Friday, February 1, 2013

Lucy



I want to let you know what's been going on with Lucy. As you can see from the picture, Lucy had her cast removed. Unfortunately, that's the only good news I have (although her paw seems to be very sore and tender and she won't walk on it). We've been having a terrible time for over a month with what we thought were urinary tract infections. She was in and out of the litter box constantly with just small amounts of urine or none at all. She had an ultrasound done on her bladder last Friday and there is a fairly large tumor right at the entry. Feline bladder cancer is very rare and surgery isn't an option due to the location and size. Also, apparently, surgery doesn't give good outcomes for kitties with bladder cancer. She is on some heavy-duty medicine that, if she doesn't experience any side effects, can possibly give her four to six months of quality life. Today was her second dose. Right now, I'm living in fear of the side effects (GI bleeding, kidney failure an seizures to name a few). This medicine can be effective, but sadly it can cause a lot of problems in cats. However, it's all we've got. 

I'm vacillating between denial and sadness. She's been my sweet girl for over 16 years and I love her deeply. Right now, she's eating like a champ, purring and responding to us. We're taking it one day at a time. I hesitated on sharing bad news but I know Lucy's friends would want to know. Two weeks ago, Simba got very sick due to his chronic renal failure. He had to stay at the vet's for five days on IV fluids. He's doing great now. We just have to give him fluids every other day instead of twice weekly. 

Well, we appreciate all of you. I haven't told anyone else because frankly, although I love my friends and family, they don't really understand loving pets this much and giving medical care. I can't bear to hear anything unfeeling. Thanks for listening.


23 comments:

  1. We're so sorry to hear this. Sounds like you're doing the very best care for both your furbabies. Keeping you in our thoughts and purrayers and of course we'll be sending out big purrs for sweet Lucy and Simba. XOXOXO

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  2. You are doing such a wonderful job with your furbabies. Lucy, Simba and Annie have the best care and are so well loved by their Mommy and Daddy. We will keep Lucy in our prayers that she is able to handle the medication with no side effects. :)

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  3. Oh, poor Lucy! And poor you!I share your feelings, and I would be like you, trying to do everything possible to help her !Your kitties could not have a more lovely family to take care of them! we're sending a lot of energy,love and hugs!

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  4. Our thoughts are with you. I hate how Kitties can't live forever. At least they have such a wonderful life with you

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  5. I'm so sorry to read this, about both Lucy and Simba. It's a tough, tough situation, because of course you can't let her suffer and will have to act mercifully when the time comes. I'm "purraying" for you both, and for Simba too, that you are guided to act for Lucy's Highest Good. Universal Light, peace and blessings to you all, and of course the boys are purring their loudest.

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  6. Oh no, dear Lucy. My sisters and I are all sending our best loving purrs to dear Lucy and mega hugs to you. We got the sads right aling with you.

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  7. We are so sorry to hear this news. Sweet Lucy. Hoping the treatment will buy you all some time, and that she reacts well to it. Purrs.

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  8. We are so sorry to hear this news about dear beautiful Lucy. She has been through so much with the fall and now this. We are keeping all of you in our purrs. You know that you will always have a safe sound board here in the CB with your sweet babies. WE all understand. Sending healing purrs....

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  9. i for one am glad you shared. How else are we to know you need lots of purrs and good thoughts sent your way. I lost my Em at 16 to cancer, so this post hits a little close to home for me and it makes me ache for you. May you have lots and lots of quality time together

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  10. We've been wondering how Lucy was doing. We are so sorry to hear she is not doing well. We are purring for her...and for you too. We know how difficult it is. But don't feel like you have to go it alone. We are here for you and Lucy.

    Wally, Ernie. Zoey and mom Sue

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  11. So very sorry to hear of Lucy's health issues! I haven't written for a while but feel compelled to say, I understand what you are saying here about other people just not understanding how much your love furkid can mean to you... I will send lots of prayers and white, healing light for your sweet girl. I hope your time together is filled with love and great joy. Hugs to you, and lots of loving scritches to Lucy. take care!

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  12. Oh, I can't tell you how very sorry I am to hear this! Poor girl, life hasn't been kind the last few months. You know Annie & Lucy both have a special spot in my heart. We all will be purring for them as they were our own, and you too. Believe me, I understand spending the money, I have hidden how much I've spent from people. It breaks my heart, but thanks for letting us know.

    The mom's kitty Lumpy (who lived to be 18) had kidney failure and cancer. The cancer probably started in his mouth (or that is where we noticed it first) and spread to his badder. He became incontinent and he fussed at his mouth a lot. He had chronic kidney failure for years, but then his kidneys started to fail. None of these things would get better, so I let him go. He could still eat, but it was clear his mouth bothered him and it would keep getting worse, and he would only get sicker from his kidneys. Reading of Lucy, I understand and sympathize. I'll be praying for you and her, that this trial will go a little easier on you both.

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  13. We are purring hard for Lucy and Simba, and hugs to your mom.
    Our Pebble is now sort of in the same situation. Our human is monitoring and keeping a close eye on her.

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  14. Oh my poor Lucy, I send the best purring & prayer for you and many hugs to your mom.
    My mom really feel for you. No one does understand like people in cat blogosphere. Even when my mom read, I can see her about to cry. She think it must be really hard for you. You and Lucy are in our thought. Please Be Strong !
    Lots of love & hugs
    Xoxox

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  15. Oh Vicky, my heart aches for you. I think it's a blessing that our kitties don't know how to worry and fear the future; it's a lesson to us to savor every moment together.

    I'll be thinking of all of you, Trish xx

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  16. Dear Lucy and Family.
    We send you lots of hugs and purrs and love....
    Madi and Mom

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  17. Oh Lucy and family, we are so sorry you are going through this. It is so hard when our older citizens get sick. We sure send tons of purrs and we sure have told the donkeys to cross their hooves for you. We certainly have you in our prayers and our thoughts. We hope you have some quality time left. It is so hard.

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  18. Poor girl, I'm so sorry for the news, I hope the medicine can help my sweet friend Lucy and I'm praying and sending lights to her!
    Luna and mom Léia

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  19. Oh, sweet Lucy, we are so sad to hear this. It brings tears to our eyes. You are in our purrs and prayers, sweet girl. (((hugs)))

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  20. Oh my, we are so sorry to hear this. Poor Lucy! After 16 years together the thought of parting must be unbearable. We think it is good to take in one day at a time. Carefully monitor Lucy's behaviour and watch out for the signs when she's telling you it is time to go. Mom has leaky eyes as she types this but she says to remember that the ultimate gift of love is not letting her suffer. She once read about a vet coming to the cats home to send her over the rainbow bridge and she thought that was a wonderful thing, maybe that's an option for you for when it is time. Nevertheless, we cross our paws for you and send strong purrs for as much quality time as possible. We love you, Lucy!
    MAny gentle purrs,
    Siena & Chilli

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  21. Oh no, after all Lucy has been through now this, too. You are all in our thoughts always!

    Shawnee and Daniela

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  22. So sorry to hear the news.
    I totally understand the sadness and denial. Making the decision for Princess was one of the hardest things I have had to do, and I had to make it with little time to think. I miss her deeply every day, but I know she had a good life up until the very end.

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  23. Your blog was in Mozilla so I'd lost track of it. I'm so very sad that your beloved fur babies are having health issues. Lots of hugs and purrs to you.

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