Update on Lynn's Gigi's Lymphoma :)

See http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11021&p=111021#p111021

party_cat party_cat

 

Thank you so much for posting the good news for us, Venita!

I've been eager to share our experience with our FDMB family...

Our visit to the California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad was an uplifting experience, to say the least. I had read about this place and had heard from several local pet owners who gave the staff and clinic rave reviews.

As soon as we checked in, the oncology nurse, David, brought us to a private room. He said, "This is Gigi's room! She can do whatever she likes in here." There were chairs for us, an exam table, and a new kitty litter box just for her David set Gigi's carrier on the floor and opened the door, stating that he wanted her to come out in her own time. He sat down with me and started to explain everything I could expect from their clinic and what they have planned for Gigi's diagnostics. As he was speaking, Gigi cautiously exited her carrier, took one look around the room and walked straight over to where David was sitting. She rubbed against his leg and jumped up onto his lap. He was absolutely blown away! He said in all the years he's worked at the clinic, this was the very first time a kitty had done this on her first visit. He immediately snuggled with her and remarked about how incredibly soft her fur is. (Everyone who touches Gigi always remarks that her fur feels just like rabbit fur.)

It only took that much for Gigi to win this man's heart. She continued to sit in his lap, purring away, until he had to leave to go get her doctor. He kept shaking his head, smiling and exclaiming how special my little girl is. It made me feel even more comfortable and confident, seeing how well Gigi accepted the first person she had contact with there.

When Dr. Ogilvie came in to meet Gigi and examine her, he immediately remarked on how healthy she looked and how young she appeared. He took a lot of time going over all the records the previous vet had faxed over, including the preliminary pathology reports. He explained what he suspected was going on, what possible scenarios we could expect, and all the various treatment options and life expectancies. He and David both stressed how they look at the patient's quality of life above and beyond everything else. They are always thinking about what is best for the patient. I really appreciated their outlook and how they treated me as well as how they handled Gigi.

David came back in and said that he was going to take Gigi's x-rays himself, and away they went. When all the x-rays and tests were completed, he brought her back to me in her carrier. At least, I thought he had brought her back, until I looked in the carrier and only saw a new white blanket on top of Gigi's blue one. I started to ask where she was, when I noticed the white blanket move ever so slightly. I opened the carrier and out from under the blanket pokes a little pink nose! David had given her an extra blanket to make her feel more secure in these strange surroundings Little did he know how much Gigi LOVES to hide under blankets! She was so happy, pulling her head back under the new blanket and "disappearing" again. We played this game while we waited for all the paperwork to get completed.

So, on top of the wonderful news that Gigi is the perfect candidate for treatment and learning how healthy she is otherwise, I think we found a veterinary clinic that truly cares for patients and their humans.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support in giving my sweet little girl a chance to live a full life

Hugs,
Lynn and Gigi ("Peek-a-boo!")

 

lynn , I followed V's link and posted over on that thread. but worth repeating.
If this is Greg Ogilvie-- and I googled and see he left colorado for ca so probably is....

he has a fantastic reputation. when winnie was dx'd w/ lymphoma, I read several of his papers.
from the description of your appt the reputation is well deserved.
Gigi is getting the best of care !!

sending healing wishes for Gigi.

 

I so love the descriptions of the people and their attention at this place. It truly sounds like these are good, caring people and if Gigi is happy with them, I'm sure you will be too.

I especially liked the part about quality of life but utmost important to them - nice to hear doctors not pushing treatment for the sake of treatment, but rather to do what's best for the animal.

Sending blankets and blankets of well....soft, gentle smooshy blankets! :smile: