TLDR - Waffley, just need to write it down...
Adopted two 9 month old tabbies from rescue in 2001. They slept together every night, played together etc.
Senior boy developed sinus cancer and was pts in February after totally unexpectedly surviving for 18 months post diagnosis in mainly excellent health (his prognosis was 3 months).
His sister had a small lump removed from her neck in Nov that was found to be an adenocarcinoma but it was removed well and we decided not to pursue investigate scans etc due to her age, and there being no real treatment aside from pallation and she appeared symptom free... Clear heart and lung sounds, great bloods and sailed thru a senior health check 3 weeks ago. She was still very spritely, active, affectionate etc.
Weds night she was off her food, thurs she ate only a tiny bit all day so I took her to the vets fri am - they suspected a uri, antibiotic shot and an appetite stimulant prescribed by fri night her breathing was fast and raspy and she was still off her food. Took her back to vets yesterday morning querying pts, they said she seemed OK and we were not at pts stage - advised admission for fluids and a chest xray (chest and heart still sounded good) with review over weekend. They called at 2 pm, her xrays showed her lungs were more mass than lung and her breathing was worsening despite oxygen. Heartbroken I agreed pts was kindest option and we got to the vets at 3.15.
Talked thru everything with the vet who then went to get the consent forms before bringing senior girl into us... Vet returned a minute later, senior girl had died while she was getting the forms and as the vet nurse was preparing to bring her in to us. We didn't get to cuddle her goodbye but it was clearly her time. Did have a quick cuddle with her at peace and wrapped in a blanket.
Heartbroken, end of an era with both beloved tabbies gone.
Romanian rescue cat we got after senior boy died is providing me with consoling cuddles and purrs today. Glad senior girl went quickly without a long drawn out illness but just in a state of disbelief as on bank hol Monday she seemed fit as a fiddle basking in the sun, climbing up to bask on the shed roof etc and although I knew she may have metastasitic cancer spread and wouldn't plug on for ever it was just so quick.
RIP sweet Ziggy, and Oscar. Hopefully reunited in the Happy Hunting Ground in the sky.