Bad news for my favorite dual-income, three-cat household

[flexagon]

I've spent the whole week trying to cope with the things mentioned in the very-limited-visibility post from Monday. Don't feel bad if you can't read it... and thanks to those who have called me and/or given me virtual red lanterns in the meantime. You haven't missed a lot, just bunches of drinking coffee and skipping the gym and crying.

We've gotten more results back on Frankenstein, our third cat who didn't have an LJ name until this minute. So that you have some backstory: last Thursday, some sewing thread was left out by the cleaners (who doubtless found it under the couch). We were a bit worried that the cats could have eaten some since it had definitely been played with, but we weren't sure anyone really had until Sunday, when we were positive that Frankenstein was having trouble eating. So heisenbug took him to the vet on Monday, where they could see a bit of thread in the back of his mouth. They whisked him into surgery, where, as they were removing thread from him, they found a tumor in his intestines.

This, clearly, is where the story gets sadder. heisenbug had the vet remove the tumor and finish up the surgery -- they gave us another option that was not acceptable, way too sudden -- while I left work, mostly to comfort heisenbug, but also with my own bad news to cry over. The next day Frankenstein came home, with shaved forearms and tummy. He was heartbreakingly sluggish for a while and I was worried he didn't want to live anymore. He wouldn't eat, and we had to force-feed him, and heisenbug worked from home all week to take care of him. Now -- well, this moment as I look to my left, I can see that Frankenstein is still doing a good imitation of a slug, but he's lying on his side now the way he always used to. He's eating small amounts of the special rich, fatty food we got from the vet, and is generally acting more like himself. We think that he's been more alert since we ran out of painkillers for him. So he's recovering from surgery; but the biopsies and X-rays have all come back, so we know now that he has lymphoma, which is doubtless spreading on a cellular level because that's just what lymphoma does.

We were lucky that he ate the thread, because we found out about this (and actually did something about it, namely removing the tumor) earlier than we would have found out otherwise. But we are sad. Even knowing that cats don't live forever... well, it's pretty awful that they don't. We have some difficult choices to make soon, and I doubt that any choice will seem like the right choice every day for all the days we have left. All I can say is that we'll make them with love for Frankenstein, and for Rafe and Nala, and maybe even for us. Even if we do nothing at all in terms of further medical treatment, we probably have a few months, so we don't have to decide anything this moment.

Comments

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

Cats should definitely live forever. This oversight must be corrected ASAP.

So sorry about Frankenstein.

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

I agree with a_kosmos, with a slight change: beloved pets should live forever. It's just not fair. *shakes head* But I know that you'll give your kitty the most peaceful, comfortable end of life you can give, and that does count for something.

I'm sending good thoughts your way. You deserve for things to calm down and get better. If you need anything or there's anything I can do, please email me.

Kitties

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

Oh, Flexi, I'm so sorry to hear about poor Frankenstein. But, don't forget: you have given him a wonderful home. He's been happy and well-fed. He's had a great life, and will have the best life he can until the sad day comes. I think about this a lot concerning my own kitty, who is getting thinner and thinner and can no longer jump up on things. She needs help now, but she's good at asking for it. The best we can do for our little buddies is give them the best home we can provide. I'm sure little Frankenstein appreciates it and loves you very much.

[apfelsingail.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Like I said... give a shout if there's anything I can do, eh? Or just if you need to vent.

[flexagon]

I will. and thanks for your very sweet phone message from, like, a week ago, btw. I didn't get it right away, clearly, because I'm dumb like that, but I very much appreciated it and would just like to give you a crushing hug. Consider yourself SQUISHED.

[gmtarkin.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I know it's hard, but I'm sure you will make the rest of his life, however long it may be, as happy and comfortable as possible. That's about all any of us can ask.

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

:(

I love cats. I get sad when they are in pain or hurting. I'm sending you good kitty vibes.

[niralth.livejournal.com]

Today I was early for an appointment, and instead of waiting inside I sat down on the bench outside to enjoy the lovely courtyard. Immediately a lovely brown and gold cat appears and starts wanting attention from me. It has a collar and tag, so I assume it's not a stray, and therefore is reasonably healthy and what not, so I start petting it. It jumps up onto the bench and nuzzles me some more, pushing in my hand for more head scratching. Pretty soon it's up on my lap making itself comfortable. I couldn't believe how much benefit I got out of those fifteen minutes on a bench with a stranger's cat.

Frankenstein has given you years and years of pleasure, friendship, comfort, and warmth. It sounds like you are doing all you can to repay and honor that. I'm sorry that he has to leave you, ever.

[flexagon]

Belated thanks for a truly wonderful and comforting comment. I reread this many times and it was of real value. I just couldn't handle making replies to all of these right away.

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear about Frankenstein. *hugs*!!

[birdofparadox.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor all of you.

*fiercest hugs to you*

My Mister Jack turns 16 this year, and even thinking about him having lived with me half my life and only now showing his age can be enough to begin breaking my heart.

Give your Frankenstein scritches from us and the furry family.

[flexagon]

Thank you. The scritches will be passed on. Frankenstein is better enough from the surgery now that he'll even purr for you. :)