Sunday, December 31, 2017

Willow update

2017 ended for us with some very devastating news.

Saturday, Willow did really well. She slept soundly on one of us for most of the day. She ate generally well, was perky - it was a big change from Friday.

Dec 30, 2017

Then came Sunday. She arose early in the morning and started showing signs of discomfort. No interest in food. She was hunched in, not moving. I hung out with her for a while, noticing that her breathing was becoming more rapid. History told us where this was going, so we made the decision to take her to the specialty clinic emergency room (about 20-mins away). We had exhausted the resources of our local emergency vet and needed a neurologist and better diagnostic options.

We got everything ready so I could just put her in the carrier and run out the door. She was laying on a fleece blanket, looking miserable, out of it, and breathing hard. I just bundled her up in the blanket and placed her in the carrier. I completely freaked when she flopped over backwards in the carrier with no attempt to correct. She was like statue that had just fallen over. This was one of the scariest moments of my life, I feared she might be dead. I immediately closed up the carrier and literally ran as fast as I could to the emergency vet across the alley.

Dec 30, 2017
They immediately attended to her and we waited, overwhelmed with fear and sadness. A few minutes later, the vet told us Willow was having seizures (without the convulsions), which was why she was so unresponsive. It was helpful to hear that it was indeed seizures, and not death. The vet called down to the specialty clinic and they discussed how best to stabilize her for the car ride.

We made it to the specialty clinic ER without problem and they immediately took her back to stabilize her. Meanwhile, two good friends met us there for emotional comfort, as we waited many hours to be seen. So grateful to have such good friends. The general ER vet was fantastic, she had amazing ability to convey a lot of complex information with great clarity, kindness, and compassion. We elected to have Willow seen by the neurologist who suggested we start with a MRI, to find the origin of the seizures.

A few hours later we got the call - Willow had done well with the MRI and was waking just fine from the anesthesia. That was the good news, the bad news is, she has a non-cancerous tumor on her brain, a meningioma. The neurologist noted there are several treatment options that we can discuss more extensively once Willow is more stable. For now, we focus on getting her stable using steroids to reduce the tumor inflammation and some anti-seizure medication. If we just go the palliative care route (which would be just using those medications), she said we might have 6-9 months of quality life left. The other options that we'll discuss more when we pick her up, are surgery, radiation, and chemo.

Dec 29, 2017
This all still feels surreal. Is this really happening?? My Willow? My little girl? She's only 8, she's perfect. It's so hard to believe that we don't have much time left together. I'm numb. Exhausted. My heart is overwhelmed with sadness. Pain. Some gratitude in there too, for knowing what's causing her so much misery. Not knowing is hell. We'll pick her up on New Year's day and find out more then. We have a whole lot of loving to do on her in the time left.

Hold your furry family members extra tight, each day with them is a precious gift. We are grieving this New Year's eve and soaking up the love of the other cats and friends. Peace.

10 comments:

  1. I am so, so sorry. You will make the best decision possible for her Highest Good, and whatever that is, know it's OKAY. Sending Love and Light and purrs. ♥

    "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." -Julian of Norwich (anchoress, 1342-1416)

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  2. We send our purrs and prayers for Willow and you that things do turn out well for her!
    Timmy, Dad and Family

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  3. I, and most of us here know that devastation for varying reasons in our fur babies lives and welfare. I am totally with you all in this period of deep concern and waiting.

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  4. How absolutely horrible and we're so sorry you and Willow are dealing with this. We send purrs and special prayers to both of you.

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  5. I've had Willow on my mind after your last post. I'm so glad she is still with us but so sad to hear her diagnosis! I'm praying for Willow and you! This is so hard. Hugs.

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  6. This is heartbreaking! Wondering if Willow might be a candidate for non-invasive laser surgery, or a similar non-invasive treatment?
    http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-health-tips-cutting-edge-therapies-veterinary-medicine

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  7. This is heartbreaking! Wondering if Willow might be a candidate for non-invasive laser surgery, or a similar non-invasive treatment?
    http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-health-tips-cutting-edge-therapies-veterinary-medicine

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  8. I am sorry you ended the year with such bad news. I will be praying for your sweet Willow and hope you can find a treatment to give her more quality time with you. XO

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  9. Sending you POTP and love. Sending prayers of positive energy. Please, ignore what they are saying about how much time she has left. When my Angel Bobo was ill they had told me he may have days, weeks, months.........he ended up living two more years. Think positive. (I know that is hard) (((hugs))) catchatwithcarenandcody

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  10. I know the feeling, Kit was so young as well. It is devastating to get this kind of news. I am so glad you had friends who came to the ER with you.

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Thanks for sending in your comments!