I lost my oldest cat Teddy to Squamous Cell Carcinoma behind his left eye last year so I'll keep a special place in my prayers for Sam.
Posted on 12/20/2005 5:00:20 AM PST by PetroniDE
I lost my oldest cat Teddy to Squamous Cell Carcinoma behind his left eye last year so I'll keep a special place in my prayers for Sam.
ping. don't miss this thread.
I've lost so many in my life, but only one as special as Sam. I think it gets harder the older I get.
It is apparently quite early in the progression of the disease, so all bets are that he will probably recover. But one never knows. Eeeeeek. I just can't stand to see them in the hospital, all hooked up to iv's and sick, and you cannot explain anything to them.
I'll certainly take your advice and keep it positive around him. This Ambassador of the Kitties (his attitude and coolness have converted a number of cate haters), the Supreme God of Laidbackedness and Loviness, deserves to live forever, as far as I am concerned.
I feel for you regarding Teddy. I lost my twelve year old Minnow to bone cancer three years ago. She was a fantastic cat. And her death was very sudden. By the time she showed symptoms of being ill, it was only three weeks before she died, despite our best efforts.
And Merry Christmas to you ans LB, too.
We don't have any kids, just cats and horses, but my husband named him Little Bear because he just has a short little stump of a tail. He's 5 years old and came from a dear friend of mine who was suddenly taken ill and needed homes for all of his cats. I had two already and live in a small appartment, so Bear was all I had room for, but he sure is a sweetie. He sleeps on my chest most nights and doesn't seem to mind if I roll over. He just climbs back on. Nothing like Kitty Kisses in the middle of the night! ;o)
I found the posts of fellow cat lovers comforting even though I was unable to even share my loss with others for awhile. I have lost more than one, two died in my arms. The last was the hardest ever. We have a house full of cats..They are all adorable in one way or another...but the loss still hurts. She was my buddy.
I am glad you caught this so soon, we did not. I like the positive outlook post.
(((((Sam)))))))
Mine, too. I could not get a grip for at least three days, and it still makes me cry when I think about her. All kitties are great in their own way, but some get into your heart more than others.
You are lucky to have Little Bear, and he is lucky to have you. I am sorry for your friend. How terrible.
Merry Christmas,
Kitty Mittens!!!
Have a wonderful vacation!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, PetroniDE!
Yeah, I sure hated for him to have to get rid of his cats, but he had 7 in a small house and had open heart surgery and resulting complications and was barely able to care for himself. His mother and sister were taking care of him and the cats and he felt that that was too much to ask of them. He still has two left and is looking for homes for them too, but I kinda hope he keeps them because being sick without a cat to snuggle up with would just be the pits. It would depress me to death. He is better now, but has been in and out of the hospital, so I understand his choice. I'm just glad I was able to help him with Little Bear. I'd take in every cat in the world and become a "crazy cat lady" if it weren't for my husband's voice of reason. I know what you mean about the sense of calm. They do that for me too. I think they're addictive.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Petronie, have a good and WARM time!!!! Might get up to the mid-thrids by the weekend here in Detroit.
"Sam has no palpable tumors yet, but does have elevated lymphocytes."
Gotcha. Don't care for the elevated lymphocytes but they certainly were caught early. That's in Sam's favor and in yours. Completely understand your concerns about possible treatments though I remain hopeful they'll be less harrowing than you might imagine.
We've owned Siamese for over 35 years. Sam sounds a great deal like our beloved blue point, Edgar III. He was the most laid back, relaxed 'Meezer imaginable. Didn't have to use a carrier to drive him to or from the vet. Nor did we need one in the waiting room as Dobie's and Great Dane's would prance by him. "Ed" was so mellow he made people laugh. I'm sure you're getting the picture.
I mention this because those same qualities translated into making him an outstanding feline patient. He lived with renal failure the last year+ of his life, and may I say he did it well. He'd occasionally have to stay overnight at the vet for a "pump up" of IV fluids. Which, I was told, he took in stride. Minute he was released he'd shake it off, come home, and demand a big dinner. Does that sound like Sam?
As an example, Sam went deaf a couple of years ago. Most kitties, when that happens, get really jumpy, and are generally not good to have around children. Sam? Could not care less. If you startle him, he falls over ( he does this little head roll thing, when you pet him on the back, he will go down head first, and fall completely into a puddle of kitty), and starts purring.
My mom and dad have a lavender point now. She is a superb kitty, too. Never shuts up, though!
Have a super good Christmas! Looking forward to the new year and all the kitties!!
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