Allegro
Let’s see if I can write this without crying….
Allegro is doing incrementally better. Progress is very slow. The fluid in his chest keeps coming back, especially in the right side. He hasn’t been eating, so they’re going to put in a feeding tube today.
The vet feels that his abdominal lymph nodes are enlarged, and so she’s doing a chest and abdominal ultrasound today. He’s had lymphocytes in the fluid in his chest, and if the nodes are enlarged, they’ll pull some tissue from them to biopsy to check for possible lymphoma.
Lymphoma, as you may know, is a fairly nasty systemic cancer. Unlike a standard tumor, it can’t be just sliced out and be done. If Allegro has it, that’s it. We won’t treat such a difficult cancer in a cat this old, just try to make him comfortable until he’s not anymore, and then let him go.
I am scared to death that this may be it. I love this cat so much, and everyone who has ever met him appreciates his sweet, loving nature.
Edit to add: I realized that my post doesn’t actually give any reason why he’s doing better. The fluid they pull from his chest no longer shows signs of bacteria, and yesterday he did eat a tiny amount of cheese. Not enough to keep him from the feeding tube, but something, at least, to help his spirits.
gabbysmom wrote:
Oh my, and I thought he was doing better.
I’m sorry you may have to make such a difficult decision. He’ll let you know what to do. Have you read Wil Wheaton’s blog lately? He very recently had to deal with this with two of his cats.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:24 am | Permalink
mortaine wrote:
Yes, I read his blog regularly. It’s just fucking hard, with losing Hammer in January.
I really just want to spend the whole day curled in a ball at home, crying.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:27 am | Permalink
wibbble wrote:
*hugs you*
I’ll be thinking of you and Allegro.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:27 am | Permalink
chaoticgoodnik wrote:
I’m sorry. Fingers crossed for all of you.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:28 am | Permalink
shelie wrote:
I lost “my” first cat to feline leukemia. It’s just horrible having to let them go.
I hope the tests come back positively and that you don’t have to face this kind of thing so soon after Hammer.
*hugs*
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:36 am | Permalink
cathouse_blues wrote:
Oh, honey. You and Allegro are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:39 am | Permalink
blistermoth wrote:
i’m sorry
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:49 am | Permalink
meredith wrote:
i’m thinking healthy thoughts for kitty and comforting thoughts for you.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 4:59 am | Permalink
wordweaverlynn wrote:
Oh hon, I am so sorry.(hug)
Maybe the bite was a blessing in disguise, if it helped you discover the cancer?
Posted on 31-May-05 at 5:00 am | Permalink
pisceandreamer wrote:
Oh, I am so sorry you’re having to go through this.
*hugs*
Posted on 31-May-05 at 5:06 am | Permalink
salegamine wrote:
And I so hoped he was doing better.
*Comforts*
I’ll continues with prayers for him if you don’t mind.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 5:24 am | Permalink
celticess wrote:
*hugs* My Asia(a hymalian) developed leukemia a few years after I gave him to my sister. Few years later I found out about the leukemia shots. I was suprised as no such shots work for humans.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 6:35 am | Permalink
mortaine wrote:
Feline leukemia isn’t like the human cancer– it’s a communicable blood disease, more closely related to HIV than anything else.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 6:44 am | Permalink
celticess wrote:
Ahh ok or something like cervical cancer as I’ve heard that is considered also caused by some sort of virus. I just remember being suprised they had a shot that could prevent it at the time. I wished I’d known about it before Asia got ill or it could of saved him.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 6:47 am | Permalink
aleriel wrote:
I’m very sorry. I hope it’s nothing that serious and Allegro turns out to be just fine in time.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 7:08 am | Permalink
cuddled wrote:
I’ll definitely be praying for him. ♥
Posted on 31-May-05 at 7:18 am | Permalink
beckerbuns wrote:
Poor kitty.
I hope he recovers soon, or at least that it turns out not to be lymphoma and he turns a corner.
Posted on 31-May-05 at 11:38 am | Permalink
ealasaidh wrote:
{{{{hugs and prayers for Allegro and family}}}}
Posted on 01-Jun-05 at 3:50 am | Permalink