Dear Caroline
Here's hoping that this transfusion will bring Monkee back and give you
plenty of time to regroup.
It is such a difficult time for the both of you. I hope that this new
vet will
give you both the support that you need, and help in knowing when it is
the time,
whenever that may be.
Jane
On Jun 27, 2007, at 5:42 PM, Caroline Kaufmann wrote:
To Wendy and Belinda:
Monkee was done at 12:00 today, so I left work to go get him and take
him back home (it's quite a drive for me, so I ended up being gone 2
hours). I didn't want him staying at the "hospital" any minute longer
than necessary because he hates it there so much now. I was both
relieved/happy/sad to see how much better he was instantly. I could
see it in his face/eyes...I had my Monkee- as I know him- back. I was
also told he was not "as nasty" to the techs today- ha! It's a
comforting feeling to have him "back," but also scary to realize that
it takes an extremely expensive, temporary procedure for that to
happen. He ate like a pig when he got home and groomed and groomed
(which was his nature before, but since he got sick, he couldn't do it
anymore. So it's like he knew he felt better and he was going to take
instant advantage of it and get his white spots all white again!)
They said his RBC count was already up to 15% after the transfusion.
For now, I will just see how he does. Dr. Maier wants me to report
back to her on Thursday or Friday, and she said I could email her (a
Vet that uses email as a communication method with clients?! I found
that VERY refreshing to hear because email is the BEST form of
communication for me...I always need to write to collect my
thoughts!). I just have so many things going through my head and so
many things I need to consider on Monkee's behalf and with everything
happening so fast with him, it's becoming more than a full-time job
(on top of the one I already have!) to educate myself and try to make
good decisions.
I guess I just want another opinion as to what we should do when
Monkee's transfusion "wears off."
Caroline
From: wendy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Anemia Issues
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:12:35 -0700 (PDT)
>Hi Caroline,
>
>I'm sorry that Monkee's HCT count is not too good. I
>cried when I read your account of going to Dr. Maier's
>office. It felt like a rainbow bursting through the
>clouds. I loved the story about Monkee trying to get
>at those cats. He sounds like a hoot.
>
>If Monkee isn't making any RBC's, which means he
>doesn't have any reticulocytes, then it's called
>nonregenerative anemia, and it is not a good anemia to
>have. It means the leukemia is probably active in the
>bone marrow, which is, as far as I know, irreversable.
> I wish I could tell you differently. Here is a good
>website to read up on types of anemia.
>
>http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/10200.htm
>
>Here is another link:
>
>http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/tolbert/index.php
>
>I think you are right not to put kitty through chemo
>again. The anemia is enough to deal with. I am so
>sorry your beautiful, healthy kitty is going through
>this. I truly am. Fighting anemia is like fighting a
>ghost. You just don't know when it's really time to
>let go until sometimes it's too late. Even with the
>lowered HCT, some kitties have a good quality of life.
> And no one wants to let their kitty go before their
>time, even if they aren't feeling 100%. I lost my
>Cricket to the same thing. His was regenerative
>anemia, but we could not reverse it in time.
>
>If you do go with the blood transfusion, you will see
>a different cat, even for just a few days. He will
>feel so much better. But your vet is right in telling
>you it's temporary; she is doing the right thing in
>being honest. Even though there are many good vets,
>there are those out there that will not give you the
>full scoop because of greed or ignorance or whatever,
>and give false hope. Your vet seems to be a good one.
>
>It will be a good time to spend a lot of quality time
>together, feed Monkee a lot of whatever he loves, let
>him enjoy the outdoors and sun if that's what he
>likes, takes pictures and video (After I lost Cricket,
>his photos helped a lot), and prepare for good-bye. I
>hate telling you this because I never want to give up
>hope. I'm as tenacious as they come. But if your vet
>did test for reticulocytes and there are none, then
>there are studies to prove the graveness of the
>situation. And I want you to be able to make the most
>of it instead of looking back and wishing you'd done
>this or that. The only real hope is if the vet missed
>the reticulocytes and the anemia is actually
>regenerative; then the Epogen is important is helping
>to stimulate need RBC's. I pray this is the case for
>Monkee. Make sure your vet tested for these; I'm sure
>she did if she's saying Monkee is not making any
>RBC's. You can ask how she came to that conclusion
>and see if she mentions RBC's.
>
>Prayers going out for reticulocytes and that Monkee is
>comfortable. Prayers also going out for peace for you
>and your mom. Please keep us posted on sweet Monkee.
>:)
>Wendy
>
>"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can
change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has!"
~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~
>
>
>
>
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