Large Cell Lyphoma Help

[BigChief]

Hi all, we got some news from a specialist for My cat CHIEF, Hes 15, and a senior hes a great cat, except the prognosis is not good. We started him on pred, then he stopped responding, specialist put him on a stronger called Dexamethasone, and started 1 round of Chemo L-Asparaginese. I was told 30-60 days if we just keep him on the steroid, possibly 6-9 months if we continue chemo. Has anyone had experience with this type of cancer? I just found out yesterday, and its a shock, but I had known he was ill for sometime. Today he responded well, and has been eating all day on and off.

In this situation, what do you all do? Everyone is telling me to euthanize, in order to prevent organ failure, and all costs ($6500)associated with a full 20 week chemo course. At age 15, the end result im being told is certain death. One vet says hes in pain, the specialist says hes not. We have treated the vomiting, so that has stopped, weight has stabilized. Anyone have a progression on what could happen here? Im not ready to let him go, but feel it might be the only decison I can make here. Anyone have advice here?

 

[mingsmongols]

Im sorry to hear that Chief is doing badly. This is a fatal diagnosis, which ever way you go. Their are however pain medication's and treatments that can increase the quality of life for the time he has left. I'd suggest going to a hospice and palliative care vet to discuss your options.

 

[BigChief]

Thanks for the reply, he seemed like his old self today, the specialist said wait till Monday before deciding to do Chemo or not. My issue is, is this cat in pain, 1 vet says yes, 1 says no. If I knew he was suffering, the choice would be easier, hes on Cernia, Methadone, and the cancer is in in abdominal wall, intestines, lymph nodes. Hes a healthy cat otherwise besides the cancer. I have been reading that this type of cancer can move fast, is Chemo worth going through at this age?

 

[mingsmongols]

That depends on how much you want those extra months. It's a gamble either way. No matter what you do he's unlikely to survive the year.

If it was me knowing that this was it, I'd probably just do the palliative care and maybe add on an opioid like codeine and gabapentin for potential break through pain, then work hard to make sure what time he has left is quality time.

That being said, this is your friend and your decision. A very hard decision too. Their are no right or wrong answers here when dealing with end of life decisions.