Wednesday 30 April 2008

Toxic Tuesday

I'm am now officially toxic. Here's my day...

I was quiet this morning when Meowmie woke up, and did not want any foods at all, I licked my lips and backed away from the food bowl when Meowmie tried to tempt me, and I had a watery mouth. This means I was feeling sickie. I wasn't supposed to eat this morning anyway cos of the impending chemo so it is a blessing in disguise that I didn't want foods...

My favourite driver collected me this morning, the lovely one from Bangladesh. I checked in at the Vet Place and Ben Vet explained the protocol to us that I will follow:

Induction Protocol - 8 weeks
- Vincristine weekly
- Cyclophosphamide every two weeks
- Prednisolone steroid daily for 7 days then every other day
- Blood samples at weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Maintenance protocol (if we get that far) as follows:
(insert one week off treatment for every week on treatment)
- Vincristine every 2 weeks for 8 doses
- Cyclophosphamide as induction protocol for on weeks, no treatment in off weeks.
- Prednisolone steroid every other day.
- Increase interval between treatments to 4 weeks after 8 cycles of fortnightly vincristine

Ben Vet said if I am slow to respond that he may bung a dose of Doxyrubicin into the protocol from time to time to give the lymphoma a good blast of chemo.

The Meowmies then left me, I purred so hard for them not to go and I headbutted them but they had to leave me there so I could get treated. Ben Vet and Caroline Vet put me on a drip and got some fluids into me to build up my strength ready for the chemo. They also did some blood tests. The tests were all OK but the platelet count was a little high which can indicate bleeding (amongst some other very normal, unworrying things), but there is no sign of bleeding in my poos and other bodily fluids. Ben Vet was not overly concerned by this as a higher platelet count is to be expected with lymphoma and cancer. Ben Vet will monitor this though as it could also be a sign that there is a problem with my bone marrow - although none of the other stuff in my blood indicated any bone marrow problems, which is good! My weight has dropped to 3.55kgs from 3.75kgs, which is not great, but to be expected.

I spent most of the day on fluids and then Caroline Vet and Ben vet safely administered my chemo and then I waited for Meowmie to come and get me at 4.30pm. We hadn't seen Caroline Vet for AGES! She was sad my lymphoma had come back too and she reassured Meowmie that I would get the best care and lots of love in their practice. I did get LOTS of fuss made of me today in fact...Nurse Ann even gave me a special blanket for me to hide under in my patient pod!

I am home now, I have eaten well and Castle hasn't hissed at me yet - he hates the vet smells on me. I am a little sleepy but not aloof and I am not isolating myself. This is me just after I got home tonight wearing my bandage...and as it is Tuesday, my toes are here too, I've never done a Toes on Tuesday before! Now I have! I have a new collection of shaved patches on me now, check out the bald patch on my neck, my right leg and you can see my bald pink tummy hanging down too!!! How embarrassing! (Oh...and a bit of food on my mouth too! The indignity of it!)




A HUGE Thank You to you all for coming by and wishing us well and sharing in our troubles and being there for us. I really want to try and visit everyone and say a personal thank you...but tonight we are going to rest up and chill, it's been a very tough and emotional 48 hours. I hope you understand. A very special thank you too for Ann at Zoolatry for the lovely graphic that she made me...what a beautiful thing to do for me xxx

36 comments:

HRH Yao-Lin said...

Storm you wonderful, brave cat! You are truly remarkable - and the vets sound fantastic! Really amazing - and rightly so, you deserve nothing less. Oh Storm, I am praying like crazy for you and your family. Your human slave must be beside herself. YOu are so beautiful Stormie, even after a hard day at the vet. Bless you, little siamese stunner x

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

I am so glad that you have eaten and are keeping your Meowmies company! Stick around them and get lots of snuggles!

We will have you in our purrayers all the time!

All those shaved spots don't take away from your beauty!

Anonymous said...

you are indeed the furry fighter--how proud we are to know you, storm!! brave an' beautyful, like a princess in a fairy tale. you haf two loving handmaidens to care for you, an' a benevolent wizard (wif staunch minions) to guard you from evil. their powerful spells an' potions will free you from that which must not be named! we are sorry that sometimes they make you feel badder than bad, though. g*d willing (an' g*d will, if the kitties of the blogosphere haf anything to say about it!), you will win through, dear storm, and enjoy your "happily efur after".

Anonymous said...

Oh, the Meowers' comment made me leaky-eyed -- how precious and how perfect. You are a brave and beautiful Siamese Princess, and we are all pulling for you and we love you.

Much love and snuggles and my strongest healing purrs to you, dear!

MaoMao said...

Oh Stormie, what a beeyootiful pickshure of you. You are so brave, and you touch us Ballicai and our beans with yur courage. Our hearts are with you and yur sweet Meowmies -- you are furry loved, by yur beans and by alla us onna Cat Bloggiesphere. We Ballicai are here for you, my furriend, and we love you.

Kittyhugs and purrs and lotsa love frum yur furriend MaoMao!

Victor Tabbycat said...

Considering the day you had, you look beautiful, Storm!

Rosemary B❤️ said...

I am so glad you are home. I have been thinking of all of you.
You are a brave girl Stormie. I wish I could give you a gentle hug. I am glad you are home. I love the picture of you.
YOu are such a great friend. I love the graphic. I am putting it on my blog.

lots of hugs and purrs for all of you ~<3

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Storm, you are the furry bravest! We are all purring our hardest that the yucky chemo works and you feel better. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Sunny's Mommy said...

I'm so glad you're doing well once you got home. That's wonderful that you ate well and are staying out around everyone.

You shouldn't be embarrassed by your picture. Even though they stole more of your furs, you're still absolutely beautiful :-D

Daisy said...

Storm, I think you look brave and beautiful! Your tummy looks a little bit like mine! I am so proud of you, and now I think you should get lots and lots of rest.

LZ said...

You are such a brave girl!! I remember the shaved band of arm fur, it gets a little breezy. We all love you so much and while we can't be there fighting with you, know we are all there around you in spirit and love.

Latte

Parker said...

Rest up sweet Storm. You need your energy. We have thought of you all day and hoped that things went as well as they could. You look beautiful! Tummy and food and all!
You shall stay in our prayers.
Snuggle up to the Meowmies and know you are so very much loved.
xoxoxoxoxoxo and smooches by the cargo load!

Lux said...

You amaze me, Storm, with your bravery. I'm glad you had an appetite this evening!

You are beautiful in your picture ...

Hugs,
Me (Lux)

Anonymous said...

Storm,

Don't worry you always look beautiful.Please continue to eat and rest.Me and mom are praying for you.
We love you sweet friend...Hugs and Purrs Ariel and Her Mom

Motor Home Cats said...

Storm, as a meezer, you could never look anything less than beautiful We are glad that you were feeling well enough to eat dinner tonight. Remember to live up to your name - both the Furry Fighter and Storm - be a storm to your cancer - full of fight and fury. We are purring for you.

Tiki, Tavi, Cody and Camie

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Yoo look beyootiful Storm! We are so proud to be yoor frend. Yoo rest up so yoo can fight with all yoor might! We'll keep purring and purraying dat yoo, yoor mommies and Ben and Caroline vet can beat dis cancer too!

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Storm, I am so glad you are hungry! I think you wanted us to know how well you were eating and so you put some of that food on your face!

I hope that this all goes well and we are all thinking of you.

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

I am so glad you felt like eating a little. We are all purrring and praying for you dear Storm.

All of us here think you have cute toesies!!

~ Maggie Mae

Jans Funny Farm said...

This has been a tough and emotional day for all of you, Storm, so we hope you all get lots of rest tonight.

We wish you didn't have to go through chemo again but since you do, we're glad you have a vet you trust.

Boots, Ozzie and Brenda said...

We are purring very hard for you to get better. All the best to you Storm & family.

Brenda & Ninja

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Hi Storm,
This is my first time to your blog, after hearing about you from Ariel. I am so sorry you are ill. I am sending you lots of healing purrs from me and my sisters.
--JB

The Cat Realm said...

Storm, sweetie, don't you worry about visiting! Just get some rest and feel good and get better and let us purr for you! I think to speak for every cat when I say that if you just post updates about your well being once in a while no one requires you to come around and visit! In emotional times like this it is good sometimes to get a little break.
And even with that bit of (very embarrassing) food hanging out of your mouth - you still look stunningly beautiful!!!!
We purr for you, you get better! That's what is called team work!
Karl

muffinmidi said...

You have beautiful toesies.

JEWELGIRL said...

You are such a lovely kittie
Storm and we are just hearing about
your hard times today. We send
you ((kitty hugs)) and ((purrs))
times 4 from all of us.
Spooky,Daisy,Aniwa,Shadow and
Jewelgirl

Cat Street Boyz said...

Such beautiful blue eyes, reflections from the sky.
Listen, you will hear, all the purrs of love & cheer.
Fight on, stay strong, you are not alone,
Whiskers sing to you, in a healing, soothing tone.
The Cat Street Boyz

The Lee County Clowder said...

Fight on, Furry Fighter.

ppuurrrrrrrrrrr
pppuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Mickey's Musings said...

We will be right there with you Storm!! All your friends will ! Good or bad,long or short,we'll be with you!!!!!
That's what friends do !!!!!
Purrs & Headbutts Mickey

Mr. Echo said...

I so wish you diddint haff to do this. But dont worry bout yur shaved spots. Your troo beauty shines thru. I'll be by oftin!

Dr Tweety of da Fab Five said...

Storm,
We haz not stopped purrijn' fur you since we heardz what aterrybull coupple of dayz haz been goin' on. So we iz sendin' sooo much Fab Five healin' vibez your way, we iz sure it will help!

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

Hi, Storm,
Jus checkin back on you's. You are so brave. I's been purring fur you all day long and will continue to do so until yours treatment is finished.
You look purrty in yours photos, just like you are. You's truly an inspiration to us all.
Love & Purrs,
KC

Anonymous said...

I'm glad your first day of treatment went ok Storm, your vets are very caring. This is very brave of you to go through a second chemo protocol. You take it easy, lots of rest and eat when you can. xx :)

PS: You have ezquisite toes!

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Storm, you are amazing! We are so sad your lymphoma is back, but glad that your first day of treatment went well. When it comes to your shave patches, just remember: bald is beautiful!

You have fabulous Meezer toes. :)

We are purring and praying for you, Storm.

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

You are so so brave, Storm!!!!
So so brave!!!!
I am purring and praying for you with all my heart!

Karen Jo said...

Oh, Storm, I am so sorry that your lymphoma is back, but you are so brave and strong that I think you have a good chance of beating it back again. I will pray for you with all my might. Don't worry about visiting. Just keep up your strength for fighting your lymphoma.

Anonymous said...

Dear friend, sweet Storm, I and my brothers and sisters are purring as hard for you as we did for our sister Miral!!
We so understand that you're not able to visit everyone,yet. Same here. Don't worry, I learned real friends understand...!!

Our purring engines are at full power for you, Storm!! The staff is sending healing energy and keeping you and your mommies in their thoughts every night...

Headbutts & love,
~Ruis

Sabrina, Sam and Simon said...

Storm, we are so happy that you had an appetite and were able to eat well after you got back from your treatment, you need to keep your strength up. And we are glad that Castle didn't hiss at you, either. You are a beautiful meezer girl, even with your shaved spots, and you have some seriously impressive meezer toesies ... hee hee! You deserve all of the fuss being made over you, especially since you are such a trooper having to go through this again. Hang in there, sweet girl, you are constantly in our thoughts.
Love, purrs and headbutts,
Sabrina, Sam, Simon and Momma