guaranteed to permit an extra two years of high-quality life.
:YMSIGH: :-| confused_cat
Click to expand...

Oh no :( I'm so very sorry to hear this. Oh, just not fair :(
 
Dear Steve and Rorschach,
As always I'm late to posts these days. And like all the others I had high hopes for better news. It's always such a hard choice trying to make those decisions. Altho I don't have your diagnosis to deal with I have one of my kitties dealing with another type of illness that has forced me to try to decide how far to go. So many choices and so many unknowns. One line keeps coming to me from so many people and one i use myself - "quality vs quantity" . The love between the 2 of you is so obvious and I so wish you many many many more special times together. Sending special heartfelt wishes to both of you!

Patti
 
Treasure each day, dearest Steve,

Because each day with Rorschach is indeed a gift.

Much love and countless hopeful hugs for you, sweet Jock, and, of course, Rorschach,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever whispering in my heart...
 
Steve - I saw your youtube video the other day on FB and didn't realize the poignancy of it until just now seeing this post. Haven't been on here a lot and missed the dx post here.

I'm so sorry that the results weren't negative for your precious Rorschach. Of course your're sad - please know that all of us who have known and loved your babies with you these many years are very sad for and with you.

My heart goes out to you - it's so tough when they get older and we find these things are happening to them.

I'm so hoping that it takes longer for this to return and you and The Precious R have lots more good quality time together. The love you share is so obvious in the pictures.

Hugs,

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
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