fibrosarcoma

[miakitty]

My cat was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma tumor last spring (the kind of tumor that is believed to be from vaccine injections).  We decided not to do surgery becuase it was very invasive and did not have a high sucess rate.  The tumor's size is now bigger than a plum, but smaller than a baseball.  It is on her back, below her shoulderblade.  In the last 2 days, I've noticed that it has begun to open slightly - as if she has been itching it or it is beginning to "pop" through  (I haven't seen her itch it, but I am at work during the day).  It is not an open would yet - is there anything that you know I can do to prevent it from becoming one?  Is there any type of ointment I could but on it?  I'm kind of lost on this.  I know the vet said that if the tumor opens and becomes infected, she will need to be put asleep, but I want to put that off as long as possible since she still really enjoys life.  Thanks for your help.

[bonjean50]

HI opus thank you for replying. I never saw your messages until yesterday. My email didn’t notify me like I thought it would. I just happened to come across the site again looking for answers. Since I wrote last Missy has had both a good spell and another bad spell. Last weekend I had decided it was time and was going to call in the morning to make the arrangements. I work a very early morning shift and got home at 9:30 am planning on calling only to find her outside with my partner walking around eating grass and enjoying the first warm day we have had. I have decided to give her this time as long as she seems to be enjoying the chance for a few days of spring, but I will not let her go through another bad spell. At the first sign of things turning for the worst again I will call. I have already spoken to the vet about when and what I need to do. They will come to the house the same day I call if need be. I will not take her to the vets; she will die at home.
I just wanted to thank you for your comments and the poem; it did help. I have never cried so hard over a decision in my life and though I know it’s the right one there will be nothing about it that will console me but time. My heart goes out to anyone reading this post because I know that like me you found your way here looking for answers and hope that is not likely to come. I only wish there was something profound and wise I could say to anyone reading this; something I have learned through all of this that could help but there is nothing. You will go through a gut wrenching painful time and you will need to find the strength for your pet to get through it. I hope I will find mine to do what I know I must.

[opus88]

bon....I hope I wasn't too harsh in my last reply, goodbyes and knowing when to make the calls are so very hard. this is a wonderful little writeup by Susan Jackson that I wanted to send you and all the other pet parents struggling right now...God bless♥

Do you think the time has come? May I say good-bye to pain-filled days and endless nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an exampled tried to be.
So can't I take that step beyond and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light.
I want to go, I really do. Its difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and tears.
I know you're sad and so afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know that my spirit will be close to you, wherever you may go.
Thank you for loving me.
You know I love you too.
Thats why its hard to say good-bye and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.
-Susan A. Jackson

[opus88]

This really just breaks my heart every time I read these sad stories and kitties in such bad circumstances, I'm sorry..so very sorry for you both.

Honey I think you know yourself what's the right thing to do, this isn't going to get any better, not even for a short while. There is a saying I heard once, that hope is something we hang onto when we can't bare to let go....

If the pain medication is no longer working than its time honey...it's not fair to keep little Missy alive when she's suffering an has no hope of improving. Believe me I do know how hard this decision is for us parents to make, but as parents we let go out of love

Sending you both my prayers

[bonjean50]

HI I not sure if anyone can help me, maybe I just know my heart hurts so much for my cat. Like all of you Missy has cancer from the vaccine. She was diagnosed last summer and we tried to have it surgically removed; it didn't work. I wont bother with the details of how I feel about the vets conduct or how we were not given the information we needed to make an informed choice; it doesn't matter anymore. All I care about is knowing what to do. Missy was doing pretty good up till a couple weeks ago but then the lump grew rapidly and opened up. It leaks a little constantly. She eats very little now and has taken to sleeping in another room away from everyone. She isn't walking well and tonight we noticed another hole is about to erupt. After the first one did she seemed to come back again a bit and started to seem like her old self. I guess what I need to know is, if there is any chance that after this one erupts will she feel better for a while.?I know I have to make a hard decision and I don't wont her to suffer. She is on pain medication now but as off today it doesn't seem to be working. I don't want to make a rash decision if there is any chance she will feel better for a little while. ANY advise would helpful I don't know what to do.

[opus88]

my heart always breaks to read abt these poor kitties and their VAS...

there is alot of documentation that many Vets are now saying its unnecessary to do annual vaccines....and that is just overkill and dangerous to our animals. many recommend only the first set followed by boosters than they are good for life...similar to the vaccines we get at childhood.
the exception of course if rabies....
My cats are indoor only and I live where these vac's aren't forced on them by law.....so I choose not to vaccinate, not even for rabies.

rabies is one that is adjuvanted except for one I found out abt....read the following that I posted on earlier. good luck to all the dear little ones♥

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Adjuvanted-vs-NON-Adjuvanted-Vaccines/show/1994260?personal_page_id=861539

[Mokulele]

I just read your post. I was looking for advice about what to do now that my cat has his leg removed and then within 3 months another mass appeared and another 3 another. 3 surgeries so far. But I would do it all over again. He went thru it like a champ and I know he enjoys his life. He's still the dominant cat. Bringing him home after his entire left leg (from leukemia vaccine) was removed was frightening to me. Yes, he had pain a few days but the meds work great. I immediately went for amputation because by the time we discovered it -- and I still can't believe this because we pet a lot but he's never liked his legs stroked -- the tumor looked like a mouse had crawled under his skin.

I didn't see him suffer and he bounced back and zips around, jumps, chases the other cat. The only thing he doesn't do, which I'm so pleased with, is walking along the banister on the second story that's inside my house. That always scared me. So that's a good result!  

My vet has entirely changed their protocol after seeing what my cat went through and changed manufacturers when they do vaccinate and will use the one that has no adjuvant and less risk.

For anyone who has a post-surgery cat recovering, I use a soft sided carrier with netting on the sides and sheep skin like floor. He was very comfy in it and I could see him. Just a tip. He stayed on my bed all during recovery so I could monitor his needs.