Thursday May 21, 1998 Part 1 20 Messages ====================================== Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 00:45:55 +0000 From: LawBet Subject: Address To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Organization: Home for Wayward Felines Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net To all, Since I have such a terrible memory, I have to ask if all those who sent me a private e-mail asking for the address to send contributions to have received an answer. I think I've sent an answer to all who've asked but this old soldier has a heck of a time remembering things that are non-military. Just my upbringing I guess, so please bear with me. Larry The Lurker (again) (I'm having a regression attack) P.S. Welcome to all the newcomers. You'll notice I don't say much. I leave that to the experts. Old soldiers never die, they just sit back, observe, and tell everybody else what they're doing wrong. :-) -------------------------------------- From: WORKPARK Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 03:13:16 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Copies to: phaedrus@npwt.net Subject: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, I haven't been posting too much to the list lately since Rissa-Tai's abcess because she seemed to be improving. Last Friday when we went to the vet, she had maintained at the 7 lbs. she had finally gotten up to again, her wbc had gone from 6000 to 6800, her lymphocytes had doubled, and her neutraphils had also gone up. Her pcv sad stayed at 18%. Her rbc had gone from 3.0 to 3.2, and she was still testing Negative for Hemobart. I asked about her IFA rating from January, and unfortunately, the results only came back stating "positive", and had no numbers to go along with it. I decided at that point that since she had been doing okay, and the vet had seen the DepoMedrol (an injectable steroid that can be used instead of Prednisone) last for up to twelve weeks that we would wait another two weeks unless there was a problem, and try to wean her off of it. The vet said we could definately try that. So, we went home thinking pretty positive. She has been getting her Immunoregulin injections once every two weeks, the Depo injection once every two weeks, Interferon every third day, and Pet-Tinic twice a day, as well as Prozyme mixed in her food. However, the last couple of days haven't been so good. Sunday evening, I just got a feeling that things weren't right. By Monday, we were asking if she was ok, since she wasn't eating much and was kind of lethargic. I left a message for the vet that night. They called back yesterday, and because they were short-staffed, they were unable to get her in until today. She had lost two ounces since Friday, and the Oncologist we consult with said to definately go back on the Depo immediately and that we should do a Superchem, cbc. The vet called tonight with the results: Her pcv has gone down to 12% and her rbc went down to 2.1, but she is still testing negative for Hemobart (thank God - it took almost 1 1/2 months to get rid of it last time) although she could get it again. Her wbc went down to 4600. On the chem panel, the values are similar to the original bloodwork taken in January. her globulin traction is lower, but her bilirubin levels are up again. I'm worried that the Plasma Cell Myoloma is back, and we thought we'd beaten that :( All the results are being faxed to the Oncologist, and I'm calling her tomorrow to see what she says to do now. The only good thing to happen in all this today is that as soon as we returned after her Depo shot that she went straight to the food bowl, and has been eating better ever since. Her energy level since then has greatly improved over yesterday as well. However, I feel horrible, and although Chuck (my husband) says it isn't my fault, I feel like the decision I made concerning the Depo on Friday was absolutely wrong and that's why she has had such a setback. I know in my head that I was trying to do what was best for her by cutting back on the steroid, but in my heart, I feel that what's happening now is my fault. I hope and pray that she can pull out of this once again. I hate this disease with all my heart and soul. Pam And although I'm not a huge fan of cheesecake, where the heck is it???? -------------------------------------- From: "zimmerman" To: Subject: Dr. Lies Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 03:11:51 -0400 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Sorry for the confusion, Dr. Lies that I referred to is the author of "Volume of Opinion Warrants Merit" . It's one of the links on the treatments page under ImmunoRegulin. Beth -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 09:05:03 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Re: Introductions... Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Melanie, I just want to say welcome to the list also and I'll just put my 2 cents in about the dilated pupil. This is from experience only but I have had several cats with dilated pupils who have lived years after the pupil first began to dilate. My vet told me she doesn't know why it happens, it just appears to be a common occurrance in positive cats. In one case, John was 6 months old when I first noticed his pupils and he lived 8 years after that and died last October of a tumor in his bowels. Machka came here 6 years ago and I first saw that her pupil was dilated and wouldn't go back down about 3 years ago. Then it did constrict and has been constricted now for the past 2 1/2 years. My vet said leave it alone - I don't think she can see well out of that eye but it isn't infected and it doesn't seem to cause her any pain at all. I'm not saying that when you notice this happening in your cat, your should just ignore it but I think it doesn't just automatically mean the cat has a brain tumor or something. I know some people have had serious problems with their cats after they saw the eye dilation but I hope that isn't going to be the case with Max. Again, welcome! Judy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 09:30:30 +0100 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Even before I read Angela's post, I was going to say the same thing! Please don't beat yourself up about it. Although I know how easy it is to do. My husband always says, after I've lost a cat, "Why do you take every loss as a personal defeat? You did all you could with what you had." I know I did but they are so helpless and they do depend on us and I always feel I've let them down. I always go over everything in my head and say "Maybe I should have done that" or "Why didn't I do this?" But you know, Pam, you ARE doing so much for Rissa-Tai. I can't see where you could do more! You are a wonderful Mom to her. Keep your chin up! Judy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 06:07:43 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Angela Holderby Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net PLEASE don't beat yourself up for decisions you have made! I look at all the things you are doing for your cat and feel like I am doing a poor job of taking care of Lefty because he has not has most of the tests you talk about--I just can't afford it. I think you are doing a wonderful job of taking care of Rissa-Tai. No matter what happens, you have gone to incredible lengths to make sure she has every chance at a decent quality of life. We all make decisions that don't turn out perfect, but that doesn't mean it is your fault--it just means that sometimes things go wrong--despite our best efforts. I don't have any great advice on her treatment and don't understand most of what you said about her test results, but I do see your love for her and can tell that you have made the best choices possible to give her a fighting chance. Don't think 'what if'...just concentrate on positive thoughts for 'what now'. Angela. (and Poncho & Lefty) -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 07:10:06 -0600 Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Angela put this so well: We all fight or have fought hard against this disease. Ironically, the harder we fight, the more many of us feel like failures when we don't get the results we want. Unfortunately this is one of the effects of taking responsibility--of actually getting involved in helping our health care providers make decisions. I think we all need to recognize that a decision not stand helplessly on the sidelines can have these emotional consequences. In my case & I suspect many others, the guilt also stems from the beloved animal's seeming helplessness in the face of this awful disease. We want to stop the hurt, and many of the treatments seem to add to the pain. I keep trying to keep in mind Larry's comment about 20/20 hindsight.... It is especially hard, Pam, when treatments are new to the vet, too, and he/she is basically trying something we suggest. This said, Rissa-Tai's appetite is a very good sign. She must be feeling better. Keep the faith, Pam. You're in my thoughts. Susan -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 08:08:40 -0600 Subject: Melanie & Maxwell To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Melanie, Thank you for your kind thoughts concerning Ernie. Did you read Greg Sherrows' post on unequal dilation (just posted re Barb & Ninja before your intro). As you might have gathered by now, many cats w/ late-stage felv have this symptom; however, Greg is using some holistic treatments which may improve quality of life. That roller coaster you spoke of is also something we're all familiar with. Try to enjoy those good times and not dwell on what could happen tomorrow... It sounds like your vet is doing some good things for Maxwell; Is he off the appetite stimulant (a steroid also?) now? Has your vet considered using any of the newer treatments for felv? I'm sure others will give you more info on this topic. Let me know if you'd like me to forward Greg's post. Since it's a very long post, I'll send it to your private e-mail address (please include that address; my from line doesn't give me that info). Best, Susan katseven@pcsia.com -------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 14:32:00 From: Jennifer Pelland To: Subject: Re: [Re: Welcome Jennifer - Interferon Info] Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net This is part of my quandry with the interferon--my cat is currently healthy, but my other two were healthy until something snuck up on them very suddenly. Tisiphone got a lymphoma in her chest that appeared very quickly, responded to chemo for a month, then reappeared. Alecto's anemia appeared without warning, and we had to put her to sleep a few days after the problem appeared because there was no treatment for her particular cancer and she was very clearly suffering. If Megaera's illness progresses like her sisters' did, then she'll be healthy as a horse until the day that something really nasty appears. We'd like to prevent something nasty from appearing as long as we can. Of course, she may go the way of many other FeLV+ cats and start having less catastrophic, more drawn-out health problems, in which case, interferon could have a more tangible effect on her health. Anyhow, I'll see if the link for interferon is working today. I went to the list page yesterday, clicked on it, and got nothing but errors. I'd like to see what the negative effects of the drug are before talking to my vet. Thanks everyone, Jennifer -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 10:25:45 -0500 (CDT) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Copies to: phaedrus@npwt.net Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Pam, I'm sorry to hear Rissa-Tai had a setback, but it WASN't your fault! You have no idea how I have beating myself about Panther--that almost every decision I made regarding his care was wrong. But I keep trying to tell myself that hindsight is 20-20. When you made that decision for Rissa-Tai, it was the right one based on what you knew at the time. Only now that you are aware of the outcome, you think you made the wrong decision--you didn't know that outcome back on Friday. PLease, don't blame yourself. I know it's hard not to. I am still struggling with my guilt. But, believe me, everything we do for our furbabies is out of love and we try our best--that's all we can do. We're only human. Hopefully, Rissa-Tai is on her way back now that she's had her shot. Take care, Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 11:37:40 -0400 (EDT) From: Kat To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: [Re: Welcome Jennifer - Names] Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Jennifer, Welcome! You have some very unique names for your 3 kitties - where do the names come from?? Kat -------------------------------------- Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 12:14:28 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Angela Holderby Subject: To Nancy: Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy: I just have to say that it is so very sweet of you to be giving words of encouragement to others when your pain is so recent. And, I sincerely hope you can take your own advice and know that you did EVERYTHING possible for Panther. I don't think anybody could find any fault with the care you gave him. I am sure I speak for many on this list when I say that we were as concerned for you as we were for Panther. You worked around the clock to do all you could for him. I know that counts for something. I am also one who very critical of my own decisions. One of the realities of dealing with this dreadful disease is that we have to live with the constant stress of knowing that at any moment some nasty symptom will jump up and grab our babies and we must make decisions about how to deal with them. We don't need the added pressure of worrying about whether it was the wrong decision. I think the fact that we are all here, sharing, encouraging and advising each other proves that none of us would do anything harmful to our kitties. There is enough misery to this process without having to add guilt to the potpourri of emotions we experience. I think you have all done a great job and through your diligence and dedication, I have learned so much that will benefit Poncho and Lefty. We thank you for sharing your ups and downs and letting us benefit from your decisions. Angela. (and Poncho & Lefty) -------------------------------------- From: "Moermond, Barbara" To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: To Nancy: Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 11:55:49 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, Angela is right. This is hard enough without second guessing ourselves and our choices for our babies. This group of people is so wonderful and caring I can hardly believe it. Before I knew about Ninja's FeLV+ status, her seizures had accelerated and on April 25th, the 1st time she had 5 seizures in one day, I was ready to put her to sleep and I was devastated because I didn't see any options for my baby. She didn't eat, drink, sleep, or bathe for 2 days. Then my 2nd vet was rude to me (she said she could euthanize Ninja if I couldn't handle watching the seizures - I quote) and that was the day we found out about the leukemia. I also spoke with a neurologist at the UW-Vet School and she was very helpful. I did a lot of research and found this list. Ninja is now on Prednisone - we started a taper using 1.25 mg, but when it got to the every other day, she ended up having six seizures, so we have her on 2.5mg b.i.d. x3 days and then once a day and then back to the 1.25mg. We are also using Interferon; she starts her 2nd week on on Saturday. Her first week on Interferon she was on 1.25mg pred daily and she had a great week; playing, talking, purring as loud as her little motor would go. I also have a great new vet who called to check on how Ninja was doing. (I spoke with her about the pred dosage Monday morning during Ninja's bout of many seizures and she called on Tuesday to see how Ninja was.) This vet is on her 2nd FeLV+ kitty at her home, so she knows what it's like. Just knowing that there are options and treatments for our babies to make them more comfortable helps. It would be much nicer to have a cure, but there will be cheesecake! Barb+Ninja -------------------------------------- From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: Re: Update on Rissa-Tai Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 13:07:11 -0400 Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net We are health care proxy's, and as such have been given the responsibility of loving and choosing the care for our cherished felines. The enemy is FeLV in all its guises. This is not the Project Hindsight Mailing List, we are here to do the best we can for as long as we can... and when we forget how little power we have over this dis-ease we come to believe that we can control its outcome. Grieve we all must for our losses, but GUILT is optional. Please remember this, and stay the course with all your choices.... peace & light, ..marilyn... In memory of Selena dearly loved--dearly missed -------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: Stinker Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 11:07:31 -0700 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello All, I just happened to remember that last year I sent in a picture and a (kind of dumb) story about Stinker. If anyone would like to see a picture of Stinker, he is at the Bear and Nali Site, under Stinker, of course.:) I kind of think he looks like Vvyan.:)..........Lynn(Stinker) -------------------------------------- From: "Lynn or Josiah Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: guilt........ Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 11:18:11 -0700 Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I can remember at Christmas time when Stinker was so very sick with an URI and almost to the end, Lord just let him live long enough so I can try the Interferon. Well he did. I feel no guilt as long as I have tried everything available. Sure, I am in the dark as to some of the things I try, but I take the chance in the hopes it will help. I am pretty careful and there is plenty of room for guilt, but I know that whatever I do is out of the great love I have for this cat! I feel that doing absolutely nothing would be alot worse and if you happen to make a wrong choice, well that is how we learn. We just make it better the next time. If I hadn't taken any chances, I feel my Stinker would not be with me today. Do what you feel is right, that is usually the right choice. We are dealing with a deadly disease and anything you think will help, usually does. It keeps our babies with us, even for just a while.:)................Lynn(Stinker) -------------------------------------- From: GinaTex Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 16:26:16 EDT To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Update:Rubin Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello We do not have such great news again. Rubin did not get his treatment. He was too sick with a fever and some infection. His fever has gone away, he is on Baytril for that. We also decided no more treatments, he has been getting worse and worse with each treatment and as much as we hate to admit it he is fading away on us. He is starting to not look so good, and he has lost most of his appetite. he also is loosing his balance when he gets up or shakes his head. We realize that day is coming upon us very quickly. We have know this since the day of diagnosis that one day this horrible disease would take his life, and luckily he has given us 7 more wonderful years than expected. It is still hard but we do not want to be selfish. We do not want him to suffer, and i am afraid that he is starting to now. Tomorow he goes again for a checkup and bloodwork. We trust our vet complertly and we will let her decide when it is time. Our Sophia thankfully is still very healthy, she has never been ill since the day she tested positive. She is not on anything right now, We are not sure if she should be or not. We applogize for not keeping up so well with everyone elses health. We thank everyone who has been so nice and concerned about Rubin, he is the greatest cat I have ever had, not that we love our other 4 any less, they too are great. And they been so good about Rubin, the kittens do not understand that Rubin does not feel well They love him so much. Well we will keep everyone in touch Gina and JoAnn -------------------------------------- From: Kelly To: "'felvtalk@mailinglist.net'" Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 13:31:29 -0700 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all. Paige looks pretty bad so im taking him to the vet in 20mins. Wish him luck. Kelly & Jade & Paige. -------------------------------------- From: meowmama@bellsouth.net Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 16:45:22 -0400 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hang in there Paige! Lots and lots of good luck vibes are headed your way, Kelly! -- Kathy G and the 3 furries in Daytona Beach =^.^= Rusty =^.^= Smokey =^.^= Money see us at: http://cgi.gambitsys.com/homey/webdoc5.htm The Cat: Mother Nature's Masterpiece -------------------------------------- From: "Moermond, Barbara" To: "'felvtalk@MailingList.net'" Subject: RE: Kelly+Jade+Paige Date sent: Thu, 21 May 1998 15:54:46 -0500 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hange in there!! We're sending healthy positive vibes your way!! Barb+Ninja -------------------------------------- END