Té saw the new oncologist Wednesday, who is nothing like the old one in way of personality. I'm sure she's lovely but it's taking some getting used to. She was not happy with Jeté's progress at all and wanted me to start a different drug for Té's chemo.
She also wants to operate much sooner and get her a CT scan, which means I'm looking at $4000 or so much sooner than I'd expected.
At first, I was really freaking out. Every visit seems to bring a new stress, new information to process. What I'd love is if we could decide on a course of treatment and do it. That way I can barrel though and keep strong for my furbaby.
But this just isn't the way with veterinary oncology, I guess. It's all one day and a time and changeable. I am really struggling with that, I have to admit. It's not great for a control freak such as myself to be thrown for a new loop every five minutes. But such is life.
And it does not help that Té is getting shuffled around with new vets. It's no one's fault, but it's a challenge to be sure.
So I emailed the old oncologist, because she sweetly told me to anytime I needed her opinion, and she concurs with the new gal that if the tumor isn't shrinking enough, we should try a new drug. This course of chemo is the same price, so that's a bonus to be sure.
She also told me that if I can't afford the CT or surgery to not feel badly, that I'm still a good person and clearly love my cat. That was so nice to hear, I can't tell you how much. I wrapped that information around me and let it warm my heart.
It doesn't mean I won't try to raise the funds still but the burden of guilt has been weighing me heavily. I'm responsible for this furbaby's life and many vets have looked at me like it's a given that I would shell out my soul to do so. I'd love to, I would, but if I can't find the money, does that make me a bad person? I sure as hell hope not.
Anyway, so I've scheduled Té's treatment for Friday morning. Please send all healing thoughts our way. I'm asking Santa for a cancer-free Jeté for Christmas. Either that or a hot vet* who can miraculously cure her and will fall madly in love with me in the process and who also wants to hike Machu Picchu, sail the Greek Isles, and have babies. All with me. Not necessarily in that order or in conjunction.
What? I girl can dream, right? Santa?
*Tumbleweed*
Anywayyyyyy.
Jeté and I are still taking donations. Thanks endlessly to everyone who has donated. They keep coming in and every one is a sweet, glowy surprise of happiness and hope. Believe me, it is.
And my Etsy shop! You all are dears and are purchasing my items faster than I can make them. There are still some fabulous goodies (earrings, rings, and pendants) there for you to purchase for yourself or for gifts. And I'm adding a bunch more today or tomorrow. All proceeds fund Jeté's care of course. The second item is free shipping and I ship everything priority. Because I love you.
Also: lots of people have asked if they can buy my photography. And the answer is: YES! Not on Etsy because the options are much more limited there, but on redbubble. I have dozens of prints available for sale in all sorts of sizes from greeting cards to canvas prints.
If you've seen a photo of mine that you love and it isn't on redbubble, please just let me know at awesomecrazylady at gmail dot com and I'll get it on there. I aim to please. Want to see more of my work? Check out my flickr.
Thanks so much for all of your support! Muahs from me and purrs from Jeté.
*Am I right, Lori, or am I right?
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26 comments mean you love me:
Good luck with your cat. I hope Santa makes all your Christmas wishes come true.
Awww.. Im so sorry to hear about Jeté'. I don't even know what to say. I'm glad you can still contact the old oncologist for reassurance when you need it.
I think that you are amazing for doing what you can for your kitty. It's not easy, that's for sure. I had a Rottweiller that, towards the end of life, ended up with some medical problems that became quite draining on the wallet. Sometimes people would ask me why I didn't just put her down. What??? No way. Not until it became clear that she was truly suffering did I take that route. (she was 13) And it sucked. I too was told by my vet that I was a good person who should feel good about everything that I had done for my pet. It made me feel better to hear that. The love that we get from our pets is....is....well it's flippin' awesome. Hang in there girl.
SF
Fingers crossed that all your Xmas wishes come true! :)
Oh..in regards to your prints, US only or do they also sell overseas?
thanks for all the comments, guys! I truly appreciate it. *hugs*
Nush- redbubble does ship overseas. here's some info: http://support.redbubble.com/faqs/top20/christmas-and-redbubble
Even if you had not taken her to the vet oncologist in the first place and had chosen to just make her comfortable, you would be a good cat owner.
You love her and she has a wonderful life.
I hope that she gets to be cancer-free, but I have held many cats who have not gotten better and choosing what is right and reasonable is being a loving owner as well.
Jete is lucky to have you. As you are lucky to have her. Whatever the outcome to her cancer, you are both good people. Anyone who tells you different needs to look at themselves in the mirror. Because they're nuts.
Of course you're a good person. Of course you are! Go easy on yourself, you're going through a lot. You're marvelous and stupendous and so many other -ous words.
Alex and KLZ-
you two make my day. thank your for your sweet words. *hugs* love to you!!
Poor kitty! I hope everything works out!!!
I can't believe I didn't think to say that earlier! Of COURSE you are a good furcat parent!!! It really shows that you care and I'm sorry if you've been feeling pressure or guilt to do everything possible. Also, I think it tends to be pretty common with cancer treatment in general to sort of watch and see how it goes and then re-attack. It seems like a great strategy, so it may seem like it's always changing, but take a lesson from HIV (this is the super-mutant virus that is ALWAYS changing), changing your attack mode is a good way to get done what you wanna do. Stay strong!
You're such a good kitty mommy, don't ever feel guilty! Sending healing thoughts your way!
thanks so much, you guys! you rock my world. so much love.
i sent a little tiny bit which won't really make a dent, but i'm sending a ton of love which will hopefully comfort you in some way. xo
oh Simone, thank you so much! for everything. *hugs*
I got my etsy order today (yay! thank you!) and came to check in on Jete. adorable photo! I'm hugging my kitty tighter and we're both sending healing thoughts your way.
I don't know you in person but I can tell that you are an amazing kitty mommy. Most people wouldn't even think of spending that kind of money on their pet's medical treatment- they would just let the cancer run its course. The fact that you are trying so hard to do all that you can to help her shows how much you love her. And I am sure she knows how much you love her!
Skye, thank you so much! *hugs* that means a lot.
and I'm glad you got the order! :)
That's a grown up Christmas Wish id I've ever heard one!
You are right; you are NOT a bad person. If it isn't something that works out financially, then you still love your Jete.
I'm going to ask Santa for a cancer-free Jete, too. I'm Jewish, so I don't have much sway with St. Nick, though.
yeah I doubt St Nick appreciates my atheist behind. maybe Buddha will save my cat.
have you considered (for the short term anyway) getting a Care Credit account? gotta find out first if they accept it, but it is like a credit card for medical services. the reason i ask is because my little furbaby, matilda, got SUPER sick a few months ago, and i had no money left in my savings. i thought i was going to lose her because i couldn't afford it... but thankfully, the tech at my vet's office (who is also my friend) told me about it (after she offered me to use her account - awesome - they are awesome there!!). IF this vet does not accept it, perhaps you can find one that does. i hate to suggest shuffling her around more and more, but it might be a short term fix for right now. and that way, it would allow you to make payments instead of coming up with the full amount up front.
Dana- thank you. :) I DO have the care credit. but, I have to see if they'll up my limit as her costs are skyrocketing. also, I do have to pay it all back and my income is small, so I still need to raise the money. :)
i know that feeling all too well :-( i am sorry they are being bastards about it. and you absolutely must keep raising money - i think it is amazing that your friend Don is helping - such a great network you have. i will keep giving what i can too; i know how awful it is to have those kinds of costs... maybe we can sell ad space on your blog. mostly a joke, BUT you never know!
thanks, Dana! that's a great idea, selling ad space. been wanting to do just that but feeling a little overwhelmed as to how. *hugs*
hmmm, maybe we can put our heads together sometime offline :-) i an more than happy to help in any way i can *hugs* just let me know!
Dana, I'd love to! do you want to email me? awesomecrazylady at gmail dot com. thanks for the help!!
just emailed you, dear :-) excited to help!!!!
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