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Luca's Lifesaver

  • Update 21/06

      21 June 2023
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    Luca's Oncologist Referral returned & subsequent chemotherapy pricing.

    Unfortunately this will not be financially viable, even with an oral only plan the cost would be around $2,500 (excluding weekly bloodwork). Around 50% of patients respond, 1/3 not at all. Due to this and already spending around $3,500 up to this point- I have made the hard decision that my boy needs to go on a palliative care plan. Luca will be prescribed steroids to make him as comfortable and happy as possible for the time he has left. 💙🐱💙

    When his symptoms are at a point that are affecting him physically, emotionally and behaviorally to an extent I believe is not fair to him, I will arrange to help him off to heaven. 🕊

    In the meantime there will be lots of Luca's favourite things; snuggles with Mum (feat. dribbles 💦), lounging by the fire🔥 & sunbathing🌞.

    Thanks to everyone who has shown support so far on this journey- Love Luca 🐾 & Luca's Mum

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  • 16/06 Update

      16 June 2023
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    Luca has Lymphoma.😿 Unfortunately the biopsy resulted in Cancer. This is not what the Dr was expecting Cancer wise, as is rare in cats.

    I opted for an Oncologist Referral, to see what options there are to give Luca more time. This should arrive early next week, with a potential option being chemo (oral or oral + sedated injectable), pricing & life expectancy (which can vary between 100-600 days dependant on response). If treatment is unattainable, Luca will go on palliative care of Prednisone steroids and i'll need to send him to heaven in approx 3 months.

    Needless to say this is very upsetting because the reality is whichever way this goes, I'm going to have to say goodbye to my 'Son' well before his time.

    Not sure how I'm going to cope with this, as he is a very special boy.

    Here's a picture of Luca enjoying the fire last night with his Brother from another Mother, LOVES a fire 🔥🐈

    - Luca's Mum 💔

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  • 08/06 Update

      8 June 2023
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    Mum was expecting this to be good news, but surgery didn't go as planned. Before it even began, during internal assessments under general anaesthetic, the Dr found a surprise big fleshy mass at the very back of my throat. With this news & other checks, it was decided a polyp of the middle ear was now unlikely... the cause of my symptoms is this gnarly tumor hanging out down my food shoot. The Dr removed 60% of the mass that he could see. Samples sent off to pathology & we await results that will determine one of two things;

    1. It's benign. 🙏 A treatment plan will be made (not necessarily surgery)

    Or

    2. It's Cancer. 💔 Unfortunately most nasal cancers are nasty, aggressive & not treatable. I would be on palliative care for what time left the Cancer allows me.

    Mum's face is all wet.

    I came home tonight & I'm very high from all the drugs. My throat is very sore & aggravated from the work down in there today but I can't feel it currently with my pain relief. I'm only allowed soft food for the next 10 days.

    Mum wants everyone to hold positive thoughts for us & the biopsy results next week, 50/50 odds aren't good- it makes mum ugly cry.

    This is a cool picture my friend Shoe drew of me a couple years back.

    - Luca 🐾

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  • Thanks to 💙ALL OF YOU💙

      7 June 2023
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    My booking was moved to 08/06 to give Mum more time to try sort surgery funding in excess of $4000. Thanks to 💙ALL OF YOU💙, mum's pockets, the Bank & Insurance (covering the new required procedure) I am going to get my Ventral Bulla Oestotomy 🩺💉🩹💊 I'll have to stay overnight at Pet Hospital, Mum isn't allowed to visit but I'll be coming home 09/06 afternoon. Mum will let you know how I am getting on & wants to say how much she appreciates your kindness & generosity. Here's me on Monday with my brother from another mother- Love Luca 🐾

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  • 02/06 Update

      2 June 2023

    Mum barely slept a wink last night because I had acquired new symptoms when she got home from work (outside of my gasping, snorking, gurgling & raspy breathing).  My right ear started to discharge yucky stuff, so I keep shaking my head & sticking my foot in it because it's irritating, plus I'm now coughing/sneezing. Mum monitored me all night and I had minimal issues, so no emergency trip to Hamilton. This-morning we went to a local vet who confirm i have a bacterial infection as a result of that pesky polyp- they gave me some antibiotics. What this has indicated however is that said polyp is likely in my middle ear- this now means a more invasive surgery called Ventral Bulla Oestotomy is required...estimated $3800-$4200. As the Dr would be required to make incisions... my insurance will now provide cover! Only $750 -because I just turned 10 they won't cover fully.. but thats better than nothing. Mum's frantically trying to sort a way to make more funds available and you have no idea how much you are helping 💙💙💙 Mum has tentative surgery booked for 07/06 in the hopes she will have enough $$$ in time. Anyway, I'm not feeling great so I'm gonna take a nap & wait for my new meds to kick in. Love Luca 🐾

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  • Feeling Thankful 🙏

      31 May 2023

    Mum told me how kind you all are & the donations I've been getting. Since I can't love on all of you, I'll love all over Mum to show how grateful I am 🐈

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  • A little about me:

      28 May 2023
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    I was born to a wild Mum & SPCA rescued me. Mum fostered me & I turned from a hissy spitty kitten into a chonky love bug who adores cuddles... + snuggling with my brother from another mother Bachie. My markings are quite unique & everyone tells me how pretty I am. Mum says I have the sweetest nature and am like her 'Son' .

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