So...as you know..Jack is 9 and has had a really easy life. I've had
him since he was three weeks old...hes never had a major issue, he had
that eye thing when he was little that led to his eye draining a
lot..he's had a few nicked toenails via myself..but he's seldom had an
issue except since Molly passed.
I had a hyperventilation issue with him recently and Joe took him last
minute, and determined he might have been overheating..and wanted him
back for a check up...I am so glad I went...even though the symptoms
died down..I kind of knew something was still weird..he was making
pain sounds off and on from time to time, and it didn't seem to matter
whether he was being petted or was just sitting somewhere..
Well today, I had Jack in for his followup and in the course of asking
questions, I mentioned the pain responses I heard, and Joe suggested
an Xray...and well on that Xray- was a surprise..He has a mass taking
up about 25% of one of his lungs. It is what in a human would be a
cancer. Joe mentioned that the only course of treatment for a human
with a mass of relative size would likely be removal of the lung
altogether at this stage.
What is funny is that, in the exam, his vitals were good, his lungs
sound good, his heart is good, his cecals, and colon are good, but he
couldnt feel one of his kidneys but, now we think we know why, its
there but smaller than the other one. Its also on the same side as the
mass in the lung...related? Not sure. I did learn he has arthritis in
the bend of his back where I usually hold him so I am learning to let
him stand his feet on my hand when I pick him up and support his
shoulders since his legs are fantastically strong looking.
So....here I am...at that place where all great pet owners who have
given up for themselves to give to their pets, eventually arrive
at..planning for the end of the life of one of the greatest creatures
I have ever known.
Jack is going to die. There..I wrote it and said it..and have spent
the day crying over it, trying to avoid it, trying to reason with this
thing that always seems to steal my peace of mind...that I don't even
know when...it could be a month..a week..a year...
That being said, being weak for the moment is NOT my style, since Jack
has me to depend on for his comfort..I have to be strong for him. I
had the vet (Joe) tell me what to look for, listen for, and how to
read when it was bad..and we will be taking him back every two months
to keep an eye on it.
There are some meds they can use to dry out his lungs, but...truth be
told...there is no way to fix this..he would not survive the
surgery....he is 9 years old...and isn't appearing to be in much pain
except occasionally..and Joe said if that if it gets worse there are
things we can do then to alleviate the pain..but I am going to be very
particular in how we deal with this issue. The goal is know when Jack
is ready and to spoil him absolutely stupid until then..
Please keep Jack in your prayers.
Much Love,
Marie
much love to jack..and feel well for a long time with no
pain............. you were meant to be with them to the end. you know
that now. don't you.......... it was meant to be..............
Kind regards Kate & Rabbi
"Marie Nichols Britt" <belle...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:13b58f27-abf7-436c...@o6g2000yqj.googlegroups.com...
Thanks guys- y'all are right..definitely just doing what I can to keep
him happy.
"Marie Nichols Britt" <belle...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:13b58f27-abf7-436c...@o6g2000yqj.googlegroups.com...
Marie,when its time for him to be with Heather,Molly and all before
him,he will probably let you know. He is a wonderful bun,has lived a
life many could not. With all you have been through together,you
stayed with him. Love him and spoil him as said before. Carla Liza and
Jodie.
But it is clear that you are strong. The love between you and Jack must
be very great. I know that whatever time you have together now will be
wonderful for him.
I wish, I wish, I wish I could wish away Jack's tumor.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope you will come here
often to let us know how it is going.
Nona
My heart goes out to you and Jack. I was in the same situation back
in November with Petey. Unfortunately he didn't live much longer
after his diagnosis and I was told that he would not survive the
surgery being 7 years old. Keep Jack happy. I let Petey have whatever
he wanted and boy was he one happy rabbit. I will keep you and Jack
in my prayers.
Lena
He's good this morning..got a little scare out of him cause he was
doing something in his dig box, just a bit unnervingly loud, and of
course, I busted into the room as quietly as possible, which was still
noisier than I would have liked, so I think I startled him out of my
worry for what he was doing or going through, trying to be heroic
mommy and the look on his face was advising me to go light on the
coffee..
I appreciate all of you and yours prayers!
Wonderful sense of humor, Marie. That's a great tool for moving through
life and very inspiring and hopeful that you are displaying it today.
Nona
Marie sorry for the news. I know how you feel. With Boo it was a
quality of life issue. We knew we were facing the cancer in his eye
well before he passed. We made sure he was acting normal and had
plenty of pain meds so he wasn't suffering. The day before we made
the final visit, he started weezing. Actually it sounded like one of
my ducks squaking when he would breath. I actually thought Nicholas'
duck Clifford was making noises out in the front lawn and then to my
horror I discovered it was Boo. The vet suspected the cancer traveled
to his lungs. One day he was fine, the next day he was not. The
choice was painful, but obvious. Good luck with Jack and making him
comfortable in his last days.
Lisa
Definitely will keep it in mind, thanks and thank you for sharing with
me..I appreciate it.
Hi Marie,
My prayers are with you guys.
Jack is a great bun here.
I totally understand how you feel coz i had to do that to Mui when she
was very weak.
When it is the right time, you will feel it, know it.
Just make him more happy and tell him how much you love him, he knows
it.
He needs you so much to support and you need to be strong.
Face the health issue and life issue, we need to be very brave.
It is heart=breaking, yes it is. but we can to face it and do it.
But then, they will be our forever angels.
I wanna share with you that my fd's rabbit, 8 yrs old had lung problem
as well,
there was water there...they gave her medicine and it was better.
I am not sure the problem with Jack, but i hope he will get better and
without pain.
(((((((MarieandJack)))))))))
Petrina
Professor, The Jump, Zolo, Wizard, & Magic Brenda
One of my most life changing moments/periods was with a human who was given
12 months to live after diagnosis of asbestosis. He took it head on after
the initial shock. Was open with everything and extremely positive rising
several thousands of pounds for cancer research before he eventually died.
So even though Jack is coming to the end of his time be as positive as you
can. Jack will appreciate it.
You're both in our thoughts
Jackie and Richard
"Marie Nichols Britt" <belle...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:13b58f27-abf7-436c...@o6g2000yqj.googlegroups.com...
You are both in our Prayers. (((((Marie and Jack)))))
--
Dori ... Cissy and Munk
-----------------------------------------------
"Marie Nichols Britt" <belle...@gmail.com> wrote ...
It will get better...I have to keep my sense of humor about me..after
all...Jack is certainly handling this with far more grace than I
can..hes barely batted an eyelid at it all.
Marie,
We are here to listen all the time.
Petrina
I'm sure you'll be able to keep him comfortable and that he'll be fine for
quite a while yet. Don't think about when, just be with him each day and
enjoy him each day, or the worrying about it will rob you of those days.
I pray for you both.
--
God Bless,
Arlette, Cocoa & Brownie in heaven (See us here)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11393346@N02/
Need a vet? Click here <http://www.rabbitvet.net>
For Cocoa's body sling vids Click here
<http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=cocoa3c>
A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
Proverbs 12:10
Professor, The Jump, Zolo, Wizard, & Magic Brenda
Thank you Lena,
5 rabbits into my lifetime, and it never is any easier. I feel for you
and your loss, and am here if you need anyone to vent to. He is doing
well tonight. Eating like a little lawn mower on his hay.
Very very true.