Overdue update
4 January 2019
We made it to Christmas and New Years!
To all the kind and generous people who have donated to help save my girl, a heartfelt thank you!! I got so swamped with the lead up to Christmas I kept forgetting or getting too busy to put up a proper update, terribly sorry!!
Miss Green is doing well at this point. She’s had two rounds of chemo, Vincristine injections, with thankfully little side effect. I am struggling to get some weight on her but she still has an appetite and is in relatively good spirits. She snuggles up and purrs up a storm every night and is content to cuddle every night.
I’m thankful this has all come about through summer as with her being so extensively shaved and very thin, she does feel cold a bit. As you can see in the pics I bit the bullet and bought a ‘cat hoody’... despite my best efforts it was not well received and let’s just say I hope the garden is enjoying it being decorated with it coz it’s gone missing for the second time though this time is completely MIA. I decided to try one of my baby’s newborn sized onesies instead, hoping for a more snug fit and this might help keep her warmer... this was equally well received and appreciated. Not! Evident by her facials in the pic attached. With the days being super warm now I’ve not bothered with any more clothing. Got a cat igloo from Kmart for her to tuck herself into but so far only been used once. Perhaps more in time to come. As with human chemo there is the possibility of hair loss so I’m wondering how much her regrowth will be affected by it. Poor thing is still pretty darn bald..
Throughout the treatment regime the vet has been excruciatingly persistent in reminding me this process will have its ups and downs and setbacks which feels like he’s raining on any of my positivity but I do understand the importance of remaining realistic. I need to always remember the point of this is for improving quality of life not necessarily longevity (unless complete remission is achieved which I’m still crossing everything crossable for!!). We are treating at a later than ideal stage and it’s an upward battle.
I’ve done a lot of reading on the ins and out of chemo protocols and will be asking more questions of our primary vet (he is less experienced in oncology and also went on leave and handed us over to the senior vet for treatment). He discussed other medications with me which are usually rotated through as this is meant to be more effective but can often produce more side effects. Worth the discussion anyway.
So currently persisting as we are for as long as she is ok to do so. Glad to have been working from home over the holidays and getting the extra time with her + the ability to offer her food multiple times a day. She has water and biscuits on tap but also been feeding her as much as she wants on A/D tinned food for the high calorie content. She only has very small amounts at a time due to possible being nauseous but also the impact the tumor may be having on partial blockage of some of the intestines. Touch wood and super thankful no vomiting to report over the last week which would be a really bad sign & depending on frequency might mean time for reassessment. But small frequent feeds will help with her body condition too!
For now, she is as content as can be and having more love inflicted on her than she could ask for! Much love and endless thanks to all. Another update to follow!!
xxx