I thought I would start a new thread in honor of Kitteh and this new chapter for him.

I believe with my whole heart your thoughts, kind words, support and prayers gave us both the strength to get this far

The new chapter is that Kitteh is a lil fighter! So far, he is challenging the medical odds.

He started his chemo protocol on Monday. He has gained a whole pound since being admitted to the hospital over a month ago. So far he is tolerating the medicine.

He will be in hospital for another 5 weeks or so while receiving treatment. I feel hopeful (cautiously but praying) that he will respond positively and keep fighting and come home again.

I have to remind myself that he is in good hands, too, while he is away. He is getting lots of attention, gentle lovies from the hospital staff and the doctor is doing everything he can (he even enrolled in a feline cancer seminar and today is the first day of 4). Besides continuing ed and learning new current stuff, It will be a great opportunity to network with other doctors to discuss ideas, protocols, get opinions, etc. Especially from doctors that specialize in lymphoma and in Bengals. I am hoping, at least, for the Bengal part (embarrassed).

Doctor said he will call me Monday when he gets back.

I also want to give doctor a huge shout out for being so incredibly thoughtful, committed and for his professionalism and true love for what he does. The man is 75 and has been in practice for almost 50 years and going strong.

In the meantime, continuing to send lots of prayers, healing thoughts and healing light to my boy.

Luv to you all for everything. And for reading, listening, caring, understanding and most of all, not making fun of this ol' krazee Kitteh lady

[gayleggg]

Glad to hear things are going well and Kitteh is fighting a good fight. Hope things keep looking up. Good luck to you and Kitteh.

[Yoda]

[Citrine]

Bless you both and prayers and kindest wishes to you

[Nammu]

[lizardlady]

I like the positive new thread Rose.

I'm really impressed that he gained a whole pound! That's incredible!

Keeping both of you in my thoughts.

[Maven]

I hope Kitteh surprises us and improves beyond your expectations. He and you are in my thoughts.

[TerryL]

I'm so happy to hear Kitteh has gained a pound! I hope he will continue to improve!!!

[Big Mama]

I hope kitty keeps improving. I am s glad you have such great dr's.

Kitteh is rallying but I don't really know how he is feeling. No one told me. I called the hospital today. He will be there for another six weeks, at least. Our doctor never called me to let me know how Kitteh was tolerating both medicines, though. The second of the chemos came in.

I did hear back from the Office Manager and she confirmed Dr. had very explicit directions written down for the protocol, but that is all I know. Today is his day off.

I miss lil dude so much. It is totally selfish of me but going back to work today (back to the routine after being on D for 2 months) was awful without him:

My lil furry alarm clock was not there, yelling at me at 5am, walking on me, pawing at me to get up with him. Just talk radio.

And I thought about him during the middle of the day (as I do, wondering how he was doing). Thinking of him was almost like a second wind just to get through the rest of the work day, then sitting in 2 hours of traffic just to get home.

(felt sad knowing he wouldn't be there to greet me loudly, blocking my way in the doorway to give him lovies...all about him him him when I got home until bedtime).

I didnt really realize until today, just how much he means to me and how he really saved me from the misery of the day while at work (no matter how much I complained about his bad behavior and incredibly demanding way).

I am in limbo right now. I cannot visit him. He is in hospital hopefully getting well. Going into remission, so he can come home and ne his demanding, dog-like self. I just miss my lil guy. He is definitely my furkid.

[Citrine]

Being v strong Rose. dont know how you are doing it. i really hope he can come home soon.

[Seshat]

Aaaw. This made me think of my cats as well. Best wishes and positive energy.

[lizardlady]

It is totally selfish of me but going back to work today (back to the routine after being on D for 2 months) was awful without him:

Rose, I beg to differ. It's not selfish. It's a measure of your love for him.

That's good news that he is rallying.

{*{*{*{*Rose*}*}*}*}

{*{*{*{*Kitteh*}*}*}*}

[Big Mama]

Rose, It sounds like kitty is hangin in there. I am so sorry you miss him s much. We do miss our fur babies don't we. Keep hangin in there. I am still prayin for yall both daily.

Rose I think you love Kitteh soo much that you could never care too much..Your affection for him is heartfelt and genuine as his is for you. Take care of you
warm thoughts and prayer's

Lil update on Kitteh: I spoke with doctor today.

He ordered the blood panels to see how Kitteh is managing on the medicine. He read results today and explained that the results were consistent with the treatment ... Bubs has a bit of amemia and enzymes are off but nothing unusual or alarming (it would be an abnormal panel if we didnt know what was going on, but consistent with type of treatment). The way that will be resolved is for Kitteh to fight in his lil system and heal itself with his lil red blood cells.

I burst into tears.

I tried not to cry but it broke my heart. This part is about him, his lil body, really fighting. I wish I could fight the fight for him so he can have some peace.

Kitteh isnt feeling well (as treatment will do) and I worry so much about that... but he is still getting lots of attention, pets, loves, is talking to everyone and he responds well to that. So he is getting the attention he needs. Not just all alone and sad.

The one thing doctor isnt happy about is that Kitteh's eating is erratic, so he isnt gaining any weight. When we try to put him on a different food, it upsets his stomach.

Fluids and nutrients will keep him comfortable as possible.

I asked the doctor if (with these panels) Kitteh will die or get to come home. He said he doesnt know. Yet.

I asked him if it would be ok if, unless something changes that is notewothy, if he would call me in two weeks after the next bloodwork report came back. At that point, we could talk about things again and talk about best course of action (continue on and push forward or stop treatment). We just don't want Kitteh to suffer. Quality of life is crucial.

So far be has been strong and fighting the good fight...but he is the most important thing and what he is able to manage. His well being is at the top of the list.

We / I just want to do what is best for him. I wish he could just tell me. That is the hardest part. He can't tell us. He can't say I don't think this is going to work. Or I am tired...I don't want to do this anymore. Or I just want to come home: have my last days together in the comfort of home.

In the past 8 years, I took care of my fiance during his battle with cancer. And I took care of both of my grandparents when they were sick and dying. I was by my Grandfather's side almost everyday for a year until he passed. They could tell me how they were doing,.told me when they were too tired and couldnt go on. Kitteh just cannot tell me what he wants.

I just pray I am doing the right thing and not putting him through torture. Most agonizing part.

[lizardlady]

Rose, while our furbabies can't use spoken words to tell us what they want or how they feel, they can tell us through their actions. Kitteh is alert, talking to staff and enjoying the attention he is getting. I would interpret that to mean he is still willing to fight. If he withdraws, stops enjoying the attention and stops talking I'd say that was a sign he was giving up. Listen to your heart Rose. If/when it says it's time to quit follow that. Meanwhile you are NOT torturing him.

Could the up and down appetite be because of the chemo? I know chemo plays heck with humans' appetite.

{*{*{*{*Rose*}*}*}*}

{*{*{*{*Kitteh*}*}*}*}

[MuseumGhost]

Whattalittlefighter. I hope he can beat this thing.

I send best wishes and love for you, brave strong woman...

((((Liz)))) I think it's the cancer in general that has affected his appetite. And then chemo doesn't help

I discovered this morning, apparently, he has a very rare form of cancer (not my fault. Of course I was blaming myself). Figures, too.

...only Kitteh...he has to do everything the hard way! Hopefully it will be coming home in two weeks.

I cannot visit him. It really just breaks my heart. My friend and I were emailing yesterday and she sent me a pic of a Bengal and I burst into tears. Just reading an email.

I want to climb in the kennel and stay there with him until he can come home.

[lizardlady]

Oh Rose.... again at a loss for words. My hear aches for you and Kitteh.

[TerryL]

I don't understand why they won't let you visit Kitteh? It would do wonders for her I know.

Hi Terry, I have 24/7 access to Kitteh. My beloved boy. I am not visiting him because he is settled into a routine now in hospital. The staff loves him and he is getting a lot of attention and love from them. Including his doctor. I do not want to go because I do not want to agitate him or have him think he is coming home when he hears my voice, only to get depressed or stressed after I have to leave him.

He is very, very smart and he knows my voice and footsteps from a mile away he associates me with good things and getting to rule the world, Kitteh style. I dont want to disrupt what is happening with him right now. It is not fun and he doesn't feel good, so I don't want to make him feel worse. Unless I could just crawl in there with him and stay with him, IVs and all, until he comes home.

Next Friday, the latest lab results will come back and then I will have a clearer picture of what to do. What is best for him.

I miss him so much, too, it literally is breaking my heart. But he has two+ more weeks there. I don't want to be selfish.

Originally Posted by TerryL

I don't understand why they won't let you visit Kitteh? It would do wonders for her I know.

[eskielover]

Really hoping that the treatment will be successful & Kitteh will be able to come home to a normal life.

I know how hard it was for me to loose both Destiny last Thanksgiving & Celia this last March from cancer. They were both so much older that there was no treatment for them & keeping them comfortable & giving them the most quality of life until the time I knew they were suffering was the most difficult thing I have ever done.....honestly, it was harder to loose them then it was my mother who died of cancer 8 years ago. I know what it is to spend 24/7 caring for them or just being next to my mother continually even though she was in the hospital.

Praying this treatment will be successful so you can enjoy many more years together

[Open Eyes]

I am saying prayers for Rose's Kitteh.

(((Hugs)))
OE

Rose I'm so pleased to hear you say that you are able to have constant contact with kitteh(you had mentioned it before) I think you have such a positive and brave feeling when it comes to what's best for him. It seems that you know that he's safe and is being cared for in the best possible way.
Best thoughts and warm wishes to you