Re: spencer is feeling better
I am sooo glad spencer is feeling better. I can't offer any medical advice since i am very new to this sickness and all my knowledge has been from this GREAT group. But I can offer my prayers to you and Spencer. Thank you for sharing pictures of Spencer he is a Beautiful little sweetie pie. Crackers sends many kisses to both of you. Kayte
Spencer is feeling better!
Hi All, Thank you Kerry R for taking the time to send support and share your's and Inky's Mom's experience with me. I'm not able to answer everyone's posts individually, but please know that each and every one means the world to me. I'm actually feeling much more light hearted as I write to you. Spencer has benefited from the dex shots and is feeling MUCH better. (Thank you, thank you, Michelle!). He's started to eat on his own, not as much as he needs to, but still, significant improvement. He's been grooming himself and this morning he once again was able to join the dogs in the front yard when we went to get the paper! In addition to the daily dex injections, I've got him on a general homeopathic, (BioPlasma), oral interferon and transdermal Cypro (for appetite stimulation). Michelle, is it as safe as my vet implies to give him these daily injections indefinitely? The feline interferon didn't seem to help him and his reaction to it was not good, so I'm probably not going to try that again. I called my vet and asked her about Elspar. Her assistant told me she could prescribe it, but it's $200 a vial and she seemed a little surprised that I would want to pursue it. I'm still waiting for a call back for her suggestions. Once again I find myself in the position of having to make decisions about just how much I am willing to put a terminal animal through in order to buy time. One day at a time, one moment to the next. Pray my intuition and communication skills don't fail me. Nina
Re: Spencer is feeling better!
At 09:09 AM 9/9/2006, you wrote: I am so glad Spencer is feeling better.Yesterday it was a trying kind of day,,,at the vet as usual,,But I was sitting there and this Smile just came over me and I thought SPENCER came home. It made me realize just how attached I am to all the babies on this and the other lists I belong to ...and how I cry when one crosses over but the joy and happiness I feel when there is news like this. Many years ago Nina I had a long haired male who had mega colon and for 10 years I needed to help him defecate. He was getting old and would love to sit out on our lawn and sun bathe,, Then one day he was not there,For days and night I searched and cried and slept in a chair by the front door,,,in retrospect what i think happened is he used to like to get in the bed of my sons pick up as it was warm. I think perhaps my son drove off too fast and took him somewhere,,,I grieved for my Max ,,,and to this day there is really no resolution, The guilt is horrible, In my heart I personally do not believe they make a deliberate decision to die alone, but as I said earlier, they hide when they feel ill so they will be safe from predation,,,I am s glad Mr. Spencer is at home with those that love him and even better that he is doing better. Thanks for the good news Kelly Hi All, Thank you Kerry R for taking the time to send support and share your's and Inky's Mom's experience with me. I'm not able to answer everyone's posts individually, but please know that each and every one means the world to me. I'm actually feeling much more light hearted as I write to you. Spencer has benefited from the dex shots and is feeling MUCH better. (Thank you, thank you, Michelle!). He's started to eat on his own, not as much as he needs to, but still, significant improvement. He's been grooming himself and this morning he once again was able to join the dogs in the front yard when we went to get the paper! In addition to the daily dex injections, I've got him on a general homeopathic, (BioPlasma), oral interferon and transdermal Cypro (for appetite stimulation). Michelle, is it as safe as my vet implies to give him these daily injections indefinitely? The feline interferon didn't seem to help him and his reaction to it was not good, so I'm probably not going to try that again. I called my vet and asked her about Elspar. Her assistant told me she could prescribe it, but it's $200 a vial and she seemed a little surprised that I would want to pursue it. I'm still waiting for a call back for her suggestions. Once again I find myself in the position of having to make decisions about just how much I am willing to put a terminal animal through in order to buy time. One day at a time, one moment to the next. Pray my intuition and communication skills don't fail me. Nina -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release Date: 9/8/2006
Re: Spencer is feeling better!
Oh Kelly what a sad story about Max. When you feel remorse over what happened when he left you, please do your best to conjure the memories of all those years of love and life that you gave him instead. Not that I don't understand your torment over it! I believe your sweet Max is watching over you and I'm sure that your continuing to suffer, long after the fact, is not a comfort to him. I wish I had an answer to why such things happen to us and those we love... Sometimes it's clear, often times it takes time and distance to put things in perspective, sometimes we never know, (I have a list of questions that I will be expecting answers to when my time comes!). When Spencer went missing, I did my best to make sense of it. When I thought that I had figured it out, when I had made peace with his decision to leave, he came back to me. Thank you for letting me know that the thought of Spencer's return brought you a momentary smile. Life is a head scratching, heart wrenching, joyful, loved filled journey. I know I'm not wise enough to have the answers. In fact the older I get the less I seem to know. All we can do is the best we are able. When we do that, when we are guided by love and faith, we may still have regrets, but no reasons for self recrimination. Much love to you my dear, Nina kelly wrote: At 09:09 AM 9/9/2006, you wrote: I am so glad Spencer is feeling better.Yesterday it was a trying kind of day,,,at the vet as usual,,But I was sitting there and this Smile just came over me and I thought SPENCER came home. It made me realize just how attached I am to all the babies on this and the other lists I belong to ...and how I cry when one crosses over but the joy and happiness I feel when there is news like this. Many years ago Nina I had a long haired male who had mega colon and for 10 years I needed to help him defecate. He was getting old and would love to sit out on our lawn and sun bathe,, Then one day he was not there,For days and night I searched and cried and slept in a chair by the front door,,,in retrospect what i think happened is he used to like to get in the bed of my sons pick up as it was warm. I think perhaps my son drove off too fast and took him somewhere,,,I grieved for my Max ,,,and to this day there is really no resolution, The guilt is horrible, In my heart I personally do not believe they make a deliberate decision to die alone, but as I said earlier, they hide when they feel ill so they will be safe from predation,,,I am s glad Mr. Spencer is at home with those that love him and even better that he is doing better. Thanks for the good news Kelly
RE: Spencer is feeling better!
Since he is feeling better, would you consider having the fluid drawn off his chest? If the dex shots slow things down, drawing off what is there, might really help him feel better and eat and get stronger. He is your kitty and you know him best, but I've had kittens who needed this done and it was not that traumatic and it really made an improvement in them. I'm so glad Spencer is doing better and hope he continues to feel good. Tracy [Original Message] From: Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Kerry Roach [EMAIL PROTECTED]; felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: 9/9/2006 12:09:54 PM Subject: Spencer is feeling better! Hi All, Thank you Kerry R for taking the time to send support and share your's and Inky's Mom's experience with me. I'm not able to answer everyone's posts individually, but please know that each and every one means the world to me. I'm actually feeling much more light hearted as I write to you. Spencer has benefited from the dex shots and is feeling MUCH better. (Thank you, thank you, Michelle!). He's started to eat on his own, not as much as he needs to, but still, significant improvement. He's been grooming himself and this morning he once again was able to join the dogs in the front yard when we went to get the paper! In addition to the daily dex injections, I've got him on a general homeopathic, (BioPlasma), oral interferon and transdermal Cypro (for appetite stimulation). Michelle, is it as safe as my vet implies to give him these daily injections indefinitely? The feline interferon didn't seem to help him and his reaction to it was not good, so I'm probably not going to try that again. I called my vet and asked her about Elspar. Her assistant told me she could prescribe it, but it's $200 a vial and she seemed a little surprised that I would want to pursue it. I'm still waiting for a call back for her suggestions. Once again I find myself in the position of having to make decisions about just how much I am willing to put a terminal animal through in order to buy time. One day at a time, one moment to the next. Pray my intuition and communication skills don't fail me. Nina -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release Date: 9/8/2006
Re: Spencer is feeling better!
They won't fail you. Just have the strength to follow them. 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: Tracy Weese [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 1:12 PM Subject: RE: Spencer is feeling better! Since he is feeling better, would you consider having the fluid drawn off his chest? If the dex shots slow things down, drawing off what is there, might really help him feel better and eat and get stronger. He is your kitty and you know him best, but I've had kittens who needed this done and it was not that traumatic and it really made an improvement in them. I'm so glad Spencer is doing better and hope he continues to feel good. Tracy [Original Message] From: Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Kerry Roach [EMAIL PROTECTED]; felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: 9/9/2006 12:09:54 PM Subject: Spencer is feeling better! Hi All, Thank you Kerry R for taking the time to send support and share your's and Inky's Mom's experience with me. I'm not able to answer everyone's posts individually, but please know that each and every one means the world to me. I'm actually feeling much more light hearted as I write to you. Spencer has benefited from the dex shots and is feeling MUCH better. (Thank you, thank you, Michelle!). He's started to eat on his own, not as much as he needs to, but still, significant improvement. He's been grooming himself and this morning he once again was able to join the dogs in the front yard when we went to get the paper! In addition to the daily dex injections, I've got him on a general homeopathic, (BioPlasma), oral interferon and transdermal Cypro (for appetite stimulation). Michelle, is it as safe as my vet implies to give him these daily injections indefinitely? The feline interferon didn't seem to help him and his reaction to it was not good, so I'm probably not going to try that again. I called my vet and asked her about Elspar. Her assistant told me she could prescribe it, but it's $200 a vial and she seemed a little surprised that I would want to pursue it. I'm still waiting for a call back for her suggestions. Once again I find myself in the position of having to make decisions about just how much I am willing to put a terminal animal through in order to buy time. One day at a time, one moment to the next. Pray my intuition and communication skills don't fail me. Nina -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release Date: 9/8/2006
Re: Spencer is feeling better!
Hi Tracy, We've already had the fluid drained once. The vet thought that he might be able to absorb what fluid might have built back up since then, (before we started giving him the steroid). My plan is to take him in if his breathing becomes labored, but not to stress him with the car ride and a vet visit if it doesn't. His breathing actually seems to have slowed and is less shallow, so I think I made the right call. Thank you for letting me know how much it helped your kittens and thanks too for the well wishes. Nina Tracy Weese wrote: Since he is feeling better, would you consider having the fluid drawn off his chest? If the dex shots slow things down, drawing off what is there, might really help him feel better and eat and get stronger. He is your kitty and you know him best, but I've had kittens who needed this done and it was not that traumatic and it really made an improvement in them. I'm so glad Spencer is doing better and hope he continues to feel good. Tracy
Re: Spencer is feeling better!
Nina, so glad he is feeling better! As to the question about giving dex indefinitely, I guess the answer is "it depends how long indefinitely is." He should not have any short-term side effects from it. If he is on it for months getting them every day, he can get steroid side effects-- diabetes or suppressed immune system or think skin, etc. But I don't think the vet thinks he has months, and he probably does not if dex is all he is getting, so I would not worry about side effects at this point. I personally would want to do depo and supplement it with occasional dex shots instead, but i would not worry about giving too much dex right now. Cats can handle a lot, especially short-term, and dex makes them feel so much better. Does he get very stressed by vet visits, and is that the main reason you do not want to do chemo with him? or cost? If the dex is helping, I think that chemo would help more, especially combined with steroids. If you can afford the Elspar, I would at least do that. Combined with the dex it might really help him feel better and increase his life by a few weeks or more with good quality, and it is not stressful because it is just one sub-q shot and has no side effects. But doing the COP or Wisconsin chemo protocol would be likely to help a lot more. If Elspar is that much money, then I think it is the most expensive of the chemo agents that they use for feline lymphoma. One of them, perhaps Vincristine (usually given after Elspar), was under $10, I think. They usually give Elspar first, though, for some reason.I think it has to do with not killing off the lymphoma cells too quickly, because doing that can cause toxic overload to their body. I think Elspar kills only a limited number of the cells at one time because it just stops them from reproducing and then they die off naturally, rather than the drug killing the cells. I think the others actually kill the cells perhaps, so you want the tumor smaller when you give them so as not to overload the body. I could be talking out my ear, though, as I am straining to remember. Anyway, I would do the Elspar if you can afford it because it is not a stress (unless you have to take him in for it and that itself stresses him) and if he responds well I would try the next week of one of the protocols as well (usually Vincristine, I think, which is just two pills that you give him one time, a week after the Elspar shot). The chemo is generally once a week for a month and then a break of several weeks (I think it's a sub-q shot the first week, then IV shot the next week, then one time pills the next week,then an IV shot the fourth week and then nothing for 2 or 3 weeks after that).They have to check white blood cell countsbefore each treatment after the second one. It was not stressful for Simon, buthe did not mind carrides. The only sidereaction he had to the chemo itself (unless his hemolytic anemia was a response to it) was that he threw up and then did not want to eat one evening 2 or 3 days after getting the pill one. The others did not seem to bother him at all, and he felt a lot better with them working on him. And his lymphoma was in his liver and bone marrow, which is much harder to treat than mediastinal lymphoma, which is what Spencer has. Anyway, we all have opinions about chemo, and you know that I am generally in favor of trying it with lymphoma, because it sometimes can actually put them into remission for long periods. Remissions tend to be shorter for positive cats, but there was at least one person on the lymphoma list with a positive who was still in remission over a year after beginning chemo, and I talked to someone else who had a positive live a year with chemo.I do understand not doing it, too, though it is not how I would approach lymphoma. I have decided not to treat other cancers with chemo because the remission rate is so much smaller with some cancers, and the balancing made me decide to try experimental or natural treatments instead. So I am not completely pro-chemo all the time. I have just been really overwhelmed by the chemo success stories on the lymphoma list serve, and I was amazed at how much better it made Simon feel, bringing him from death's door and needing transfusions to literally climbing the walls and running around in the ceiling and deviling Quincy. Though Simon only lasted 2 months on it, he died from having a hemolytic reaction rather than from the lymphoma itself, which was still at bay when he died, and he lived two months when he would have lived only a few days without it. By the end it was expensive, though probably because of transfusions and hospitalization rather than the chemo, but doing the whole procedure is definitely not cheap. And I know the extreme amounts you have spent already and that money can not be squeezed from stones. So I am not implying it can. I just really want you to know that, if you think the dex is helping,
