Tasha - another
cat with Hemangiosarcoma
Hi! I have to tell you that ever since my cat, Tasha, was diagnosed
with Hemangiosarcoma in January of 2005, I have been referring
to your story over and over again. Tasha and Hector had very similar
stories. I did put her thru chemo for 2 rounds over the summer,
then her kidneys were being shot so we had to stop treatment.
The mass had already been removed but it grew back in the same
place on the same paw a few months after the chemo stopped. I
have been dealing with bleeding again lately and just a few days
ago, Feb 13, 2006, I came home and found her bleeding again and
it wasn't stopping. She had been bleeding for 12 days and I had
been putting a bandage on over and over again. I took her to the
hospital and they could not stop the bleeding and other than amputation
she had no other alternative at this point. I ended up putting
her to sleep. This has been so heartbreaking and I just want you
to know that I have found some comfort in reading about your story
and realized someone else knows exactly how it feels. I have had
the same frustrations and ultimately I had to put her down because
she wasn't herself anymore and she wasn't happy. I would love
to hear from you if you get a chance.
Sincerely,
Jhankhna
-- after my reply---
Hi, Jennifer! I appreciate your response so soon. I cannot begin
to tell you the variety of feelings that have been going through
me. So much anguish at what I had to do. I don't mind, I hope
that as your story helped me in making some decisions that mine
will also help someone whose cat may be afflicted with this horrible
cancer. It is still hard to believe that she was taken away from
me by this evil thing that just would not go away. Tasha was a
beautiful, sweet, loving, cuddly cat with so much personality.
Her presence is so strong in every corner of my home as I am sure
Hector's was for you. I will look for a good picture of just her
and if I can get it soon I will send it to you. I have to say
that after reading about the way Hector behaved after amputation
really made me think. The oncologist said cats often adapt easily
but he also said that the chances of the cancer having spread
make you wonder if it is worth it to do an amputation. As in Hector's
case, I did not want to put her through a surgery and then find
out it had spread. It had already grown back after complete removal
so what was to stop it? I changed her diet as soon as she was
diagnosed, to wet food with lots of omegas. I just cannot believe
how this cancer is so agressive in one area and how much blood
they can lose. Your descriptions are so accurate, just as I also
have blood stains all over the carpet and everywhere, even dots
on the wall from when she would shake the leg. I didn't want to
put an e-collar and I know she would have shaken the leg so much
if I did. I have cleaned the carpets on so many days, wondering
when her bleeding would stop and the poor thing, it just stopped
now and then and then came back with a fury. I could talk your
ear off, thank you for reading this. I appreciate anything you
have as far as feedback, not that I can do anything now but just
to share our experiences. Again thanks so much for reading this
and for the links for support because I may need it. Hope to hear
from you soon, let me know what to do. I have kept a word document
for Tasha's cancer journal, and I am willing to share with you
if interested. It may not be as detailed as yours but when I saw
how you did it, I thought it would be a good idea for me to do
it too, and be able to look back and see what happened over time.
Talk to you soon.
