Conference misery::feline_v1

    Well, Rick, I'd bring her to Tufts and have a frank discussion with
    the doctors there.  Their first concern will be for the kitty and
    her well being.  If they think she will tolerate the surgery well
    and that her quality of life won't be severely impacted, then you
    can use that information to help make your decision.  The only way
    you can decide is after you have all the facts.  Misty may be very
    meek, but she'll amaze you with her resilency.  If you haven't read
    the note by Maureen Roy about Touey and what he went through after
    being hit by a car, take the time to read it.  You'll see just how
    much a kitty can take.  Touey is a real trooper!
    
    BTW, you can't do better than the folks at Tufts.  Everyone who
    has written here about them has nothing but praise.  One of my guys
    goes to an opthamologist who teaches there and I couldn't be more
    pleased.
    
    Good luck, and please keep us posted...
    
    Mary

Talk to the vets at tufts and get their opinion on whether it will reoccur.
At Misty's age, I MIGHT lean toward letting her enjoy life until pain
arose and then having her put to sleep...BUT, if the vets could assure you
she would be okay after the surgery, that the likelyhood of reoccurence
is small, then it would be worth it to try the surgery.  With animals, I
feel you must consider both the initial pain and confusion of the
surgery and the quality of life afterwards.  We can explain to a human 
why there is hurt and why it always will hurt, but it is not possible to
make an animal understand that.  It is also hard to control pain without
causing other physical problems for animals - if Misty is going to be
in a situation with cronic pain....This is a terrible decision to make,
but one we all have to face at some time or another.  I can't answer
for you, but I will keep my fingers crossed that you get good news.

      I know I would do anything to help any of my love cats!  She is
    still young enough that she should be able to go through the surgery
    ok. They might be able to get it all and that will be the end of
    it, and you'll have her for many more years. Let's hope for that.
      The only time I would consider any other alternative besides the
    surgery would be if the cat were in a lot of pain, and the prognosis
    for recovery from the disease was dismal. If they find the cancer
    has spread through her body for example, that would be tragic.
      But we'll all be pulling for her. Let us know how the surgery
    goes!
    
                          Denise
    

    re .3
    
    I agree. If you don't you will frightened to walk in your front
    door every night.
    
    I have had similar decisions. In particular a car accident cat.
    The little buggers are incredibly resilient. Don't let that meek
    exterior fool you, thats only one facet of her personality. My Venom
    is very suspicious of his own shadow and he really suprised me.
    
    I hope she recovers quickly and is back home leaving cat fur
    all over the house very soon.
    
    Thinking of you
    
    Alison

     I vote yes as well.. POOKIE who is 12 had eye surgery last november
    for cataracts, and for an old injury left over from the days in
    the cattery,,,, I was worried also,, but I agree with .3,
    they are more resilent than you realize, talk to the doctors,
    they are wonderful down there.. POOKIE had her consult there
    for her eye, and they were soooooo nice, they said they could
    it there, or dr eric could it,, but they told me it should get done..
    pookie was fine, she stayed 2days at dr erics.. let us know how
    our baby is doing.....
    regards
    kate

    
    I am always worried to death about decisions like this as I have
    had three occasions where I had to make the decision...
    
    The first one was my dog - he had a liver/kidney complaint - the
    vet operated but he hemmoraged (sp?) on the table and died whilst
    still under the anaestetic (sp?).
    
    The second was an adopted cat of mine who was under the vet for
    treatment of an abcess in his back teeth and constipation - after
    a few weeks of neither clearing up they decided it was the big C
    and because he was in a lot of pain and had been for a while we
    decided it was best to have him put down.
    
    The third was my little boy Dillan - he had Key Gaskell syndrome
    and the vet suggested putting him to sleep there and then but as
    he was not in any pain at that time I decided to try for a week
    and I got backed all the way by the vet after that.  I wont say
    there was no pain for Dillan cos I know there was.....BUT he is
    completely better now.
    
    I guess what I'm trying to say is you have to try anything you possibly
    can in situations like this but speak to the consultant and make
    sure you take in and fully understand anything he/she has to say
    and if he is confident about the op - youv'e got to try it for your
    baby's sake.
    
    I do hope everything goes well and baby soon gets well.  Please
    keep us posted.
    
    Sharon T (UK)
    

    Misty is back from her trip to Tufts and although she received
    good treatment the news is not good. Part of the bone in her jaw
    is affected which reduces many treatment options (radiation treatment
    is not affective when bone is involved - besides, they are not
    equiped for that until later in the year). Surgery to remove as
    much of the tumor as possible may extend her life by six months,
    but she also has a slight heart murmur which would put her at risk
    during surgery.
    
    So they say she probably has about a year. It doesn't seem right
    for me to put her through surgery with the knowledge that a recurrence
    is expected within months. This is not an easy decision, but I think
    it is better that her remaining time be as comfortable as possible
    without the additional risk and discomfort of surgery.
    
    Knowing that she has had a good life (pampered to the hilt) makes
    me feel a little better, so don't ever feel embarassed about pampering
    your cats because it's amazing how really attached to them you can
    actually get. (And besides, pampering makes them feel guilty after
    they've been mischievious!)
    
    And thank you for all your thoughts. It's good to know so many sensitive
    cat-lovers are out there.                              
    
    -rick

    Love and hugs to Misty.
    

Misty is lucky to have someone as loving as you to help her through this...
take care of her and yourself.

				D
    

    Oh MY!  Love and kisses to Misty and Mom from me and my four little
    darlings.
    
    Holly
    

    I know this wasn't easy for you
    
    Love to you both
    

    
    Love and best wishes to you and Misty from UK too
    
    Sharon
    

    With tears in my eyes - good luck and give her a big hug
    
    anna,zildjian,spunky
    

    I'd like to add a note of encouragement and empathy.  When Alex-I was
    diagnosed with inoperable cancer and given only a few months to live, I
    made the decision to pamper him and make the rest of his life as
    comfortable and loving as possible (he'd been with me 14 years).
    Although the sadness was always there in the back of my mind, this was
    a period of much closeness and affection between us.  I wish the same
    for you and Misty. 
    
    Alex lived about twice as long as they predicted, and when the time
    came to have him put to sleep, I knew I had done the right thing.  You
    will really know in your heart when you have the make the final
    decision, and even though it will be one of the hardest decisions
    you'll ever have to make, you'll do it for your cat's sake.  One
    suggestion, however, is to have the vet come to your home rather than
    distressing the cat with one last trip to the vet.  It's no less
    painful for you, but will certainly be more comfortable for your loved
    one. 
    
    Anyway, I wish you and your cat many happy months together and hope
    I didn't add to your sadness.

    Thanks to all for your advice and kindness during the last month.
    Many of you have also been through such an ordeal and know that
    making these decisions is never easy. Please know that my thoughts
    are with you also.
    
    Misty had to be put to sleep yesterday due to difficulty eating;
    her jaw was obviously a problem to her and a source of frustration.
    I was with her when she was put to sleep and, although it was
    difficult, I am glad that I did stay with her and knew that she
    did not suffer.
    
    She will be remembered for being one terrific pet. (And is it really
    true that the tabby is now the state cat?)
    
    Thanks again for the support you gave me during a very difficult time.
    
    -Rick

    Rick,
    
    I'm really sorry to hear about your loss, but you did the right
    thing for Misty.  She'll always hold a special place in your heart.
    
    Our thoughts are with you.
    
    Mary & boys

    We are also sooooo sorry to hear about Misty......
    Regards
    Kate, Pookie and Happy