Wow, these past few weeks have felt like months! I feel like we’ve been functioning like a little hospital house, with all the special accommodations we made for Samba’s convalescence. All her own things in her own little room, keeping her safe and sheltered and confined, medicating her for pain and then for constipation and then for diarrhea and incontinence (arrgh!). Surrounding her with love but also respecting her need for space. Alternately cringing and cheering for her new steps and growing confidence. Allowing the children to coddle her but also cautioning them to be careful. Now, finally, we have unbolted the door and Samba is allowed to go throughout the house. I am back to sleeping in my own bed and it feels so strange to lie more than 8 inches off the floor and without the smells of litter box and canned cat food enveloping me, after so many nights on my “hospital pallet” near her.
Our new project is providing Samba the seclusion she wants (she’s kind of an old lady sometimes) by giving her the only “kitty key” to the downstairs master area. My husband put in a sensor-operated cat door to our bedroom so that pesky little Sassy kitten cannot enter! That just got installed tonight, so she has not tried it out yet (hopefully she will be able to operate it; she is doing fine with the regular cat door to the garage). Samba wanted to take some glamour shots in her new palace (SUCH an upgrade from her “hospital room”) to show y’all that she is feeling almost back to normal.
Thanks for those of you who came alongside us about the chemo decision. We are feeling comfortable with the good chances she has from the surgery, even though not 100% – because really, nothing is. The good Lord knows how much time she has and has protected her thus far, so we are just going to enjoy it and praise Samba for her determination and unswerving love. I have to be honest and say, though, despite nursing her through this so closely – I often still find her post-surgery physique surprising to look at. It catches me off guard, and the fleeting thought goes through my mind, “Wait, where did her leg go??” Does this happen to any of you?
I will tell you what the best thing has been, that has comforted me ever since her surgery: She Never Stopped Purring. 🙂
We love you all and will keep in touch!
Team Samba
Texas
New look for a new room
Feels so good to be out in the living room!
Her own personal set of stairs for her hospital room. This was after she no longer needed her little cave bed and we re-organized a little for week 3.
Oh Samba you look amazing! I have a huge smile here seeing your beautiful girl. Yes, I have looked at Huck like he was missing something in the beginning, you are not crazy, lol. Way to go on kitty doors! I have too open of a plan in my house for that unfortunately so for us it was all or one room. Huck was given free reign of the house about a month into his rehab… he took a little longer but he was feral so we worked on social skills along with rehab😆
Way to go!
Jackie and Huck 💖
Dear Jackie and Huck,
Although my response is delayed, please know that your love and support have helped me get through this! I don’t think I stare at Samba’s missing leg area as much as I used to. Samba relished in her private area long enough and is now re-entering daily house life most of the time. She is a joy to still have with us!
Thanks again and you enjoy your furry ones!
Sincerely,
Grace and Samba
Samba looks great! YAAAY for her GLAM back! She looks fantastic!
Less Miralax;) it’s a fine balance/experiment on the correct dosage you can tweak 1/8 dosages. I have those spoons that a pinch and dash too. You will find it. Trial and error. I hope things are dialed in now.
Yep, I believe we all do the second take for a while it will become less often. I still do that on occasion two years later! When Sambas fur grows back in gets her hop down things will be a new normal and one day you will look and think why is she limping. Weird little things like that;)
Take a video for us on Samba using her kitty doors please that would be great to see! She will love her own space away from kitty energy;)
p.s. Rechecks we do every six months on Purrkins he gets a chest x-ray and bloodwork now it used to be ultrasound, chest x-ray bloodwork, urinalysis. That is your decision some people recheck some do not that is what our onco recommended that is their ” gold standard” onco recheck. We will do the ultrasound on our yearly now as they felt we could. It’s all a personal choice no right or wrong you have to follow your instincts on what you guys think is best for Samba & you.
Your onco has a recommendation you have the choice.
Thanks for the update we have been thinking of you! Purring is healing for you both!
Scratches to Samba!
Hugs Holly & Purrkins❤️
Dear Holly and Purrkins,
I have continued to benefit from your encouragement all this time. I no longer notice Samba’s missing leg as much; you’re right that the new fur helps with that! I wish she didn’t have to limp the way she does, but she does seem to have her rhythm down. We haven’t been for a check-up yet, but I think that 6 months sounds reasonable.
Samba has joined the club successfully! Thanks for all you did to welcome her and me!
Sincerely,
Grace
This is all great news. Samba sure knows how to pose for photos. In time you won’t even remember how Samba used to walk.
I’m not sure if you know that your vet should contact the pharmaceutical company to pay for all expenses related to the vaccine injection tumour, including diagnostics, tests, all surgeries and potential treatments. I got a 50% reimbursement for Mona’s amputation costs, others got $0 and some got 100%. Your vet can help you with this.
Kerren
Dear Kerren,
You are right that the new walk, which is like an up and down bobble, is becoming more normal for me to see. Thanks for sharing your point of view on how to manage follow-up care, imaging, etc. I have not asked my vet to contact the pharmaceutical company because I thought it was my job! Did you have your regular vet help you or the surgeon or oncologist?
Thank you for everything that you have shared! Samba is doing marvelously!
Sincerely,
Samba and Grace
Grace, I also wanted to mention that I don’t get regular lung xrays for Mona because we wouldn’t be able to do anything if it has spread to her lungs. It’s likely she’d have tumours elsewhere and it would make more sense for me to use the money to keep her comfortable. Mona loves comfort!
I had a cat who had skin cancer and it spread to his lungs. The cancer tumours were more uncomfortable than his cute little cough so I don’t fear lung metastasis as much as tumours.
So, just keep an eye out for lumps through plenty of massages. Samba will love you for it.
Hugs,
Kerren
Oh gosh we always wondered where Jerry’s leg went, at least during the first few months. But then after a while, we forgot what he even looked like with four. You’ll get there too.
And you are SO right, nothing is 100%. You have a great cattitude that will take you far on this journey.
Thanks for sharing all the great photos of Samba, they are so helpful for new members. We sincerely appreciate it!
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who kept re-living the shock! It’s so worth it to have here here even though she gets around a little differently now. I sure hope she feels the same way!
Thanks for all your support.
Sincerely,
Grace and Samba