Scruffy Update
So here's the story. We went and met with a really wonderful oncologist (as well as a sweetie of a vet tech).
We didnt really learn anything new about his cancer (it IS a carcinoma) but we talked about "possible treatment options" and what they would involve.
Here are our options:
One:
IF it's possible - more surgery. Odds are good that they couldnt get ALL of the tumor the first time (they didnt have 'clean margins' when they resected) and if we chose surg then they would take out more of his trachea... and hope for the best.
Two:
Radiation. Fifteen days of one hour of radiation to his neck - every. single. day. They told me that cats dont have bad reactions like humans and dogs do (no burns, no sickness - or at least not as much). Unfortunately there isnt any REAL data on radiation's effect on this kind of cancer in cats because it's pretty rare - at least in the trachea. So we would go in every day for fifteen days, get him the radiation... and hope for the best.
Three:
The "wait and see" option. Sigh. In this one we would start right off with Hope For The Best. We sit back and hang out. It's nice because there's no surgery and no RT but if the cancer strikes again, odds are that he won't be well enough to get the operation or the radiation.
It's so hard to decide. But we don't have to do it yet... The oncologist is going to talk to the surgeon and the pathologist and then call me on Tuesday or Wednesday.
So that's that. Few more days til we have to decide. Mark has another idea that I might bounce off the doctor - strict monitoring of Scruffy's bloodwork and regular xrays... to keep an eye out for any approaching problems. Since not only do we not know if any of the regular treatments will work, but we also don't know if the cancer is there/gone/gonna come back. We'll see...
The rest of the appointment was actually really fun. The doc and tech LOVED Scruffums. (They were very impressed that he's a doctor too and removed his own stitches!) He was one cool cucumber the WHOLE TIME. He lounged on the counter while I got all teary and we talked about him. He snuggled up to everyone a little - he's ALWAYS the Ladies Man. A real sweetie. The doctor said she had never met a cat quite like Scruffy and the tech said that "the orange ones are usually bonkers!" But he's so cool. :)
They were super understanding when I got a little blubbery and talked about how much he means to me. It's part of their job but they were so nice.
So here we are, home again, watching tv and snuggling... but SOMEONE is asking to go out and poop so I'll have to take a break from kitty cuddle fest.
xoxoxoxooxoxox