Our 15 & 1/2 year old cat, Milli (short for Millicurie -- she started her life with us as a clinic kitty in our radiology practice), is ill. On Friday, she was found to be jaundiced & was diagnosed with an extrahepatic biliary obstruction of undetermined cause. Although a mass was not identified on an abdominal ultrasound study, with a 15 year old cat, one thing you have to consider is a cancer (the thought that she too might have pancreatic cancer was almost more than we could bear!). However, when David had the opportunity to review her imaging studies, he found that she had mineralized debris in her gallbladder & what appeared to be some mineralized material in the area of her distal common bile duct. So, we are hoping & praying that she has a gallstone or gallbladder debris that is blocking her common bile duct. We are now in conversations with a surgeon regarding her options for possible surgical intervention sometime this week. Oh my, when it rains, it pours!! For now, she is home with us, which is extremely important not only because she is a member of our family, but because she is David's snuggle buddy when he isn't feeling well.
David crossed the halfway point in his chemoradiation treatments today -- 13 down & 12 to go! On his blood work from last Thursday, his chemistry panel (liver values, kidney values, glucose, & electrolytes) all looked excellent. His red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells, & platelets are all low. So we have to be careful about not exposing him to crowds or anyone who may be sick (we stay home a lot!), make sure he doesn't cut himself or hit his head (which would automatically buy him a CT scan of his head), and explains why he tires easily. Over the course of the first half of this treatment, he has learned how to manage the low to moderate level of nausea that accompanies him almost constantly, without taking anti-nausea medications. I know that I am prejudiced, but I think he is amazing!!
Please add our Milli to your thoughts & prayers this week as she battles her own illness. She is a source of joy in our lives and has been a wonderful companion over the years, so we are hopeful that she can have successful surgery to correct what we hope will be a benign disease process.
Hugs, Janet
Stay strong,good woman.Both Millie and David are comforted by your love.
ReplyDeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteYou are pretty prejudiced, however, as an unbiased professional, I think Dave is pretty amazing as well! You're not too shabby as well. Sending positive thoughts for Milli's speedy recovery. Take care,
Scott
Dave and Janet,
ReplyDeleteWe think about you guys often and are encouraged by Dave's progress. You have good reason to be prejudiced - we all are - and should take pride in the strength you've both shown. We'll include Milli in our prayers now too. Chris Ball sent me copies of our WLHS football games which I dutifully watched over a weekend. What fun remembering those days and our friends - great people who have all made a real difference in this world. Take care and please don't hesitate to connect should you need anything.
Cheers,
John and Cathy Watkins