Two Seizures

Things don't look good.

Sooty has a seizure at 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. and slept in my pillow in between times. Bridget of Pets are Talking says Sooty said "tell my mom I'll be with her. I'll be laying on the scraps (showing me fabric?)." Now, I don't know how true all this is but Bridget has been very nice.

We have made the decision to take her to the vet to see what he says. It may be time to let her go - no more pain or suffering. We will see.

Bad Weather

It is very very cold here. Colder than we have ever been. As a result Sooty has come down with a sniffle and a dry raspy cough. It is not severe but she sounds 'coldy' and is causing us a bit of worry.

Her blood test was slightly better but she is going through one of periodic troughs of poor health. She has lost some weight but has just eaten a good handful of minced pork including a bit with her dially steroid hidden in it. (Yes!!).

I am busy with my doll making but keep the fire on and Sooty is resting on the back of the sofa. She did come to the door and meet me when I returned from my doll hair shopping so the vital spark is still there. It's just so bloody cold here and we are barely into winter. The frustration is immense, it is not usually this cold for so long.

Today we start Chemo 3, so she will take a dip again. I just hope Sooty can hang in there for us, I want her to see another Spring, to see her out in the warm sun.

Blood Test Report - post 2nd Chemo

I rang the veterinary surgery and was told that Sooty shows a small improvement!

Yes, she is still ill, but this shows the chemo may be having some kind of effect. We have also found someone who will be able to give Sooty her Leukeran while we take a short trip away. Paul's birthday celebration is a visit to see Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone in Auckland then come back on the Overlander.

So happy.

Bodyweight thoughts

Something that I thought I ought to mention in case anyone checks this with their own lymphoma cat.

Sooty lost a heck of a lot of weight before she was diagnosed. She had become very thin. Now she is 1) on chemo and 2) has the anti nausea tablets she is starting to regain her appetite. This is a long slow haul but she is gradually filling out a bit.

Sometimes I think she looks heart breakingly thin, other times a bit plumper. The lesson I have learned is that rebuilding her body will take time, she may never fill out totally again BUT she still has a sparkle in her eye, a spring in her step and she is still our Sooty.

We start the second round of chemo on Thursday.

Back from the Vet - FInal Report for the Day

We now have MAXOLON - 1/4 to 1/2 tablet 1x or 2x per day as needed. This is an anti-nausea tablet which should help Sooty eat without feeling sick on days she is feeling low. Thank You to SelenaK for mentioning this. I asked the vet and I received.

REMEMBER : Chemo Cats might feel nauseous and, though hungry from the steriods, not feel like eating. Ask about anti-nausea medication when you are given the chemo tablets for your cat.

Sooty has come home and eaten some tuna in juice and SOME DRIED which she hasn't eaten for weeks now. [OK updated three hours later after it seems Sooty has hardly stopped eating.]
Her results go to Dr Acke at Massey University for her review/opinion/etc., and she will consider if any changes need to be made to the medication.

Friday 5th April report

After a couple of quiet days Sooty thrilled us today by coming almost to the front door.

If I explain that for most of her adult life Sooty has been a natural greeter - meeting Paul or myself at the front door when we get home you may understand how important this is. The fact she stopped doing it was one of the factors that prodded us into a vet visit.

We still have to coax her to eat (raw chicken is still the firm favourite) but she now feels well enough to show interest in the rhythms of home life.

This is progress.

Finally, thanks very much to everyone for letting us know the posting IS working. All your messages have been passed along to Sooty and she passes a gentle * nosetap * to those kitties that enquire about her health.

Posting Comments

I have had a few people mention that they could not leave comments. I have tried to rectify this so if you come by try again. If it doesn't I will have to look further but give it a go, I always tell Sooty if anyone wishes her luck, pass on *nosetaps * and generally keep her up to date.

If you can't leave a message add a comment to the latest post here on my own blog.

Sooty in the sun!

Not sure if this is a red letter day but Sooty has spent an hour in the sun, and enjoyed going outside to the toilet rather than using a litter tray.  The weather has been poor these past days but today it was awesome and I had the doors open so she enjoyed it.  

I took the chance to wash her blanket as she does smell rather chemically but I don't care, she is our Sooty and she is still here.

Blood test monday 8 a.m. to see of blood count is keeping healthy.

First Chemo Update - 4 days on 3 weeks off

TODAY:- Sooty is OK, her spark is taking a bit of a dip and I think the chemo has something to do with it. She ate some mince and some raw chicken - no she won't eat it cooked - believe it I cooked free-range chicken and STILL she won't eat it.

We have been persistent and now she eats a bit.

I aim to publish links to some of the information I found thanks to friends on the net but the one thing I will say RIGHT NOW is - if your cat is diagnosed with lumps like Sooty was - GET A REFERRAL. Thanks to the persistence of two particular people, to whom I am profoundly grateful, Crochetkitten who has a kitty blog, and @WineCountryDog (from Twitter) I found I COULD have Sooty referred.

This had not occurred to me!! PLEASE remember that there is treatment!!