View Full Version : Fifi - not brilliant news
Fifi went to have her stitches out and the results from her biopsy were back. The lump/wound was a severely inflamed nerve sheath tumour, which the vet says is very rare :( The biopsy also showed that the cancerous cells were right up to the edge of removed area which means there is a strong likelihood of damaged cells remaining, or developing. The good news is that the cancer, whilst malignant, is only likely to be localised and therefore unlikely to spread to major organs.
I have to go back on Friday to discuss options with the senior vet. Essentially these are to remove more surrounding tissue now whilst it's likely to be a smaller area; or wait with fingers crossed and if the cancer spreads it will probably mean an amputation as the tumour is right on the 'knuckle' preventing large areas of skin to be taken out.
alexgirl73
26-04-2010, 11:47 AM
oh Yola, I can only imagine how upset you are just now, however at least there seem to be some positive vibes from it all. I hope the vet can help you come to the best decision for Fifi, ((hugs)) and healing vibes being sent xx
Oh Yola, I'm sorry the news wasn't good, you must be so upset.
I truly hope a decision can be reached to determine what is best for Fifi.
Thinking of you (((hugs))) xxx
angieh
26-04-2010, 12:34 PM
I am so sorry Yola. What a decision to have to make - I do hope that your discussion with the senior vet can help you to decide what's best for Fifi. Gentle cuddles for her and ((((HUGS)))) for you.
Shelley123
26-04-2010, 01:51 PM
Sorry to hear this Yola, concentrate on the good news that the cancer is localised (if you can)
Hopefuly on friday your vet will help you reach the right decision for Fifi.
So sorry to hear about Fifi, Yola. I will keep everything crossed for Friday and the best outcome possible. xx
dandysmom
26-04-2010, 04:18 PM
Oh Yola, I'm so sorry to hear the news; hope the talk with the senior vet Friday will help you make a decision in her best interests. (((hugs))).
pinklizzy
26-04-2010, 05:28 PM
Sorry the news wasn't better Yola, it can always be an issue to get large enough margins when removing a lump, especially if it's an area of high tension. I hope the chat with the senior vet gives you more of an idea of the best course of action.
Gentle hugs to fifi xx
Sorry to read this Yola.........
So sorry to hear this Yola. Thinking of you ((hugs))
xx
Elaine
26-04-2010, 08:27 PM
Oh dear, very sorry to hear this. Sending both you and Fifi lots of love and best wishes xxx
Sorry to read this Yola, I'm sure the vet will help guide you to the best course of action for Fifi. ((hugs))
EmmaG
26-04-2010, 10:21 PM
Sorry to hear this Yola, thinking of you and Fifi
farthing
27-04-2010, 06:40 PM
Sorry to hear this, but hopefully your vet can give you a fuller picture and you can make an informed descision.
aliwin
27-04-2010, 09:50 PM
Sorry to hear this hun.
I'm sorry too. Hoping for the best.
Amber_Leigh1
29-04-2010, 10:06 PM
Sending you a big hug Yola!! Will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending lots of positive vibes xxx
Thanks all I keep looking at my chunky little princess and hoping that whatever I decide will be the right thing for her. Am not looking forward to tomorrow . . .
angieh
29-04-2010, 10:31 PM
I'll be thinking about you tomorrow Yola and best wishes for Fifi.
dandysmom
29-04-2010, 11:34 PM
Thinking of you and Fifi tomorrow, Yola ......
Can I just add my best wishes also, Yola, will be thinking of you both.
Jan x
Thinking of you and Fifi today, Yola......
alexgirl73
30-04-2010, 10:20 AM
thinking of you both xxx
Hope it all goes well....thinking of you both..xx
dandysmom
30-04-2010, 03:51 PM
Thoughts with you and Fifi .....
Hi, sorry for the late reply, appt wasn't til 5 and then I had dinner for the boys to sort out!
Vet says there are 3 options (1) amputate - which she felt was way to drastic at this stage, (2) re-operate to remove a larger area and (3) monitor her closely but do nothing.
She also said that the path report was not very definite and she would question whether infact there is a tumour there at all, that maybe the mildly cancerous cells were just 'bad' cells due to the infection which was present. Aparently cells can become cancerous at point of infection but are usually mopped up by the body and amount to nothing. On that basis, she recommends watching and waiting. Fi will be seen monthly but I am to check for lumps several times a week and also check for her worrying the area unduly.
If this happens they will take her back in and remove a larger area which might result in some nerve damage (numb toes etc) or recommend radio therapy at 4 x once weekly sessions (closest is in Cambridge :shock: ) which should be very effective on the soft tissue that has potentially been affected.
So that's it! Sorry for the essay but I'm so relieved that it's a 'watch and wait' rather than 'chop and hope' scenario.
dandysmom
30-04-2010, 08:03 PM
Oh I'm so relieved too; your vet sounds great. A gentle cuddle to little Fifi!
angieh
30-04-2010, 08:12 PM
I think that's positive Yola - at least your vet isn't the panicky sort. Special cuddles for Fifi!
cats' staff
30-04-2010, 08:22 PM
That is good news and I hope you never need to bring Fifi to Cambridge but let me know if you do. I guess it would be to the amazing hospital that they have on the Madingley Road and I'm not far from there so could maybe be some help?
So glad there's no immediate need for distress Yola, hope the wait and see method works out well!
That is good news and I hope you never need to bring Fifi to Cambridge but let me know if you do. I guess it would be to the amazing hospital that they have on the Madingley Road and I'm not far from there so could maybe be some help?
Thanks so much for your kind offer - hopefully it'll never get to that stage but if I have to make the trip I'll certainly drop you a line.
Elaine
30-04-2010, 10:25 PM
Glad that things are sounding a little more possitive, fingers crossed all remains well with Fifi xxx
alexgirl73
01-05-2010, 12:26 PM
That sounds more positive Yola :) Fingers crossed that Fifi picks up without the need for surgery xx
Amber_Leigh1
01-05-2010, 04:44 PM
Good news Yola! Sending you both a hug! xx
Ok, just a quick update, looks like things are spreading again. Fi has another raised scab on the operation site much like the oiginal wound had :(
Off to the vet on Friday morning.
angieh
18-05-2010, 10:10 PM
Poor Fifi. Will be thinking about her and you on Friday Yola.
Everything crossed for Fifi............
Will be thinking of you and Fifi on Friday, Yola.....
EmmaG
18-05-2010, 10:17 PM
Sorry to hear this Yola, I will be thinking of you on Friday xxxx
dandysmom
18-05-2010, 10:36 PM
Oh Yola! :( Thinking of you and Fifi .......
Sorry to hear about Fifi's setback Yola :( will be thinking of you on Friday.
calismum
18-05-2010, 11:21 PM
Just what you didn't want to see - will be thinking of you both.
Amber_Leigh1
19-05-2010, 09:33 AM
Sorry to hera that Yola - keeping everything crossed for you both! xx
Sorry to hear this Yola, thinking of you and Fifi.
Everything is crossed here for Fifi. {{{{HUGS}}}} to you Yola.
Shelley123
19-05-2010, 10:09 PM
Wishing you and Fifi all the best for Friday, Yola
farthing
20-05-2010, 08:18 PM
All the best for tomorrow.
Donna
20-05-2010, 08:43 PM
Good luck for tomorrow Yola x
PoshPuss
20-05-2010, 09:29 PM
Big hugs and loves for Fifi, and you too Yola, xxx
alexgirl73
20-05-2010, 10:07 PM
wishing you lots of luck for tomorrow Yola xx
Thanks all - just off to bed. Hopefully I can give the vet my 100% focus - I'll have Sebi with me and he just can't keep still or quite for a moment so will have to concentrate hard.
Not masses to report - yes, the wound has reopened in the same manner as previously so obviously the tumour is still there. The vet I who carried out the operation is away until next Saturday so not much we can do until then as I really need to see her.
The other senior vet who I saw also recommended another bout of surgery possibly with our without the chemo in Cambridge. I'll get a fuller picture next Saturday - OH can stay at home with the boys so I can focus on discussing it with the vet and give her answers my full attention.
Wishing you all the best Yola..............
PoshPuss
22-05-2010, 03:50 PM
Hope Fifi is coping well Yola, you must be shattered. The waiting is a bind but if you have faith in the lady vet it's worth it. xx
dandysmom
22-05-2010, 03:58 PM
Oh dear, (((hugs))), Yola.
angieh
22-05-2010, 05:57 PM
Best to see the vet who is more experienced Yola but it's a pity you and Fifi will have to wait until next week. ((((HUGS)))) for you and a gentle smooth for Fifi.
Fifi is going to have another operation on her paw next Friday (4th June). The tumour has returned but the vet had a good look and said that there is an obvious 'lump' which means they can isolate and remove it more readily then before; when they were really guessing at the extent of the invasion.
The down side is that as the skin is very thin on the paw, and as it's over the knuckle they will probably have to leave the wound open as the skin will be too tight to sew up. This means twice weekly re-dressing and possible lameness for a month or two until the wound heals over on its own.
It's all a bit daunting, but I want the best for my little princess and as the cancer is almost 100% unlikely to spread I need to give her the best chance in her twilight years. The worst that can happen is permanent nerve damage which will mean inhibited used of her paw.
dandysmom
29-05-2010, 08:17 PM
That does sound hopeful if they can get it all this time. Yola. And even if there is some nerve damage, she can cope with that amazingly well, they do. Poor wee girl, sending her best wishes and a hug for you.
Shelley123
29-05-2010, 08:21 PM
Yola, glad something can be done for Fifi.
That news does sound positive Yola, so pleased. :)
Everything sounds positive. Fingers crossed for Fifi. xx
Well it does sound positive........when does she have her op?
Well it does sound positive........when does she have her op?
Next Friday Karen (the 4th). I have to have her there at 8am!
Elaine
30-05-2010, 08:54 AM
Hope all goes well for Fifi and her op, will be thinking of you both xxxx
Donna
30-05-2010, 09:55 AM
Good luck Yola.. will be thinking of you both xx
angieh
30-05-2010, 10:53 AM
You and Fifi will have a difficult time, but it does sound very hopeful that all will be well. I'll be thinking about you both next Friday as I will be going to the dentist for a filling but not quite as early in the morning. Kizzy and Pip send comforting purrrrs to Fifi.
Hope all goes well for Fifi. Yola...
Mistleto's-mum
30-05-2010, 12:44 PM
Fingers crossed for you all.
Sending lots of love and get well wishes your way xxxx
farthing
30-05-2010, 12:58 PM
Hope all goes well on Friday, Yola.
Thanks all. The good thing is Fifi is unaware of the approach of another operation. She'll need quite a lot of after care with this one though and the boys will have to be carefully briefed not to touch her for a while.
Thats the thing with animals I adore they live in the moment.
cats' staff
30-05-2010, 09:09 PM
Sorry to hear that another op is needed but it does sound hopeful-we will be keeping everything crossed here
Well. we're back and Fifi has a fetching purple bandage which the vet assures me will be flicked off in no time :roll: . She couldn't bind it too tight as it would restrict blood flow to the paw and cause more problems.
Essentially they removed quite a large area of both tumour and flesh. Vet is confident that it's all been cleared out. HOWEVER, she removed flesh close to the carpal pad (?) the one at the back of the foot, and found some gelatinous substance that she was a bit concerned about. She said the tendon in the area contains such material anyway, but this just rang a bit of a bell with her, though 'I shouldn't worry'. I have a very bad feeling about this.
So - as the wound wasn't properly closed - again because it was felt such tightening of the skin may act as a tourniquet (sp) on the foot, it hasn't been fully stitched so I need to attend the vets to get it redressed every 3-4 days.
Fi's limping horribly and it's hearbreaking to watch; obviously upset by the bandage. After the last op she was OK but this time she's really withdrawn.
Overall, I have some concerns over this. Until we get the results from the biopsy back we won't know for sure but I have a sinking feeling :(
Sending good thoughts for you both. Please give Fifi gentle cuddles for me.
PoshPuss
04-06-2010, 07:35 PM
Oh poor baby, I feel for her. She's a brave little lady. We ask a lot of our furbabes and we can't explain why we are doing such awful things to them but with lots of cuddles she'll know you love her. Chin up Yola, jelly like substances not necessarily sinister, but medics are curious by nature and perhaps she said some thing she should have just kept in her head. Big prayers for Fifi tonight to all my cat saints and the Big Guy of corse ;)
Special thoughts to you and healing vibes to Fifi, Yola ...... I hope she'll feel a lot more comfortable soon....
alexgirl73
04-06-2010, 07:46 PM
Lots of gentle hugs being sent for Fifi, and a big one for you too Yola. I wont say don't worry, because you will, as would us all, but try not to dwell too much xx
Donna
04-06-2010, 08:05 PM
Hope Fifi feels better soon. Its hard to see our animals not well. Sending hugs to Fifi and you Yola. Cant be easy xx
dandysmom
04-06-2010, 08:28 PM
It's hard seeing them hurting and not being able to explain or help ... thinking nothing but positive healing thoughts for Fifi. (((hugs))), Yola.
cats' staff
04-06-2010, 08:30 PM
Thinking of you and Fifi, still got everything crossed!
angieh
04-06-2010, 08:39 PM
Strong healing vibes for Fifi and ((((HUGS)))) for you Yola. It's very hard when our feline friends are not well or are obviously struggling. Fingers crossed for good biopsy results.
Shelley123
04-06-2010, 09:56 PM
I do hope everything works out for Fifi and she's feeling better soon. Healing vibes being sent her way.
Healing vibes from me too....Hope she begins to pick up...
Thanks everyone. Fifi's eaten some biscuits and a bit of chicken but she's still a subdued puss. Really appreciate your thoughts and positive vibes.
Elaine
04-06-2010, 10:10 PM
I dont know quite what to say Yola, thinking of you both and hoing for a possitive outcome xxxx
pookyandjo
05-06-2010, 02:36 PM
just catching up with this thread... glad that Fifi is eating a little hope that continues as she'll need to good food to assist with the healing...
keep positive Yola.. its so hard to remain objective when you pop them in for surgery... and then it has to be redone... and then something else happens... and you start to question yourself and your decisions.. I went through it all with Tinky and its a battle that has to be dealt with on a day to day basis...
Thinking about your and Fifi and hoping that this will be the end of any required surgery and that her foot will heal without any complications..
just know that whatever the outcome.. that you will have done the very best you could for Fifi and that's more than most cats get
stay strong x:)
It's really so tiring when they fall ill..I agree with pookyandjo's statements.
Try to get out and get some fresh air and give your mind a break from it even if for just a bit.
Thinking of you..
The news I hope is good when you get the biopsy results, I will keep my fingers crossed.
The good thing is cats as we know live in the moment and she will recoup her strength and sooner than you think.
Thinking of you.
Thinking of you both and keeping everything crossed for good results from the biopsey. xxx
Kobster
07-06-2010, 06:19 AM
So sorry to read about Fifi. Sorry you are going through such an ordeal, I can sympathize. I hope that Fifi's appetite picks up and she perks up a bit and that the biopsy comes back with good results.
PoshPuss
07-06-2010, 07:51 AM
Hope you get good news soon Yola. Everything crossed here. Hows Fi doing now?
Thanks Nette (and all). Fifi is on the face of it better, but is displaying some strange behaviour. She pooped on the floor (OK, this is the first poop since op but still, something she's never done before). She's also sleeping in places (and rooms) that she's not used previously and is being quite cuddly when previously she was OK with a fuss but not happy being held too much.
Vet appointment tomorrow at 6.20 to change dressing so I discuss these aspects with her.
angieh
07-06-2010, 10:10 AM
Hope all goes well at the appointment Yola. My fingers are crossed for Fifi. Hope the unusual behaviour is just perhaps reaction to the op.
dandysmom
07-06-2010, 04:13 PM
Fingers crossed here too, Yola .......
Only just caught this thread and I am sending you my best wishes and positive thoughts. Hoping for good news. Jan x
Donna
07-06-2010, 11:58 PM
Hoping Fifi does well at the vet tomorrow x
alexgirl73
08-06-2010, 07:42 AM
everything crossed for today xx
Hope all goes well today..xx
dandysmom
08-06-2010, 04:27 PM
Thinking of you and Fifi today.
Well . . . it's GOOD news!!! :smt026 :smt026
Fifi's results have come back negative so there is no sign of tumour remaining. That means no further operations or limb removal :D
Furthermore, her wound, though partially open, is healing nicely - no pus, no wetness; just scabbing over as it should. We were at the vets for nearly an hour redressing her leg; Fi was an angel and kept her face in my hand whilst I held her and wriggled very little in order for the new bandage to be put on.
Back on Saturday for redressing and hopefully more positive news that the wound is continuing to heal.
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