Geoffrey Small Cell Lymphoma

[artiemom]

Thank you again..

The more I read about Geoffrey, the more I feel emotionally attached to him. I'm glad he's coming around, even slowly, and hope that he's back to himself in no time.

Yeah, Geoffrey really grows on you. He has that type of loving personality. He does all of these loving, crazy things. His face is so expressive. You can really sense what he is feeling, just by looking at his face.

It has been 2 days in a row, that he came in to wake me up-- or to make sure that I got up when my alarm went off. He would give a soft "meow", and gently jump on the bed. I am always lying on my side, so I wake up, turn over, and gently give a "pat, pat" to my side of the bed, softly calling his name. Geoffrey will then come up to my face, purring. We spend a few minutes just loving each other.. When the back-up alarm goes off, We officially get up.

We played for a very short period of time-- still not into it. He ate 1/4 of his breakfast. I will try again, before I leave the house. I hope he eats more of it while I am out.

No Cerenia for him today. Yesterday, he had ALL of his meds. Such a trooper. No brushing, yesterday. G did not feel up to it. May give him a bit of Mirataz, and a bit of laxatone, to keep things moving in the right direction.

Man, it seems that I love this little boy, more and more, with each passing day.

 

[neely]

Man, it seems that I love this little boy, more and more, with each passing day.

And so do we. It just goes to show you how intuitive cats are and Geoffrey is very perceptive.

 

[artiemom]

Geoffrey is sick again... this time, he ha been very "mopey".. not playing, eating well, but just 'off'... This morning, he did not get up with me for breakfast and play. It is our normal routine. I get up, he follows me, waits in the living room, for his wand toy. This morning: I got up, and he went directly to his corner... sigh.. Did not come out for play or even for food. Dam...

I took a bit of wet food over to him, he did eat it, and then peed in the box. I was expecting him to come into living room. No, he went right back to the corner.. dam...

of course if it is a weekend. .. but, other than a vet visit, for blood tests, there is nothing I cn do...

Prayers and wishes needed....

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Geoffrey is sick again... this time, he ha been very "mopey".. not playing, eating well, but just 'off'... This morning, he did not get up with me for breakfast and play. It is our normal routine. I get up, he follows me, waits in the living room, for his wand toy. This morning: I got up, and he went directly to his corner... sigh.. Did not come out for play or even for food. Dam...

I took a bit of wet food over to him, he did eat it, and then peed in the box. I was expecting him to come into living room. No, he went right back to the corner.. dam...

of course if it is a weekend. .. but, other than a vet visit, for blood tests, there is nothing I cn do...

Prayers and wishes needed....

artiemom So sorry your morning has had such a rough start. Hope things improve with Geoffrey during the day.Why these things happen on weekends? Boy I don't know. Definitely many prayers and wishes for you both.

 

[rubysmama]

of course if it is a weekend. ..

That seems to happen so often.

Prayers and wishes needed

Healing vibes being sent your way.

 

[iPappy]

It's ALWAYS a weekend, or a holiday. It never fails.
I hope Geoffrey improves as the day goes on. Hopefully a bit of rest will do him good.

 

[Kwik]

Geoffrey is sick again... this time, he ha been very "mopey".. not playing, eating well, but just 'off'... This morning, he did not get up with me for breakfast and play. It is our normal routine. I get up, he follows me, waits in the living room, for his wand toy. This morning: I got up, and he went directly to his corner... sigh.. Did not come out for play or even for food. Dam...

I took a bit of wet food over to him, he did eat it, and then peed in the box. I was expecting him to come into living room. No, he went right back to the corner.. dam...

of course if it is a weekend. .. but, other than a vet visit, for blood tests, there is nothing I cn do...

Prayers and wishes needed....

Uhhh- always the weekends,without fail!

Only the best wishes for Geffy and fervent prayer

 

[neely]

Prayers and wishes needed....

Prayers, good wishes and lots of hugs being sent express. I hope Geoffrey perks up and you both can get a good night's sleep. Please let us know how he's feeling tomorrow.

 

[tabbytom]

Geoffrey is sick again... this time, he ha been very "mopey".. not playing, eating well, but just 'off'... This morning, he did not get up with me for breakfast and play. It is our normal routine. I get up, he follows me, waits in the living room, for his wand toy. This morning: I got up, and he went directly to his corner... sigh.. Did not come out for play or even for food. Dam...

I took a bit of wet food over to him, he did eat it, and then peed in the box. I was expecting him to come into living room. No, he went right back to the corner.. dam...

of course if it is a weekend. .. but, other than a vet visit, for blood tests, there is nothing I cn do...

Prayers and wishes needed....

Geoffrey,

and prayers for you

 

[tarasgirl06]

Awwwwwwwwww, Geoffrey! *PRAYERS* from the heart for a quick return to your best, little man! Sometimes when we think we can relax and unwind because it's the weekend, it happens. May it just be a blip on the radar.

 

[zed xyzed]

poor little man, I hope he gets better soon

 

[silent meowlook]

With Cheetah, who also has small cell intestinal lymphoma, when she has “bad” days, I give her SQ fluids, and buprenorphine and will up her Prednisolone from every other evening to every evening.
Obviously you have to check with the vet before making any changes to his medical plan. Just letting you know what I do. Cheetah was diagnosed in 2021 I think.

I hope as you are reading this he has already rallied and is doing better.

 

[artiemom]

As the day wore on, he slightly improved towards the evening. I gave him 10 cc plain water during the day. Also water in his food, and with his meds. I delayed the chemo until today.

He was eating, but was still lethargic, and he felt hot. I had to take the food over to him. Weird.. no cuddles on the bed with me. I had to pick him up, in mid afternoon, take him to my bed, cover us with a thing fleece, and cuddle for an hour. When I got up, he did , also. I gave him the water then. He cost out, went to his Cartier, coming out for dry food nibbles.

Geoffrey had 3 trips to the litter box for very hard small stools. Wondering if that is part of the issue? I gave him some laxatone yesterday. He came around a bit after that.
He was on my lap late day and night.. came to bed with me for a while, then off to the corner...

I do not know if he is diabetic, having some sort of insulin high.. wonder if I should give him some maple syrup rubbed on his lips.. I do not he Karo syrup... I remember that from Pumpkin. No way of knowing without a blood test... dam...

I sense a trip to the Vet this week.

Geoffrey did not get up with me this morning. I had tot take the wand toy over to him, in the corner... to pry him out, but he did not play.. ate some wet food.. Weird.. Wish I knew..

Back to corner now.. dam..

I am just guessing at this point.

 

[Kwik]

As the day wore on, he slightly improved towards the evening. I gave him 10 cc plain water during the day. Also water in his food, and with his meds. I delayed the chemo until today.

He was eating, but was still lethargic, and he felt hot. I had to take the food over to him. Weird.. no cuddles on the bed with me. I had to pick him up, in mid afternoon, take him to my bed, cover us with a thing fleece, and cuddle for an hour. When I got up, he did , also. I gave him the water then. He cost out, went to his Cartier, coming out for dry food nibbles.

Geoffrey had 3 trips to the litter box for very hard small stools. Wondering if that is part of the issue? I gave him some laxatone yesterday. He came around a bit after that.
He was on my lap late day and night.. came to bed with me for a while, then off to the corner...

I do not know if he is diabetic, having some sort of insulin high.. wonder if I should give him some maple syrup rubbed on his lips.. I do not he Karo syrup... I remember that from Pumpkin. No way of knowing without a blood test... dam...

I sense a trip to the Vet this week.

Geoffrey did not get up with me this morning. I had tot take the wand toy over to him, in the corner... to pry him out, but he did not play.. ate some wet food.. Weird.. Wish I knew..

Back to corner now.. dam..

I am just guessing at this point.

Awww baby is certainly having a hard time---- sounds like a Vet trip is a good idea even if he feels better ...... praying,praying,praying for Geffy

 

[silent meowlook]

Usually with diabetes they will be drinking excessively.

 

[VAMama]

Just stopping by to give support and

 

[tarasgirl06]

...and adding my heartfelt *PRAYERS* to those of previous posters. It's mysterious as to why this should be happening; may Geoffrey return his normal happy self and may all be right with him very quickly.

 

[artiemom]

Hello, anyone who is reading this.. another update...

This past Weekend I thought Geoffrey was doing a bit better. He was taking all his meds: Full dose of Mirataz, Cerenia, Zofran, Budesonide, with the Chemo Every other Day. The issues were constipation, NO Appetite.
Not drinking. Miralax and Laxatone were given. Dr B thought it was pancreatitis-- chronic. I did not really agree. I felt if it was pancreatitis , then he should be vomiting. He never vomited. Yet, he seemed alert! Could not understand. I was ready to take him in, on Tuesday. Dr B said I was doing all I could, except for some sub-q's. Or I could syringe him water. I chose to syringe.

He was still constantly cuddling me, sitting on my lap, alert, asking for brushing-- not no appetite, no play, BM's very tiny and hard. Because of syringing water, he was finally peeing a normal amount.

OMG.. what a good boy. He allowed me to do everything to him, without a fuss. Neve have I been so blessed.

Geoffrey refused the canned food-- completely.. only to eat about 1/6 cup of dry food. I gave him him some tuna (water packed., no salt added) on Saturday afternoon. All I had to do was pop the lid; next thing I knew, he was he was right next to me, MEOWING for the Tuna. I gave him a good tablespoon with the tuna water, and some added filtered water. He gobbled it up!! I was so happy. He managed to eat 1/3 cup of dry food, along with a heaping teaspoon of the canned food. I felt so happy.. And he was finally having normal bowel movements!

He felt very light on Saturday. I weighed him: 11.4 lbs... down from 15 in about 3 weeks... WEIRD.
Monday he looked chubby.. and felt heavy, with a normal BM.. weird I thought.. was going to take him in on Tuesday..

Monday (Memorial Day) Evening, He was on my lap, but seemed a bit restless, all day.. I brushed him earlier, and even clipped his front claws.
Suddenly, he jumped down.. started walking towards my bedroom: Screaming! I ran over to him. He was walking strangely, curling to the right side. His right front paw seemed slightly paralyzed.. OMG, I thought-- he was having a stroke. I could not believe what I was seeing, right in front of my eyes...

Geoffrey tried to crawl under my bed, to hide.. I gently placed my foot in his path. He clumsily tried to turn around, but, kept curling to the right, hitting his head against my door.
I was in shock.. Of, course, first reaction was to ER.. On a holiday night!!
I watched him try to walk out of my bedroom, towards the bathroom, where he goes when he is frightened -- next to his littler box..

Geoffrey could not make it. He could not stand. Not only was his front right paw paralyzed, his right rear paw was also.
Instinctively, I picked him up, placing him on my bed. He initially tried to crawl off. I stopped him, wrapping my arms around He was drooling at that point and head turning to right; then his neck was severely turned. He was on his side. I gently put my hand under his chin-- he was drooling...
I thought--- OMG.. He is dying right in front of me. Quick shallow breathes. I listened for a heart beat. I could not hear one.. then, I heard a very fast, faint heartbeat.

Quickly changed my clothes, got a bag together; called 3 people who said they would go with me to the Vet.
One had plans and Had to go out to a family dinner-- her daughter was on the way to pick her up. The other 2 did not answer the phone.

Grabbed Geoffrey, put him in the carrier. Not a sound.. nothing, no struggle.. He was fading. Grabbed my
mini flatbed to put the carrier on.. Elevator took forever. I ran with him to my car..

Drove into Boston by myself at breakneck speed--- God was with me. Tears streaming down my face-- thank God my glasses were not wet and I could see. About 3/4 of the drive, I had to stop for a Red Light at a huge intersection. Looked over at Geoffrey, and his entire body was shaking as in Tachycardia..OMG.. I was losing him.. praying that I could get to Angell before he died in my car.

As I was taking his carrier out, I looked in, His mouth was open, body shaking... I ran into the ER, Screaming:
"My cat is dying" There were 4 receptionists there. One of them looked into the carrier, Immediately Paging,
"Cat Emergency Front desk." A Vet and a nurse immediately and literally ran out to grab him. The Vet ran toward the ER with the carrier in her arms.. Yelling: 'DO YOU WANT CPR?'
Sobbing I got out, "NO, EUTHANASIA'
I was insistent that I go with him, but they are to stop me..

I did not even give the desk any information. One of the receptionists was taking my info. Another one came over, and said, 'Euthanasia? I heard you say that?" All I could do was nod, nose running and sobbing. Signed the paperwork-- gave my Credit Card. They explained as I was signing, that they would escort me to a separate/private room for the procedure. I left my Credit card and my wallet at the desk, as the first receptionist was walking me--- very quickly to the room. It took what seemed like a lifetime for them to bring him to me.

They said they had to give him oxygen, in order to insert the IV line. I think they also had to quickly do an ultrasound of his heart because they could not detect it beating, his left side was wet.. I had as long as I wanted with him, both before and after. There was a phone the room so I could contact them when I was ready with both.

Geoffrey passed at 7pm on 5/27/24, in my arms.

Never thought that a massive stroke would get him.. Always thought it would be the SCL.. Last year, Dr Brum felt his hear murmur increased-- suggesting and echocardiogram and a cardiology consult. I denied that because he was already going through so much. I did not want to add to his burden: more visits, medication for a cat with cancer. Dr B never approached the subject again, once I gave my reasonings.

So, My little boy is now with his Uncle Artie.. He will be coming home next week. The sudden extra weight must have been from fluid. The lack of appetite must have been from fluid.. poor thing..
As much as I promised him I would not let him suffer--- he did.. I let him down. The guilt is overwhelming..
The most important promise of all.

Dr B said that when they get to this stage, they seem to be in a 'different realm' and do not realize what is happening and pain.. All I know is Geoffrey had a leg twitch a few minutes later. I was holing him.

Yesterday I cancelled his autoship orders from Chewy. Today, I received a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses and blue bachelor buttons with a really nice card, from Chewy... I was shocked.






Dr Brum said he has clients who cannot afford the prescription or the prescription food. I am bringing it in..
I am donating the rest

I thought Artie was my soul kitty.. Geoffrey was my sweet baby boy..

 

[artiemom]

Attn Moderators.. Could you please allow this thread to be open for a bit-- before being locked.
I would like to make a few more comments...
Thank you..

 

[Tobermory]

Attn Moderators.. Could you please allow this thread to be open for a bit-- before being locked.
I would like to make a few more comments...
Thank you..

Oh, artiemom , I am so sorry for your loss. Geoffrey was lucky to have you to love and care for him. I’m glad he could be in your arms at the end. Thinking of you.

Yes, of course, we’ll leave the thread open for a couple of days.