Theo thankful

I was recently going through old pictures when I remembered that it was a year ago in early November that Theo had his second brain surgery to remove another meningioma.

After the his first surgery years prior, I felt super grateful to have extra time with him, and now what is even more the case. 

He's such a lovely gift. He still keeps us on our toes, as even with his advanced age, will still take advantage of every opportunity to steal food! We was going to town on the Thanksgiving apple pie the other day! Oh Theo! 

We did get some hard news about him recently. In the midst of Oliver's final week, Theo was having a lot of problems, the result was a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. His vet and cardiologist removed a significant amount of fluid from his chest and abdomen. He's been feeling a ton better since then and his diuretic medicine is helping to keep the fluid from building up. However, the danger with such meds is the impact on the kidneys and the last two kidney values indicated them worsening. So, now we try to balance heart health and kidney health. Sigh. 

He always insists on helping prep his meds for the week!

Every new day with him is a gift. All extra time. I'm so grateful for him and his big, lovey personality. 

fly free sweet Oliver

Oliver crossed the rainbow bridge this afternoon. Letting him go was one of the hardest things I've ever done. He was such a beautiful soul, pure joy. 

I will always miss you, my sweet boy. Thank you for being you and gifting me with 12 years of you. I love you always. ❤️

Oliver's last night

It is with deep sadness that I must share that Oliver will be crossing the rainbow bridge tomorrow (Monday).

The lack of eating much food has led to significant muscle wasting, and now he's really struggling to get around. 

I am overwhelmingly sad. This guy means the world to me. It's difficult to imagine life without him. 

Nahum and Theo holding vigil. They know. 

Oliver

Oliver is still with us and I am enjoying every minute with him, however, it feels like the end our time together is drawing near. My heart hurts saying this. 

After another visit to his oncologist, it was determined that he was no longer getting a benefit from the chemotherapy drug, thus we discontinued it. He's now in hospice care and we are trying to make him as comfortable as possible. 

He's not eating much, but more than he was his last weeks of chemo. The tumors are quite big, making it difficult for him to walk and stay balanced. It's really hard to see him have to work so hard at just walking. He's still super affectionate and wants to be wherever I am. 

I've been trying to imagine life without being able to cuddle him, without his soothing purr, without his physical presence. So hard to imagine. My heart is breaking. How will I ever say that final goodbye? 

Cancer sucks. Grief sucks. 

Oliver update

I haven't posted an update on Oliver in a while, I think because it's too painful. His health continues to decline. We are doing everything we can for him. We took him to Tufts to see an oncologist, which was helpful. They basically said there is not much we can do. 

He is on a chemotherapy regime, Palladia. It seems to help him feel better. It's supposed to cut off blood supply to tumors and shrink them. He gets this drug on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. So, Sunday and part of Monday are the days when he has had the least amount still in his system and those are typically the days he looks the most uncomfortable and it's more of a challenge to get him to eat.

 I have been taking him in weekly for exam and blood work, to monitor his status. Last week, his weight was up and the vet felt like his abdomen felt a little smaller. I was so thrilled to hear that. Then she called with the blood work results, his liver enzyme is elevated. With that effect the dosing protocol requires taking a week off from the drug. I'm terrified he's going to more rapidly decline over that week and never really rally. 

It's so hard to know how he's doing by looking at him. I keep thinking his abdomen looks bigger and bigger (tumors growing) but then I wonder if I'm just imagining it. That's one of the reasons I'm taking him to vet weekly, to get more objective exam. 

One thing I know, is that I'm so not ready to lose him. I'm really struggling to imagine life without him. He's such a joy, a gift. 

I've been trying to work from home as much as I can, so I can spend every possible moment with him. He loves the extra attention, always wanting to be with me. 

Our vet and the oncologist said his prognosis is grave, they estimated 4-6 months. That was in mid-July. Two months of that down, leaving 2-4 months. My heart is breaking anticipating what is coming. 

He has been eating better. I give him many opportunities to eat whenever he wants. I'll get up in the night to give him chance to eat. Grateful he's still eating.

Continued prayers and purrs appreciated. 

♥️

Pierre - first contact

Another early morning private feeding, to get Oliver to, eat as much as possible. Woke early and secured ourselves in the kitchen, where Pierre was already sleeping.

As Oliver are, I held my hand out to keep Pierre from encroaching. Then I slowly moved to his head and he didn't back away like he has always before. I gave him some head scratches, which he loved. Not wanting to risk spooking him, I stopped before he backed away.

And then I tried again and once again he didn't move and loved it. I tried to pet his back and he was ok with that! He's soooo soft!! 

I'm hopeful this is the start of something wonderful!! Go Pierre! 

more Oliver

As each day goes by, Oliver is eating less and less. When he hears some of his favorite foods being handled, like when I'm grating cheese, he still comes over, asking for some. But when I give him some strands of yummy cheese, he doesn't eat it, which breaks my heart. 

I'm trying to be creative to find things that might still be appetizing to him, but more often than not he turns away. 

Our amazing vet has done a ton of research on his condition, exocrine pancreatic carcinoma, and sheet shared that research with us. Sadly, the research is pretty bleak, especially when the cancer has metastasized. Not much in the way of treatment and life expectancy after diagnosis seems to be more measured in days rather than months.

I've been spending my days soaking up as much Oliver love as I can. I'm not ready to lose him, but life and death doesn't seem to influenced by my readiness. 

Nahum has been living up to his name lately and providing a lot of well needed comfort. I'm grateful. 

Oliver update

It deeply pains me to share that Oliver has many carcinoma tumors on his liver and pancreas. We have no treatment options. 

I am deeply devestated. Oliver means the world to me. 

His appetite is very intermittent. I bought a variety of different foods and kinds of foods to try to encourage him to eat. He's on an appetite stimulant, pain meds, and nausea meds. We will do our best to love him and make him comfortable in the time we have left. 

Those who have followed my blog know that since I have known Oliver, I have done everything within my power to keep him safe and healthy. In this moment, I feel so powerless now, as there is nothing I can do to protect him from this threat. 

Please purr and pray for all of us as we love on him and grieve what is coming. ❤️

Oliver and the C-word

 

I took Oliver to the vet last week because he had lost his interest in eating and seemed off. At the vet we discovered he had lost 2 pounds and the vet felt some odd things in his innards. He was scheduled for an ultrasound for this past Monday (yesterday).

The ultrasound revealed cancerous lesions on his liver and pancreas. I am heartbroken. He has always been so healthy, this feels like it came out of nowhere.

Now we are awaiting the pathology reports and then will seek an oncologist to discuss options. Prayers and purrs for sweet Oliver would be much appreciated.

I can't say enough of how much I adore this cat. He is a tremendous gift of love and joy.

endless Fluffs

Sweet Nahum...

He keeps getting more and more cuddly as the years get on. 

What could be better than a super-fluffy cuddle cat?! 

Grateful for the Nahum! 

Be well!