Dear friends,
Yesterday was a very tough day. How our animals are special. Usually during a car ride, Barney would let out a manly yowl to let me know he didn't like the sounds of traffic or the car we were driving in. But he was very calm and silent yesterday. Only upon returning and being about 5 blocks from home did he actually say anything. He let out a happy meow, glad to be going back to his home.
We spoke with a cancer specialist, and unfortunately there is nothing that can be done with this type of cancer and the location it is in. It is in a place it often grows - in the cheek and jaw below the eye. As it progresses it can get into the nasal cavity and also grow big enough to limit the vision in the eye. This is almost a cancer that can never be caught in time, unless it is found on the ear. Surgery is not an option due to the disfigurement and potential breathing problems. It does not respond to chemo, radiation or any pill form of chemotherapy, and it grows extremely fast.
The specialist was wonderful with Barney, and being a woman, Barney purred during the entire examination. She mentioned that she had never had a cat that was so relaxed through an examination. I wanted to tell her it that it must be her that was making him so calm, but the truth of the matter is he has always loved female vets. Such a charmer.
We have been given a timeline of anywhere from 1 - 3 weeks. Right now he is still eating as usual, and bathroom habits are consistent. He's been a little nature boy and has always done 'business' outside, but the specialist advised us to not let him out anymore as often animals will run off and hide to live out what is left of their lives. That would just kill me, not knowing where he was or what may have happened.
I spoke with our regular vet today, and she says she can come to our home when he is ready to pass over the Rainbow Bridge and into the light. She just needs a couple of days notice. We'll have him cremated so he will always be with us in some way, and in the future I will find a sunny beach that he would have loved and sprinkle a little of him on the warm sand.
Thank you for all of your wishes and kind thoughts. They do comfort me.