Thursday, December 8, 2011

Devastated

UPDATE in May 2013: The cancer has grown a little, but overall Tucker is doing decently. Here's his latest health report.

UPDATE in December 2012: Tucker is doing quite well one year later. Here is an update with the latest x-ray.

I am very sad to write this. I took Tucker in for his annual checkup today and asked the vet to do a chest x-ray. I'd felt he'd had more than his usual number of "off" days and thought his asthma might have worsened.

The vet was shocked to show me two spots on his lungs, deep and inoperable, near his heart and spine. Her concern is that a cancer has migrated from another spot in the body, but she could not find from where.

She also could not give me an estimate of time. Her hope is that it's slow growing, but I'm not sure about that. We will enjoy each day we have with him until he's no longer comfortable. We may have a few months or a year, but each day will be precious.

My heart is broken.

I will be taking some days off from the blog to adjust to this news. I want to encourage all you pet owners to follow your gut when it comes to your pet. Jim had thought a chest x-ray was unnecessary, but "something" told me he needed it.

48 comments:

Katnip Lounge said...

Oh Rene, My heart is breaking for you. When we got the diagnosis for Chuckles (renal failure) it was horrible at first, but the pain got better and we came to accept our limited days and we loved our boy to the hilt. Keep in mind that Tucker doesn't worry, he lives in the moment, so make sure he gets all the luvvins he wants. I'm sending big {{hugs}} your way, and a warm belly scratch for your sweet boy.

A few Good Cats said...

That's awful news. We know you'll cherish your time with Tucker, just as much as ever. Take good care...

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

I am so sorry to hear this. Te are purring that is is not as bad as cancer! Maybe scar tissue from the asthma! We will keep Tucker and you in our thoughts and prayers and purrs

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

What heartbreaking news indeed. You are all in our thoughts and purrs. (((HUGS)))

The Rosie Bee said...

My heart is breaking too. :'( Keeping you all in my prayers.

Cat said...

Oh Rene what terrible news! I hope that Tucker will have a long time with you filled with quality days.

The Adventures of Scarlett and Melly said...

Oh my god, Rene, I'm so sorry. My heart is breaking for you. *hugs*

Old Kitty said...

Oh no! :-( Oh Tucker! I am so so so sorry, Rene! Your adorable Tucker. I'm so sad, so sad. Please give him a great big hug from me. Hugs to you too. Take care
x

Fuzzy Tales said...

Oh, no, no no. Oh, we can't believe this. We are SO sorry. We don't even know what to write, this is such a shock.

Purrs and purrayers to Tucker and to you....We will hope for the best, that you still have a long time, quality time, together.

(((Hugs))) and kitty kisses.

Marg said...

We are so sorry to hear about Tucker. We sure are sending tons of purrs to help him stay around for a lot longer. We will also cross our paws for you too Tucker. Big hugs to the hoomans too. So sorry.

Everycat said...

We are very sorry to learn of handsome Tucker's diagnosis. We hope Tucker has many good times left to spend with you, we know he will get more love and care than any cat could wish for. We send you much love and many rumbly purrs

Oliver, Gerry & the Ape

Jans Funny Farm said...

We are sorry about Tucker's diagnosis. Sending a hug for you, purrs and woofs for Tucker.

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

Oh, ((((((((Rene))))))) my heart is breaking. I send you lotza love and will be praying for dear, sweet Tucker.

Love and hugs,

Judi and SASS

Pip said...

Rene, we are so sad to hear about Tucker. We purrs that you has many, many, many good days together.
We are purring fur both of you!
Love, TK

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

Oh Rene, I am so very very sorry to hear this. Having a diagnosis of something and not being able to fight it is so hard. Learning to accept what is can be a very very difficult lesson, especially when it comes with such loss.

I pray you have loads of wonderful quality time together, and that when his time comes it is quick and as painless as possible for all of you.

The Island Cats said...

We are so sad to hear this news! We are purring for Tucker and for you too, Rene. Enjoy your time together...and we hope you have many more good days.

Wally, Ernie, Zoey and mom Sue

ZOOLATRY said...

Tucker and family ~ you will be in our prayers each and every day, praying that your days will be many.

Anonymous said...

Rene, I'm so sorry. Each day is certainly a furry, purry gift. Angela

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are sorry to hear your sad news. We send purrs that Tucker will have many many more good quality days with you.

Amy J said...

***HUGS***

meowmeowmans said...

Oh no! We're so very sorry to hear this bad news. Please take as much time as you need, and know that we are purring and praying for you and Tucker. Thank you for loving him so much and so well.

mrsnmo said...

I don't think I've commented before on your blog before, but I read it all the time. I wanted to say how very sorry I am to hear about Tucker. I will keep you guys in my prayers, and wish you lots more good times together!

Roberta said...

I love you, sweet Tucker, and you are in my prayers every day.

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

We sends lots and lots of purrs for Tucker to has lots of grate days and for yall human beans for yore worries.
Purrrrrs n luvs,
Sanjeeand tha resta tha Hotties

Ikaika said...

We are so very sorry to hear the news about Tucker and send him lots of purrs and healing energy. We hope he has lots of quality time to spend with you.

Angel Simba said...

We came from Scalett and Melly's blog. We are very sorry you had this bad news about Tiuckers lungs. Purrs and pawhugs, Simba and Audrey

MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...

oh dear Rene and Jim.....the cozy cottage is filled with sadness at your dreadful news...please know how very much we care and are with you during this time...
your friend Karla

Samantha & Mom said...

Lots of purrs and prayers for Tucker!!And lots of hugs for You and your Family!
Your TX furiends,

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear the sad news about Tucker! We feel your pain and
you are in our thoughts.


Loki

Maggie May said...

I am so sorry to read this news on Tucker. Please know that we are all sending you and Tucker our very best purrs and purrayers. Enjoy every last minute!
XOXO
The Creek Cats and Maggie May

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry to hear this news! Please accept our heartfelt condolences and warmest purrs.

Brian's Home Blog said...

I just saw the very sad news about your sweet Tucker. My sisters and I send you and Tucker lots of purrs, love and hugs.

Alasandra, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are sorry to hear your sad news. We send purrs that Tucker will have many many more good quality days with you. Comforting & healing purrs, ~AFSS

Big Piney Woods Cats said...

Mittens was diagnosed with cancer and given two months to live, that was over two years ago....Stay stong! We are purring for you.

Forty Paws said...

Oh goodness! It is so sad to hear that a poodin has cancer. We lost 2 to cancer over the last year. Give Tucker all the luf and hugs during your time with him.

Luf, Us and Maw

Sweet Purrfections said...

We're so sorry to hear about Tucker's cancer. Mom Paula went through this with Sweet Praline last February and March. Special purrs.

Truffle and Brulee

Laura and Taffeta Rose said...

Oh, so sorry for the shocking news. We are sending lots of purrs to Tucker and you. We hope you have much quality time with him.

Hugs, Laura and Taffy

Fr. Tom Fish said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Tucker, but to know that you have the kind of closeness that tells you something needs to be checked is amazing, really. Tucker needs so much love which I know will be coming. I'm so sorry for the news. We're hoping and praying for lots and lots of time with him for all of you.

Hugs,
Tom, Mittens and mom Julie

Angel Prancer Pie said...

We just saw this on the CB. So sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you. Our purrs and purrayers are being sent to you and Tucker.- from all of us at Prancer Pie.

fambly kittens said...

Sending many and many purrs Tucker's way. How terribly sad...

Team Tabby said...

We are keeping you and Tucker in our thoughts and send you hugs and purrs to comfort you. We are sad to hear the results of the vet visit, we hope you still have many, many more days together!!

Clooney said...

We are so very sorry for your sad news about Tucker. We send you our best thoughts and big purrs and prayers that you will still have a lot of time to spend with each other.

Katiez Furry Mewz said...

Purrin and praying fur all uv u.

And Tucker to have lots of luvs and time to say, see u later... not goodbye.

Katie and da Katz

Stampindamour said...

Rene - I am so sorry to hear this sad news! I have two "purr-bucket" kitties and I know how special they become...your kitties with hat photos always make me smile when I visit your blog.

**hugs! :)

-pamela

Ikaika said...

We are sending healing, comforting purrs for Tucker and gentle purrs and headbumps for you.

Mo and The Purries said...

Sending lots & lots of PURRS to Tucker from the Purries of Purrchance To Dream, and (((HUGS))) to you!

Karen Jo said...

I am so very sorry to read the news about Tucker. I hope you have lots of quality time left with him. Herman sends healing and comforting purrs.

Tigger, Munchkin, Jigsaw, Patches, Bobbie and Lil' Miss Fuzz said...

Oh, dear, oh, dear...there are too many sad news bits today..
We are so sorry to hear this about Tucker, and we hopes you have a long time yet with him.

Purrs and headbonks to you all.

Two kitties in a basket

 Check out this cuteness! Lucy and Ringo both squeezed into the old wicker bed. We've had this bed for many years; it was Benny's wh...