9/19 punkin amps 207 acromegaly day 1 report

yesterday

If you want all the details of what's coming this week, most of it is in yesterday's condo. punkin is getting a radiation treatment to zap the acromegaly, which is a benign tumor on the pituitary gland.

today punkin is furry, purry, and a little bit harrumphy about being deceived and getting a bowl of water set down instead of food. and he got his shot anyway - 1/2 dose. but he's a very forgiving guy, so he continued to purr as i brushed him, and followed him to brush him more. puuuurrrrr purrrrrr, walking around. i really want to give him a bath but decided to just go with the wipes again. feels like too much trauma to add a bath to this day.

we'll leave in about an hour to drive over to the Vet School - it doesn't look very far from where we are. they give you a sign saying "pet in room" so anya won't be disturbed while we're taking punkin over.

i'm feeling the support - a million thanks from us!! :YMHUG:

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Holding you in our hearts and thoughts, Harrumphy Punkin...

and your clan as well!

Best of luck today.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Julie, sending vines and prayers for you and Punkin and Anya, too. I'll catch up with yesterday's condo. Hugs.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Thinking of you today. Tons of vines and white light for a successful procedure.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Holding you in my thoughts today.

Hey, WE GOT RAIN! Woo hoo!

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Thinking of you, Punkin, DH, and Anya today and hoping for a great outcome. Punkin, you are such a brave guy and Anya, you are doing a great job of taking care of your buddy and your beans.
Liz

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Thinking of all of you today and sending all the good thoughts and prayers we have to CO.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

I'm sending vines and prayers for u, Punkin & Anya. Good luck to the treatment!

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Sending all the positive thoughts and prayers we have your way!!!

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Sending prayers and good thoughts to your family... c'mon furry one... be strong Punkin!!!

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

I've been reading every update and wishing everything continues to go well. The picture and captions are priceless. Celi had me laughing out loud with a head ache yesterday. I wanted to kick her LOL.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Thanks for Punkin's dx info yesterday. I don't know why I didn't know that about him....It's interesting, in people, first line treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. The radiation is used for people that don't respond to the surgical procedure. You've intrigued me, so I'm going to do a little reading this afternoon to see what's different about our feline friends making radiation the treatment of choice.

You guys are going to do great and how wonderful of you and your DH to move forward and take this journey! Positive, successful vibes coming your way all the way from Florida!

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

Poor Punkin! No fuds!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: I hear the after party to Gracie's Annifursary Celebration was in your hotel room, so maybe the sliders and kebobs the kids brought late will tide him over?? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thoughts and prayers for all good news today!!!

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: And she probably deserved it, Karrie.

And adding on to Christie's post, Gracie told me she smuggled a great deal of grilled corn to give Punkin so I'm glad he didn't take her up on wolfing it all down :lol: :lol: :lol:

(((Julie)))): thinking of you all so much. Wishing for all the best for our handsome guy. And I miss you so much in LL at night!!!! Can't wait until you're back. Love and hugs.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 1/2 insulin, no food, CT scan/MRI t

:lol: poor celi! and she was just trying to make you laugh, karrie!

hanging out in the hotel room with anya at the moment. punkin should be ready to go in a couple of hours. you know what my thoughts have been dwelling on today? that this is what it feels like to trust a professional.

maybe i've had a little crisis of faith in the past few years feeling let down by people who are in positions of authority but who let you down. today i feel no worries - hahaha maybe i should - because i feel like we left punkin in the hands of experts. they knew their stuff - the confidence exuded out of them.

first we met with Lynn Griffin, DVM, the resident in Radiation Oncology. she asked a lot of questions, then took punkin to get an anesthesia plan developed. then Jessica Timian, the vet handling punkin's care this week who is a specialist, along with Dr. Lunn, in acromegaly. We told both of them about Punkin's pupils sometimes fixing in a dilated state and they said the tumor could be pressing on the eye thingies. that's the official term. there are a number of eye pathways that crisscross around the brain, apparently. anyway, they seemed to know everything there was to know about it. dr. timian did say that they are really wanting to find a drug to deal with the tumor, but so far have not had success with anything. We talked briefly about the Octreotide study and she said one cat went OTJ with it, but no others. With the SRT about 50% go OTJ, but the rest drop their dose needs way down.

I hadn't realized the tumor is actually contained within the pituitary gland. somehow i had the idea it was on it.

wahoo - they've just called and he's coming around. we pick him up in about an hour. he did well enough that they were able to do both the CT and the MRI.

now i just hope we can manage the food and nausea tonight and he doesn't vomit all over the carpet in the hotel room. :shock:

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 acromegaly treatment day 1

oh, i forgot to say what a little stud punkin was in the CSU waiting room. all these giant dogs, and one or two little ones, and he acted totally unphased by any of it. he was sitting on the chair between us, then climbing on us, DH took him walking down a hall at one point. then i was holding him and he was standing on my lap, feet on my shoulders, and would ya believe, he POOPED on me! i only brought one pair of shorts and it was supposed to be 80 today, and i have you know what on my lap! :lol: :lol: :lol:

he was totally Joe Cool until he did that one. cat_pet_icon

fortunately there were kleenex, and the bathroom had paper towels and not just a blowdryer, so i cleaned up the worst of it and then washed my shorts when we got back to the hotel room.

ft collins is an awesome small city. wandered around Old Town and had lunch there.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 acromegaly treatment day 1

So happy to read your updates ....everything sounds like it's working out....except for the poop! Guess when you gotta go you gotta go....and Punkin had to go! Many prayers and best wishes for you and yours.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 acromegaly treatment day 1

He pooped on you!!???? Punkin!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am so glad you have complete confidence. I think that would make all the difference in the world. Wishing for good things tomorrow too. And no poopy pants.

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 acromegaly treatment day 1

well, at least he didn't humiliate himself by "going" on the floor -- he put it right where you'd take care of it for him.

Glad things are going well for Punkin so far!

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 acromegaly treatment day 1

What a wonderful update on the Lil Poop!

And after disappointments, i believe we have residual instinct that lets us know when we can Truly Trust...
sounds to me like yours is speaking up...

I tell ya, Julie... My heart, hopes, (and anxieties) are all soaring reading your condo...
and i know it must be 1/1000th of the emotions you are feeling.

Holding you and your wonderful gang very closely in my thoughts and heart...

and i DO feel a little badly for magnifying the migraines... :smile:

 

Re: 9/19 punkin amps 207 acromegaly treatment day 1

Wonderful update! Well, poop aside, that is. Hey, at least it sounds like Punkin is pretty relaxed about the whole thing! I hope his recovery from the anesthesia is easy tonight. Continuing to pray for you!!!

 

oh hahahaha you guys make me laugh! thank you!

we're back at the hotel and he's a bit weebly-wobbly on his feet. looks like a drunken kitter stumbling around. he's clearly looking for food but has settled with the waterbowl.

Dr Timian came out and announced that it was one of the biggest acromegalic tumors they'd seen. she said she was surprised we weren't seeing behavioral changes - often when they come in with a bigger tumor the cat's kinda checked out, looking dull and disengaged. punkin is completely engaged - he was watching every dog in that place and looking out the window, etc. there's no dullness about him. thank God we didn't delay. if we'd waited 2 more weeks we could've had dr lunn (she's on vacation now) but something just made me want to do it now.

i don't have a measurement of it yet, but we saw it on the cat scan and the mri - it's big - probably about 4-5 times the normal pituitary gland. i assume that makes it a big target that they won't be able to miss.

punkin looks, well kinda punk-ish. he just looks like he's had a rough day and he's definitely cruising for food. dr timian said to call if he vomits a bunch, and if he does get sick tonight she'll give him an anti-nausea shot tomorrow. she seemed to think with whatever this combo of anesthesia is that he would likely not be vomiting tonight. we're going to wait a bit longer on food but can still shoot him on time, i think. i suppose his BG is all messed up now because of a 1/2 dose this morning anyway. i'm going to check him now.

 

Poor Punkin! Fingers and paws crossed that you get no pukus tonight. So thankful for you guys that his supertumor hasn't affected his overall Punkiness!! And great outlook... the bigger the tumor, the clearer the target! And that, kids, is making lemonade.....

BTW, just to verify... did you find any chicken feathers in the hotel room last night? Afraid to go over and count the neighbor's chickens.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I'm glad that he's doing fine after the drug (sorry, having trouble spelling that word right now, and I'm usually a pretty great speller :lol: ). I'm so sorry to hear that he pooped on you, though. I guess he had to go, and he had to do right now, Momma Bean!!! :lol: But, Punkin!!!!!! Really!!!!!! Momma Bean is NOT the LB, ok? Sheesh. Have you no manners...? Silly kitters!!!!! :lol:

I look forward to more updates on him, Julie. *HUGS* Hang in there, girl.

 

Great report on Punkin! I do, however, think he let his feelings be known about all of what he's going through (i.e., the poop). I hope it's an uneventful night for all of you.

 

Good report tonight and paws crossed for no pukus. Yes, i think that amy have been a comment ont what's going on. ohmygod_smile Plus haow long had he been w/out a LB? Evr thought of getting one of those disposable ones to take along?

 

Thanks for the reports. I'm with punkin about doctor visits! Any hotel that has a pets in room sign has got to be great! Sending lots of positive vibes your way. :YMHUG:

 

Punkin told you exactly what he thought of this whole occurence, but sounds like it is all coming together
really well! With all the prayers & healing vines for Punkin, he is going to do great!
Thinking of you all, knowing you are doing the right thing, as many kitties have gone through this over the yrs.
All were well!! Big Hugs, Big Love, and you are in my thoughts now--Punkin, No more poops on your bean!!

 

Scary to think about the size of the tumour but how awesome that he is doing so well in spite of it. Awesome that you listened to your gut Julie.

 

What an eventful day you have had. It sounds like the doctor has everything under control and so does Punkin (well, almost everything!!). We are thinking of you and praying that all will go well. Punkin is a lucky kitty to have such great beans and to have Anya to look after him.
Wishing you a good night, no pukus, and a good treatment tomorrow.

Ella & Rusty

Hey Punkin, man you are one brave kitty! Keep up the good work. You're gonna be fine.
Rusty

 

Punkin is a brave boy. You are all brave and I am sending healing thoughts and hope that things continue to go well.

 

Oh Punkin you pooped on your mom?!?!?!

Such a great report today Julie, i'm so glad you decided to go thru with all of this and thank god you did from the sounds of that nasty tumor. Always trust your instinct. Sounds like it's going to turn out great, and Punkin is in good hands.

Loved loved loved yesterdays pictures of Punkin and Anya in the car......i literally LOL'd really loudly while at work.

Keep up the good work Punkin and keep being a brave boy ;-)

 

Punkin, I totally understand. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. We are sooooo glad to hear such a good report from your bean. We are thinking of you and sending you many healing vines.
Liz

 

Wow, I am just catching up with your journey. I love the pics of the kitties in the car. I love how good they are in the car and enjoying the adventure. A really nice report on your journey and sending vines and prayers for a successful treatment. Punkin is one lucky kitty and you are an awesome Bean.

 

well - no vomiting and i think we're past the nausea. i've been giving him little bits of baby food every half hour from 5:30 til 7, then gave him a little more for the shot, then more at 8:30. he'd like more but i'm just going to keep up with that. his pmps was 234 - not bad considering his crazy day. they said we could feed him til midnight, and i probably will. he has to be there at 8am in the morning.

he'd only gone about 1/2 hr without a litter box. it might've been a statement. LOL. hadn't thought of that. on the one hand i was disgusted and annoyed (i was talking to a woman in the waiting room with her cat) and on the other hand i was somewhat in awe that he didn't even squat. just standing there on me, looking over my shoulder out the window and it all fell out. :lol: :lol:

by the way, the woman i was talking to was on this long thing about how canned food was bad for cats because the lining of the cans was toxic. her husband had sat next to a can manufacturer on a flight and he'd told the husband that the lining was purely decorative. her cat was hyperthyroid and she thought it was from that, so had switched him to dry food.

i didn't even try. sometimes you can see the writing on the wall.

if it doesn't get any worse than this, punkin will do just fine. whatever they did today it seemed to wear off pretty quickly and he's doing well. he jumped from the floor to my lap in one smooth move just now, so he's feeling ok.

 

You should start "The Adventures of Punkin and Anya" series great pictures (my furkids would NOT be so well behaved!) and an even better story. Such love, perseverance, courage, friendship!

I'm glad to hear Punkin's docs are good and treatment is going well :smile:
We're sending your troupe good wishes, prayers for a successful outcome and speedy recovery!

 

234 is not bad at all, especially considering what he's been through today. He is such a trooper! Was Anya glad to see him when he came back to the hotel? Zener licked Tillie's head just a little this morning (which is very rare) and we thought of Punkin and Anya. Sending our very best for a good tomorrow.
Liz

 

All in all not a bad day except for the poopin' incident. That is hysterical how he just pooped....no squatting, no embarassment....just plop plop plop :lol: :lol: :lol:
So glad to hear he is not sick tonight, his BG is not bad, and he's eating.

I hope you get some rest. Prayers still coming your way!!!

 

I watched your video and read your SS. Punkin is so gorgeous. They both are. Punkin reminds me of the wonderful and famous library cat Dewey.

I'm going to have LB tested for acromegaly after reading your thread. What is the prognosis after the treatment?

Just like the other's I've been spell-bound reading your account of the big day. Will be following Punkin's progress with great interest!

Marilyn

 

thinking of you and Punkin and sending lots of vines

 

hi julie! just seeing this now. sounds like a good day 1 at CSU! hope all went well last night and looking forward to hearing about day 2.
sending positive thoughts...

 

Wishing you and Punkin a good day today and that everything goes smoothly.

 

(((Julie))) (((DH))) (((Punkin))) (((Anya))) You all sound as if you're handling this so well. I think about Punkin so many times throughout the day. It's a real blessing that you've been able to give Punkin this chance at a better/longer life. I've read your posts and it all sounds very interesting, but nerve wracking. Punkin is so brave and I can just see him being charming to all the staff. Sending loads of prayers your way. Keep up the good work Mr. Punkers.

 

sounds like things are going well for all of you.....what an ordeal for you guys.....

sending healing vines for mr punkin (PNW vines in fact)



hugs,
tena and curry

 

I do really admire you and all you're doing right now. I wonder about Tommy and Guinness, too. Do you know if anybody has heard from either of them. Yea, all 8 "helpers" and since Sunday, not a one of them has failed to show up for work. I have to say that it has never taken me so long to complete a chore, but I spend a lot of time playing and goofing around with them. Your description of their kitty conversation is very accurate! Leave it to Mr. Punkin to be an overacheiver and have a whopper of a tumor :shock: Figures. No wonder he's getting such a hefty dose. Best of luck tomorrow. Hope everything goes as smoothly as it has so far.