Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Starting Chemotherapy

Today I was stuffed into the PTU and catnapped to the V-E-T's office. I've had to go there a lot lately, so I was not at all happy to have to go again. Dr. C. looked at my incision and said I am doing an excellent job of keeping it clean. He said it is healing nicely. Then he talked with Mom and Dad for a long time about Me and about my lymphoma. He said fortunately, it is a slow growing kind. They also talked about chemotherapy. Mom and Dad asked some questions, but mostly I just looked around for a way to get out of there.

Next the torture assistant put me back on the exam table and Dr. C. showed Mom and Dad how he gives pills to Cats. I didn't think it was at all fair, but I never had a chance. Mom says the pill was a type of prednisone. I have to take it every day until further notice. It is supposed to reduce inflammation and make me feel better. Dr. C. said it will also increase my appetite and make me gain weight. He said that the weight gain isn't desirable, but increased appetite will help me want to eat during the times when I'm not hungry due to my treatment and disease.

After we got home, Mom used Dr. C's how-to-give-a-pill-to-a-Cat technique to give Me another pill! This pill was Leukeran (chlorambucil) which is an anti-cancer drug. I have to take half a pill every 48 hours. I am not at all happy about this either, but fortunately it is very tiny. After that I played the part of the poor pitiful victim, and Dad gave me some treats.

I was still hungry after treats, so I went to the kitchen to eat some crunchies. Then I followed Mom around, begged to be petted, played with some yarn, and had a batting match with Catzee. After that I went to bed for my daily afternoon nap. Actually I feel pretty good in spite of this morning.

Labels: ,

22 Comments:

At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:05:00 PM, Blogger Daisy said...

Rascal, you are very brave! I am glad your incision is healing nicely and you are feeling pretty good. I think you will get used to taking your pills.

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:05:00 PM, Blogger PB 'n J said...

Oh Rascal, sorry to hear about the chemo, but it's good news that the lymphoma is the slow growing kind! The ones that went before were on prednisone too and it helped them too. We're glad that your feeling better!

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:17:00 PM, Blogger Tybalt said...

Rascal, I am sorry about the pills and the chemo treatments, but I am SUPER glad that you are feeling more like your old self again. Have a good nap . . . you deserve it.

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:37:00 PM, Blogger Diamond Emerald-Eyes said...

Pills aren't too bad, but I think there will be days when you are not feeling so well. I'm glad you felt like playing and that it wasn't all that horrible a day despite the trip to the V-E-T.

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:40:00 PM, Blogger Tina T-P said...

Be a good kitty and take swallow those pills and don't spit them out (like somecat we know) - I'm glad to hear that the vet thinks this will go well. Tina

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:43:00 PM, Blogger Renee Nefe said...

Glad to hear that you took your pills like a good boy. Hugs.

note to mom: most kitties don't ever seem to accept taking their pills. good luck with that and watch out for those teeth. Too bad they're not like dogs where you can just hide the pill in their food.

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 2:56:00 PM, Blogger Smeagol and Strider, Mystery (Sunnin' at the Bridge) and Gizmo too! said...

We're glad you're feelin' better even though you had to go to the v-e-t this mornin'.

We know pills are yucky, but they will help you, so we hopes you are better at takin' them than we were!!

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 3:04:00 PM, Blogger Lux said...

You sure are the bravest of boys (oops, mancats)! I'm glad you're back home now ...

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 4:51:00 PM, Blogger Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Rascal, you are definitely a brave boy! Mommy doesn't know what Dr. C's technique is, but she has had great success with a pill shooter (works like a syringe). Treats after pills are definitely a good thing. We are purring that your chemo goes well.

We don't recommend this, but Mommy used to open Vincent's PTU in the waiting room so Vincent could glare at dogs. Sometimes he would come out and curl up in her lap and glare at dogs. He wasn't afraid of dogs, but didn't like them and wanted them to know. (He used to swat Kesey on the nose.) He liked to sit above them and be suoperior. Maybe you can find fun things to do at the V-E-T too!

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 5:52:00 PM, Blogger Gemini and Ichiro said...

You are quite brave Rascal. I think that you deserve extra treats--especially if you are hungry!

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 6:08:00 PM, Blogger The Meezers or Billy said...

Rascal, you are a very brave mancat and we are glad that your mom is able to get your pill into you. just make sure that she gives you treats right after. and if she doesn't, whap her to reminde her.

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 7:30:00 PM, Blogger Jan Price said...

We want you to continue feeling pretty good through this, so continue to be good and take your meds.

jans funny farm

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 9:10:00 PM, Blogger LZ said...

It certainly doesn't sound like fun but its good that its just pills right now. As long as they go down fast they aren't too big of a deal and the added munchies are good.

Chase

 
At Wednesday, February 06, 2008 10:58:00 PM, Blogger Ivan from WMD said...

You're a very brave boy, Rascal. I'm glad you had a pretty normal day after the catnapping business.

 
At Thursday, February 07, 2008 10:38:00 AM, Blogger Twizzler, Jack, Fwankwin, and Gracie said...

Oh Rascal, we are so very sorry to hear that you have been sick. We agree with efurrybuddy that you are a furry brave House Panther! If your mom & dad ever wanna talk, my mom said that I could give you her email. They remember all the trips to the chemo dr. with Buzzy, and they are happy to talk if it would help your beans. Hang in there buddy & take furry good care of your self!
bonniew_AT_jwhh_com

 
At Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:08:00 PM, Blogger Kathy said...

Rascal, You be very good and take your medicine like the Brave Cat you are. It will not only help you, but make your Mom & Dad feel much better knowing it is good for you. (I don't like pills eithr, but now have to take them everyday for my ow-ies, so I know what you feel like)
All the Airy Zona gang wanted you to know you are in our thoughts every day. They are purring for you and your people. Remember to love your Mom & Dad...they need reassurance just as much as you do! :)

Many pats and hugs,
Kathy

 
At Friday, February 08, 2008 2:05:00 AM, Blogger Black Cat said...

I'm so glad you're feeling more like your old self. Keep taking the meds like the good, brave mancat you are:) xxx

 
At Friday, February 08, 2008 3:47:00 AM, Blogger Janet said...

Rascal - I didn't realize that you had a blog. Slinky and all here are glad to hear you are feeling pretty good. Keep taking the pills, whether you like them or not.

 
At Friday, February 08, 2008 6:04:00 AM, Blogger Poppy Q said...

Rascal I is glad that the vet is pleased with yoo. Good luck with all the pill taking - sounds like a great way to earn some treats.

 
At Friday, February 08, 2008 10:37:00 PM, Blogger Mickey's Musings said...

Rascal,I'm happy you are feeling good right now and your lymphoma is slow growing! I hope your treatment works for you.All of your friends will be purring for you,you know :) For now,have lots of fun!
Purrs Mickey

 
At Saturday, February 09, 2008 3:52:00 AM, Blogger Karen Jo said...

Oh, Rascal, I haven't been by for a while and I just read all the news about your lymphoma. Take your pills like the brave mancat you are and feel better. I am glad that your lymphoma is the slow growing kind. I am glad that you still feel like playing and having fun.

 
At Saturday, February 09, 2008 2:03:00 PM, Blogger snowforest said...

Glad the lymphoma isn't the aggressive kind. Take all the pills on time Rascal and be brave and strong the way you are. We iz very sorry to learn about your condition and often pray for you.
Sending you, Catzee and the beans lots of love and purrs :)

 

Post a Comment

<< Home