Meloxicam

Today we started Duncan on Meloxicam, which is like asprin for pets. In one case, it shrunk a tumor. At the very least it will relieve any inflamation from the cancer. At best, it will slow the growth.

Today it's very sunny and warm. Duncan was enjoying laying out in a sunbeam on the porch. That's his favorite. I seeded the lawn. And why not? Although most people add steer manure. I think that would really mess up the cats. Could be fun! Maybe they'll think we adopted a bull.

Meowstrong

I talked to the oncologist tonight. I asked him what he would do and he said he
would do
radiation and surgery, but then he would always do the most radical treatment
because he
is an oncologist. And I think that's what makes him a very good oncologist.
But I still
don't think that is the way I want to go with Duncan. I am really interetsed in
the
interlesionary chemo. It's a pretty easy treatment adn I guess it is somewhat
effective. It's
just that it's not curative. And I've already come to terms with that. I am
not expecting a
cure. I did that with surgery and it didn't work, so I have no expaectations
for a cure for
Duncan at all. Just something to slow it all down a bit. And interlesionary
chemo seems
to be the best solution. And Meloxicam.

Duncan is so cuddly. He's very happy right now. I just want to keep it that
way.

I ordered wrinstbands like the Live Strong ones except mine say MEOWSTRONG. They're gray and white like Duncan. I just got them in last week. Russ gave Dr Nunez one today and he almost cried. It's so nice to know so many people will be united for one kitty by a little wristband.

Sword of Damocles

Duncan went to see Dr Johnny Chretin at VCA today to see what choices
we had. He was very, very dismayed that the cancer had returned. We
had HUGE clean margins. He went through all the possible choices with
the caveat that Duncan might not qualify for some of these if further
tests reveal more kidney disease or metastasis. The choices in order are:
1. 20 days of radiation followed by surgery, which would be very
difficult given the location of the tumors.
2. just surgery, which we know won't get clean margins
3. just radiation, which would be harder on him than surgery, so it
was recommended that if we do radiation, surgery would be a cake walk.
4. full body chemo, which seems to have limited success
5. localized chemo which would be difficult to do on a tumor his size
6. anti-inflammatories and the like

I was amazed that the radiation and surgery would run $8,000. Wow.
Radiation alone is $6,000.

It's so hard to make a decision. We can't figure out why the cancer
came back. And Dr Chretin had never personally seen a cat with
liposarcoma. It's just not that common. There is a chance that the
sub-Q fluids are what he's having a reaction to, which kills me
because in essence, WE gave him cancer. Of course, he can't survive
without the fluids either. Poor guy is resting right under the Sword
of Damocles.

That said, I'm not completely convinced that an expensive, radical,
painful proceedure is in order simply because it didn't work last
time. Meaning, the cancer came back. What if we do the surgery with
radiation, put the little guy through hell and it comes back in 6
months again? We're going to sleep on it and try to figure it out. I
feel like a deer in headlights. I probably look like one too.