Dept. of Inevitability

[kaffy_r]

Phil

So the cancer has returned in our little black cat. Bob found two lumps along his throat, that popped up seemingly overnight, and he's been lethargic for the last week or so. Took him in to the vet. She did a needle biopsy, looked at it, and apparently told Bob that there was no need to send it to the lab. Bob said she used the word "aggressive" and I guess it won't be long. When he seems to be in bad discomfort or pain, we'll call for the same vet that eased Alex across the bridge to come. 

Last September, the diagnoses we got was such that we were expecting only two to five more months with him. We got so much more than that, so I should feel grateful. We'd actually started wondering if the initial operation, to take the tumor out of his ear, had been more successful than the team told us it was. I guess not. Still, a few extra months with our most excellent pussycat. I need to remember that. 

What a day. What a fucking day. 

Comments

[nostalgia]

:( *hugs*

[kaffy_r]

Thanks.

[hamsterwoman]

I'm really sorry :( *hugs*

[kaffy_r]

Thanks. It's not unexpected, but we had almost convinced ourselves that he'd dodged a bullet after his surgery last September.

[thisbluespirit]

Oh, I am sorry. *sends hugs*

[kaffy_r]

Thanks for the hugs; much needed.

[carbonel]

Poor kitty. I'm so sorry.

[kaffy_r]

Thank you on his behalf.

[sovay]

What a day. What a fucking day.

*hugs*

[kaffy_r]

Thank you. They are needed right now.

[sir_guinglain]

I'm so sorry to read this.

[kaffy_r]

Thanks. As I've said, it's not, ultimately, unexpected. It's just unwanted. Also, I really like your icon. Is that one of your kitties?

[sir_guinglain]

He was not my cat, but I was one of his people for many years before his owner became seriously ill and had to move into care. This was Marmite, whom I knew from when he was about one when I saw him being outsmarted by a pheasant! He was a conversational cat, but a few weeks ago he died when old age and his long-term fascination with cars got the better of him.

[kaffy_r]

Oh dear, that sounds like a terrible way to go. I hope it was at least quick. I think his name is wonderful (as a lover of Marmite, myself.)

[eve11]

Oh, I am so sorry.

[kaffy_r]

Thanks. We're deciding today whether or not to call the vet. It's that fast.

[st_aurafina]

Poor kitty, that's not good news. I'm glad you've had so much longer than you expected with him but that doesn't make it easier. I'm so sorry.

[kaffy_r]

Thank you. You're so right; knowing something like this is imminent or inevitable, even preparing for it, doesn't make it easier.

[lilacsigil]

I'm really sorry. Poor little guy. But I'm glad you had more time with him.

[kaffy_r]

Thanks. We need to decide today whether to call the vet for today or tomorrow. It's hard to decide; choose now, when he's still feeling fairly well despite the inevitability, and can cross the bridge in comfort, or gain a few days more with him, at the risk of him being incredibly uncomfortable up to his final moments.

Well, perhaps not so hard to decide.

[liadt]

*hugs*

[kaffy_r]

Thanks.

[bibliofile]

Aw, <3 <3 <3

[kaffy_r]

Yep. The vet is coming tomorrow to ease him over the bridge. It's costly, but at this time we have the ability to handle the cost, and he will die on my lap, in his own home, not stressed out on metal veterinarian table.

[time_converges]

Oh, I'm so sorry! *hugs*

[kaffy_r]

Thank you for the hugs; they are much appreciated.

[lokifan]

I'm so sorry :(

[kaffy_r]

Thank you.