Well, hell

[annathepiper]

I got a call from the emergency vet just before lunchtime, with the verdict. They were able to do an ultrasound on Polly as well as get a sterile urine sample out of her, and they tell me that they've found a mass on her bladder. Because of the way it's situated, it would be difficult to remove via surgery; the best they could accomplish doing that would be a reduction of the bulk of the mass. It's growing in such a way right now so as to not fully obstruct her ability to urinate, but long-term, it would likely spread into more of her body and eventually interfere with her bodily functions anyway.

It would be possible to treat it with anti-inflammatories, but from what the vet was telling me, that'd maybe get us a few more months. She wouldn't commit to a solid estimate based on the fact that they hadn't identified the exact nature of the mass, but definitely confirmed that regardless, trying to treat it via medication would simply be prolonging the inevitable.

Because of this I have decided that since I can't afford a major surgical procedure for the cat right now, that this basically makes my choices "deal with this now" or "deal with this in the near future".

So we're dealing with this now. The vet says it would be more merciful to go ahead and deal with it while they have her rather than making her come home and have to be handled by yet another person, so solarbird, risu, spazzkat, and I are going over to the place this afternoon to be with her as they do this.

Hell.

Comments

[cheryl-f.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. At least she will have you all there to say your goodbyes.
Let your memories lighten your grief.

[annathepiper]

Thank you. And we do have a lot of wonderful memories of this kitty, and pictures and video snippets to remember her by. That helps.

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

*hugs you all*

[annathepiper]

*hugs a bunch*

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry. You're doing the right thing, and I know it's hard. ****hugs****

[annathepiper]

*hugs a bunch* It was the hardest damned thing I've had to do in some time, yeah.

[reggaemorning.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Anna.

[annathepiper]

Hi, do you know me from the OKP? Always happy to welcome another GBS fan to my journal, though it's at a sad time. And *hugs*, thank you.

[ceallaighgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry!

[annathepiper]

Thank you, hon.

[waysofseeing.livejournal.com]

Anna, I'm so sorry. *big hugs*

[annathepiper]

*hugs a bunch* Thanks. Us too.

[lethendy.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry *hugs*

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thank you.

[firni.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. Give Polly a huggle from me and the kid. :(

[annathepiper]

I didn't see this comment before we left, but we did hug her a lot. *snugs* Thanks.

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

::hugs:: to all of you. I'm so sorry, luv.

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thank you, hon. So are we.

[poetry-lady.livejournal.com]

{{hugs}} for you and for Polly. I'm glad you're able to all say your goodbyes. This is hard, and I'm crying a little for you both.

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thank you, honey.

[grian-ruadh.livejournal.com]

::hugs::

I'm so sorry, sweetie. Just hold in mind that you're doing the kindest, most compassionate thing for her rather than letting her continue to be in pain and distress. You're a good, loving cat mommy.

We'll light a candle in memory of your sweet kitty this evening. :'(

[annathepiper]

*hugs* My head knows these things; my heart's just needing to catch up a bit. Thank you for the candle.

[damara.livejournal.com]

*snugs*

I'm sorry.

[annathepiper]

*snugs back* Thank you.

[seimaisin.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry. {{hugs}}

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thank you, hon.

[jessicac.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, Anna. You have given Polly an excellent life for all the time she has been with you, full of love and good care.

[annathepiper]

Thank you, hon. I'm grateful we had the chance to give her that life.

[avalonmissy.livejournal.com]

I'm really, really sorry to hear this. {{hug}}

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thank you.

[alstaria.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. ::hugs::

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thank you.

[starfallz.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. :( It would have been nice to say goodbye to Kumquat but his death was unexpected. I hope you're able to wish her on her way. Goodbye Polly. I'm glad I got to meet you.

[annathepiper]

Yeah, we all got to be there for her final moments. *hugs a bunch* Thanks. I'm glad you got to meet her too.

[me-fein.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry, girl...~hug~ At least Polly won't be suffering any longer. :(

[annathepiper]

*hugs a bunch* Thank you, hon. Yeah, that's one bit of comfort I'm taking out of this.

[flashfire.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, from the way things have been sounding with Polly, this doesn't come as a big surprise to me. Still, I'm sorry to hear it. I know what it's like with a pet in a case like this. At least you all can be there with her.

[annathepiper]

Yeah, I was pretty much braced to have to do this anyway. I kind of have been for the last few months, with all these visits to the vet she had, and simply due to how old she was.

And yeah, at least we all got to stroke her head and pet her and tell her goodbye.

[ravyngyngvar.livejournal.com]

I'm so sad for you all. I remember when our dog Rino was put away.

Polly was in some of the last pictures I took before I left you.

[annathepiper]

*snugs* Thank you, my friend. This was not the first time I've dealt with the death of a pet--but the first time was when I was a child and we had to deal with putting our dog Madchen to sleep. I barely remember that. But this was different, since it was my cat, and I was the one who had to make the call.

We got a lot of pictures of her together tonight and I put them up on my LJ gallery page. And we have video snippets, too. That helps.

[drglam]

Anna, I'm so sorry. I know exactly how difficult this decision is, no matter how right it is.

[annathepiper]

Thanks, hon. And yeah, it was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make.

[shadowhwk.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you get the chance to be there with her. I'm sorry for all of you.

[annathepiper]

Thanks, hon. Much appreciated.

[caligogreywings.livejournal.com]

Aw man. I hope it all works out for the best. My heart breaks for you guys.

[annathepiper]

Yeah, this was better than the "slower death with more pain option", so it was kind of for the best.

I will probably want to get another kitty at some point, and go to the shelter to find one, but not quite yet.

[boxer-ferret.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear about that. *hugs*

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thanks.

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

::HUGS::

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thanks much.