Thursday, April 24, 2008

Heart And Soul, I Fell In Love With You Heart And Soul

"If you should die before me, ask if you could bring a friend."

-Unknown

The worst possible news came to visit us the other day. Elvis has cancer. Feline Lymphoma. There are no good options. Even with treatment his doctor believes that Elvis would only survive about a year. With treatments we can hold things off, and shrink the tumors in his nostrils, but it would not do a lot more then give us a little more time with our boy. He would be comfortable, and then the drugs would stop working and we would be right back here, watching him fight for his life. I have read that some kitties live as long as two years, but there is really no guarantee.

Alan and I want to put his dignity first. That means letting go in a few weeks. Right now he is in the back yard, chasing butterflies. He is in a good mood, he is still cleaning himself, and loving on us, and I look at him, and I think to myself, this can't be right. But at the same time, he has lost weight because he wouldn't eat, and even now we are giving him medicine to stimulate his appetite, without the medicine he wouldn't be eating.

Alan and I are in pieces, after spending a couple days in shock. He and I are going to go back to see the Elvis's doctor tomorrow, and ask some questions again, just so we are sure about what to do. Right now we still have a happy boy. He is such a happy little boy, and we are indulging him like crazy. That's where things are at the moment. I was telling a friend that I think Elvis knows what's going on, on some level. Last night Alan and I were sitting together crying, and Elvis came into the room and sat down between us. He put one paw on Alan and one paw on me, as if to comfort us. That's what he does. He takes care of us.

-OndineMonet
Elvis
April 21, 2008
Afternoon

7 comments:

SolitaryDancer said...

Oh sweetie I am so, so sorry. I know just how much Elvis is part of your life. You guys have the most precious relationship.

I have no words but I do send love, support and a huge cyber-hug

You know how to reach me and always know that all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs and a ton of love and a special kiss of Elvis.

Deb

Laura said...

oh my goodness! i am so sorry! this post is so sad to me. i found myself crying as i read the news you shared and described your elvis just being his wonderful self.
{{{{{Carly and Alan}}}}

Suzanne R said...

I was afraid that I would be hearing news such as this when you didn't post yesterday. I was feeling bad, too, because I had kind of joked around in my comment to the last entry. I am so very sorry to hear that Elvis is this ill. I think it's wise for you and Alan to go talk to the doctor again as you are planning to do, to verify the information. Elvis sounds so precious, comforting you both in his kitty way and enjoying his time chasing butterflies outside.

As you may remember, I went through losing Chester just over 2 years ago, so I know what you are experiencing, although my circumstances with Chet were quite a bit different. Please feel free to e-mail me if you would like to talk about this privately. My heart is with you and Alan.

Big hugs and love!

MyMaracas said...

I am so sorry to hear this, Carly. I feared the worst after your last post, but I was so hoping for better news. If you need to talk, please email me? My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Karen Funk Blocher said...

Oh, Carly, I'm so sorry! It sounds like you're doing all the right things, but it's still going to be hard. The only good news here is that you get a little time to say goodbye. I'm sure you will make the most of it.

DesLily said...

well... that gave me the first cry of the morning...

I am so sorry you are loosing Elvis. I don't know why of all the animals that people post pictures of Elvis became my favorite.

It's so strange to me that even my last cat Pookey, died of diabetes.. that the animals seem to be getting more and more human diseases.. and making it more and more expensive to be able to afford having these loving, wonderful animals in our lives.

Anonymous said...

Oh Carly I am so sorry. This news brought tears to my eyes. I know how much you love Elvis. I don't know what to say other than my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Big hugs to you my friend!