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> Abbygayle's Cancer
moon_beam
post Dec 11 2009, 01:18 PM
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To my friends here at Lightning-Strike, I had posted about Abbygayle when I wrote about my Oslo going home to the angels on December 7 - - the first week anniversary of his journey. My beautiful 6-year old kitty daughter was diagnosed with non-vaccine related Fribrosarcoma on her left rear hip in July. She had her first surgery on July 15. Her second surgery was September 27. Yesterday, December 10, she had her third surgery. Each time the tumor returns it is more aggressive than before. The vet and I talked about amputating her leg with each surgery. Yesterday the vet did a consult with one of the other vets in the practice about this and they both came to the conclusion that it would not be advantageous. The cancer is spreading toward her spine. So far her lower leg and foot are not showing any signs of involvement, so to amputate her leg would only maime her. Once the cancer goes into her bones and joints there is only one thing that can be done for her. The vet wants to set up monthly examinations in the hopes that she can catch the tumor before it gets too big. She said this tumor was almost as large as the first one, but understands how difficult it was to determine that until she got Abbygayle sedated and prepped for surgery. I, for one, am thankful for the monthly check ups at this point. It has been Abbygayle's kitty brother, Noah, who has alerted me when she needs to go back to the vet when he starts sniffing at her hip. Abbygayle has become very protective of her left hip and leg, and will not let me do a good examination of it anymore.
Needless to say this is really hard to deal with on top of losing my precious Oslo over the Thanksgiving holiday. I ask each of you to please keep my precious Abbygayle in your thoughts and prayers, and to put a word in for me as well if possible.
I feel very connected to all of you, and will keep you posted as to how my baby girl does. She has a drain in her hip this time around which comes out next Wednesday, December 16, with the stitches coming out the following Monday, December 21. Please believe when I say your support and encouragement is deeply and most sincerely appreciated.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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janika
post Dec 11 2009, 03:03 PM
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Group: Pet Lovers
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Moon-beam

I'm sending my love and prayers for you and your precious Abbygale.
You have been through so much, stay strong for your Abbygale. I know you will.

Hugs
Jan xx
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Brutus
post Dec 11 2009, 08:22 PM
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Sending prayers and good thoughts for you and Abbygayle.

Hugs


--------------------
****Sonya****

In loving memory of my soulmate, Brutus...never forgotten, always missed.

Brutus Midnight Gunsmoke
Black Lab and best friend
11-22-96 to 11-16-09
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AngelCareOne
post Dec 11 2009, 10:15 PM
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QUOTE (moon_beam @ Dec 11 2009, 01:18 PM) *
To my friends here at Lightning-Strike, I had posted about Abbygayle when I wrote about my Oslo going home to the angels on December 7 - - the first week anniversary of his journey. My beautiful 6-year old kitty daughter was diagnosed with non-vaccine related Fribrosarcoma on her left rear hip in July. She had her first surgery on July 15. Her second surgery was September 27. Yesterday, December 10, she had her third surgery. Each time the tumor returns it is more aggressive than before. The vet and I talked about amputating her leg with each surgery. Yesterday the vet did a consult with one of the other vets in the practice about this and they both came to the conclusion that it would not be advantageous. The cancer is spreading toward her spine. So far her lower leg and foot are not showing any signs of involvement, so to amputate her leg would only maim her. Once the cancer goes into her bones and joints there is only one thing that can be done for her.

The vet wants to set up monthly examinations in the hopes that she can catch the tumor before it gets too big. She said this tumor was almost as large as the first one, but understands how difficult it was to determine that until she got Abbygayle sedated and prepped for surgery. I, for one, am thankful for the monthly check ups at this point. It has been Abbygayle's kitty brother, Noah, who has alerted me when she needs to go back to the vet when he starts sniffing at her hip. Abbygayle has become very protective of her left hip and leg, and will not let me do a good examination of it anymore.

Needless to say this is really hard to deal with on top of losing my precious Oslo over the Thanksgiving holiday. I ask each of you to please keep my precious Abbygayle in your thoughts and prayers, and to put a word in for me as well if possible.

I feel very connected to all of you, and will keep you posted as to how my baby girl does. She has a drain in her hip this time around which comes out next Wednesday, December 16, with the stitches coming out the following Monday, December 21. Please believe when I say your support and encouragement is deeply and most sincerely appreciated.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dearest Moon Beam,

You and your precious 6 year old kitty daughter Abbygayle have both been through so much especially with the passing of your Angel Fur Kid Oslo. I am so sorry. Please know that all of you are in my daily thoughts and prayers. Winging many loving Angels your way.

Of course, we'll be lighting candles, too.



Many Comforting Hugs to you, your Fur Baby Abbygayle and Angel Fur Kid Oslo!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox
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moon_beam
post Dec 12 2009, 10:43 AM
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Dear Jan, Brutus, and Dottie, thank you so o o much for your thoughtful comforting encouragement. Please know each of you are in my thoughts and prayers as well. I will keep you posted as to how things go. It is comforting to me to know that I have your support and encouragement.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam



--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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moon_beam
post Dec 20 2009, 02:55 PM
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To my Lightning Strike friends, just want you to know that Abbygayle got the drain out on Monday, December 16. This has not been an easy recovery for her this time around, but she is doing better now since the drain was removed. Her appetite is coming back, thank goodness. I was getting worried that an infection was setting in or that the cancer had begun to metastasize. She is supposed to get her stitches out tomorrow. We got hit really hard with the snow storm that came through Southwestern and South Central Virginia, so I'm hoping the roads will be travel friendly tomorrow to get her to the vet after I get home from work. I thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted as to how things go. I can't do this without your support.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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janika
post Dec 20 2009, 03:13 PM
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Group: Pet Lovers
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Hope all goes well tomorrow, aand that you manage to get to the vets ok. I will be thinking of you and Abbygayle and sending prayers.
Love and hugs
Jan xx
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moon_beam
post Feb 7 2010, 08:46 AM
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My dear friends,
It has been a very long winter here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We got a huge snowfall on December 18 which took about a month to finally disappear, and then we have had snow events for the last three weekends - - all of which have needed major shoveling. Between that and work and taking care of my kitty kids, it's been awhile since I've had a chance to let you know how my beautiful kitty daughter Abbygayle is doing. When she went in for her post-December surgical check up on January 18 everything was "fine" - - no new tumors. However, that has changed. There are now about three new tumor nodules surfacing. I'm having a really hard time reconciling putting her through anymore surgery, but if I don't those tumors will just grow - - I mean to a HUGE mass, and I just don't know if that's any better for her. I will of course take her into the vet although I'm not sure when traveling will allow that since we're supposed to get some more snow this week. The problem traveling to the vet is the two lane twisty curvey mountain country road. It's known as the "death road" among the local insurance providers under the best of road conditions. I'm very worried though that she has met her emotional stamina for surgery. It's major surgery every time, and it's always been about 8 to 10 weeks between surgeries. I'm sort of at a loss to know what to do for her -- what is best for her. If you have any suggestions, recommedations, experiences with Fibrosarcoma - - I would be honored to have your insights.

Thank you so much for keeping my precious baby girl in your thoughts and prayers. Please know each of you are in mine.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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moon_beam
post Feb 17 2010, 05:20 PM
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Dear Friends,
Just a quick update on how Abbygayle is doing. Two weeks ago new tumor nodules started surfacing. Because of the harsh winter weather we have had here in Virginia I have not had a chance to get her to the vet. I have an appointment for her tomorrow morning for an evaluation. There will be no more surgeries. This evaluation is strictly to let me know the status of her condition and to get information about what I need to look for to keep her pain free. I think the cancer is now going into her lymph system because of subtle behaviors she's showing - - taking a little longer to get settled into a comfortable position, appetite not quite as good as it has been, etc.. I have done everything for her that I know how to do, and the vet has tried everything she knows how to do. I have started talking to my baby girl about going home to the angels and not to be afraid, and reassuring ther that I will not let her be in pain. I am so not looking forward to this. She is my baby girll, my precious cuddles girl. But it seems that our Heavenly Father Creator wants her back with Him, and it's up to me to make sure that her journey home to Him is comfortable and peaceful.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and I'll let you know how the appointment goes tomorrow. Please know each of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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moon_beam
post Feb 18 2010, 06:27 PM
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Dear Friends,
Abbygayle had her examination today with the vet regarding the new tumor nodules. The vet agrees that no more surgery can be done for Abbygayle. The skin in her hip region has met its limit in its ability to hold an incision and heal. And it was obvious to the vet as well as to me from Abbygayle's reactions that her leg is more tender to the touch. So, we talked about pain management and she gave her a feline form of an NSAID for pain / discomfort, and an opiate for pain. The NSAID dose cannot be increased as the cancer progresses, but the opiate can be increased to help maintain quality of life until it's time to send her home to the angels. She told me that the tumors should not ulcerate as they enlarge, which is a relief to me because I know they can become quite huge - - that's what happened last July when the small knobby thing on her hip exploded in growth. It was the size of a softball on her hip -- I kid you not - - by the time I was able to get her to the vet. I asked the vet if she still wanted to see her once a month. At first she was hesitant but then she agreed it would be helpful for me to have her keep an eye on things to see how Abbygayle is doing and what the tumors are doing. She could not feel any enlargement of the lymph nodes in her groin area, but she said that did not mean that some lymph node involvement isn't there - - it just means that she couldn't feel anything at this time. So, our journey together on this side of eternity is becoming more limited now.
I just wanted to let you know how things went today. Abbygayle is resting comfortably. She has had her dinner. And that's another thing - - her appetite is beginning to slow down. As of 2 weeks ago she would very enthusiastically bury herself in her food and not come up for air until the last morsel was chewed and swallowed. Now I am needing to give her encouragement to finish her meals.
I thank each of you for keeping up on what's going on with us, and for keeping my Abbygayle and her brother, Noah, in your thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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