Update on Olive
So, our regular vet called us on Saturday. Told us he talked to the Neuro. Based on that conversation, he's recommending a once-every-three-weeks, low side-effect chemo pill. He's going to be operating under the presumption that she has lymphoma, despite it being a "square peg in round hole" diagnosis.
So, back to cancer. Though he admits it's an atypical diagnosis, to say the least. If she seems to be suffering adverse side effects (basically, some stomach upset), we can discontinue treatment at any time.
I am really torn up. On one hand: she's still eating, still really affectionate, still alert, still not showing signs of anemia, no cycling fevers. And she's been stumbling for about five months now, with no cancer cells in her spinal fluid. Those things seem to contraindicate cancer, as spinal lymphomas spread and spread quickly, often killing untreated cats in a matter of weeks.
On the other: her stumbling is continuing to degenerate, though the second round of prednisone has yet to kick in (it's been 3 days). To hear both vets say "lymphoma" is TERRIFYING, and if this is not going to be a serious side-effect pill, I feel like I owe it to her to try it.
Overall, we're back to square one. We could lose her at any time. Which, I guess, was always true. But I'm back to severe anxiety. To crying jags. To smothering her in teary kisses. I keep telling myself that we don't know for sure, and we can't know for sure. But no matter what, she has the best possible life she could have had with us. It's helping me be functional, but honestly, the possibility of losing this kitty, who loves us like no other, is ripping me to shreds.
This morning, she took a jump that was probably too much for her. She fell and cried out in what I'm sure was pain. It wasn't her usual scratchy meow. I picked her up and stroked her gently and cried for a bit. She was fine five minutes later, but had scared the bejesus out of me. I am so scared of where this is going.
So, back to cancer. Though he admits it's an atypical diagnosis, to say the least. If she seems to be suffering adverse side effects (basically, some stomach upset), we can discontinue treatment at any time.
I am really torn up. On one hand: she's still eating, still really affectionate, still alert, still not showing signs of anemia, no cycling fevers. And she's been stumbling for about five months now, with no cancer cells in her spinal fluid. Those things seem to contraindicate cancer, as spinal lymphomas spread and spread quickly, often killing untreated cats in a matter of weeks.
On the other: her stumbling is continuing to degenerate, though the second round of prednisone has yet to kick in (it's been 3 days). To hear both vets say "lymphoma" is TERRIFYING, and if this is not going to be a serious side-effect pill, I feel like I owe it to her to try it.
Overall, we're back to square one. We could lose her at any time. Which, I guess, was always true. But I'm back to severe anxiety. To crying jags. To smothering her in teary kisses. I keep telling myself that we don't know for sure, and we can't know for sure. But no matter what, she has the best possible life she could have had with us. It's helping me be functional, but honestly, the possibility of losing this kitty, who loves us like no other, is ripping me to shreds.
This morning, she took a jump that was probably too much for her. She fell and cried out in what I'm sure was pain. It wasn't her usual scratchy meow. I picked her up and stroked her gently and cried for a bit. She was fine five minutes later, but had scared the bejesus out of me. I am so scared of where this is going.