Bullwinkle started chemotherapy on Monday. Dr. Kathy Blackshear sent us to the pet cancer clinic and I honestly didn't believe they'd be able to help him -- he hadn't eaten for two weeks and was really skinny (5.7 pounds!). But they did some bloodwork and amazingly, his liver & kidney functions were just fine; and they took some x-rays and learned that the tumor (which is beneath his tongue and attached to it) hadn't grown into the bone. So all that made him a good candidate for at least trying the chemo. And besides, he just seems to be a survivor. He's been telling me all along that he has no intention of dying, ever, and certainly not any time soon. I'm starting to believe him.
I asked for a quote of how much it would all cost before they did anything. The amount is obscenely large -- too large to talk about. Let's just say that: a) I could've bought a fairly decent used car for it; and b) I'm pretty sure I can't afford a used car of any quality. Nonetheless, after I talked to Dr. Jeannette Kelly and felt like I understood what the chances of success were (50/50 that his quality of life would be improved), and looked at my checkbook, and decided I really don't have to go to Arizona next month after all, it was very clear to me that I wanted to try it.
So Bullwinkle came home with me on Monday, completely loopy from all the anesthesia. He immediately busted out of the soft-sided pet carrier, before we ever got out of the clinic, and was hell-bent on running through the parking lot. (Not that he could have -- he couldn't stay upright for more than about 4 or 5 seconds -- but he didn't seem to realize that.) I ended up holding/restraining him in my lap all the way home -- thank goodness my neighbor Joyce was driving. I really don't think I could've done both.
He has a feeding tube now. I fed him (his first food for two weeks!) Monday night and he immediately fell asleep and stayed asleep through three more feedings, into Tuesday. He hadn't been comfortable enough to sleep very much or for very long prior to that. I can also get antibiotics and pain meds into the feeding tube -- that's all very encouraging, and is definitely improving his quality of life already.
Dr. Kelly said it was possible that we'd know if the chemo had a good chance of success within 24 hours. When I asked how I'd know, she said his mouth wouldn't smell so bad, and he'd at least try to eat. Both of those things have already happened, which seems almost miraculous! On the other hand, the right side of his face (which is the side opposite the tumor) is puffed up pretty badly -- he looks like he's half Persian (right side) and half alley cat (left side). I still haven't gotten an answer from the clinic about whether I should be worried about that -- which I hope means it's fairly normal.
No comments:
Post a Comment