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Biffy's Diary Part 1
"Biffy"
  Biffy's Diary Part 1 Last Updated: Wednesday, August 26, 1998 Final Update: Biffy's Diary, Part 4 In November 1997, our cat Biffy had an ultrasound done, which revealed a mass-like appearance on his intestine. In January, 1998, we took Biffy to the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and had an ultrasound done. They confirmed that they saw a mass in his intestines. On February 9, we had another vet do an ultrasound-guided biopsy which revealed that he had lymphoma. On February 15 we started chemotherapy treatments. When cats are treated with chemotherapy, it is not with the intent of curing the cancer. Instead they try to get them into "remission". This is so that they can maintain a good quality of life during the treatments without them getting sick from the drugs. Biffy's story has been posted on the "AcmePet Cat's Window" Bulletin Board for some time now, and the following history was taken from Diane's posts.
January 22, 1998 at 09:47:02 Biffy doesn't seem to be feeling too well. Up until yesterday, he seemed to be doing fine. Last night he threw up *8* times in a row. Then his stomach settled down and he was ok. Today he is pretty tired, and is eating fairly well, but that stomach is growling a lot now. I'm not sure if it's his pancreatitis acting up, or something worse. I'm so worried about him. Last night Biffy stopped eating. We tried to force feed him a little so he could have some food with his medications, we also started giving him subQ fluids. Right after we fed him , he threw it all back up. We put in an emergency call to the vet we used last time locally. He advised us to do the meds and fluids, but to withhold all food for now except for a little bit with his meds. Biffy is realy wiped out. He's very weak, and he's lost a pound since Sunday! I'm **very** scared. We are taking him to this vet at 11am. He said he's not sure what he can do to help Biffy, but he'll check him out. I'm praying this is the pancreatitis acting up again, and nothing even worse.
January 27, 1998 at 12:33:32: First of all Biffy is still eating on his own so far today, and he seems happy. I have the scratch marks on my carpet to prove it :) I *KNOW* that some people (I'm not mentioning anyone's name here Tally *vbg*) tell me every time I post something good, something bad happens. I could sure use all your prayers that Biffy keeps this food down. Eating is good... but digesting it is really what this little doll needs! I just feel like spilling my guts here today. We have a call into the new vet to ask the place that does the chemo treatments some questions as far as how good a candidate Biffy would be for it. He has been on pred for a while, and I was reading a lot about chemo in cats last night... and that, and the fact that he has pancreatitis may work against him. We need to have as much info as posible before we can decide what's best for Biffy. Making this decision is SO hard. I think about this day and night. I'm obsessed with it. It's almost all I can do. I think of questions and alternatives...and try so hard to think about what's best for Biffy. It's so hard when they can't speak to you, and tell you how they feel, and what they'd want. And when you can't explain to them WHY you're taking them to all these strange places, and having them poked by all these strange people. Biffy knew our EX vet. He wasn't as scared there. He's always more afraid in a different place. I feel so badly for him that we have to keep putting him through this. Sometimes I can't believe the way our EX vet has really thrown our lives into such turmoil. Losing Fluffy...well...it was, and still is, devastating. And the circumstances have added so much RAGE into our lives...and then there's the legal stuff and forms that have to be filled out, and lawyers and animal org. that we have to talk to...etc. It just adds so much more stress and heartache to it all. Then sometimes we have to explain to someone, or listen to the Dr's at the AMC in great detail, about all that Fluffy went through. I've never been through anything this exhausting before. It's just awful. And now, we're trying to put it all "on a shelf" to take care of Biffy's needs. I'm not trying to be a martyr here...I'm really not. I hate it when people do that to me. I'm just trying to let you all know what we're going through, and I guess hopefully get some more validation that we're NOT screwing Biffy up now too. I'm just so tired, and drained. Sometimes I just wake up shaking, I'm so afraid. I'm afraid we're going to make the wrong choice for Biffy, and it will cost him pain and suffering, or his life. How are you suppose to KNOW what's right for them... when they can't tell you? Bev (who is a good friend and posts here every now and then) e-mailed me before and said she knew we'd do the right thing...I sure do wish i knew that too, and what it was. This is just so important to us. We don't want to hurt Biffy, and we couldn't bear to lose him. It would never be easy... but now it would be just unbearable. When you love them so much, and you try so hard, and then you fail (like we did with Fluffy) it makes it almost impossible to make a decision or a choice. You're so afraid it's going to be the wrong one. I never trust myself when it comes to things like this. Sorry this is so long. I just really needed to vent all this here. I appreciate all your help. The links have been so helpful. I'm still reading the one Fran sent me about the cat with intestinal lymphoma. Things like that mean a lot. The cards and gifts you all sent. The book from Stacy "In memory of Mr. Fluffy"...and the poems Sheila sent in memeory of her "godchild". Gee just sent me an urn to put Fluffy's ashes in, so she'd always feel close to him. Deb has sent me info about meds, and diseases...so has Wyo. Tally...hey...her phone bill is going to be as large as the national debt. I don't think she's missed calling me one day in months. Even Sheila called 3X from South Africa. Lotus...how many hours have you spent on the phone trying to help us with all this legal mess, and a vet, and just listening. There are so many of you who are so new here to this BB and have been posting and always asking about my boys. Momcat, and Anna... how many links and e-mails have you sent me trying to help us?? Sometimes I can't believe that there are so many people that care about my babies, and me and Jeff. It blows me away. I know I've forgotten so many wonderful people, and things you all have done...all the poems and e-mails (Kim, Rev Diane, Linda, Sallie, Tik, Janice, Margy, Lisa, Shirley, Colleen, Maryellen etc...) and tributes you've written. The people who seem to "come out of the woodwork" when I post about my boys. I *really* appreciate this...now if God will just come down here and tell me what the best thing to do is for Biffy... could you all pray for that. Love, Diane PS Forgive me if I've forgotten anyone... I didn't intend to name people specifically... but once I started...I just kept thinking of others. My "short term" memory is not that great these days... so please forgive me if I didn't mention you personally...it's stress I think, and age! I think I've aged about 10 years these past 2 months!
January 30, 1998 Today Biffy threw up again. It was the first time since Sunday. About an hour afterwards, I noticed he was bleeding from his nose. I rushed him to the vet. Jeff met me there. The NEW vet was off today, so we saw her associate. Poor Biffy has seen 4 different Dr's in 2 weeks. He thinks the bleeding is not related to the "mass". They think he may have burst a blood vessel when he vomited so violently. He was examined, and we are to watch him closely... what else is new?? They did a PCV, and are running a blood coagulation panel too. We should know the results of that tomorrow. We spoke to Cornell earlier today before Biffy threw up. We had a phone consultation. We talked to a vet there for about 45 minutes about what they thought was best for Biffy. We have decided to try the ultrasound guided biopsy of the mass (if a biopsy can be done without endangering him), and maybe the lymph nodes too. It's not ideal...and it can be risky... but they feel it's the better alternative. And if they feel that the mass will be responsive to chemo...we'll do that. So, that's the plan now...unless Biffy tells us something differently. We plan on calling our new vet on Mon morning and setting this up. We need to know what we're dealing with here. I'm glad we called Cornell... it helped us to make a difficult decision.
January 31, 1998 at 14:53:33: We got the coagulation (blood clotting ability) test result back. It seems that Biffy's platelet count is to low. *sigh* They can't do a biopsy with a LOW count. They want him back in there on Monday to repeat the test. *more sighs* It never ends. They can't biopsy his mass etc, if his clotting ability isn't normal, because it could cause him to bleed to death. I hope it's normal on monday. The vet explained that the platelets were "clumped" so that might have thrown the reading off...let's hope it's better then. This poor baby can't get a break. On the brighter side he seems to be feeling better today and he's eating pretty well. There has been no more bleeding either.
February 09, 1998 at 13:43:44: It took a lot longer then they thought... and we waited for a while. I have to keep a close eye on Biffy now, becaues he was sedated. They did not see a defined mass in his abdomen. What they saw was diffuse infiltration of his intestines, with it especially thickened around his duodenum. His liver and his pancreas are also enlarged. They think it's lymphoma. *sigh* We'll have the biopsy results probably within 4-5 days, hopefully sooner. They want us to do chemo if it is lymphoma. They said it was good that we didn't have any surgery done on him, as it is a widespread infiltration, and surgery would not have been effective. The only other thing it *might* be is severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with the pancreatitis and cholangiohepatitis that they know he's had for a while... but they said that is less likely. There is still a *chance* this is not cancerous! Biffy took this all very well. He's a champ for sure. I have to keep an eye on him because he's eating TOO much, and his stomach can't handle that, and he's moving around the house faster then I am, even though he's a little wobbley. This cat's a fighter... and I'm going to be right there with this little doll fighting all the way.
February 11, 1998 at 15:59:32: He has lymphoma in his liver, lymph nodes and they think his intestines too. I can't stay on-line long. We're waiting for the vet to call back with some info. I just consulted with Cornell... and it's NOT good. I am just devastated, and heartbroken!! *many, many tears*
February 13, 1998 at 11:21:55: I have just been so depressed about all this. We are looking into doing chemo for Biffy. Unfortunately, our new vet knows nothing about chemo, so she referred us to someone else who does it. He would not even talk to us on the phone, and the soonest appointment he had available is on Sunday. I'm really upset about how this is being handled. We're calling another vet tomorrow to see when we can bring Biffy in to see him. He at least spent time with Jeff on the phone and answered our questions. The phone consultation we had with Cornell was not very encouraging. They did advise us to do chemo, but the survival rate is not very good. They said about 6-8 months with the chemo, and about 2 months if we just continue to use the pred. Biffy seems to be doing OK. He's not eating as much today, but he seems happy. I really need to get some answers though. We need to know what's BEST for Biffy. He's such a doll...I don't want to let him down. *sigh*
February 17, 1998, 11:25
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3: I believe that cycle repeats for the 4th, 5th, and 6th weeks. So far he seems to be taking it well. He did throw up this morning, although this vomiting spell (3 times in a row) was better than they have been over the last few months. They HAD been 5 to 8 times in a row, and a LOT bigger, too. His spirits since the treatment have been good; he still seems happy, and his appetite has stayed good.
February 18, 1998 at 20:18:45: Biffy was peppy tonight! We ordered take out from a deli. Biffy jumped up on the kitchen chair, stuck his face in Jeff's macaroni and cheese, stole a hunk, and ran with it! :-) He really shouldn't be eating that, but we just had to let him. He was so cute, and it made my heart smile! I thought some of you might like to hear a little *happy* news about this little doll!
February 20, 1998 at 11:25:29: So far Biffy is still eating well, and pretty spirited. He has his second chemo treatment tomorrow. He'll get Cytoxan through an IV. I'm very worried about any new drugs they give him, and what reactions he may have to them. I PRAY there will be no BAD reactions. They should also have a pretty good idea if they feel the chemo is helping him then. If they don't respond well to it within the first week or so, it might not ever be effective. So, a lot depends on this.
February 23, 1998 at 13:23:24: Biffy is doing OK! His appetite is good, and he seems happy. I hope and pray that this lasts a LONG time. About the chemo...Biffy has to go in every week for 6 weeks. They give him IV injections of different medications every week. Week 3 and 6 are the same ones, adriamycin. That is what he'll get next week. It's the "hardest" one I think, and it has to be administered through a catheter slowly. He'll have to stay there a few hours. *sigh* Week 2 (last week) and week 5 are the same thing, cytoxan. Biffy also gets prednisolone along with a LOT of other medications that he's been on for a LONG time because of his other problems. most of them are oral. We give him injectable Baytril though too. If all goes well, then Biffy goes in every other week, for the next 12 weeks, and then hopefully every third week, for the next 18 weeks. He seems to be taking this all very well. He's still acting like my little doll, so I don't think he's had any adverse reactions to it so far. Next week is the week I'm really dreading. I hope he makes it through that ok. If he does, they plan on doing another ultrasound on week 4, to see if he's in remission. That is the goal. Because he's been on pred for over a year and a half though, he might not go into a full remission, or it may not last that long. *sigh* But, this little guy has surprised us before. He's a fighter...God love him!
February 28, 1998 at 15:31:31: It's been a long day. Biffy got his adriamycin. We have to watch him closely now. Thet said it is the worst drug, and is pretty toxic. The good news is that the vet thinks Biffy's liver is a little smaller!! We have to do another ultrasound next time to be sure. They don't even know if there will be a vet there next Sat. We have to call on Monday to see. If not, we have to do his chemo on the following Tuesday. This is really getting confusing. But, I'm *hoping and praying* that Biffy is going to go into remission. The bad news is this drug is dangerous... and the vet said Biffy needs dental work too. I noticed him drooling the other day. We can't schedule it until he goes into remission though. So... pray very hard it happens, please, and that it happens soon. His teeth must be hurting him. I just want to help him so much. He's a little trooper. As soon as we took him home he peed, and ate. I just hope he keeps it up.
March 03, 1998 at 15:48:37: Jeff spoke to the vet that's doing Biffy's chemo... and they *think* Biffy is IN REMISSION!!!!!!! They are going to do another ultrasound on Sat. They may not know the results though until Tuesday. This should hopefully confirm if he is in remission or not. But, they think from how he is acting, and responding to the treatments, that he may be in remission.
March 07, 1998 at 13:20:42: We just got back about an hour ago. Biffy is not in full remission. They did the ultrasound, and they were surprised he wasn't doing as well as they had expected. They think it's a partial remission, maybe 50%. They are going to change some of his drugs and try and *push* him into a remission. Next week they're going to do the Elspar again instead of the cytoxan. I'm not exactly sure what all this means. They didn't explain very much to us, and I was so surprised by this that I didn't even know what to ask. Biffy seems to be feeling ok. He was a little more frightened this time, which upset me... but he came home and ate right away and clawed my carpet. He's a tough little doll. His Mom is very disappointed now though...I was really hoping for better news. *sigh*
March 13, 1998 at 11:27:01: I'm pretty concerned about Biffy. He threw up last night, and he threw up on Monday too. Before that, he hadn't vomited in over 2 weeks. We are supposed to do his 5th chemo treatment tomorrow. They are going to do the Elspar again. It was only supposed to be done once, but because he was only in a partial remission, they want to try it again. I'm not sure now if they will, because of his vomiting. He's eating... but his appetite isn't as great as it has been. I'm kind of worried. Please say an extra prayer for him tomorrow. It's very hard on all of us... not knwoing what's going on inside him, but wanting so much to do the *right* thing.
March 14, 1998 at 15:49:18: I don't really know where to begin. I'm kind of upset. We spoke to the vet in charge of Biffy's case today. He is not the one that did the ultrasound last week, since he was away. Dr J. said he is not very optomistic about Biffy going into a full remission. He said that if that was going to happen, it usually happens after the first 3 treatments... which didn't happen to Biffy. He is in what Dr. J called a "partial remission". They gave Biffy the Elspar today. He said that might help to push him into remission, but he didn't sound very hopeful. We are supposed to do the next 2 treatments, and then they want to do another ultrasound again, and see how he's doing. If he doesn't go into remission, the chances of him feeling well for very long aren't very good. Biffy seems happy now, and I really want this to last. I'm just so upset that he was not that encouraged by Biffy's progress. Also, when I spoke to one of the techs, while Biffy was in the back having the treatment, she said that Biffy was growling, hissing and trying to bite them. He was really fighting. They had to muzzle him :( That is not like my baby. I started to cry when she told me this. I felt so badly for him, being back there, and so scared. Jeff and I talked for the hour that we waited there. I am starting to question whether this is what's best for Biffy. Jeff feels that even if Biffy's is afraid for the hour or 2 that he's there but he's happy and eating well the rest of the time, that it's worth it. I kind of agree, but I guess I'm just feeling so badly for Biffy, because he's so afraid. I wish we could stay with him during these treatments. I think Biffy would be less fearful with us there. They have told us before that we can't. I'll ask again next week. I'm just starting to feel guilty for putting him through this, even though I do know it's helping him. It's hard on us all. *sigh* We have to watch Biffy very closely for the next 12 hours, since they said that he could have an allergic reaction to the Elspar. It happens sometimes when it is reintroduced.
March 30, 1998 22:41:40 We've had quite an interesting day! We took Biffy in to the vet at noon. She examined him and thought we should go ahead and do his teeth. He had to have 2 premolars pulled. One on each side. He took this all pretty well. He's under our bed now sleeping it off. He really was p*ssed this morning. He tried to spray a third time... right after he went around looking for food for about the 10th time. I guess he wanted to show his disapproval! He sure did! I told the vet about it, and she thought he was a "little" spoiled. She hasn't seen Biffy in about 6 weeks, since she's not doing his chemo. She thought he looked great, and was really spirited! We told her how happy he's been, and she seemed very pleased. She's never had a cat in her practice go through chemo, so she's very interested in Biffy's case. After she had done his teeth, and he was waking up, she let us stay in the back with him. We had him home within 2 hours. He ate a little chicken, and then layed in the sun. Then he decided to do some serious napping, so, he's been under the bed ever since.
April 02, 1998 14:25:09 Well, we have to take him back to the vet that did his teeth today to have his bloodwork done again. We need to see a significant drop in his White Blood count (WBC) for the other vet to be able to continue with his chemo. They are hoping that his elevated WBC was due to his teeth problems. I'm pretty nervous about this. This little doll needs the chemo. We can't continue with it though if he has an active infectioon that we can't control. The chemo weakens his immune system, and continuing with it would be too dangerous. Tomorrow am we should have the results. They are sending the bloodwork "STAT". They need the results asap, so that if he is OK, we can resume his chemo Sat. morning. We have to get the test results from one vet, and then have them faxed to the vet that's doing Biffy's chemo pronto! Then we have to actually get them on the phone (*NOT* easy to do) and get a decision from them. If I am *testy* tomorrow... you'll all know why! ;-) We've come this far, and I'm so glad we have. It's really helped Biffy. I don't think he would still be here today without us having done the chemo. And he seems so happy! It's worth every penny (and that's a *lot* of pennies!!). We just need him to be in good enough shape now to continue.
April 03, 1998 at 10:22:39: We have managed to do the impossible around here. We actually got the test results from one vet and had them faxed to the vet doing the chemo, and a decision made this morning! At first the receptionist there said Dr J (chemo vet) would call us back if he called in for his messages today(He's on the road). If not, he'd call us tomorrow!! Huh?? We need to bring Biffy in there tomorrow first thing *if* he wants to proceed. Anyway... Jeff managed to convince them that this system was not going to work!! So, they actually got Dr. J to see the results and to say that they are good enough for him to do the Adriamycin tomorrow. Biffy's WBC was 39,000 last week. It's still high. It's 33,900. Normal is 5,500-19,500. But, it is enough of an improvement for him to go ahead. I was pretty worried. Now...on to phase 2. The adriamycin is the hardest drug on them. We have to leave Biffy there for a few hours tomorrow. I *hate* that. After they did this drug the first time, that's when Biffy started to fight them there. Please say an extra prayer, and keep good thoughts for my little doll tomorrow. He'll be having this done from about 10am until 1pm. We have a lot of hurdles to go through with him. This is all very new to us, and something I hope we never have to go through again. But, I'll tell you, I would do it again in the same situation in a minute. It really has helped him to feel so much better. I know one day I'll be able to help someone else with this experience, like DebraK helped to encourage me. That's all for now. I'm worried about tomorrow, but relieved that he can continue with his chemo. He really is such a good cat, and he deserves every chance at life. I *love* this little doll...can you tell??
April 12, 1998 at 14:57:06: The vet called today. They couldn't find the ultrasound results from the last test yesterday, so they had nothing to compare yesterday's results too. They found them today. Dr. K called and said Biffy is about half improved again! Which makes him about 70% in remission! I think that's the best they expect to see from him, but the fact that he's still improving is good news. His WBC is down from 33,900 to 22,000 too. So, he's improving on all counts. And while I'm at it... my *Biggy Boy* weighed 14lbs this morning!! Quite a bit up from the 11 pounds he was down to in January! Soooooooooo Happy Easter everyone. It's nice to have good news on a holiday for a change!!
April 13, 1998 at 13:34:47: The plan now is to do 2 more weeks in a row, and then repeat the same 6 weeks of drugs every other week. As far as chemo with cats goes, they don't go for a cure, or 100% remission, because that would make the kittys too sick, and might either kill them with the drugs, or it would give them a bad quality of life. >From the way I understand it, they hope for an 80-90% remission rate. The cancer does usually return when and if you stop the chemo, but you can try restarting it, and hope that it's effective again. After the 6 treatments every other week, if he's still doing well, then they'll go to every third week with the same drugs. We'll probably have them do a few ultrasounds along the way too, to see how he's doing. Then you're supposed to stop the chemo, and see how they do. (gulp). Biffy was supposed to go 6 weeks in a row, and then to everyother week, but because they weren't as happy with his 40-50% remission they added an extra drug on the 7th week, and then repeated the same 3 drugs again every week. We lost a week too, because of his high WBC, so, we had his teeth done, and that seemed to help him. Soooooo his 6weeks in a row will end up being 10 weeks in a row, but hopefully he'll be better able to handle the treatments everyother week now. BTW, he handles the drugs very well. I watch him like a hawk, and he has never even acted the slightest bit ill after any of them. I'm really happy about that. Cancer is never good, and we don't expect him to beat this (although some kittys have... but they're the exception to the rule), and we hope and pray he does. But he is feeling so much better, and a very happy cat, so we know it's helping him. It's really harder on us, I think, because we do all the worrying. But, it's worth it. It's helping him, and I feel like I have my *Biggy Boy* back. Now, I need to hold on to him for as long as I can.
April 18, 1998 at 14:56:42: We're home. Biffy's usual vet was off today, so Dr. K did the treatments. Well, actually the techs do them, but Dr. K is in charge of them. Biffy does not like Dr. K. He pooped when Dr. K. carried him back to the treatment room, and then peed during the treatment. I'm kind of upset by all this unnecessary stress on Biffy. I really am. Next week Biffy has the adriamycin again. That's the strongest drug, and the one he has to stay there for a few hours for. Then we are supposed to go to every other week after that, as long as all goes well. I think Jeff and I are going to take Biffy to another vet for most of Biffy's treatments after this. This other vet is the one we've been taking Kelli to, and we told him about Biffy. He said that we could stay with Biffy for all his treatments there, except the adriamycin. So, I think we'll keep bringing Biffy to the origional place we're using now for the adriamycin, and try Kelli's vet for Biffy after next week. Stress plays a big part on our lives. And if we can help control that aspect of the chemo for him, well, then we're going to try it. I would just love for Biffy to go to the vet and NOT be so afraid. He's fine now. By the time we get home, he acts like nothing happened. He ate a lot of chicken. I just hate to see him so afraid there. It breaks my heart.
April 25, 1998 at 14:27:39: Biffy had his adriamycin and the dexamethasone shot first, to help him to not have an allergic reaction to the adriamycin. We talked about Biffy's high WBC, and the vet is a bit concerned. As long as it doesn't get worse, and Biffy is acting OK, he said we'll do nothing more than to watch it. He's concerned especially because Biffy's "Bands" in his Differential are getting high. They are supposedly immature neuthophils. Which I think means that he has an infection or inflammation that is producing new cells, as opposed to being something that is chronic. I can't say I really understand all this. But, I know we have to watch to see what his WBC is doing, and to see how those Bands are. We should know the results of his CBC tomorrow. And yes, I'm sweating it! Biffy pigged out as soon as he came home. jeff took off his bandage in the car on the way home and also let Biffy half out of the carrier. Mom doesn't let him do this, but Dad is spoiling him a little. He seems fine now. I *think/hope/pray* that we will be going for the chemo every other Sat. from now on. It was supposed to be that way after 6 weeks, but they added a drug and then repeated the stand 3 drugs every week again, so we ended up with 10 weeks in a row. Soooooo next Saturday may not be *Biffy's chemo day*!! What will that be like to have a "normal" weekend? My spirits are a little better today. I'm still upset about Fluffy. jeff and I had to leave Biffy there for an hour and a quarter, so we went out for Breakfast. I just thought of Fluffy and started crying. What a way to "enjoy" your meal...huh? It does get to me. I wonder how long this will hurt so much for? In any case, I'm better now. Biffy is home and happy. And we even talked the vet into doing Biffy's bloodtest with us there this week, for the first time. It's about time! BTW, Biffy pooped on the examining table, and just missed Dr J's tie! I was kind of hoping he'd gotten it! ;)
April 26, 1998 at 12:22:32: His WBC is a little better. It's 32,000 now. It was 35,000. Normal is 5,500 to 19,500. So, he's going in the right direction. Let's hope it stays that way. And his "Bands" were normal. That's what Dr. J seemed most concerned about. I think he was worried that something else might be starting to go on. Soooo I hope that means there isn't! Biffys RBC was pretty low though. It was 4.75. Low normal is 5.5. That's the lowest it's ever been. He's a little anemic now. *sigh* His PCV was 30% though, so that's normal, and I think is really a better indication of anemia. So, I guess we have to monitor that more closely. We'll see what Dr J. thinks on Tuesday when he's back in the office. The rest of his bloodwork was ok. I'm happy about this. A little concerned about the RBC, but I think he'll be ok! He is eating like a real *pig* today. It's that cortisone shot. It really gives them an appetite! No rollling yet, not so far anyway! I let Biffy downstairs earlier today to see his "family". He hasn't been down there in a while. He nuzzled Mia and Bitsy, and then Homey *insisted* that Biffy clean him (Homey is the *baby*...at least he sure acts like he is). You know the type, everyone has to clean him!! Well... Biffy *BOPPED* Homey! I guess he's got enough to deal with these days! What a spunky little cat he's become!!
April 29, 1998 at 10:42:26: We spoke to Biffy's vet, Dr. J yesterday about Biffy's bloodwork, and his low RBC, and WBC. His WBC went down a little, so that was good news since it's been pretty high for a while. He was mildly concerned about Biffy's low RBC. He just wants us to watch Biffy, and see how he's acting. Monday and Tuesday Biffy was acting more lethargic, and not eating as well as he has been. We told him about that too. Dr. J thinks it's the chemo drug, adriamycin, that we used last Sat. that might be causeing this. Biffy has had that twice before, and seemed fine afterwards... so we're a little concerned. But, today Biffy seems a little better. His appetite is better than it has been the past 2 days, but not as great as it usually is. As long as he's going in the right direction, we'll just proceed as planned. If he doesn't get back to normal within a couple of days, they want to see him again. :( We told Dr. J that we want to try this other vet (who is an Internist and who will let us stay with Biffy throughout the bloodtest, an treatment). We said we want to use Dr Z. for the 2 easier treatments, and then take Biffy back to Dr. J for the adriamycin, and ultrasounds. Dr. J seemed to think that would be fine. He'll call Dr. Z and discuss Biffy with him. Soooooo, if all goes as planned, we'll be doing the chemo every other week now (yeah!!) and for the next 2 treatments, we'll be using this other Internist and we'll be able to stay with Biffy! On the third treatment, we'll go back to Dr. J for the adriamycin, and another ultrasound. (gulp) Please PRAY and send all your good thoughts that Biffy perks up and eats like my little piggy again. I'd like to not have to see a vet for 2 whole weeks. And I *know* Biffy would too!!
May 08, 1998 at 10:36:00: I'm a little worried about them both. Biffy's appetite is down again today. It's been good the past few days. He's acting fine, and watching the birds now, but he's just not eating that well today. Whenever he does this, it concerns me! Biffy is going to Kelli's vet tomorrow for the first time, to have his chemo treatment done there. I know just going to a different place will stress him at first. But, I'm hoping that since we can stay with him throughout the treatment, this will help him in the long run. This vet is a Board Certified Internist too, so he'll still have a very experienced vet taking care of him.
May 09, 1998 at 14:42:57: We took Biffy and Kelli, to Kelli's vet. He has never seen Biffy before. Dr. Z. thought Biffy looked great! He took the CBC, and gave Biffy his Vincristine. We talked about Biffy's history and gave him all of Biffy's records... (or "The Book" as we all refer to it), so he seems to know what we've been through, and where we're heading. He said he has another kitty there that just started chemo for lymphoma, and he hopes that kitty does as well as it looks like Biffy is doing. We stayed with Biffy throughout the whole treatment. He pooped on the table when the tech tried to take his temp. :( But he didn't pee at all during the treatment, as has become his habit. I *know* he was much less stressed this time. We go back there in 2 weeks for Biffy's Cytoxan. They should have the bloodtest results tomorrow.
May 23, 1998 at 12:55:16: I'm happy!! :) Biffy's visit went so well. He seems much less stressed by this vet, and the fact that we can stay with him throughout the whole treatment. This vet thinks Biffy is doing great! :) He couldn't feel Biffy's lymph nodes, because he said Biffy is too heavy to feel them now! Yahoo! He's 14 lbs! He's been around that for a while, so we're starting to call him "Beefy" now, because he's getting hefty! I am just so happy that he's taking this so well! We have to call tomorrow for his bloodtest results... but he's looking good. In 2 weeks we have to go back to the other vet, and do the stronger chemo drug and Biffy has to stay there for an hour or 2. They also have to do an ultrasound, to see how Beefy's lymph nodes are looking, and if he's improving, or not! (gulp). I'll be a *little* nervous then!!
June 02, 1998 at 13:14:50: Biffy sprayed this morning, and I got to test it before it dripped down the door. He has quite a bit of blood in his urine. We have calls in to both of his vets now, to see wht they think we should do. He's already on 2 antibiotics, Baytril and Flagyl, so this has me pretty worried. Biffy's Diary Part 2 continued... |
