Thursday, January 04, 2007

Maxx update

Well, I'll get right to the bottom line. I've spent the last two days consulting with Maxx's current and new oncologists, as well as the two excellent general care veterinarians who have been treating him for the past year and a half.

The consensus of everyone is that the experimental treatment isn't appropriate for Maxx. The treatment is best for small tumors that are localized, and no bigger than 5 centimeters. Maxx's tumor is too big, to spread out, and involves too much tissue. The new oncologist would have taken a more traditional approach, using radiation combined with chemotherapy mainly as a palliative measure. Both oncologists agree that radiation in Maxx's case would probably be either debilitating or fatal.

He was very clear. In the best cases, cats with this cancer, who have the very best chance, only have a 30% survival rate at one year. Maxx's cancer is very advanced. When he was in the hospital last week, the emergency vet did xrays of his skull- it showed that the tumor has gone into his throat, and has done significant damage to his jaw bone.

We could attempt to try these measures, but they would likely destroy what's left of his quality of life. The radiation would probably result in him getting a feeding tube. For cancer in the jaw, vets frequently remove a portion of the jaw, which not only disfigures the cat, but can cause significant other side effects. And the survival rate is only about 40%.

There just aren't any good options left for him at this point. After a lot of soul searching, I've decided not to subject Maxx to a lot of painful treatments that have little chance of helping him.

He deserves to spend the rest of his life in dignity and comfort, eating delicious paté and playing with delightful toys. And that's what he's going to do.

I know the community would like there to be a miracle for him and in some way I feel like I'm letting you down. But I have to do what's right for my beloved boy. Condemning him to spending his last months to a regime of feeding tubes and painful treatments just doesn't seem like the right thing.

For today, we've switched him over to a fentanyl patch so that his pain relief will be constant. It seems to be making him feel rather frisky, which is a nice side effect. In any event, he's been eating fairly well the past couple days, which is a very good thing.

I want to thank everyone again for all of the love and support you've given to Maxx and me over the past several months. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done without you.

41 comments:

ThePoliticalCat said...

4LG, don't ever worry about letting anyone down but Maxx and yourself. You did the best you could for the darling boy. You're still doing the best possible thing. He should not suffer for anyone else's ideas of what his life should be like. I'm glad he's eating and playing. Love and peace to you both.

Anonymous said...

What politicalcat said.

Think of his life and yours if you two hadn't found each other. It's true: Better than to have loved and lost...
and that includes pets.

Love to you both.

Interrobang said...

Oh, FLG, I'm so sorry. :( Please pet Maxx for me. I hope for both of your sakes that his last days are as nice as can be...

Anonymous said...

i completely support your decision.

and of course you can't let us down because you're there for your maxx. what else is there?

how can we be of help? fentanyl patches can't be cheap.

let us know.

have courage, and give him a sweet kiss and gentle tickle.
taboo & whaleshaman

Anonymous said...

You have to do what's right for him.

Let him enjoy the time he has left.

Anonymous said...

fourlegs,

You haven't let anybody down. You've done your level best by Maxx, you've checked every conceivable option, and you are a compassionate soul. Enjoy your time with him.

Anonymous said...

FLG and the rest of the Worshipping Maxx Congregation...
I am so sorry to hear that the cancer is so advanced and not really negotiable. Dear Plush-loving Centaur, I send you supportive hugs and applaud your proceeding with palliative care for Maxx. Quality of life is so important, for both of you. I support you from my distance, although I was a crying mess a couple of moments ago. The upside is, when Maxx changes planes of existence, you know our dear departed Xristi will be taking care of him for you. Gawd, now I am bawling again...
Blessings to you and skritches and nip galore to Maxx. And thank you for sharing the news with us.
Big hugs,
Elspeth Ravenwind

Anonymous said...

4LG: a little gentle hug for Maxx kitty. What you have done for each other is the miracle we love.

ntodd said...

You rescued our Maxx, gave him love and a safe, happy home, and we are all blessed. Peace to you both.

Anonymous said...

You are doing the right thing. Maxx has brought a lot of joy to all of us in his short life. I understand last week's vet bill is covered, but I will still send a small donation to keep him good and stoned.

four legs good said...

how can we be of help? fentanyl patches can't be cheap.

Not to worry, everyone's help last week was more than enogh to keep him in fentanyl patches and paté.

Anonymous said...

What everyone has told you, 4LG. It's the hardest thing in the world to let go, but sometimes it's the most loving thing you can do. Remember how much happiness has been generated in his short time with you. Peace.

-mena

Plum Pudding said...

Enjoy the time you have left with him, plushynurse. And take care of yourself.

Anonymous said...

Ah, 4lg. Oh, Maxx.
But there has already been a miracle. You have so unfailingly and unfalteringly loved each other. You have so freely shared that love with all of us. May your days together continue in peace and joy and companionability.
----The Other Sarah

Anonymous said...

You're not letting anybody down, you're doing what's best for your friend. This will be harder on you than him or anyone else.

Peace to you both. Maxx had a good life with you.

Soprano said...

Dear 4lg,
You are right to take the approach you are taking. That Maxx will live the remainder of his life happy with you and as pain free and dignified as possible is a miracle in itself. You have been so generous to share Maxx with us; we are grateful to you for all the plushy goodness. When Maxx rejoins the universal cat consciousness, my Jude will be there to show him the ropes.
Head scritchies and many pats to Maxx. Hugs to you, dear 4lg. Love and peace to you both.
Corragio!

Donna Marie said...

What Ntodd said. Yes, we have been truly blessed to experience the loving relationship between you and sweet Maxx.

Anonymous said...

Maxx has been blessed to be in the care of such a generous heart as yours.

-mnkid

Anonymous said...

Your heart knows what is best, Centaur.

{{{flg&lkm -- and this caring comunity}}}

Anonymous said...

Peace and hugs (tears, too) to you both. 4lg, you are doing your absolute best for Mr. Plushy, and angels can do no better. If there were any way that good will and prayers could fix this, surely this loving community would have done so. How odd that my heart is breaking and yet full of joy at the love between a centaur and a lion kitty. Namaste.

-- spayvet

Anonymous said...

You are doing the right thing. Peace to you and Maxx.

Sandy-LA 90034 said...

I love the idea that Soprano's Jude and my Keiki-pie and Ramses will be on the other side of cat consciousness to gently bring Lion Kitty Maxx through his transition. It's a soothing notion and gives me a bit of peace for my beloved boys too.

You're absolutely doing the right thing. Do not feel you've let anyone down. I feel very privileged to have been part of this community of "lovers of Lion Kitty Maxx (and Four Legs, too). What a special time we've had with Mr. Plushykins. You're an extraordinary caretaker and you've blessed us with your beautiful images of the Lion Kitty.

Peace, love and abundant and delicious pate for our boy. Scritches and gentle hugs, too.

CyFlorist said...

It's a wonderful thing to witness the love that Maxx inspires. May your time with him be happy and blessed, 4Legs.

Peace,
Phoebe

Anonymous said...

All we can do is love our furry friends and try to keep them happy. Maxx was fortunate to have found you and experience many wonderful times. Thank you for sharing him with us, what a majestic kitty he is. I wish things were different, scritch tummy for me.

Anonymous said...

Of course we hoped for a miracle. But being experienced people, we know that's not likely.

There's no way you could let your community down, Four Legs, because we know you and trust your judgement.

We know you are doing what's best for the Lion Kitty. You have our love and sympathy.

Anonymous said...

good decision.tough but right. when my baby otis was 19 after 5 years of receiving two insulin shots a day(developed diabetes from a steroid shot after being bit by a recluse spider.), he went into shock. we spent close to $2grand in just three days from hell before i could convince my wife , we had to let him go. my heart is with you. hug him for me.
mestizo

Anonymous said...

Strength and love to you both.

9toed nihilist

Anonymous said...

Patches and Pate' for the gorgeous little guy! And wishing you the best during this time.

--KathyM

Anonymous said...

Patches and Pate' for the gorgeous little guy! And wishing you the best during this time.

--KathyM

four legs good said...

Thanks mestizo.

Sometimes you have to do what's right for them, not what's right for you.

Moonbootica said...

my thoughts are with you and your beloved Maxx.

Anonymous said...

Hospice care is one of the most caring and loving movements within the medical world.... it is exactly the right thing to give Maxx. You're doing the right thing, 4Legs. Hugs and scritches to both of you.

zoe said...

Love to you and Maxxxxx. You are fortunate to have found one another.Enjoy each moment together.

Anonymous said...

Remember, existence is now. If there's anything life has taught me, it's that time is all too fleeting. One cannot waste it with things out of our control. Just enjoy each other as long as possible, and keep that dear boy as happy as you can. In all things, love remains transcendent.

Peace to you both.

Anonymous said...

Dear 4LG, as an infrequent poster (but constant lurker) at Eschaton, I would like to thank you and Lion Kitty Maxx for sharing part of your life with us.

You are doing the best for your friend.

It's what we sign on for, when we love them and take them in, but you already knew that. I know how much it hurts.

I also believe that there is only Now! in cat-think.

We wish Mr. Plushy and you a super-wonderful Now!

GW and Ganesh Bengal Cat

dave said...

Good for you, man. There's only so much medical science can do and there's a point where it's counterproductive.

Keep Maxx happy and comfortable and who knows? There are plenty of cats, as well as people, who live for years after being told they've got just six months.

Eli said...

Argh. I am so, so sorry. I really wish there were some way to cure the poor blighter, but I agree, there's no point putting him through that kind of pain and indignity for no good reason.

Anonymous said...

Dear 4LGS, peace be with you and Maxx. He's a beautiful soul, a counterpart to your own.

Hellkitty

watertiger said...

Ach, I just saw this. I'm so, so sorry, 4LG.

You're doing the right thing. Cats don't understand chemotherapy, don't understand that their pain is "for their good." Most of the time, owners go through all these medical contortions for their own peace of mind, not for their pets'.

You're not letting any of us down. We've had a wonderful time getting to know you and Maxx; nothing can make that go away. Ever.

(((((((4LG and Maxx))))))))

Anonymous said...

You have made the most loving and selfless decision for Maxx. He is very blessed to have someone who not only loves him dearly but also understands that his quality of life matters. Hang in there, I know this is a hard time.

Anonymous said...

from me and all the critters that live here ...peace and warmth to you and plushman, sittenpretty