Sunday April 12, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ====================================== From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 03:20:42 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb, we had been talking about trying just that - a shot of Neupogen a week. I'll ask the Oncologist what she thinks. I'm also wondering if she really even has the Plasma Cell Myoloma, as they diagnosed this just from the elevated protein levels, with a particular gammaglobulin spike. But with all the info that's been posted lately about the elevated protein levels, who knows? The Oncologist might suggest a bone marrow aspirate at this point to fond out. We'll have to weigh the risks and then make a decision. Will let you know. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 03:24:42 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) Re: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Greg, I agree with Barb. Apparently, there are two types of numbers that they give for the rbc and wbc. The lab my vet uses gives both, I think. If so, I'll try to find out what the equivalent is so we can measure apples with apples in comparison. They've also given me numbers like 3.4, etc. Let me see what I can find out. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 03:39:04 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: latest from Arnie Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Jean, We're pulling for you over here too. Love him all you can. You'll know what Arnie feels up to, he will guide you in this. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 03:53:37 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Jazz Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Leslie, I feel for you. Staying with Jazz through everything takes strength and courage. Jazz is now playing in the sunshine, chasing butterflies, and being a good guardian furangel and watching over you. Please know that you did everything you could, and did the best for your baby. Pam -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 04:01:13 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Questions Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I'm sorry, maybe I'm just tired, but are you saying there is also a problem with the Nutri-cal? If so, please clarify. Thanks. Pam -------------------------------------- From: "Steve Lackow" To: "FeLV Talk" Subject: Chloe's Website Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 21:58:16 -0700 Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi everybody. Chloe's website at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/6167/ has been updated with her whole life story and all her favorite Carpenters songs (especially for you Susan). Most of all, I added new stuff to the FELV Voice Of Experience section about the ways I've found so far that we can prolong the lives of our precious little ones, and retain the quality of the time left to be together. All of the stuff I did, with not insignificant help from you all, kept Chloe remarkably healthy until she barely had any rbcs left at all. If you cry, tough. I've been crying for a week. But we will go forward. Visitors are advised to bring their own cheesecake, as the Java applet I wrote to serve the cheesecake virtually is still malfunctioning and the stuff is getting caught in RAM it refuses to release, kind of like clogged computer arteries. Chloe much preferred cookies, anyway, particularly the crunchy crumbly type with oatmeal. But no peanut butter! BTW, speaking to all the talk of Oprah and publicity for FeLV and such, Chloe's site has had nearly a quarter million hits since October of last year, nearly all of them from catlovers in general. How about some of you getting up your own sites, to support the effort, and let's rally around Jim's site as the core of the new therapies and the caregivers and kitties using them. Take action yourself. I will be happy to help anyone with their FeLV website, including publicity. Also BTW, thank you Rena and Charlie for the inspiration. (To put it in terms you will understand, James... CHARGE! If we don't win it's a shame.) -- Steve -------------------------------------- From: Rdmacaulay Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 06:44:17 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Re: I'm new to the list too Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Naomi, Thanks for the info about your vet. As it so happens, we currently live in East Brunswick, so I do know the area you're talking about. As further luck would have it, we're looking into moving right into the area you're talking about (Somerset Mews on Route 27--hmmm...mews..kitties...any fated connection I wonder). If we do move, I would use that vet. Right now I've got my current vet looking into the medicines and being very cooperative and interested. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again! Rachel -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 10:55:39 +0200 From: Nina Organization: N/A To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: EPOGEN EXPERIENCE ANYONE? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy......... Prednisone has its side effects as you know: water retention to start with, then a gain in body mass (which is one of the reasons why I tried it ...my poor old girl was a bag of bones :(...)..but eventually its side effects may outweigh its plus points......do you have any comment on this? Thanks! Nina -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 10:59:20 +0200 From: Nina Organization: N/A To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Jazz Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Leslie...... thinking of you...so sorry...... Nina -------------------------------------- From: PUFFERINO Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 09:36:41 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: EPOGEN EXPERIENCE ANYONE? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Glenn, There is a Vet in the NYC area who has experience with ImmunoRegulan--but I don't know what other experience he has. I have his name at work--but what did to find him--is that I called the company which manufactures ImmunoRegulan and talked to their Sales Department--and asked who ordered from them. The Vets name might be Dr. Berman and he is on the east side of NYC--maybe Park Avenue Animal Hosp (?)--I will try to find more information for you on Monday--Regards, Joan -------------------------------------- From: Newtanator Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 12:57:45 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai's Friday progress report Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, The elevated protein levels, as far as I found out are present in two situations. one, according to MSU, vet school, when FIP is suspected. That is the protein in the blood. and Two, in extracellular fluid, that will be found when the lymph system is breaking down. If I find any more in my travels, I will let you know. But I sure would hate to see Rissa go thru any more Chemo if she doesn't really have it. Maybe the bone marrow test might be worth it, just to know, if you think she is up to it. barb -------------------------------------- From: DLMLLM Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 12:59:43 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Easter Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Just wanted to wish everyone a nice Easter. My husband Danny is doing much better but has a long way to go yet. I hope all your kitties are getting well. I still miss my Russian, and I sure wish I could help more on the felv. My vet has had a lot to read on these different treatments. She is learning. Linda In memory of Russian -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 08:46:32 -0600 Subject: Re: Chloe's Website To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi, Steve, What a great idea! Yes, we should all spread the word as much as possible. Chloe was such a character. A female orange tabby, too, how exotic--move over all the various incarnations of Morris. (Also I'm looking forward to those Carpenter medleys! My computer didn't pick up or "load"--whatever--the sound part-- loook I am trying to learn the cyber vocab, so don't laugh!) I want to put a file together for my vet and also for the animal shelter I will be volunteering at starting tomorrow. (Last week, I decided I wanted to do something in Ernie's memory, so volunteering at the no-kill shelter seemed like a good place to start.) The shelter proprieters practice holistic health care as much as they are able, and I've told them about our project--well at least the part of trying to find a cat who has tested negative then become positive. I think they will be interested in your special kitty tonic. I also really like the FeLV Risk Test on your site--I think it is very people friendly. Of course, it would need to be accompanied by an enlightened FeLV info sheet, so folks wouldn't panic. Naturally, I have an ulterior motive in volunteering--I have my eye on a little short-haired slate grey kitten who is a sweet little punkin. He's in quarantine right now because his brother died (both were abandoned) and he has a runny nose. I hope he does alright. I'll find out tomorrow. As I told my husband, eight is definitely not enough! Susan -------------------------------------- From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: Re: Questions Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 11:12:40 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Pam, While reading my newly purchased Anitra Frazier Natural Cat Book I found this : There is a variety of vitamin that comes in a tube and it contains Sodium Benzoate- which is dangerous, particularly to cats. I checked the Nutri-Cal tube for ingredients and found it listed, and so I posted this to the List, and threw out my unused portion. If there's a potential danger out there in our arsenal- I think we should be aware of it, that's why I suggested that we add this to the supplement page. Hope that Rissa-Tai continues to enjoy and improve, your last update was a welcome relief for you, Rissa-Tai, and US ! .marilyn. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 19:11:05 +0200 From: Nina Organization: N/A To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Easter Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Thank you....same to you from South Africa!!! Nina In memory of Blackie, Budgie and my other babies -------------------------------------- From: "Mandy Crerar" To: Subject: Some good news Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 19:31:14 +0200 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all I thought a bit of good news would be a good idea on this Easter Sunday. I am delighted to report that, for the moment, Titch is doing extremely well and was caught in the act of playing yesterday for the first time since he was diagnosed FeLV+ some weeks ago. He is eating raw "diet" mince, i.e. topside beef mince with reduced fat content. I know that raw meat (yukkk!) has its disadvantages (contaminents, etc.) but at least Titch is eating something and it seems to be doing him good. It is not possible to feed him from a syringe as he has an absolute syringe PHOBIA and has an absolute hissie fit if you try to administer anything into his mouth from a syringe. The stress that this causes him makes it not a viable option at all. The down side of this good news is the cost of Steve's efforts to prolong Titch's life. Not that one counts the cost - Steve would sell his soul if this were necessary - but it really is a blight on the vet services in this country that Steve's efforts have, thus far, cost almost R4000. You shouldn't be placed in a situation where you have to mortgage your house in order to pursue an alternative to euthenasia which is the only route recommended by most vets in this country. I would be interested to hear from Nina if she has had a different experience - the drugs are hard to get, hideously expensive (over R700 for Interferon, for example), the tests take forever to get the results and are also terribly expensive. We are obviously living in a feline health care backwater and it is about time viable options were available for people with FeLV+ cats other than a needle full of green fluid! For now, however, Titch is almost himself, eating mince and Iams, and putting on a bit of weight, playing with his peacock feather and purring at every opportunity. Steve knows this may not last but is enjoying every moment. To everyone who has lost Precious Children this recent while, may I offer these words of comfort from the Angels home page :- Sunrises and rainbows are all very lovely, thought the angel. But there is nothing quite so beautiful As a heart that truly cares. Bye for now MANDY -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 19:41:33 +0200 From: Nina Organization: N/A To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Some good news Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Mandy...so glad to hear he is better...... We all live from day to day and a kittie that plays is truly a wonderfull sight. I have had the same experience regarding high vet's costs until I discovered a vet about 45 kms from here (in Fourways)...suddenly my cats eat, I am not being financially ruined, and my husband is speaking to me again. Mandy, my tel no. is (012 - that is for Pretoria) 333 9399 (home) and 999 4776 (office). I have also found very good information regarding Hypoxin and I think that things may be looking up for a change. Much love Nina -------------------------------------- From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: Re: Easter Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 14:56:47 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Happy Holidays to All, "Each friend represents a world in us, A world possibly not born until they arrive, And it is only by this meeting that a new world is born"........Anais Nin In memory of Ariya Yin .marilyn. -------------------------------------- From: "Jean Wells" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Arnie on Sunday Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 13:14:57 PDT Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Good news from here also! Arnie is siting up, grooming, purring, talking and EATING!!!! not much, ok, but on his own!!!!! I'm pretty excited! (aside to Titch's mom...I can't use a syringe for Arnie either, so I dip my finger in the goop (he's on A/D and chicken baby food) and rub the food off under his upper lip or into his cheek. Pretty labor intensive, but it seems to work. Or just smear it onto the upper lip and he can't help but lick it off just by reflex. It takes FOR-EVER to get even a spoonful into him, but then, we do what we must for them anyway.) Many thanks to all who wrote. I've printed off all the messages and showed them to him and told him he had to get well, too many folks were pulling for him. I have to take him in tomorrow for the vet to check over, but at this point instead of being terrified of what she'll say as I was yesterday, I'm really hopeful he can come back home and get out of the cage ...which is his primary interest right now. jean Jean Wells wellsj@winthrop.edu Rock Hill, SC maryjean77@hotmail.com http://www.shack.org/wellsj/mostcats.htm I want cheesecake and I want it NOW! -------------------------------------- Date sent: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 22:28:01 +0200 From: Nina Organization: N/A To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Arnie on Sunday Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Jean so very very very very glad Tell Arnie someone in Africa is pulling for him........ Nina -------------------------------------- END