Conference misery::feline_v1

    I don't know anything about this type of surgery, but I think
    you are relatively nearby me.   S&H's vet, Dr. Brent Walker, in Los
    Altos, is a fine general vet and knows about specialists doing advanced
    work.  You might call him for a referral if you want a second
    opinion, or to check out the vet who will be doing the work.  Please
    let us know how things go.  (Will the ear operation
    affect her hearing?)
    

    Jan,
    
    Wish I knew of someone to recommend.  I hope that all goes well for
    Kitty.
    
    As a thought, have you tried The Cat Hospital in Campbell?  I was 
    always pleased to visit there whenever the cats needed to go in.  I
    think I liked the fact that they only treated cats.  They might be a
    valuable source of information or another opinion.
    
    Best of luck and I hope Kitty does well.
    
    Jill

    Re:  .2
    
    Jill, Dr. Shanker from The Cat Hospital is doing the surgery.  He
    called my mom today and answered a bunch of questions I told her to 
    ask him.
    
    He believes that "Kitty" will come through the surgery okay.  If
    they find that the polyps are cancerous my mother has asked the
    doctor to go ahead and put Kitty to sleep.  This was a difficult decision
    but if the surgery will not improve her balance problem (she has
    a very difficult time walking without falling over) or she's going to 
    have alot of other problems due to cancer, we'd rather let her go
    than put her through what could follow.  If there is no cancer, we'll 
    pray for a speedy recovery.  
    
    Dr. Shanker did tell us that there may be some discharge during
    the healing proces and I'm sure he went into more detail than my
    mom had time to pass on to me at work.  Surgery is scheduled for
    Thursday morning (3/2) and I have all my fingers and toes crossed
    that she'll come out of it okay.
    
    I just wish I knew a (non-vet) person that has been through something
    similar to this that could pass on their personal experience.
    
    Re:  .1
    
    Karen, I forgot to ask if it would affect her hearing.  The vets involved
    never mentioned it so I guess I just assumed it wouldn't.  Thanks
    for bringing that up.
    
    
    FYI--for anyone in San Jose area that is interested.  I've been
    taking my own cats to The Cat Hospital since I they acquired me three
    years ago.  There are three vets there; Dr. Shanker, Dr. Leland
    and Dr. Weller.  So far I have had only good experiences with all
    the vets and all have them at one time or another has gone out of
    there way to help me understand everything about the treatments,
    etc. 
    
       Dr. Shanker returned my panic stricken phone calls on the weekends 
       to the answering machine when I first got Bailey and Amelia and they
       started trading kitty colds (new cat owner panic, you know)--(He's 
       always reminded me of Grizzly Adams in the way he looks).
    
       Dr. Weller called me long-distance in Washington D.C. when I flew 
       Amelia there for a cat show and she started having ear problems
       (she has some recurring problems) from the flight.
    
       and 
    
       Dr. Leland has spent a great deal of time explaining Kitty's
       condition and treatment to me over the last few days.
                                                  
    
    Thanks to all concerned for their suggestions.
    
    Jan
    

    Jan,
    
    I'm afraid that I, too, have no experience with this problem.
    
    However, if by some chance Kitty's hearing is affected I wouldn't
    worry about it.  Tristan is stone deaf and has no problems 
    dealing with it at all.  He lives a totally normal life, though
    he does some strange things at times!  ;-)
    
    Best wishes for Kitty,
    Karen, Tristan, Tenzing and Max.

    Jan,
    
    I second everything you had to say about The Cat Hospital.  Before
    we moved out of Santa Clara Valley, all of our cats went to them
    regardless of the town we lived in. No matter how harried their staff
    was, they always were kind and gentle with our cats.  I'm glad Kitty is
    in such good hands.
    
    We were lucky enough to find as nice of a vet in Felton.  When he was 
    out of town once and had another vet take his place, we had to take
    Merlin in. When Dr. Atton returned, he noticed that Merlin had been 
    in while he was out and called to make sure that everything was okay. 
    He earned my gratitude forever with that one call.
    
    Best of everything for Kitty--I'll send lots of good wishes tomorrow
    and during the recovery period.
    
    Jill
    
    

    Jan,
    
    How's Kitty doing?  Is she recuperating okay?
    
    Jill

    I haven't gotten too many details on her surgery yet.  Apparently
    when Dr. Shanker was operating on her he had to give her oxygen
    several times (she's not a good candidate for surgery).  He found
    a portion of tissue in her ear that he is doing a biopsy on.  He
    thought it possibly could be cancer.  We'll know more today.  He
    may have to perform more surgery depending on the outcome of the
    biopsy.  If it is cancer and is not confined to one location the
    chances are good that she'll be put to sleep.  If it is not cancer
    (which I'm praying for) I don't know what happens.  With any luck
    I'll be picking her up and taking her to mom's house on Saturday.
    
    Jan

    I've got my fingers crossed, Jan.  

    any news?

    Dr. Shanker found a tumor in Kitty's ear and took a tissue sample
    of it (this was last week).  We are now awaiting results from the
    lab as to whether it is malignant or benign.
    
    Kitty is not eating well, and has caught a cold.  Things are not
    looking good for her.
    
    This is just too much for all of us, coming so soon after Jesse's
    death.  I am under the impression that losing Jesse may have escalated
    this condition in Momma Kitty.  They were very close.
    
    The good news is that she continues to test negative for Leukemia,
    thus easing my mind a bit about having allowed she and Jesse to
    be so close.
    
    Jo

    Well, the verdict is in.  Kitty has cancer.  It's some long thing
    that I can't pronounce, let alone spell.  It is the kind that will
    spread through her body.  The vet recommends (and we agree) that
    we should put her to sleep.
    
    Mom, Jo Ann and I will be going with her to say goodbye and be with
    her.  I can't believe this is happening again.  I'll really miss
    her, she is such a sweet cat.  Its going to be so strange to be
    at mom's house without the cats around.
    
    I know this is best for her but it is so difficult to let go.  At
    least I know that Kitty and Jesse James will be together in Kitty
    Heaven as they were in their later years at my mom's.
                                                         
    Jan

    I'm so sorry to hear about Kitty.  Cancer is terrible, evil stuff
    and the world will be so much better once they find a cure.
    

    Oh that's awful.........  I'm so sorry.  We will remember Kitty
    along with Jesse James this quarter.  Its small consolation, I know
    but I hope it helps. The donations will be going to the Robert Winn
    Foundation per Jo's request.  Maybe the money will help them figure
    out how to treat this problem in the future.
      With Love,
        Nancy DC, Jack, Bumpy-tail, Xiao-mao, Isis and Dundee

    I'm so sorry to hear about Kitty.
    
    Our thoughts are with you,
    Karen, Tristan, Tenzing and Max.

    I'm sorry to hear about that, Jan....that's a terrible thing to
    have to face, be you cat or owner.  My thoughts are with you!
    
                                                   ---kim, Ash and Bonesy

    I'm real sorry to hear about your kitty.
    We're thinking of you too!
    Michele & Nippa
    

    Well, its all over.  Kitty is gone.  This was such a difficult thing
    to do.  As we waited for the vet Kitty layed in my lap and put her
    paws on my chest.  Dr. Leland was very understanding; I can't imagine
    doing this kind of thing as part of my job as she does.  With the
    exception of a little needle sting I believe it was painless and
    it seemed to be over very quickly.  This is such an emotional thing,
    I think it helped me to deal with it seeing Dr. Leland petting Kitty
    and rubbing her head and moving her into a curled, sleeping type
    position after it was over.  She was very gentle with her.
    
    I'd like to thank everyone in this file for their sympathetic ear
    for the times Jo Ann and I have been through with Kitty and Jesse
    James.  It's nice to know there are people you can tell these things
    to.  Having this file has really helped me through the last month.
    
    I'd also like to thank the people who donated to the fund that will
    go to the Robert Winn Foundation.
    
    Jan

    
    
    I'm so sorry to hear this.
    
    My symphathies are with you.
    
    F. (baby's mum)

    Jan,
    
    My sympathies, too.  Here's some ::hugs:: for you.  Take care.
    
    kim

    Jan and Jo,
    
    My thoughts are with you both.  It's really hard to lose two loved ones
    so close together, but I'm sure Jesse was waiting at heaven's gates for
    Kitty.
    
    So sorry,
    Mary

    Jan and Jo,
    
    I just got back into notes and am so sorry to hear about Kitty.  I'm
    sure she knew she was loved and that she had the best possible life
    she could have. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
    
    I'm very sorry,
    
    Jill
    

Very sorry to hear about Kitty, especially after just losing Jesse.
Hopefully they are both somewhere nice, along with my poor Tiger and
furry friends everywhere whose time with us has come to an end.

			Bob A.

    
    
    Jan and Jo Ann,
    
    So sorry to hear of your loss and after recently losing Jesse. 
    My heart goes out to you in your time of loss.  At least you can
    find comfort in knowing that Kitty and Jesse are together again.
    Lots of hugs.
    
    Roslyn, Escho and Brandy

Jan and Jo Ann,

I just read about this and I am so sorry.  My heart pours out to you.  Just 
remember that kitty love you very much and you did the best for her.  

Heartfelt Sympathies

Holly, Tabbatha, Silver, Seasea, Micki, and Lady sings the Blues.