Good News! The doctor called with the pathology results this evening and we have clear margins — cancer-free margins. The surgeon says he may not need to have to radiation therapy, although the oncologist may still recommend it to get any potentially microscopic cells that might have escaped, but so far so good. We will have a follow-up consult with the oncologist tomorrow. Anyway, we are all a little more relaxed this evening.
Castiel continues to recover well. I was up all night writing a report for the boss last night but then crawled into bed for a a couple of hours in the early morning hours. Castiel curled right up into my arms and the two of us snoozed together. He is doing well with his balance and walking and remains steadfastly food motivated. We are trying to watch his weight so it will be easier for him to get around. Tonight he is up napping on his favorite blue chair. He is still taking the Buprenex and Gabapentin but we’ll see how he does as the week goes on. The swelling is going down slowly. I think we will all sleep a little better tonight now that we are past that scary bit.
That is the BEST NEWS clean margin whoo hoo.🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
We will keep our fingers and paws crossed that Castiel may not need the radiation. 🙏🏻Cross each bridge as you get to it. Get your opinions and make the best-informed decision you can. I would take into consideration how Castiel does at the vet. Either way, I would ask about previsit meds to help with any vet visit, so it is less stressful, traumatic for him. Gabapentin is used in many cases to help with stress 100 mg 90 minutes before the visit. Purrkins brother is like Castiel; he hates going anywhere it’s stressful for him.
Delighted to see Castiel is doing so well in recovery! I know broken record here, but yes, the proper pain meds make all the difference in recovery. So again, excellent job you guys!
Celebrate CLEAN MARGINS; we are!
Give Castiel a chin scratch and smooch from us, please.
Holly, Mark, Purrkins & Saxton💝💝💝
Thank you Holly, Mark, Purrkins and Saxon — pre-visit vet meds sounds like a really good idea. Castiel does terrible traveling just to his local vet across our small town. To get to SAGE Vet Hospital we have to cross a bridge and drive on a very busy and noisy freeway. We will talk to our vet about the gabapentin and see what she recommends. He has just finished all his pain meds and seems to be doing well. He’s behaving normally anyway and doesn’t seem to be avoiding anything.
We hope Castiel won’t have to undergo radiation. I can’t imagine bringing him to the hospital at UC Davis or at SAGE Campbell five times a week for three weeks. On the other hand, I’d hate to have done this much and then have the cancer sneak away to his lungs. I wish there were more certainties, it’s hard dealing in likelihoods and averages. Hope is always a very courageous thing to have. I think it’s going to be a nerve-wracking week.
SPECTACULAR NEWS!!!!! 👏👏👏 And you got some snuggle time too….sweeeet! Btw, the incision looks really good.👍
I’ve been following Castiel’s blog and forum posts and have thoroughly enjoyed all the pictures and getting to kmow precious Castiel. ♥️
Thanks for the update. We love to celebrate good news around here!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Hi Sally and Alumni,
Aw, thank you so much. The blog has been somewhere for us to channel all the emotions and questions swirling around in our heads. We hope it will helpful to someone else someday who might find themselves in the same situation. While all cats/dogs are different and all diseases/injuries are unique in their own way, there are worries that are similar in all cases– and just as I’ve learned from others blogs and shared tips, I hope someone else will find information that helps them too — especially when they might be scared and up late at night looking for help.
Cheers,
Michelle & Brian
I’ve been following Castiel’s story, it hits very close to home with me. I’ve been wanting to comment for awhile, but teared up every time I tried.
I’m so happy to hear the pathology results, whew! Paws crossed for no radiation.
Your Castiel is a gorgeous purrbaby & so lucky that you’re in his life. (Vice versa goes without saying)
Keeping you in my thoughts. Hugs
Hi Tajb,
Thank you so much. It’s been an emotional and scary month but I think we are all feeling pretty good tonight. Castiel just wants to be in his usual places, snuggling with us and his tiger siblings, and playing with toys. He’s loving getting lots of extra attention and belly rubs. The fur is beginning to grow back on his belly (it was shaved for his scans) so he has a rough kind of black fuzz right now. I think he’ll be happier when he outgrows this weird haircut. We think he is a very handsome fellow. I thought before the surgery that I might be a little frightened seeing him as a tripawd but that is not what happened at all. I just look at him and think there is Castiel — I love him!
You guys we are THRILLED! Best news all week! WHEEEEEEE!!!!!
He’s made such huge pawgress all week. And while it’s great that he’s food motivated, it’s even better that you are aware of the importance of keeping him slim. It makes a huge difference in mobility, you’ll be glad you are being strict even though he may not be so happy about it.
I hope he doesn’t need the radiation therapy. Many oncos want to do treatment anyways as a preventive, but like Holly said, what matters most is what Castiel thinks about being at the vet. It’s all about quality of life when it comes to treating pet cancer. But you know that! Clearly!
Cheers to you and congrats again. And 3-paws up on finishing that report. It had to be tough to do during such a stressful week. TGIF!!!
Hi Jerry,
I swear despite tonight’s photo, we are working on slimming him down, although I confess Brian did give him and his siblings a couple of tiny pieces of steak. A very special treat — for both my husband and the cats. Given the current expenses, we’ll be having more spaghettis suppers than anything else. We agree that he will be much better off at a more normal weight, so that is the goal. Our vet is going to help us with his slimming plan and there will be home weigh-ins!
I am hoping that he won’t need radiation therapy too. Right now, we’re going to gather information and then make a decision that weighs the likelihood of microscopic cells having spread, or the cancer or another form of cancer returning to another location. We will weigh these likelihoods with potential side effects and quality of life for Castiel. I wish these decisions were easier — more clear cut. Do you have any experience with radiation therapy? Is it as hard on animals as it is on people? The scariest thing I think is the having to put him under anesthesia so much. He’s always done well with it but maybe that’s how it is, you do well until you don’t. Going to be a nerve-wracking week. Please keep us all in your thoughts! Thanks, Michelle & Brian
I am SO happy to read this!!!!
Thanks! We were thrilled too. We are so happy they got good clean margins. With luck, it is unlikely to have spread. We’re told that fibrosarcoma is a locally aggressive cancer but slow to spread. And as the scans didn’t show any signs of spread, we are hoping it’s bye-bye fibroscarcoma. Fingers crossed.
Cheers, Michelle & Brian