Diagnosis

The preliminary pathology report indicates that Sumis has large cell GI lymphoma, a high grade form of cancer. Small cell is more common in cats and has a better prognosis. But, neither Sumis nor I will let the severity of the disease dampen our spirits. She will start aggressive chemotherapy on Monday along with Chinese herbs, acupuncture, Medical Qi Gong and ozone enemas. Cats apparently handle chemotherapy much better than humans, with only 5% showing even mild symptoms. So, I am hoping that her body handles the drugs without too many side effects. She won't lose her hair, although, she may lose her whiskers.

This weekend we have been managing her symptoms, tweeking her drug regiment until she is alert, happy, and pain and nausea free. She is finally eating again, though not much. She has rejected all but the junk food, but at this point, she calls the shots. So, she gets whatever she wants. As she has begun to eat more, her energy has also increased. She has been waking me up about 4 to demand pets and head butts. She purrs a lot these days, particularly when snuggled up on my lap. Watching life creep back into her body over these past few days has given me hope, which while guarded, still blooms full deep in my heart.

We have had warm afternoons here in Tucson for the past week, so all the animals and I have been spending hours outside soaking in the sun. Sitting in the quiet afternoon, listening to the sounds of a neighborhood on vacation, watching Sumis move into the sun, then back out, I can almost pretend that everything is normal - that my room is not full of needles, pills, fluids and pooch pads. And so I let myself give in to the delusion just for a bit. I watch her and see her as she has always been. I let go of the worry and heart-sickness and just enjoy the afternoon with the mugs and the mits.