Wednesday 30 September 2009

Dare we celebrate this good news?

(Posted by Mewomie L)

Timmy's oncologist just called me with the histiology report from Timmy's tumour, and the lab technicians have declared clear, good margins all around the tumour i.e. they are confident that it has all been removed just by surgery! Hence no radiation needed as there is nothing to radiate!

I am absolutely dumbfounded with a cautious happiness (if that makes sense). Almost everything I have read has stated that surgery and radiation are almost always needed to deal with Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (FOSCC) effectively because usually there is 'spread' and it is quite rare to be able to cut out the whole tumour. However, the report says that in Timmy's case this is what has happened, it was quite 'compact'.

I questioned the oncologist and asked were they sure, and do they not need to do the radiation as a precaution and she said that there just isn't any areas showing as needing radiation. I stated that I had read about the surgery/radiation combination being most effective, were the doubly-sure? She said that the lab techs, herself, the surgeon and the lady who owns the cancer centre (Britain's top small animal oncologist) had all looked at the results and were sure radiation wasn't needed. Were they triply-sure...? she laughed and said yes, it is rare to get such a good result with oral surgery and SCC and she can understand my disbelief.

Obviously, she cautioned that FOSCC is THE most aggressive cancer going...and all it takes is one teeny-tiny invisible-to-the-eye cell....so Timmy is now under regular observation, as it could come back...statistically a 25-30% chance of returning. So he has a check-up in 3 weeks, they will knock him out and palpitate everywhere, and then he needs to go back every three months. If they are concerned about anything then they will run him under the CT scanner.

Thanks to all our friends on the Blogosphere for your continued support, as many of you know, dealing with this sort of thing is hugely stressful for us humans too and just knowing that there are people who understand is a relief in itself!

I am so relieved, but still very cautious, it is FOSCC that we are dealing with afterall....So, please keep your fingers crossed for the old boy and hope the nasty cancer really is gone!

Love from Meowmie L
xxx

21 comments:

LZ said...

WOW!! That is amazing wonderful awesome news!! Good job Mommies, without noticing it so early you were the first line of defense!

Latte

Anonymous said...

There's a long way to go for Timmy, but at least it sounds like you can breathe again. Great news!

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Yay! We are so happy!

Tiki & Kesey

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

We are jumping for joy here!

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Oh that is the most marvelous news!!! YEAH Timmy! And we will keep purring!!!

Latte and family are right--Timmy is lucky to have people who are so attentive you noticed it right away!

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

This is amazing news!!! We are so very happy for all of you! We will purr that it doesn't come back and that Timmy stays healthy!!!

Daisy said...

I am so pleased and happy to learn the good news for Timmy! And I have the feeling he can look forward to LOTS of chin scritches in the future as you secretly feel for anything.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

It is really wonderful to hear such positive news when dealing with cancer, especially one as malicious as this. WE are glad to celebrate your happiness!

purrs
Abby

Karen Jo said...

I am so very happy that Timmy got such good results with his surgery. I hope and pray that the nasty cancer is gone for good.

Ikaika said...

That is wonderful news!! We will keep purring for Timmy to stay well.

Craig & Caroline Hind said...

Oh brilliant! This is indeed excellent news and certainly cause for celebration. Timmy is very very lucky!

I think you and the docs are doing the right thing, and if they are so very sure that radiotherapy is not required then we have to believe them. Of course regular checkup are going to be prudent, which looks like is under control already!

Have a glass of catnip wine on me!!!

Hurray!

- Craig

Cat with a Garden said...

Chey told us about this and we wanted to concatulate from the bottom of our hearts. It's good to be suspicious though, cancer is an evil opponent. But this is truly great news. A big yay to Timmy!
Purrs, Siena & Chilli

Parker said...

How fabulous! All of us are purring with the happy's!
xoxoxoxooxxxx!
ps - our word verification was imacat! Hahahaha!

The Meezers or Billy said...

amazingly wonderful news!!!!!!!

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

Yippee!!! We are jumping around in happiness!

We are so glad that Timmy doesn't have to have the radiation! Sending purrs that the icky bad cancer is gone for good!

Charlemagne and Tamar

The Island Cats said...

Oh that is good news!!! We are so happy!! We send all of you purrs and hope Timmy heals fast!

Sunny's Mommy said...

That is wonderful news!!!

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

Just checking back, we are so happy for Timmy. We's been sending lotsa purrs.
Love,
KC

Jans Funny Farm said...

Our computer was down for a while so we missed this news. We hope Timmy's news will continue to be upbeat and positive, but we don't blame you for being cautious.

Ramses said...

This is excellent news! I hope that Timmy's face is well on the road to recovery now, having had a tooth out 2 days ago I sure know about ouchy faces. Tigmut'hep had 3 out though so at least I'm not that bad... He has taken to his new heated bed for the past few days, but is starting to feel better now and wanting to play again. He is the 3 fanged wondercat now apparently! ;)

Purrs,
Ramses
xx

Jans Funny Farm said...

Hi, Wondering how Castle is and how Timmy is doing with his illness and treatment.