Intestinal lymphoma

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Our beautiful girl has been diagnosed today - she’s absolutely fine in herself, bright as a button, no weight loss, eating well, so this is a huge shock. She’d been a bit pukey on and off and the vet hadn’t been concerned when we’d had her in, but suggested we had tests done when we had her in for her boosters the other week, and here we are.

We’ve had ultrasound and CT at a specialist today and will know more with biopsy results next week, but the prognosis doesn’t look great. I am beyond heartbroken. She’s 10. The vet spoke about chemo and steroids. I don’t know what to do. Has anyone been in this awful position? What did you do?

I'd give the second option a go and see how she tolerates the medicine and copes with the vet visits.

That’s where we’re leaning @TheShellBeach - it would be so much easier if our vet would administer the drugs as the specialist surgery is about 40 minutes away. If she didn’t tolerate it well we would of course stop immediately.

This thread has been so helpful, thank you all.

I am so sorry that your beautiful cat is poorly.
You might find it helpful to look up KittenLady on instagram. She mainly rescues and fosters kittens (as you would expect from her name) but her own beloved cat Coco had lymphoma and was successfully treated with chemotherapy and she did many posts about it at the time (Coco has since sadly passed as her cancer returned but she had a good quality of life for quite a long time after her chemo). It might help you to make a decision. Sending hugs to you I had to have my own darling cat pts last year so I know how you feel. 💐

@piperatthegates are you able to link her Instagram here please? I searched and there are loads of variations on that name, most of which appear to be Only Fans type accounts! I’m so sorry to hear about your cat, this is honestly breaking my heart.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses Here you go, this is the genuine account https://www.instagram.com/kittenxlady/ . I had forgotten that she has the x in the middle.
I really hope that you can get some more time with your kitty. I lost my girl to a combination of kidney disease and an intestinal blockage. But I did get an extra 5 years with her after she was diagnosed with the kidney failure so there is always some hope.

I also have a new rescue cat now who is adorable too 💕

How are you and your lovely girl getting on, OP?

We said goodbye to her today. We were going to go the oral chemo and steroid route, but on Sunday she was sick in the night and there was blood in it. My DP spoke to the vet on Monday and she said it was inflammation in her stomach from the tumour, and we could still treat her, but I thought no, we need to let her go well and not have her suffering and potentially deteriorating.

Today she had tuna out of a tin, Philadelphia (her absolute favourite thing) and the sun shone. We took her in late afternoon and she went to sleep with both of us telling her how much we love her.

Just as we signed the consent forms I asked the vet what she would do if it was her pet - she said the same. That was reassuring because I was ready to turn on my heel and run home.

Our hearts are broken 🤍

Here she is today enjoying some spring sunshine.

So sorry for your loss. And whilst you have lost her physical presence, you know she will always live on in your hearts, don't you?

I'm very, very sorry to see your news.
You made the right decision for your beautiful cat.

It hurts so much, but it's the right thing to do. You've saved her from suffering.

So sorry to hear this, but you did the right thing, hard as it is.😢💐💐

Thank you lovelies. I know we have made the right decision for her but Jesus it is so hard.

I’m on holiday at the mo and usually she would be kept in the kitchen overnight, DP would feed her when he gets up for work, then she would either be cuddled up with me in bed when I woke up, or waiting at the kitchen window. Today was the first proper sleep I’ve had since she was diagnosed, and when she wasn’t with me earlier I went to get her from the windowsill. I expect there will be a thousand moments like this to come.

I’ve identified a little black shy fella (her absolute opposite in looks and personality) who has been in our local rescue a few months. We can never replace her ever but maybe a very different cat might make it more bearable.

Sorry to hear this - ours is living on borrowed time but we just spoil her while we can and will let her go peacefully when she is no longer happy.

So sorry to hear your news.

I think it's a good thing that you're getting another cat.

No cat will replace the one who's died, of course. But it will give you something to focus on, and it's always good to rescue a cat!

@Judystilldreamsofhorses I have just seen your update. I'm so sorry you had to let your beautiful girl go but it sounds like she had the most lovely last day with you.
I'm glad you may get a new rescue, I also have a black rescue girl now and she is the most friendly and loving cat.
You will always remember your gorgeous girl with love 💕.

Just updating to say we are adopting a little ginger fella from CPL! He’s one and very sweet. He will never, ever replace our best beloved girl but I think we can love another cat in another way.

A new cat is never a replacement, they are all such different creatures. It's wonderful that you are giving a rescue cat the chance of a happy home. Ginger boys tend to have interesting personalities, ours definitely has the single brain cell and is a lovely, happy cuddlebug. Be kind to yourself, you'll still be mourning your previous cat in your own way.