Monday 1 February 2010

It's My Birthday! I am 14 years young!

THANK YOU everyone who has remembered that today is my birthday and left messages for me in the last post which I made some months ago, about Timmy's birthday...and a huge thank you for leaving such sweet messages on Stormie's blog today too. Today we have been thinking about her a lot, and we miss her as much today as we did when she first went to The Bridge.

So, a little update for you all....I have been very well but I am afraid Timmy had some bad news at the end of November - his mouth cancer returned, despite our best efforts to remove it with surgery in September. As you know, oral cancer is the worst cancer a cat can get, very aggressive and the success rate of beating it is very low - something like 10%. At one point Timmy's oncologist was very ppositive that Timmy could be one of the lucky ones, due to the location of the tumour and the fact it was caught early...but as it turns out not early enough.

Timmy was given "maybe two months" at the end of November - but he is still here, he is still completely normal, no signs of pain or discomfort - he just has a big lump the size of a large walnut on his cheek at the moment. He has metacam and antibiotics daily to ward off inflammation, pain and infection. He had a check up a couple of weeks ago with Caroline Vet and she said he was doing very well 'considering', and said that Timmy may even have a couple more months in him yet, although it was hard to predict due to the aggressive nature of this cancer. So, like Stormie, he is doing his best to beat the predicted survival times afforded to him.

Despite the bad news, we have tried not to let it affect us too much, and we remember all the good things; Timmy has got to a ripe old age (almost 15 and a half) and we are thankful that we found him and have been able to share time with such a character of a cat. The way we look at it is that his Original Mum (who passed away 18 months ago) just wants him back now...that way, it doesn't quite seem so sad, does it?

Not the greatest news to share on my birthday, but it didn't feel right to ignore the issue when so many of you have asked how we are. So anyway, please do not be sad, let's remember my sister and also celebrate my life and the fact that Timmy is still part of it. Here is a picture of me and Tim having a nap and then one of my favourite ones of me and my sister :)

Love to my friends
Castlepants xxx



18 comments:

Jans Funny Farm said...

So good to see a post from you, Castle. We're glad you are doing well and able to celebrate your birthday. We know you would prefer to have your sister here sharing it with you, though.

We are sorry to hear this news about Timmy. But we're glad he is doing so well considering his illness. We hope he continues to have good quality time left with you.

Jans Funny Farm said...

PS - Thanks for coming by. There may seem like more of us but there really aren't. In fact, we are one short. Our adopted brother Crystal died January 24.

The Florida Furkids said...

Happy Birthday Castle! We're sorry the news isn't better about Timmy but we hope he is with you for a long time.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We are sad to hear about Timmy, however we cannot think of a better place to spend the best years of our lives than with your family. The Woman tells us that she was quite frustrated some 15 years or so ago when she had several cats who all seemed to get these horrible incurable illnesses and then died after only a few years with her. She was telling a friend of hers how she felt that maybe she shouldn't get another cat because she had such horrible luck. Her friend, a vet tech who had been diagnosed at age 31 with class 4 melanoma (five year prognosis) said, "No way. It's about quality not quantity. Believe me. I've had a lot of time to think about THAT one." We think that those heartfelt words are very apt for your family. It's quality time. Purrs.

We are remembering all the good times you wrote about Storm today.

Sabrina, Sam and Simon said...

Castle, we are so, so sad to hear about the bad turn that Timmy has taken, but we are so thankful that he has been able to spend such a wonderful amount of loving, quality time with you and your Mewomie. He will be in our thoughts and purrayers, and we love both of you ...
Hugs, purrs and headbutts,
Sabrina, Sam, Simon and Momma Jan

Mewomie L, I am sending you the biggest hugs I possibly can, I hope you can feel them ... Momma Jan

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

A furry happy purrday Castle! It was good to get an update from you. We are saddened by the news on Timmie, but it sounds to us that he is holding his own quite nicely and living each day to the fullest. WE will add him to our daily purrs....

purry purrs
Abby

Daisy said...

Happy birthday, sweet Castle! I am so sorry the news about Timmy wasn't better, but he has been so lucky to get to spend his remaining time (and I hope it is a LOT) with you.

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

Happy Birthday Castle!
We is sad Timmy is sik but gla he's doing good considerin.
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs,
Sanjee and tha resta tha Hotties

The Island Cats said...

Happy Birthday, Castle! We hope you have a terrific day! We're sorry to hear about Timmy. But we know whatever time he has left will be happy times with you!

Samantha & Mom said...

Happy Birthday Castle! We are so glad to hear from you and Timmy!! Our purrrs and purrayers are with you! We just love the two pictures of you and Timmy & You and Storm!
((((((BIG HUGGGS)))))),
Your TX furiends,

Craig & Caroline Hind said...

Hello Castle! So good to hear from you again! (Although we have been very slack too!)

I'm so sorry we forgot about your birthday. :-( But we hope you had a good day, with plenty of stinky goodness.

We are sorry to hear about Timmy's cancer. It's a very nasty thing, and it just keeps coming back. We hope that he stays relatively healthy until his time comes, as sad as that is. We hope his previous Mom is planning a great party for him when they are reunited!

Lots of love!
Timtam, Mumble, Misu, and Craig and Caroline!

Parker said...

Hi Castle, I hope your birthday was a wonderful one.
Sending purrs for Timmy. We are so sorry that the cancer returned.
You are right, when you think about him going back to his original Mom it makes it just a little less sad.
xoxoxoxox

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Hi Castle and Timmy.
Happy BirthdayCastle.
I did not remember.
Yesterday was Storm's birthday too and I just want you to know that Caesar and Prinnie liked both of you soooo much.
I am fortunate to know you.
I am sorry that Timmy is sick with that bad cancer and I hope that he is comfortable. I know he feels happy and loved.

You have been so helpful and really it was such a comfort and revelation when you mentioned that Caesar's insisting calls to Princess were finally acknowledged.

You are great friends indeed

headbonks always
and my word verification is "bless"
how appropriate


<3

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Happy belated Purrthday Castle!!!!!

We often think of Stormie too.

We are very sorry to hear the news of Timmy. At the same time, he is so lucky to have a family like you....one who knows the ins and outs (unfortunately) of cancer in kitties. We are sending our best purrs that he feels as good as possible till his time comes.

We are also sending all of you tons of hugs and gentle headbutts.

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

We hope that you had a great birthday, Castle, with lots of loves, treats and cuddles!

Timmy, we're so sorry to hear that the icky C-word is back. We know that the Mommies and Castle will do their very best to make sure that you are comfortable, happy and well-cared for for as long as you are able to stay.

We're sending purrs to all of you, for many good days filled with happiness and snuggles,

Charlemagne and Tamar

Milo and Alfie said...

Happy birthday Castle ~ we're sorry we are a day late! We're remembering Storm too.

And we're very sad to hear abowt Timmy ~ but the most important thing is to be happy, loved and have quality of life. And we know Timmy has had that in buckets. We hope his quality of life will continue for as long as possible. We are sending him healing purrs and love.

Just Ducky said...

Belated Happy Purthday to you Castle. Thanks for the update, even if it isn't all cheery news.

Jans Funny Farm said...

We came by hoping for an update on you and Timmy, Castle. Purrs and tail wags for all of you.