Zoey
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Shannon's Mom
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:07 pm
Re: Zoey
I've been told that Zoey would be on the chemo for as long as she lives and that there are tests and bloodwork that must be done on a regular basis. I shutter to think of the cost. I skimp on my own meds because I can make them last longer. Not smart I know but can't afford them. Is it normal to be so scared of the chemo,the cost, any complications, etc? My family tells me I can't spend money I don't have. I am fighting between my head and my heart and I am so depressed. When I took Zoey in I never expected this. She is living under the bed. She is scared of me and won't even play with Pumpkin anymore. I'm not sure that is the life I want for her. She never comes out and I have been putting food under the bed for her.
Re: Zoey
When did she start the prednisone, and has she reacted differently recently when you give it to her?
The chemo depends, the dose is likely to be spaced apart at some point, to further days between giving it. Ask your oncologist for the schedule he is thinking of for Zoey in particular. The costs may diminish a bit when the dosing gets further apart.
Part of the cost is the bloodwork, it is necessary (CBC), usually before a chemo session (primarily when giving IV chemo), or every few weeks or so when giving oral administration, and the necessity is to make sure the chemo is not doing more harm than good (with blood cell counts, anemia, toxicity etc), and to gauge the overall effectiveness. Without bloodwork, you would be giving chemo blindly and not know how effective it is, or to any extent if it is altering blood cell counts etc.
It's natural to be worrisome about effects and costs. The same applies in human medicine which is why we call it "which is the lessor of the evils" (for example, without chemo, we know the predictable outcome, and with chemo, there are risks to consider, it is never an easy choice, but in cancer, it's the best we have to hope to improve the outcome).
If your vet will provide the chlorambucil, then she can help you price-check between pharmacies in the area, and whatever discounts you can use available (i.e., try to see if a Walgreen's or other pharmacy offers a prescription discount on this), an AARP discount on meds (see if they will cover this), etc etc. Ask your vet how her other clients manage, what types of discounts may be available, ask her if she provides a senior-discount on vet services.
Most dogs and cats do well on chemo, and this is one of the reasons we do the CBC's so often, so we can be one step ahead of any potential risks or side effects. Side effects are commonly mild, if any, like vomiting or diarrhea, or inappetance - but most pets don't have these side effects at all. If at any time a side effect is observed by you, contact your vet at once, so she can either guide you through resolving the effect or to lower the dose or change it altogether. Cerenia, for example, can help prevent vomiting, if necessary.
Take one step at a time, ask for preliminary costs, any discount on meds or vet service if available, find out what the biopsy entails, and take it one day at a time from there. Don't be afraid to talk to your vets about your concerns, that's what they're there for, and they truly understand your concerns.
Keep trying to make giving meds as pleasurable for Zoey as possible. Maybe when giving her meds, close off the bedroom so she cannot hide under the bed directly after. Spend that time with cuddles or play, etc, let her relax and feel confident again, then let her do her thing, even if she hides again. Do encourage her to come out and socialize, play, etc., making her routine as smooth as possible. Offer treats, special treat of canned food, fun toys, a comfy kitty bed by a sunny window, etc.
The chemo depends, the dose is likely to be spaced apart at some point, to further days between giving it. Ask your oncologist for the schedule he is thinking of for Zoey in particular. The costs may diminish a bit when the dosing gets further apart.
Part of the cost is the bloodwork, it is necessary (CBC), usually before a chemo session (primarily when giving IV chemo), or every few weeks or so when giving oral administration, and the necessity is to make sure the chemo is not doing more harm than good (with blood cell counts, anemia, toxicity etc), and to gauge the overall effectiveness. Without bloodwork, you would be giving chemo blindly and not know how effective it is, or to any extent if it is altering blood cell counts etc.
It's natural to be worrisome about effects and costs. The same applies in human medicine which is why we call it "which is the lessor of the evils" (for example, without chemo, we know the predictable outcome, and with chemo, there are risks to consider, it is never an easy choice, but in cancer, it's the best we have to hope to improve the outcome).
If your vet will provide the chlorambucil, then she can help you price-check between pharmacies in the area, and whatever discounts you can use available (i.e., try to see if a Walgreen's or other pharmacy offers a prescription discount on this), an AARP discount on meds (see if they will cover this), etc etc. Ask your vet how her other clients manage, what types of discounts may be available, ask her if she provides a senior-discount on vet services.
Most dogs and cats do well on chemo, and this is one of the reasons we do the CBC's so often, so we can be one step ahead of any potential risks or side effects. Side effects are commonly mild, if any, like vomiting or diarrhea, or inappetance - but most pets don't have these side effects at all. If at any time a side effect is observed by you, contact your vet at once, so she can either guide you through resolving the effect or to lower the dose or change it altogether. Cerenia, for example, can help prevent vomiting, if necessary.
Take one step at a time, ask for preliminary costs, any discount on meds or vet service if available, find out what the biopsy entails, and take it one day at a time from there. Don't be afraid to talk to your vets about your concerns, that's what they're there for, and they truly understand your concerns.
Keep trying to make giving meds as pleasurable for Zoey as possible. Maybe when giving her meds, close off the bedroom so she cannot hide under the bed directly after. Spend that time with cuddles or play, etc, let her relax and feel confident again, then let her do her thing, even if she hides again. Do encourage her to come out and socialize, play, etc., making her routine as smooth as possible. Offer treats, special treat of canned food, fun toys, a comfy kitty bed by a sunny window, etc.
..........Traci
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Shannon's Mom
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:07 pm
Re: Zoey
Thank you, Traci. I am trying to cope with this situation. Zoey has been of Pred for about two weeks. I am afraid if I am not successful with that, how will I give her the chemo! And my thoughts are still with the dangers to Pumpkin. I am not willing to risk him too. My family thinks I'm crazy for even considering the expense for a few more months which may not be good for Zoey. I am going through the biopsy to see if this is really cancer. I am not willing to medicate her if it's only based on an x-ray. Then I will have to decide what to do. It has really taken a physical toll on me. I feel so responsible for her now that she is here. If I don't do it, I will feel I let her die. Even though I know it is only a temporary fix. There is no cure. I would rather Zoey be out with us enjoying what life she has left then to be cowering under the bed till she goes. It is such a heartache.
Re: Zoey
I understand the emotions all too well, it's natural to question and worry. With family, it is not their decision, Zoey is not their cat, and the devotion and your love for Zoey does not belong to them. There are levels of committment in caring for animals, and some people just aren't comfortable with the levels you and I are comfortable with. That's their problem, don't let others persuade you on what you feel is best for Zoey and you.
Try to think of this in terms of hoping for remission, just as in human medicine. Talk to the oncologist and get his opinion and recommendations - while we cannot make definite predictions, we do have enough evidence to suggest that chemo can be worthwhile in many cases.
The pred can be changed to the suspension form, but I think you said you had given the suspension and changed to tablet form? Whichever she does better on when giving it, would determine the best approach. Likewise, ask your vet for tips on giving pills, and if any of them can be compounded with flavor enhancements (doubtful with chemo pills, but find out anyway). Tell your vets about Zoey's personality, that she tends to hide alot, that you fear you might be stressing her - they can give you tips on how to give her meds with less stress.
What was her personality/behavior like before you started giving the pred?
Try to think of this in terms of hoping for remission, just as in human medicine. Talk to the oncologist and get his opinion and recommendations - while we cannot make definite predictions, we do have enough evidence to suggest that chemo can be worthwhile in many cases.
The pred can be changed to the suspension form, but I think you said you had given the suspension and changed to tablet form? Whichever she does better on when giving it, would determine the best approach. Likewise, ask your vet for tips on giving pills, and if any of them can be compounded with flavor enhancements (doubtful with chemo pills, but find out anyway). Tell your vets about Zoey's personality, that she tends to hide alot, that you fear you might be stressing her - they can give you tips on how to give her meds with less stress.
What was her personality/behavior like before you started giving the pred?
..........Traci
Re: Zoey
I know I posted it before, but please contact the manufacturer of the chemo drug. They may have some programs in place for people who can't afford treatment. I know they do for people, but I'm not sure about pets. Plead your case and send the cutest pictures of Zoey you can find along with your letter. I suspect they will want all the data on how she responds to treatment, but, IMHO, that's no biggie. It's worth a try. All they can do is say "no".
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
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Shannon's Mom
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:07 pm
Re: Zoey
Thank you for caring. I have been physically ill over this. I keep worrying about the chemo effect on Pumpkin. All the "what if's" are driving me insane. I am totally scared to death of the chemo. I know that probably makes me a sad excuse for a pet owner. I feel I have to choose between them and it is making me feel terrible. Zoey's bloodwork was fine. I am trying to get an appointment with the oncologist for the needle biopsy. I keep praying it is not cancer; that it is something else they can fix but I know that is not being realistic. I know now that Pumpkin will be my last pet. I am so tired of saying goodbye to them. I wish some of you were here as I know of no one here who has done the chemo for their pets. Zoey is hiding under the bed all the time now. She was always a loner and always thin and always kept to herself. None of her behaviors are different except that I know all my crying and breakdowns are scaring her and Pumpkin too. I never thought this would happen so soon. I almost wish I had said no to having her come here. Now I am faced with all this agony. Forgive me for being such a wimp.
Re: Zoey
There's virtually NO risk to Pumpkin when giving chemo to Zoey - just make sure the meds are given to Zoey in another room with closed door and keep litterboxes scooped diligently.
Our pets can sense our moods, emotions, stress etc, so try to be as positive as you can, try to keep to routine as if nothing different is happening. Zoey will get used to her medications, she doesn't have to like them and we cannot expect her to, but this is true of all our pets. The meds will be helping her, so the rest is ensuring that the routine is kept the same, all the love, cuddling, bonding, happy environment etc remain the same and try not to let your stress affect the cats, they will sense it and react to it.
I know it's hard to think about but don't think so hard
Remain positive, up-beat, give the cats tons of love and attention, and they will do just fine.
Even if this is in fact lymphoma, treating pets with cancers is far easier than in humans. They tolerate it so much better, they seem to do better overall, and the effects, while possible, are not common, they are pretty resilient!
Our pets can sense our moods, emotions, stress etc, so try to be as positive as you can, try to keep to routine as if nothing different is happening. Zoey will get used to her medications, she doesn't have to like them and we cannot expect her to, but this is true of all our pets. The meds will be helping her, so the rest is ensuring that the routine is kept the same, all the love, cuddling, bonding, happy environment etc remain the same and try not to let your stress affect the cats, they will sense it and react to it.
I know it's hard to think about but don't think so hard
Remain positive, up-beat, give the cats tons of love and attention, and they will do just fine.Even if this is in fact lymphoma, treating pets with cancers is far easier than in humans. They tolerate it so much better, they seem to do better overall, and the effects, while possible, are not common, they are pretty resilient!
..........Traci