Bit Love
My girl cat, Bit, is not doing well. Over the weekend, her tummy (which has been discolored and we were told to keep an eye on it – which we did) started bleeding in one spot, and by Monday it was not healing up – so off to the vet she went. Our vet took a closer look, and determined that she has a tumor, most likely of the mammary glands on both sides of her belly. We had blood work done to make sure that her liver and kidneys are working well enough for her to go through having a biopsy to find out whether it’s malignant or not. Blood work just came back that other than some anemia (which is sort of to be expected), she’s healthy enough to manage the biopsy. So…in about an hour, we’ll take her in for some tissue removal and in five or so days, we’ll know whether surgery is an option.
I am obviously in a really rocky place right now. Bit has been with me since just before my divorce back in ’98; she’s been healthy as a horse her entire life, and she’s the queen of the household, ruling with a fur-covered, claw-sharpened fist. I cannot imagine my life without her; I’m also not willing to see her go through unnecessary medical intervention if there is little chance that her quality of life and life span will be improved. If it’s malignant – we will keep her comfortable and loved and (even more) spoiled until it’s time for her to move on. If it’s benign – we will talk to the vet about the prognosis of such an extensive surgery, and make our decision based on what’s best for her. We are trying to not let money be the main issue, but it looks like it’s heading that way; as of today’s procedure, we’ll have spent over $1000 (which neither myself, T., or B. have to spare), and that’s not counting medication & future care.
I hate to ask for money; in the past, I’ve done so only for my IMsL run back in 2009. After talking to a few folks yesterday, I’ve decided to ask very quietly and politely for assistance. If anyone has a few spare dollars that they’d be willing to send to offset her expenses, we would all be incredibly grateful to you for your help (there is a Paypal donate button on the right hand side of this page that you can use, or you can email me for a mailing address or other options). I wish I could tell you that your money will save her life; we just don’t know that yet. But we don’t want to give up on treating her without knowing that there aren’t any better options for her other than to keep her comfortable and loved.
More importantly – please keep her in your thoughts & prayers. If you’re not an animal lover, this may seem ridiculous; if you love or have been loved by an animal companion, though, you know that we only want the best for our girl, and we’ll do whatever we can to make sure she gets it. Her companionship and love for us have been freely given for her entire life; it’s the least we can do to make sure that whatever time she has left is full of as much joy and comfort as we can give her.
3 Responses to 'Bit Love'
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Oh Sarah,
I so feel for you. Yes, you should definitely keep going until you know for sure. Nothing is worse than wondering if you should have done something more.
As you know, I make no distinction between human and non-human family. It’s all love, and responsibility. It sounds like you are responding brilliantly to this awful challenge.
I’m sending prayers, and $$.
Love,
Brabara
Barbara Carrellas
3 Aug 10 at 2:43 pm
Barbara – she’s an amazing girl, and I swear I think she is much of the reason that I have been graced with such love and protection these past 13 years. Thank you for your thoughts. And yes…we do all that we can to give her the quality of life that she deserves.
Sarah Sloane
3 Aug 10 at 2:45 pm
Oh, Sarah, I’m so sorry. My feline family have been there and we’re all sending lots of love. And Ellison and I will circle up and figure out what we can do money-wise too. Maybe our Golden Kitten will hold a bake sale in your honor…
Jenn
4 Aug 10 at 9:39 pm