12 weeks

Well it has taken me three weeks to be able to write this blog. Fez lost his battle on October 4th, 2009. We woke up that morning and he had begun vomiting blood. He was still happy and wanted to eat what little tuna he was able to put in his stomach, but he was quiet and no longer wanted to play. He just wanted to be with us. I knew that keeping him around longer would be for me...not him.

I am thankful for the time we had with Fez. The chemotherapy gave us exactly 12 weeks. While these 12 weeks had their ups and downs, for the most part they were a good 12 weeks. We will miss him running loudly down the hall, his requests to play with the laser and his constant quiet companionship while I study.

He has a beautiful resting place up at my parents cottage. We had him cremated by Gateway Pet Memorial. http://www.gatewaypetmemorial.com/ They are amazing people and I would highly recommend them. We buried Fez's urn under a burning bush. Appropriate I thought because every fall, near the time he left us, the leave of the bush will turn a bright vibrant red as a reminder of Fez. A beautiful showy shrub I am sure he would approve of and would even taste if he was given the chance.

The end of "Induction"

Today was Fez's last day of the induction phase of his chemotherapy protocol. The induction phase is an intense chemotherapy protocol that alternates 3 chemotherapy drugs in weekly intervals for 6 weeks. After the induction phase, the response to the chemotherapy will be assessed and the plan for the rest of the chemotherapy determined. Unfortunately, I was not able to bring Fez in today for his chemo, as I was ill. Richard, my loving husband, brought Fez in today. Things went well and Fez is happily sleeping in the study with me as I type. Thank you Richard!!

Fez has gotten used to his routine, and while he doesn't like going on the weekly trips to OVC, he has come to accept it. The oncology group at OVC has been fabulous - thanks Geri, Melanie, Danielle, Paul, Steve, Maude and Amandine!! A week from today, Fez will go in to be re-assessed and we will then know what the plan will be and whether the chemotherapy has been successful. So far, clinically, the chemotherapy has done a great job at eliminating his clinical signs - no more vomiting, diarrhea or inappetance. However, a repeat abdominal ultrasound will be necessary to re-evaluate the stomach mass. So until then, we will enjoy this "in between" knowing and be happy with how he is doing right now.

Irony: When poison makes you feel better

Today has been a good day for Fez. He has been more active and has his appetite back. He received his chemotherapy dose on Monday and for the next few days was under the weather. Today I am happy to report he was asking for food and to play with his laser. It appears that the chemo is at least helping him feel better! While I understand the science, it still seems odd that giving poison makes him feel better.

Day 29: a change of plans

CS Lewis wrote: “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

I love this quote.

Unfortunately, it is so true and my heart is really sad right now. Fez went in for his second chemotherapy treatment. He hasn't been feeling himself for the last week and a bit and has only been eating small amounts. Well today we found out why... the mass in his stomach has grown significantly since his previous ultrasound a month ago. It appears that the first chemotherapy treatment did not work. The mass has grown and he is now anemic and weak. The good news is that his stomach had not ruptured - this was a big concern. The debate today was whether or not to give him more chemotherapy. A difficult decision - Fez may feel better if the chemotherapy starts to address the tumor - alternatively, it may make him feel worse. We decided that we really did not have much to loose - so Fez received his next dose of chemotherapy (Vincristine). We are now trying a different protocol - a more intense one. Unfortunately, this means Fez will have to go in to the school weekly for the next 6 weeks. He seemed to deal with the visit ok and has come home and is not hiding! I don't get the impression that the prognosis is good. We will see what the next little bit holds.

One day at a time...

Smorgasbord

Fez has been feeling under the weather this past week and a half. His appetite has steadily declined and he has begun to vomit again. We are a little saddened by this set back. I spoke today with Fez's oncologist (Dr. Woods). Dr. Woods feels that the current chemotherapy protocol may be allowing the cancer to rebound between treatments. We chatted about repeating the abdominal ultrasound and possibly changing his chemotherapy protocol. This is a difficult decision. I did not want Fez going in for chemo weekly or continuously for the rest of his life. I am hoping we can find a reasonable compromise. It looks like we may try the 6 week intense induction and then spread out the treatments... Fez's next chemotherapy treatment is Monday. In the mean time, I need Fez to start eating. So tonight he was given yet another medication (Mirtazapine) an appetite stimulant and anti-nausea medication. It seems to have worked! (Along with the smorgasbord of Tuna and two other tasty types of cat food)

Day 15 - week one blood work

Today Fez again accompanied me to school. He was scheduled to return to have his blood drawn to see how is body dealt with the chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy drugs are intended to kill rapidly dividing cells. This is beneficial, in that most cancers fit the rapidly dividing cell concept; however, other cells, such as nascent blood cells (in the bone marrow) also fit the rapidly dividing cell concept. Consequently, the chemotherapy medication can affect his ability to make blood cells, which are essential for survival.

Fez's body has taken the chemotherapy well! It appears that his blood cells are all within acceptable limits!! What does this mean? Well it means that he is still able to fight infections, should he encounter them. It also means that he will likely be able to receive his next dose of chemotherapy on schedule as planned - a good thing! His next treatment is scheduled for Monday August 10th, 2009.

Fez was feeling a little under the weather this weekend - started vomiting again. We have re-started the anti-nausea medications and the vomiting has stopped so far. This vomiting could be related to his chemotherapy medication, as it can cause problems up to a week out or it could be related to the mass in his stomach. Either way - he is much happier now that the vomiting has stopped. I am so thankful for anti-nausea medications!

Here is a picture of Fez. It is from this weekend when he was a little under the weather. He had found a nice comfy spot on the papasan chair to take a nap. Note - He still has his whiskers!!!

Thump thump thump....

This is the sound that Fez makes as he runs around the house. It is a good sound to hear again! Fez has done well so far and seems to be back to himself. He is active and tears around the house. At the same time, he has returned to sitting with me in the study and asking to play with his laser. I wasn't sure what this week would bring. Some animals are a little lethargic, nauseous, inappetant and generally tired after chemotherapy. So far the only negative effect I have noticed is that Fez's appetite has decreased a little. He is still hungry - just eats somewhat less than what he would previously eat.

On Monday, Fez goes back in to OVC to have his blood pulled. We will submit it to determine how his bone marrow responded to the chemotherapy. Like any human on chemotherapy, his white blood cell count will fall and he will be more susceptible to infections. We will need to monitor his blood work as well as any clinical signs that he may not be well. Thankfully he is doing well so far!

p.s. He hasn't lost any whiskers yet!