I Am Doing Much Better Reading Your Blog, Not so happy new year Options

[Cheri]

My beautiful Diego left this earthly world Saturday December 31st. It was such a lousy way to start the new year..

He was 13 years old and my baby boy. Doing well until I left him to go home to Washington State for the family Christmas .
Diego has his sister,Sandy, same age, sister from another mother, and the 3 year Boomer, just a nuisance to him, but tolerable.
Last October, after many bouts of vomiting, an ultrasound showed a mass in Diego's intestine, most likely cancer and at his age nothing could be done so he was sent home to live out maybe the couple weeks he had left.
He was put on prednisolone which made him feel great and kept his life extended, along with a miracle from God, he lived 14 months beyond the vets expectations!!!
About two months ago he was diagnosed with diabetes and this too did not affect his happy outlook. He never noticed the daily injection I would give him. In fact it hurt me more than it ever hurt him, I even poked my finger and made it bleed, he never lost a drop of blood from the shot. he was still doing well, but I never stopped worrying about that inevitable day to come.
So when we left for five days to go home for Christmas, I got a house sitter who loves animals and is going to school to be a para medic. She thought caring for Diego and his special needs was right up her alley. I left him and Sandy and Boomer in safe hands, but still I worried it could be his last Christmas. . We talked to the sitter everyday and was assured everyone was good, so I was not worried, what could I do anyway.
When we returned, he was not waiting to greet us as usual and when he did come down the stairs, I could see he was taking cautious steps. Still he ate and drank and used the litter box that day, but didn't want much attention. The next day he ate, but less than usual and I thought he walked funny. As I petted him, the stomach felt very extended so I weighed him and found he had gained a pound in one week. That is a huge amount for a cat, especially a senior cat! So, I called my vet and when she came over that night we removed almost 4ounces of fluid from his belly. After taking blood to check for tests, he received an iv for dehydration and seemed comfortable enough to sleep the rest of the night, although I did not!
Next morning he ate, but some of the fluid obviously returned and the tests on the blood showed nothing much and the fluid left nothing remarkable..So we got an ultrasound done at our home the

next day, Saturday the 31st and the results showed the mass, that d--n mass had grown and spread to the lymph nodes And surrounding tissue. The ultra sound techs left just saying how sorry they were. My vet then talked to a couple specialists, but she told me what I already knew.... There was nothing we could do. I asked her to tell me what to do and she helped me make the decision to help Diego go on to the next world. We said our long goodbyes, my adult daughter, her boyfriend, my wonderful home vet and me. He then laid on my chest in a chair as he was first given a sedative to sleep, before the final painless last injection. He could hear every word I said to him up until his last breath and he knew how loved and adored he was. In the end Diego died peacefully, beautifully, and in my arms.
I am glad I was there and he was home and he was comfortable.
If I had to loose him, I at least wanted it to be as comforting as possible.
I have no regrets for I had him much longer than expected.
This site has given me much hope to know one day I will get past the pain. I will read all the stories everyday and grow stronger with words of comfort from those who know exactly what I am going through. Everyday gets better.
If I ever find someone who needs the same support, this is the first place I will send them , for I am doing as well as I am in part, because of the kind words I have read here.
I love my brave Diego, I miss you so very very much, but you will never be forgotten, never.
All my love,
See you again some day