"This is Buddy's
Story, not about his diabetes, but about his tumor. This will not be easy for me to write,
but it is necessary."
Buddy had seen his Vet
during Saturday, February 14, 1998; during that visit, our dreams had come true, Buddy's
diabetes was finally controlled and stabilized. We had but one short day to try to
celebrate. The very next day, Sunday, our son found a hard lump on Buddy's forehead, right
above the bridge of his nose. He quickly called me to check it.
During Monday morning,
February 15th I called Buddy's Vet. Buddy got into see him during that week; the Vet
scheduled Buddy's surgery for removal of this "mass" for Tuesday, February
24th. At that time, the Vet didn't really think it was serious.
Buddy went into the
Hospital Monday evening for a pre-surgery anesthetic blood screening, and because he's
diabetic and had to be watched closely. Buddy had other benign tumors before, and we
all felt that although the place this new one was in, that it too would be benign.
After Buddy's surgery
during Tuesday morning, the Vet phoned me with the results. He said that
"Buddy's tumor was bad; he removed the part of the tumor which was outside of his
skull, but couldn't get to the other part which was inside his brain and/or sinus
cavity." He said that he was sending the tumor for pathology report which would
be back within 4-5 days." He termed Buddy's tumor as two possibilities:
Malignant tumor or Aggressive Benign." either of which is not good.
Once the results are
back, Buddy's life will be fully discussed. Being that this tumor appeared SO fast,
and seems to have grown either from inside out, etc., does not look good for Buddy.
This poor cat has been
through hell and back since first being diagnosed with Diabetes during March of
1997. It has taken almost one year for his diabetes to be controlled and stabilized.
I am heartbroken, because if Buddy became ill or had to die from Diabetic
complications, I'd understand more so. But, to have fought so hard for so long, and
to have to most likely leave this life of his via a malignant tumor is tragic.
We, as his family, have
decided to wait until his pathology report comes back before making any decisions.
Once the results come back, a decision will have to be made: Whether to keep Buddy
with us or having him put to sleep. Yes, I am angry and feel like my heart's been ripped
right out of my body. I adore and love Buddy more than can be expressed.
He's
a special cat in so many ways. He's only lived with us but *three short
years.* It would be a sin for him to leave this earth in this manner.
Buddy's vet phoned me
early during Tuesday, March 3, 1998 with the Pathology report. Buddy's tumor is
"Osteosarcoma"
Here is what is written
about Buddy's Tumor. Source: "The Cornell Book of Cats." 1998 Edition:
"Osteogenic
sarcoma: A destructive tumor of bone, osteogenic sarcoma [also known as
Osteosarcome], is malignant and hence capable of spreading from the site of its
development -- a process known as metastasis. In cats, osteogenic sarcoma
arises most commonly in the hind limbs or skull. Clinical signs at the tumor site can
include local pain and swelling, deformity and lameness. There may be lymph node
enlargement. Osteogenic sarcoma grows less rapidly and spreads less readily in cats
than in dogs. Spread usually occurs to the lungs, where metastatic tumors can be
identified through chest x-ray. the syndrome of hypertrophied osteopathy can be
produced by these lung lesions.
Diagnosis of osteogenic
sarcoma is made by x-ray and biopsy [microscopic examination of sample],
examination. Surgical amputation of the affected limb, perhaps combined with
chemotherapy, may be indicated. However, if the tumor has spread to the lungs the
prognosis can be poor.
Buddy sees his vet for
his stitches to be removed most likely March 14th, Saturday. At that visit, Buddy's
vet will _try to determine if the cancer has spread. He has mentioned to me about a
surgeon who he would use to operate on not only his pets, but himself, this is how much he
trusts this surgeon. In any case, we as Buddy's family have talked both emotionally
and non about Buddy and his quality of life.
Buddy had his
stitches removed today, Saturday, 3/07. His vet gave my husband the pathology report
which I've copied, verbatim below:
"Antech
Diagnostics"
COMMENT:
Rapid Growth of Tumor Between Eyes into Skull.
BIOPSY:
Specimens examined in
microscopically
1
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION:
The section is that of a densely cellular mass comprised of loosely to densely
packed
atypical and basophilic spindle shaped cells. In some areas, the cells are more
angular and associated with intervening osteoid material.
Many cells have an
enlarged nucleus with marginated chromatin and a prominent nucleolus.
The cells fail
to form any particular pattern except for occasional slight parallel arrays.
DIAGNOSIS: OSTEOSARCOMA, MIXED OSTEOBLASTIC &
FIBROBLASTIC, BONE
COMMENT:
Osteosarcomas in domestic cats are slow to
metastasize, and the overall rate of metastasis has been cited as less than
10%. The prognosis for long-term survival is good when wide surgical resection is
possible. In one report, 6/11 cats with appendicular osteosarcoma treated by
amputation were alive 64 months following surgery, and the median survival time of the
remaining five cats was 49 months. Those arising from the skull and axial skeleton
are less likely to metastasize and carry a better prognosis than those of the long
bones. The following references may be of interest:
RG Sherding,
ed., The Cat Diseases and Clinical Management. Churchill
Livingstone, New
York. 1994, pp 1623-1625. Biletto, WU et al Osteosarcoma
in cats 22 cases
(1974-1984). Jauma 190 91-93. 1987. Quigely, PJ and AH
Leedale Tumors
involving bone in the domestic cat A review of fifty-eight
cases.
Vet. Pahtol. 20 670-686, 1983. Catherine A. Picut, UMD, DaCUP
02/26/98
#21
*** FINAL REPORT *** 02/26/98 406 PM EST
|
Subject: [OT]
Pondering
Posted to:
Rec.Pets.Cats: Misc., Health+Behavior & Community 3/6/1998
--------------
As I sat here
pondering Buddy's illness, I found myself devoid of anger. Sadness, yes. Buddy came into
my life as an abused cat. If it were not for Buddy my knowledge, though limited, about
Feline Diabetes would not be possible. Buddy has helped me to understand and not fear
Feline Diabetes; his experiences, although traumatic, have enabled me to hopefully help
other owners of diabetic felines. His life will not have been in vain. I am learning
something new every day of my life not limited to cats.
Buddy has been
through horrible times, yet he still trusts me and loves me and is my loyal friend and
companion. This tells me that we as human beings can do the same toward each other.
There's so much abuse in this society, rage,
Etc., yet those
beautiful animals, both dogs and cats, still after all that they've been through, learn
quickly to love and accept love.
We can
have a
mutual understanding of respect for one another. The friendships I have formed in my life
are valued to me; these friends come from every walk of life and nationality. Some have
been my friends since we were children. We based our friendship in part on mutual respect,
and sincere kindness. So far, it's worked quite well.
I would rather be
kind and considerate than to be nasty and/or cruel. And, when I've treated another
unkindly, it truly bothered me very much. I'm a sucker for kindness - always has been and
always will be. Actually, the only person hurt by hate is I - because the people who I've
hurt by hateful words don't really care. I've taken the word hate out of my vocabulary
long ago. I may dislike someone's actions, but will not hate the person. I am far from
perfect. There's only one perfect person, and he's upstairs in heaven.
My love for and by
animals has taught me a lot. Especially Buddy. He still loves us and his vet even after
all of the needles and surgeries he's had.
If a cat can emanate
such trust and love after so much adversity in his life, Then, why can't we as human
beings?
"The
Decision"
As You Are well aware,
Our Buddy was put to sleep on Saturday, March 14, 1998. His tumor grew back within two
weeks after surgery to remove it. After taking Buddy to his Vet on March 14th, it
was determined via testing of the tumor [aspiration], that the tumor was
in fact the same
as the first ~ Cancer and spreading downward. We, as his family knew that our boy
was not enjoying life and would not recover. Before he was allowed by us to be in
anymore discomfort or get to a point of being in pain, we made the decision to have Buddy
put to sleep. His ashes will be buried in one of his special places in our yard.
"Love You, Miss
You, My Boy Buddy"
