Would your vet consider a housecall? Mine do it frequently for very regular
patients who have major problems. My own was willing to drive 120 miles
(one way) if the Royal Princess Kitty Katt needed help leaving this world.
She didn't. She left on her own which is exactly what she wanted. I guess
the point I am making is that it does not hurt to ask a favor. Often they
will help out but only if asked. After all, it is not exactly the best of
medical practices--not sterile etc.
Good luck. Listen to the ACs. You will learn a lot.
If you have men who will
exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of
compassion and pity, you will have men who
will deal likewise with
their fellow man.
St.
Francis
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nina" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 4:18 PM
Subject: Spencer and my talk with my Internist
Hi Guys,
First I'd like to apologize for not keeping up with the list and offering
support as usual. Life has been quite hectic/draining around here as you
can imagine and I just haven't been able to. I appreciate your allowing
me to be selfish in leaning on you when I'm not reciprocating. Maybe some
of what we're going through will help others too.
Here's the latest on Spencer... I talked to my beloved Dr. Ortega this
morning. She understood why I am reluctant to put Spencer through more
vet visits and further testing. She did suggest that Spencer be pts, but
understood and respected that I felt Spencer was not ready for help in
crossing over. She wanted me to understand that even with the most
aggressive treatment we'd only be buying him weeks or possibly months, (as
if I'm not aware of the usual scenario). I told her I did not want to
bring him in and begged her to use her intuition and expertise to help me
find a way to possibly put him in remission, or at least make him more
comfortable, (without bringing him in). I asked her about injections of
dexamethasone, depomedrol and about using Prednisone, (thank you
Michelle!). She prescribed the dexamethasone, to give him once daily.
She thought the other steroids were not necessary and would be redundant.
She also advised me to bring him in to drain whatever fluid might have
built up since Monday night. (I'm not bringing him in if I can possibly
help it). Her logic was, if the dex helps stop the progression of the
cancer, it will also stop the fluid build up and he'll be better off if he
starts treatment with it already drained. I asked her about a diuretic and
she didn't think it was appropriate in this case and would probably only
serve to dehydrate him. She also said that it's possible, if things go
very well, the fluid that's built up now could be absorbed on it's own.
His breathing is not labored, it's shallow and rapid, but not labored. If
he begins to have trouble breathing, I'll figure out what to do then.
So, that's where we stand. I gave him his first shot about an hour ago.
He asked to be released from the bathroom, so I let him out, (shutting the
back door this time). He's only had a handful of Wiskas treats, a tiny
bite of salmon and a tablespoon of cream with BioPlasma in it. As far as
I know he didn't eat anything else since Wed morning, and only a touch of
baby food then.
I did talk to a couple of ACs this morning and they confirmed that he came
back for me. Jasmine said he had a "near death" experience and came back
because we have "unfinished business". The other AC said that he asked
that I spend designated quiet time alone with him in meditation, that he
wants to share his experience with me. They also said that he wanted me
to know how much he appreciates everything I've done for him. His coming
back to me is sure an indication of that!
Keep those prayers coming!
Nina
