Today I feel compelled to do a post on my sick kitty, Phantom. Those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that the majority of my posts involved kitties until Phantom decided to start his own blog (Here).
Phantom was diagnosed with liver cancer last June and heart disease last March. It has been a year since he first started showing signs of his illness and it has been a long, hard journey. He has been to at least 4 local vets as we have moved from Birmingham, Alabama, to Pensacola Beach, Florida and finally to the Tampa/St. Petersburg area.
He has also been to two different oncologist starting with Auburn University small animal clinic and finally Bluepearl in Tampa and Clearwater. All have been excellent and very supportive and I appreciate every one of them for taking care of Phantom even when there was very little hope and his prognosis was poor.
We've tried two different chemotherapy drugs as well as some holistic herbal things. These have prolonged his life and given him a great quality of life for several months. He was very, very sick last June, but until this past week he has been doing really good. Eating, playing, bullying the other cats, catching dragonflies, monitoring the food situation - just being normal Phantom.
He has been very brave throughout the journey with all the vet visits, blood work, medications, but now we may be nearing the end of the journey.
I still have hope, but the vets say there is nothing left to do. His liver is failing, if not already not working. He has had to have subcutaneous fluids given almost daily since Friday and I'm having to syringe feed him.
He is still being very brave, but his poor little body is so weak.
This blog post is for him. I am so very thankful he has been a part of our lives these past 9 years. He has been the best kitty for my son and me. Phantom has missed the boy since he went away to college three years ago. Maybe this is his way of saying, "I've done my job for the boy, now I have to go."
Cadence will miss him too. He and Phantom have been together since they were both kittens. Cadence and our other cat, Ed seem to know that something is wrong. They haven't been eating much the past three days either.
I am still hoping and praying for a miracle, but now I don't think it's going to happen so I have to be prepared too.
We are just going to love Phantom and keep him comfortable until it's time for him to go.
He's beautiful and the best cat ever!
Animals are so sweet and really can tell how we feel. Phantom is a lucky cat to have you as his family!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I feel lucky to have had Phantom in my life too.
DeleteI'm glad I met Phantom even though he wasn't too keen on me. I didn't take it personally! He's one lucky cat with an interesting story of his battle with cancer. Sending you massive hugs, K. xoxo
ReplyDeleteDon't feel too bad about that. Phantom didn't care for womenfolk to much back in those days. He was my son's dedicated cat for sure! I think he likes me more now since the boy left. Except for the syringe feedings that is!
DeleteBless his heart--Phantom is in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the prayers. xoxo
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