Part 2 of Jill’s Journey begins
So now that we are almost at the one month ampuversary (I can’t believe it!), it was time to go to the oncologist to come up with a plan to get rid of this nasty nasty cancer for good!
Jill has never been the type of kitty to meow or hide when the carrier comes out, however, she must have realized by now that one of the last times she went into it, she came back without a leg, because she was not happy about going in there this morning. For the first time since I’ve had her, she fought me and once I got her in, she cried and cried 🙁 I felt so horrible. Have I scarred her for life????? It is so hard that you can’t just say to them “it’s for your own good I promise!!”
So off we go to Animal Medical Center for our appointment with the oncologist. We had been here before, but that was back in June and it was for a consult when we found the osteosaroma on her toe. We wound up not doing the chemo then, so that was the last they heard from us. I wasn’t sure if they would remember us, but as soon as one of the doctors walked in she said “oh it’s Jill the hugging kitty!”.
Well. Could I be any prouder? Everyone wanted to hug her! They better not get any wise catnapping ideas while I leave her in their care……..!!!! Maybe I need to microchip her?? hmmmm……..
So they took Jill back to an exam room while I sat with the two doctors to discuss our plan. She will be going once every three weeks for four weeks alternating Carboplatin and Doxorubicin. The best part was, they were able to give her the first dose of Carboplatin today, so that saves me one trip! So off she went behind these scary scary doors but with very very nice nurses 🙂
I then signed some consent forms and talked to the doctors about some questions I had about side effects. The best part of the visit for me was really her “prognosis:”
OK. I am really pretending I didn’t see this because I don’t want to get my hopes up. So, I’m going to tuck this away in a folder and just keep praying for the best 🙂
Anyway, about a half hour later, they brought me my little one (while she was hugging the nurse of course) and off we went home. I felt horrible, because I had to get to work, but they told me the first time, she is likely to have very few side effects. Maybe a little nausea and she might be a little tired and hide. I, of course, couldn’t stop thinking about her all day though.
So now I am home and I was expecting to walk into the apartment and find her under the bed or in the closet. But no. Shes on the couch, on her favorite brown blankie and she is DEMANDING treats and a belly rub. Once she got that though, she did go right to sleep. I can tell she is definitely tired, but as you can see from the video below, she is more than happy to accept a belly rub. That’s my little girl 🙂
So. That’s where we are right now. The next treatment will be 1/29 and that will be the doxorubicin.
Here are some pics from her days today and a video:
Please rub my belly
Sleepy Sleepy Baby
January 8, 2013 @ 8:59 pm
Awww sweet sweet Jill!!! What a trooper!
A close friend of mine has a dog getting chemo, and they tell me it is much, much easier for pets than for humans. The theory being that humans are willing to put themselves through devastating treatments because we know it can lead to a cure, while pets simply wouldn’t put up with all of that. 🙂
Like Jill, Lexi was a bit scarred after her surgery. She goes into her crate just fine, but she’s terrified of the vacuum now. It’s bizarre because she used to actually like getting vacuumed. I hate that she gets so scared now, but it just gives me extra reasons to pick her up and squish her with luvin’s.
Keep squishin’ Jill and post more pics!
January 8, 2013 @ 10:08 pm
My boy Max had 6 rounds of carboplatin. We noticed that we couldn’t really see the side effects for about 24 – 48 hours after the infusion. Max would get lethargic and pretty much not interested in eating. This would only last for about 24 hours, then he would be back to normal. Hopefully this will be the same for Jill, or Jill may have an easier time! Let her know she’s got a lot of people thinking of her!
January 8, 2013 @ 10:44 pm
Wow she just loves that bed! Love that vid.
Hey that door really IS scary! But Jill was exceptionally brave, and so are you Mama (and you can spell Doxorubicin…wow!). We are all rooting for you and keeping that great prognosis in our hearts too.
Go Jill! xoxo
January 11, 2013 @ 7:54 pm
Woohoo! So happy to hear that Jill is doing so well, and that you’ve got a cancer butt-kickin’ under way! She just seems like such a happy camper – and Woohoo for that prognosis 😛 Best thing EVER!
I know what you mean about hating taking her to the vet – but it IS for her own good, even if you can’t tell her so. You’re a great kitty momma, and she knows it!
Thanks so much for keeping us updated, and TONS of hugs for the both of you!!!
July 30, 2014 @ 12:44 am
So I have to admit, the first time I read Jill’s blog, I skipped over all this chemo stuff because I naively thought I wouldn’t need to be worrying about it! So here I am, reading it over now 🙂 It’s so nice to have the perspective of a pawrent when most everything I’m reading is from the veterinary stand point. I’m going to be reading through more of your blog tonight, but if I have questions I don’t see answered here, would you mind if I emailed you with them??