It’s a fact: Human or feline, you can not go through cancer without some change in appearance. Everybody expects it and they will scan you up and down until their eyes ferret out something that confirms this assumption.
In my case, I have lost a few pounds, but there are those who will say that’s not a bad thing. Always muscular and athletic, I’m proud to say I can still karate my way out of the human grip if it’s a one-on-one situation.
My biggest change is in the way my always fluffy fur is now matted with meds! Jen will say it’s because I fight the antibiotic and other liquids constantly being shoved in my face. So the dropper misses and the result is a mist of meds discoloring my lovely white fur. On top of that, I am prone to drooling, mostly because of these in-your-face methods of medicating a proud feline American such as myself. Who could help but drool when a dropper of vicious-tasting liquid is forced between my clenched teeth? Foolishly, they try to clean me up. How many cats do you know who tolerate sponge baths?
Today I managed to avoid the whole nasty business by wedging my still ample body between a desk and wall in my den. They know this means “STAY OUT!” When I was first brought home from the humane society five years ago, this area was where I took refuge while getting the lay of the land. In times of distress, such as now, it still works.
I may have cancer but I still have my rights as a feline American.
I’ve never responded to a blog before; neither has my human mom who is technologically challenged but sure knows how to use microwave technology to provide dishes of chopped shrimp. I turned 11 in June, am part flame point Siamese and part barn cat so I’m white with tan markings and gorgeous blue eyes. I’m a male cat, like to ‘talk’, play in the garden, be where the action is, chase bugs, and take good care of my family by pointing out when anything is amiss in house or yard and being nurse cat when family members are not feeling well.
Although I am usually in excellent health myself, I went to see my local vet in July for some routine tooth removal – never did learn to floss – and she thought the gumline looked a bit odd so did a biopsy. It came back squamous cell carcinoma. Had no idea what that meant but it can’t be good because it made my human mom cry and hug me too tight and it resulted in two rounds of being stuffed in my carrier for a half hour car ride. The North Carolina State Vet Hospital and Oncology Clinic is close by. I went there to have the tumor ‘sized’ (had not spread to lymph nodes, metastasized, or invaded the bone) and then to have the tumor and much of my cheek, a couple layers of bone, and the tissue between gum and tongue removed on the left side 12 days ago. I had three layers of stitches – the outside ones don’t dissolve so Dr. Connie, my local vet who may have saved my life by noticing very early that something didn’t look right, will remove them and draw the first CBC this Thursday. She will fax results to NCState. Easier to ride in the car 5 minutes than 30 minutes – on me and on the driver. Why the blood work?
I started Palladia 6 days ago, take it every other day, along with pepcid so my stomach doesn’t get upset. I was not impressed with the pills. My human mom got sneaky, slit a piece of shrimp, folded back the edges, tucked the pill in there, folded the edges back, and offered it to me. Of course I scarfed it down – it’s shrimp, yes? She followed up with a dish of them, lots of attention, and lots of kitty snuggling. It hasn’t impacted my appetite any so far and I may be sleeping a little more but hey, it’s in the mid 90′s down here and I like to stretch out on the 3-season porch.
We are hoping the combination of the surgery and the palladia knocks out the SCC. Should get the biopsy results back in a couple days. Even if the edges of the tumor are ‘clean’ I will probably be on the palladia for life. Which my mom and family and I hope is a very long time. Just keep the shrimp coming and stay tuned…
Our beloved Snowflake went from my arms to the arms of my mom and dad, and his mother cat, Rusty, around 12:30 ET this afternoon. I am numb. Can’t get my head or heart around this yet. I know it is the price we pay for loving someone, human or animal, that much. And that it will get better in time. Just not yet. I know this is only beginning. And I will get through it. I just miss him so much. It is too quiet, there’s no purring, nobody asking for dinner at 5:01pm/shrimp time. Nobody in my lap as I type. I hope Jane is doing better. And please please please would someone do something about this awful feline cancer so that other families and kitties don’t have to go through this. Would be glad to help fight oral squamous cell carcinoma any way we can.
Thank you for sharing, Snowflake! It’s always nice to meet a fellow cancer survivor. I used to think C stood for Cat, but now the word Cancer has entered both our vocabularies.
I’ve been off Palladia since surgery two months ago, as cancer drugs don’t promote healing. That’s all good to me because I hate taking meds and have put up epic battles that has resulted in meds being splattered on the walls. My human family tried the same tricks you describe such as inserting food into otherwise tasty morsels, but I just can’t abide by this type of deception. Though the humans here love shrimp, I’ve just never acquired the taste.
Glad to hear you’re able to dine after surgery. I myself had to wear a feeding tube for two weeks. By the way, you can learn more about me on my Facebook page (there’s even a video of me relearning to eat after my mandibulotomy) Just look under “Jane the cat is fighting cancer.”
Please keep in touch! Your vet, like mine, saved our lives. There needs to be more pro-active vets out there who understand that we are true members of the family. Hope you’re feeling good after surgery and we look forward to hearing about your progress!
Hi Jane –
I also have been just recently diagnosed with OSCC and have been searching high & low for any sort of success stories as all we hear from the vets and oncologists is this is a horrible, challenging disease. I’m so glad to have found another cat that’s fighting the good fight. I’m only 6 years old, and the youngest in my family, but I’m also spunky so I’m hoping that my attitude will help me fight this disease. Any advice for someone starting the fight would be greatly appreciate. We are already looking at clinical trials at Penn and Colorado State, as well as a trip to Purdue to see what options they have for treating this disease. Thanks again for being a role model for the fight.
Adeline (and Adeline’s dad & mom, Derek & Amy)
Hi,
Thanks much for writing and your kind comments. Don’t give up! Please keep me posted during your journey. I would be very interested in learning about those clinical trials. I am told I can not hope for a cure at this stage, but attitude has kept many cancer patients alive. Some oncologists are cynical because they’ve seen how this disease reacts so try not to get bogged down by negativity.
Thanks so much for writing. It’s great to hear from fellow cancer cohorts!
Jane ( & Jen & John)
Hi Jane (& Jen & John),
Thanks for your kind note – we also have experienced the negative attitude from the oncologists – very discouraging. Here are links to the two current clinical trials we’ve found:
http://research.vet.upenn.edu/ClinicalStudies/CurrentClinicalStudies/tabid/4518/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6/Feline-Oral-Squamous-Cell-Carcinoma.aspx
http://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/stereotactic-rad-therapy-feline-oral
Already heard back from Penn and they’re still taking patients – no word back from CSU. I also wanted to point you to this video – it’s amazing and we’re trying to track down the individuals responsible to see if we can get Adeline treated – your jaw will drop:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdo2rs_sunday_tech
If you’ve any feedback on any of the treatments you’ve tried and which have been successful, we’d appreciate it.
Adeline (& Derek & Amy)
Many thanks. We are visiting family in New England currently while a relative is caring for Jane. Am looking forward to seeing the video. Thanks much. Please keep us posted.