I'm sitting here thinking about Michael.
We got a call from his vet, Dr. Mason, yesterday. Michael has a tumor. It is benign, but it's not great news like you think it would be.
The tumor is kind of fast growing. It is in his jaw. One of the options, Dr. Mason says, is to remove Michael's jaw. But that's not really an option, b/c cats don't live long with their jaws removed.
So the only other option is for Michael to get an operation about once a year, for the rest of his life, to remove part of the tumor.
And that might not even work. It depends on how fast growing the tumor is. It's kind of a wait and see thing. The vet wants to see Michael back in a month to see how much the tumor has grown. If it is growing too fast, well, uhm, not good. That would call for like, drastic measures. I can't even bare to put it down in black and white here, but I think you all know what I am talking about. If the tumor is large, we can't let kitty suffer indefinitely. On the other hand, if it is growing slow enough, then it looks like lifetime operations for him.
Ugh. I am not feeling much of anything. Because like with John, all I can do is stay calm, and not panic, to keep myself steady. Not staying calm accomplishes nothing. Not that I am comparing a cat to John, for Heaven's sake, but I do love my cat. He has been with me for almost 9 years. I love him dearly. I think I will spend this time not being sad, but spending a lot of time just loving Michael. That is what I want to do.
Loving you all,
Posts
Krissy, I am so, so, so sorry. Yes, love Michael. Wow, I am so sorry. If you need me call. I will call you soon. xox
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for you and the Kitty, Its hard to stay calm when all else is going bonkers....but you can {I know I have doing it for years} just ask The Lord he will see you though it.
ReplyDeletelove you
Krissy, you'll make the right decisiion because of loving your "Michael". Have been in your shoes several times, not an easy decision to make, not necessarily the one we would want to make, but you do it because your love your little darling. A loved pet is definitely part of the family, so share that special time with him. When we had to make the decision for Quintessa, remember her looking up at me when I was talking with her about what we were having to do and she looked at me, licked my hand and I knew in my heart she was saying, I love you and thank you for not letting me suffer. You'll know what to do when you have too Krissy. Take care. Arlene (AJ)
ReplyDelete((((((Krissy)))))) I'm so sorry it turned out to be a tumor dearheart. We have been through this same thing with one of our Antique Cats who was 16 at the time. She has passed on now. If you want some more details about what care she needed and how we knew when the pain was too bad for her, email, dearheart.
ReplyDeleteloving you
karyl
Oh Krissy, I do understand how hard that would be to be in that position. We love our dogs so much. And when things like that have happened, it's almost like (not quite that's for sure) like losing a child in a way. I hope and pray Michael gets to have several more years to be loved by you guys! I know that's what we'd want if it was our dogs. I am so sorry for any discomfort this may cause Michael. Love ya, Krissy! Merry
ReplyDeleteThat is not good news, Krissy. I hope you can reach the decision best for Michael and yourself.
ReplyDeleteHow sad Krissy but be optimistic, if it is slow growing he could be with you for many more years yet. I know how much you love him.
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/
Awwww thats so sad I feel for you.like you say don't worry too much or you will be down.Then John will worry about you and so on.I hope Kitty stays as well as possible,in the meantime you Take Care Prayers being said for all of you.God Bless Kath
ReplyDeleteastoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES
Sorry to hear about kitty.
ReplyDeletePam
ReplyDeleteKrissy, My cat is sitting on my lap and we are reading about Michael. If his tumor is slow growing he will be with you for a long time. And I know how very much you love him. They are like our kids. I look at my cat and try to memorize him because you never know. How his tail switches back and forth when I scratch the wrong place. After you told this aboutMichael I search all over Smokys body for signs of anything that doesnt seem right. I love him so much just as you do Michael. I sure hope all will turn out ok............Tell him me an' Smoky are thinking of him. Love and hugs to you Myke
God help you to enjoy your time with Michael and direct you as to what is best for him. - Barbara
ReplyDeleteAwww... I'm sorry about Michael. Hope it works out that it's not fast growing. One more thing for you to worry about now. I don't see how you manage. Prayers to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Chrissie
I'm so sorry about Michael, I'll keep that poor thing in my prayers. I hope you and John are doing ok. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI`m so sorry to hear the news Krissy, I hope it`s slow growing.
ReplyDeleteLove Sandra xxxx
I hope it is just oine of those flukes of nature and disappears...I will pray...
ReplyDeletelove ya,
carlene
Krissy,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear the news about Michael. LuAnne
So sorry, just give lots of hugs and kisses. Zoey's tumor is growing back also, fast. The sadness.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Oh I'm sorry... lots of scratches for Michael and hugs for you....
ReplyDeleteAlways special thoughts!
Linda :)
Krissy keeping all of you in prayer :) God will watch over Michael. He knows how much you love him
ReplyDeleteDeb
I know how you are feeling. Michael is like a baby to you and you have a great emotional attachment to him. He trusts you to do what is best for him. Anything you ever decide will come out of love for him and I am sure Michael understands that. I hope it doesn't come to that but if it does Michael would want you to do what is right. Take care.
ReplyDeletePhil
Oh Krissy! I would not want to be in your shoes just now. Michael is the most wonderful kitty. Sweetie, I will be praying for all you. Love & http://journalsals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/TimeforaLittlePoetryblessings, Penny
ReplyDeleteawwwwwwww I'm so sorry to hear this... sending good thoughts your way. Keep us posted
ReplyDeletehugs
d
awwwwww Krissy. I am so sorry about Michael. I will say a little prayer for him. (((((((Hugs))))))))
ReplyDeleteLove,
Cindy
poor michael, i will pray it is a slow growing tumor
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noelle bv
(((((((((((((((9KRISSY)))))))))))))))))))))I am so sorry for Michale,I will be saying a prayer for Him.I know this is ver hard for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry ((Krissy))- pets are part of our families, and no, they aren't human, but they certainly have personalities that make them so much like our kids. Face it- it's always good to get home to our pets, knowing they're waiting for us. I don't know what to say here Krissy- like you said, he might not have a drastic case where he needs to be "put down" right now, but you also don't want him having to go through so much either. I'll pray for the best thing to be in this case- that God knows you're heart, but also Michael's needs. God Bless you and john and kitty. Love Carolyn
ReplyDelete{{{ Krissy }}} I understand...
ReplyDeletebe well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
Tell Michael that Possum S. Hemmingway sends his best. He's about six years old now and as you know, he's my right hand....er, paw man. I hope that small continuous operations extends his time here. I'm sure things will turn out alright. Hope you guys are doing well also.
ReplyDeleteJimmy
I know where you're coming from. Sometimes animals are like angels in disguise.
ReplyDeleteI hope things work out alright.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for Michael!!
-Kellen
Aw....poor little puss puss, it breaks your heart when one of your family is having trouble, and yes I mean your kitty. I love animals and I consider them an important part of my life. Will be praying for "michael". debbie
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Krissy. Don't waste a second, just share your love and Michael will share his. This is hard enough thinking about - I know. It' always there on the back burner of your thoughts, but you daren't let it come forward - I don't blame you. Do whatever is called for, I'd say. Keep those you love as long as you can, it may surprise you just how long that can be. xoxo CATHY
ReplyDeleteUntil one loses a cat or dog, there's no way to understand what you're feeling right now. All I can say is been there and done that. I hope that things work out for the best for both you and Michael.
ReplyDeleteWe had a cat named Patch. She was 19 when she died. At age 13 she developed uterin cancer. According to the doctor, her reproductive system had turned to mush. He wasn't sure if she could be saved if we did have her operated on. The day after the surgery, I called about three times to see how she was doing. The nurse told me that as tiny as she was, that she was one heck of a fighter. She pulled through, obviously, and even took on the doctor on her way out the door. He tried to put a leash on her. When he, this six and half foot behemeth with shoulders that would intimidate a line backer, tried to walk my cat on that leash. She growled and tried to climb up the leash. She would not have it. They called me to the back to come get her. Once she saw me, she jumped into my shoulder and stayed there until I got her home.
Good luck with Michael. I think I can say a prayer for him, too. All of God's creatures....
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay
Aw, Krissy, poor little guy. At least he's feeling good. I'll say my prayers that this tumor is controllable. Anybody with pets will know exactly what you mean. They are like our children. Big hugs to you! Love ya, Chris
ReplyDeleteKrissy... going on vacation... sending you all prayers... Hope that your move goes well this weekend, and that each of the three of you are in good health!
ReplyDeletebe well,
Dawn
WE love our pets, and cannot beat the thought of putting them to sleep. Yet, we know that their life spans are not the same as ours and at some point we must give them up, and we love them just the same and accept them. Giving up a pet is part of lowning (loving) one.
ReplyDeleteDon't make Michael suffer, nor put him through a lifetime series of operations. You can tell when life is a burden to him. Then give him ease...without regret.
Continuing to keep Michael in my prayers on the smoke! I know the pain of losing a beloved cat. I lost one Monday that was a stray I was caring for. It never gets easy, they steal our hearts from the get go. (Hugs) Indigo
ReplyDeleteOh I hope Michael will be just fine. (((((Big Hugs)))))
ReplyDeleteSonya
Krissy, hope all is going well your way, just wanted to say hi and let you know, you, John and "Michael" are in my thoughts and prayers. Arlene (AJ)
ReplyDeleteI have not been gettting your alerts. I think many of my alerts have disappered when aol was updating a few mos back. I don't know who all I lost. :(
ReplyDeleteWas just thinking about you & that I missed you, so thought I'd pop over.
Sorry to hear Michaels not doing well...please keep us posted. I pray he'll be ok, but if not...I know you don't want him in pain or with a poor quality of life. {{{}}}
God bless all,
Sugar
Hey there ! you came to my blog a long time ago and Im just now getting to yours and I just wanted to say God bless you Krissy I will keep all these things from the blog enty on my prayers. Take care and come see me at my blog soon! ,Denise
ReplyDeleteJust popping in to say HI! I haven't seen an entry lately.... hope all of you guys (including Michael) are doing O.K. I know you are probably just in the middle of moving........
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