Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Latest Update on Buster

Please be sure to read my personal comment on the comment page....
Wednesday, February 18, 2009...Buster is home and all settled in! He was one happy little man to get home. He went right in the crate with no trouble and spent the afternoon eating and looking around and watching me snooze on my daughter's sofa. He seems very content and is in much better shape this surgery than the last one. He is on pain med every 8 hours for just 5 days and will have his 23 staples removed next Tuesday. We know his days are numbered this time, but then aren't ours numbered, too? We are just happy to have him back again, regardless of how short or how long he has. The chemo is actually easier on an animal than a person. Cats tolerate it very well. The last time he only had one day after each treatment that he didn't feel well, and the last couple of treatments, they gave him 2 different meds, and that eliminated even that one day of not feeling well. He ate like he always did and even played. I'm not sure yet what my daughter has decided to do regarding the chemo this time around. One girl who works at this specialists' place has a dog who was receiving chemo, but then it had to be stopped as his liver values went up. But his tumor has stopped growing so he is in remission the past 2 or 3 months. So chemo is worth a try, anyhow. If it affected the cat like it does people, we would never do it at all, but it doesn't. They really do very well with it. He is comfortable in the crate and has a pillow to sleep on...all the comforts of home. He was very unhappy at the vet's as there was a dog that barked all the time, and he had never heard a dog's bark before. He was growling when they brought him out to us. My daughter said the only time she has ever heard him growl was when he saw a strange cat in 'his' yard through the window.
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UPSTATE VETERINARY SPECIALISTS
Greenville, SC


Tuesday, February 17, 2009...Just a quick update on Buster. He came through the surgery quite well yesterday, but the news wasn't good. The growth that was thought to be in the small intestines turned out to actually be an enlarged lymph node. It could not be removed due to the fact that it was wrapped around the main blood supply to the intestines. To remove it would have meant instant death for him. He has 3-6 months to live with chemo. Without chemo, it would be just weeks. Since the last couple of chemo treatments never bothered him at all, (they gave him meds so he wouldn't get sick from it), he will again receive chemo therapy but not until the staples are removed and his incision is healed.

I received a call at 8 this morning from the surgeon, Dr. Jevens, who said Buster was making himself well heard this morning and could come home! Naturally, we were delighted to hear that he didn't have to stay any longer. Dr. Jevens' assistant also phoned me to set up a pickup time and said that Buster is quite feisty this morning. That is so unusual for him as he's such a quiet, loving little guy. He just wants to get out of there and get back to his own home. Animals know, don't they? Tammy has his crate all prepared for him in her living room, as he has to be confined for the next 7-10 days (no jumping) until his incision heals. She will let him out at night when she's home and walk him on a leash like she did the last time. He will be on pain meds for awhile, and I will be running back and forth to check on him, so he won't be alone all day while she's at work.

I just wish I had better news to tell you all. All we can do now is to love him all we can and then let him go with dignity when his time comes.

23 comments:

Mrs. Mom said...

Will keep Buster (And YOU!! and Tammy too!) in my prayers here Miss Nancy.

Thanks for letting us know how things went!

Much Love to you guys-
MM

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, Nancy, I am sorry to hear that. Poor little guy. Of course, I know your daughter will do everything possible to keep him happy and comfortable during the next few months. But the news must be so hard for her and you, to take. It would be, for me. I will keep her, you and Buster in my prayers. Take good care, and God bless!

Hugs!

Renie

Patty said...

Sorry to hear the bad news. And don't think I'm mean or cruel, but I doubt I would put my cat through more chemo for just a few months. I remember how hard it was on my sister, and finally she decided after 7 treatments and the tumors were still growing, to stop them. Good luck in what ever your daughter and you decide. The vet won't decide for you, I found this out with our one dog when I asked him what he would do.

Jess said...

Well good news and bad news...but definitely good that you get time to say goodbye and to love him like never before...

Thanks for the update...

Love you dear friend!

BClark said...

Yes it is so hard to know what to do. I guess the best rule of thumb is to stop when we are doing it more for ourselves then for the animal. I have one old cat who keeps hanging on, I give him suppliments and love. The vets did not think he would make it through last winter, but here he still is a year later. The flip side is a young loving cat who suddenly died without a min. of sickness. You just never know.

BClark said...

Yes it is so hard to know what to do. I guess the best rule of thumb is to stop when we are doing it more for ourselves then for the animal. I have one old cat who keeps hanging on, I give him suppliments and love. The vets did not think he would make it through last winter, but here he still is a year later. The flip side is a young loving cat who suddenly died without a min. of sickness. You just never know.

Mississippi Songbird said...

oh, I'm so sorry. Such a sweet kitty. My prayers and thoughts are with you... Bunches of hugs...and yes, thanks for letting us know..

hippo chick said...

Oh, Nancy - I'm so sorry about Buster and feel so bad for Tammy. this has to be hard on her. I will keep looking in on you and keepyou guys in your prayers.

~hippo hugs~

Gigi Ann said...

I'm glad your cute little kitten is home and comfortable. It's funny how our pets are just like a family member. All you can do now is keep him comfortable and happy.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Quality over quantity, right? It still hurts to give them up, as anybody who's ever had to let a beloved pet go, knows.

Love you, my friend.

Diane

Merle said...

Dear Nancy ~~ I am so sorry the news isn't better for Buster, but if he tolerates the chemo OK may he enjoy the next few months.
Thanks for your commennts about my grandson and his girl - it was lovely to have them visit. Glad you enjoy the jokes and the story of Sam the koala, but she will be OK now in a few weeks. I know how much you care for ALL animals, my friend.Take good care my friend. Love, Merle.

Nancy said...

I must leave a comment here myself in response. Cats tolerate chemo so differently than people do. They do very well when they are given medications during the treatments. They do not react to it as we humans do. They do not vomit for days on end, or anything like that.

The first time around, I told them that he had one bad day that he just didn't feel well after each treatment, and they gave us a second medication to give him then, and the last couple of treatments didn't even bother him at all. He ate like a little pig through it all. Right now, he is still alert and so playful and eating well. He is rambunctious and wants out of that crate. So we are letting him out on a leash, as we were instructed to do, and walking him around the house, as he is not allowed stairs or any jumping at all for 2 weeks. He lays beside us and is happy as can be. It is just not time yet to put him to sleep. Believe me, I have had loads of pets, and I do know when the time comes to do that. Right now, we feel we are going to go ahead with the chemo and give him a chance for a few more months. We have never allowed our pets to suffer.

As a matter of fact, I had my very favorite pet put to sleep during surgery when I was told there was no help for him. This was before they started doing chemo on pets. I didn't even get a chance to love on him or say goodbye, but I put his interests first and foremost. We are good people and love our pets, and we don't keep them alive for us...we do it for them as long as they are feeling well yet. I just wanted to make it clear that we are not prolonging the inevitable for ourselves. I would never allow that to happen, and my children know that I would intervene for the sake of the pet.

I do appreciate all your concerns and comments, and I want to thank you for your prayers for Buster.

((( HUGS )))

hippo chick said...

Hi Nancy,

I know you and Tammy are so compassionate and wouldn't allow him to suffer. In cases like this, we need to trust our instincts, know our animals and listen to the vet. Sounds like you gals are doing all that.

It is so hard to lose a pet. My heart is going out to you.

Special Hippo Hugs

Pam

Midlife Mom said...

Oh Nancy I wish the news had been better. I know you and Tammy will do all that you can for him and will keep him comfortable. You go way over the extra mile for your four legged family members, if only more pets had such good care! I will keep all of you in my prayers, I know how hard this is and tears are running down my face right now just thinking about it. I hope you know that you have many, many friends out here in Blogsville that care about you and Buster! Keep us posted!! xoxoxox

Diane said...

I'm so sorry. Tammy and Tim have both been through SO much with their precious babies. Veterinary medicine has come leaps and bounds, giving our pets chances like never before. You've certainly been through a lot with your own as well. Thank God for people like you... Our prayers go out for Buster and Tammy.

Love,
Diane

Lucy Stern said...

So glad that Buster is doing well..I know he feels better in his own home with you and your daughter....Good luck.

Merle said...

Dear Nancy ~ ~ I am glad that Buster is happier at home in familiar surroundings. He sure will be glad when the two weeks are up and he can be free again. Thanks for your comments and I am glad you iked "And A meadow Lark Sang" as well as the jokes. Have a great weekend dear friend. Love and ((Hugs)) Merle.

Tracy said...

Buster sounds like a trooper. Take care!
PS - thanks for your nice words about my jewelry... Edward and Bella are very popular characters from a young adult book series by Stephenie Meyer. They were recently made even more poplular with the release of the movie un December:
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Winifred said...

I'm sorry that the news wasn't better for Buster bless him. However we don't know how much time any of us have left so I'm sure you and he'll just enjoy one day at a time.

Take care.

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Nancy:-)

See, you're not the only one who has to keep catching up with posts! lol It doesn't help that I hardly blogged all last week and then none during the weekend. I'm so glad to hear that Buster came through the surgery well but how sad that they couldn't remove the growth. Little does he know how blessed he is to have your daughter and you looking out for him, though, and making sure is last few months are happy ones for him.

I'm still feeding the mama and two kittens. The black and white kitten will not come in the house at all and will cry at the door until I put out a little bowl of food for him. He seems to be healthy, though, and growing well:-) The mama comes in to eat but once she's done, she goes right to the door to be let out again. She does let me pet her now, though and doesn't try to get away from me. As for the fluffy gray one, well, she's the one who has my heart:-) She'll eat and then will play with the mouse and balls I got for her and you should hear her purring, it's so loud:-) Some evenings she comes twice to the door and wants in and then doesn't want to go back out again! lol When E is afternoon shifts, I let her in for hours but when he's home I put her back out after an hour. All three are thriving and healthy, thank goodness. I do realize they can get pregnant any time and I'm so wishing I could afford to have them all spayed/neutered but my hands are tied right now. I'm trying to save some money to have them done so hopefully nothing will happen before then!!! xoxo

Jess said...

very well said nancy...hope he is still doihng well


Lots of love to you!


Jess

Monogram Queen said...

Sending you good thoughts Nancy, Buster is so lucky to have you! On my Holly's last night with us, I somehow knew it was the end and we spent all evening loving and cuddling and telling her how much she was loved and when she went to sleep she just didn't wake up.
It still hurts though and you never stop missing them. Ever.

Lucy Stern said...

I've been thinking about Buster, how's he doing?