Thursday, January 4, 2018

Willow's home!

Willow did great over the past 24-hours at the hospital, so good in fact, that she got to come home! It's lovely to have her back at home. She's been exploring and checking everything out. She's still not quite got her balance back yet, so we are having to be watch her to make sure she doesn't climb on stuff or try to jump high. The vet thinks the anti-seizure medication might be causing the balance issue, as her body gets used to the new medication.


We learned some hard news this morning when talking with the neurologist for the morning update. Willow has two tumors (one on her brain and one in the nasal cavity), and the neurologist thought they were both meningiomas, one spreading down into the nasal cavity. The radiologist's report came in on the MRI results, he speculated about the tumor in her nasal cavity being possibly a carcinoma tumor. Apparently the location of it makes it less likely that it's a carcinoma, but there is no way to know for sure without a biopsy and it's location makes that impossible without surgery. The possibility of it being cancer adds a different dimension to our consideration of treatment options. We are now leaning toward doing the stereotactic radiosurgery option, as it would be less invasive, may still give us about another year of quality life with her and would be less risky if it is indeed cancer. The vet says, if we did surgery and the nasal tumor is cancer, then we would need to do radiation as well. It's amazing there are so many good treatment options available.


We spent an hour or more talking with the neurologist this afternoon about treatment options. I've been very impressed with this specialty veterinary hospital (VSC of Seattle), they are super generous with their time, answering all of our questions and giving us tons of information. We've worked with them before and were impressed on those occasions too.


Some have asked about the cat insurance. Our cats are insured through Petplan. Each kitty started their policy shortly after joining our clan. I was very happy with them for most of the years I've had their insurance, however, this past year, I've not been very impressed. They don't cover yearly exams and vaccinations, which is fairly typical of any pet insurance, but they do cover illness, injuries, and basically any treatment that a vet recommends (including dental work and cleanings.) A year back, Petplan changed their coverage options, eliminating the 100% reimbursement option and the very low $50 deductible (which I'm still not happy about). With each policy you select the amount of coverage ($2,500 - unlimited), annual deductible ($250-$1000), and amount of reimbursement (70, 80, or 90%). The premium is based on the age of the cat and whatever coverage amounts you select. I just noticed I have a $150 deductible on my current policies but looking at the website, the smallest available now is $250. That really sucks - makes it much less usable for smaller conditions that are more common. They used to offer a full range of deductibles, with the smaller ones having a higher premium, but I was fine with that. A $250 minimum deductible is ridiculous.

They keep making the coverage less while the premiums keep going up, making me less happy with them. I've not shopped around to see if there are any better options out there, but I'll probably do that when the next policy needs to be renewed. This past year, I noticed a significant drop in their level of customer service and time taken to process claims, it made me wonder if they got bought up by a different company or something. Good things don't seem to last. Enough about insurance - ugh!


It's good to have the Willow home! 
Now we get to enjoy every extra-moment we get with her.
Willow!!!

11 comments:

  1. Yay! We are glad that Willow is home now, but we are sorry to hear about the possibility of cancer. Lita is facing the same possible diagnosis, but in her case, there is very little we can do.

    Thank you for the insurance info! I'll have to do some research and shopping around. It seems like pet insurance is a lot like people insurance in that they don't cover pre-existing conditions and such.

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    1. yes, pre-existing conditions are not covered. :(

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  2. So happy that Willow is home! I think your decisions are good, as another year with her is a blessing. All insurance sucks I've decided! Hugs to all of you.

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  3. OH Willow it is so good to see your beautiful face in your home!

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  4. Oh, Willow! Bet it's good to be home sweet home! I too was thinking about your post on pet insurance, since Manny and Chili Bruce are only 1-1/2 years old. But I tend to be like Linda's comment: all insurance sucks...however, I was thinking about it anyhow.

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  5. willow; we haz been off line for like 782 dayz N dinna reel eyez ewe had gotten sick; we send de manee blessingz of st francis yur way; two day N all wayz....

    happee new yeer two ewe guyz; heerz ta happee nezz healtheez N grazz oh plentee ☺☺♥♥

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  6. I actually remember when you found her. It was a long time ago, but does not seem that long to me, and I am certain, especially to you. She has an ordeal to go through, for sure. As do you. Me and the gang will be watching and praying for a happy outcome.

    felinecafe.net

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  7. I'm glad to hear that Willow is home and I know all of this weights heavy on the heart.

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  8. What a blessing that Willow is home with you. I'm sorry to hear about the possibility of cancer, but it's so nice that the specialty doctors take so much time to talk with you and that you have some options.

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  9. We are purring that the tumor in her nasal cavity is not cancer. Get well little lady
    Timmy and Family

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  10. I am so glad you were able to have some quality time with her

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