Hi all- just wanted to let you know that Kitty is doing fabulously well.  Her staples were removed without incident and she will be totally off medication this week. 

The best part of the story is that the Kitty has become like a young girl again.   All of her personality and energy has returned.  She is playing with her sisters and galloping around the house in and out of all her favorite places at top speed.  It's such a pleasure to watch.  Last nite she came running into our room with a big ball in her mouth making silly sounds.  It's like a miracle. I'm thinking about having the surgery myself (LOL!). 

Thanks again for the good thoughts and prayers for Kitty, they sure helped.    And I hope anyone else out there who finds their pet with this terrible diagnosis will gain some optimism from Kitty's story.  I will keep you updated on her progress.

Val

Kitty's doing really great.  This morning I felt like I was wrestling an alligator to get her antibiotic in her, but I she's feeling feisty and that's a good thing.  The oddest thing though, is that since she's been home she has been chatting up a storm and she was never a talker before.

Next week her staples come out and then she can reunite with her "sisters"  Echo and Audrey, I know they've felt neglected and pissed that they can't come the bedroom and Kitty's dying to get out.  So, on we go. 

Thanks again for all the support.

Val

Hi Leslie, Thanks for the good wishes.  We're also in South Jersey, Cherry Hill.  My vet said (and we had heard about) Redbank and Dr. Glass and so that's where we went.  U of Penn definitely would have been easier access that's for sure, but we're so so happy for our decision.   By the way, I dont know where you are exactly in Jersey, but the former Cherry Hill Animal Hospital on Route 70 is now a satellite office of Redbank.  Right now are only doing general practice and emergency, but they said they hope to expand into speciality in the future, so that might be some useful info to keep in mind.

Regards, Val

 Hi Everyone,     Kitty is home!   I was a little nervous to see how she'd look, but she looks great, and  we noticed right away that she was not walking in circles, which was the symptom which began this whole ordeal.   She was quite lively when we got home and was annoyed that we wouldnt let her roam around the house and have her locked in the bedroom away from our other two cats ( which they were all unhappy about).   We havent seen that much of her yet, mostly she's been conked out under the bed for the last 12 hours.  She ate, used the litter box and was a good girl taking her medicine.  Other than that  she's been under the bed, I think she is pretty much out of it (who wouldnt be after brain surgery and plus she still has the fentynal patch on for another day, which is pretty strong stuff!).   So that's my update.

By the way, Kitty is about 13.  We're not exactly sure as my husband saw her thrown out of a car in Philly and grabbed her up a little over 12 years ago and she was a little more than a kitten then.  She is a tuxedo and came equipped with no tail (dont know if she was born that way or had a mishap) but, she's has been the dearest friend to us and we just love love her so.  Very outgoing and interested in everything, so we're just anxious to see that personality reemerge.  Dr. Glass seems to think she is well on her way.   So, needless to say we are beyond thrilled.   

Thanks again for your kind interest in Kitty.  I'll keep you posted on her progress and send you a snapshot when she's feeling well enough to pose. 

Hi  Judy and group- Kitty came through her surgery well this morning.  The Dr. said it went as well or even better than he expected.  So great, right!   I will get more information later this evening.

Thank you all so very much for your kind wishes for the Kitty.  I really do appreciate it, but we're not out of the woods yet, so keep those good thoughts comin!


Val

Thank you Judy, I'm so nervous.  The vet said 2-5 days depending on her recovery, so I guess I'll wait and see.  Right, now we just want The Kitty to get through the surgery and get that friggin thing out of her head. Cant really think much past that.

I'm so glad i found this place so I hope you won't mind if I look to you and Socks for advice or just what to expect.  

Again, thanks
Val

Hi Ranger, i did read Socks story yesterday and was encouraged by it.  The vet didnt really mention so much about the age factor, but did say that the prognosis would depend on the type of tumor, its location and her overall health.  He did say that they all grow back, but very slow growing and that she's probably had this one for years (her symptoms were not really that bad, just noticed that she wasnt acting quite herself).  So at the very least, we expected a small tumor, what we saw in the MRI was fairly large.

Anyway, we wont be there tomorrow because it's two hours away and they didnt want us to visit and excite her in any way.  So I'm doing exactly what they instruct and hope to have her home by Mon or Tues. 

Thanks so much for your interest.  Like I said, this is a whole new world for me.  I've had a lot of experience with a diabetic and thyroid cat, but nothing like this.   And thank GOD for CareCredit!! 

Val
 

Hi All I just found this site today and was very happy to see Ranger's story and the good outcome.  My Kitty, 14 years old, was diagnosed this week with a meningioma brain tumor.  She had an MRI on Monday and will have surgery tomorrow morning.  Kitty also has a heart murmur and because of that had echocardiogram last november.  There was no discussion that she would not be able to handle to MRI.  They did do some radiographs of her abdomen and chest before the MRI and I think this is probably routine to see if the heart is in decent shape and if there are any other tumors which contributed to the brain tumor.  Kitty is at an fantastic facility which is about 2 hours from our home,  called Redbank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, NJ and her neurologist came very highly recommended to us.  So we feel that she is in the best hands possible.

I think my best advice to Judy at this point is to ask a million questions and read as much material as you can get your hands on.  I am very new at this brain tumor stuff too but i'm getting as quick an education so i can make decisions that I'm comfortable with.

I'll be happy to share any info with you as we go along.  Right now, just praying that Kitty's surgery will go smoothly and asking you all to keep a good thought for her.  
Thanks,  Val

Hi All I just found this site today and was very happy to see Ranger's story and the good outcome.  My Kitty, 14 years old, was diagnosed this week with a meningioma brain tumor.  She had an MRI on Monday and will have surgery tomorrow morning.  Kitty also has a heart murmur and because of that had echocardiogram last november.  There was no discussion that she would not be able to handle to MRI.  They did do some radiographs of her abdomen and chest before the MRI and I think this is probably routine to see if the heart is in decent shape and if there are any other tumors which contributed to the brain tumor.  Kitty is at an fantastic facility which is about 2 hours from our home,  called Redbank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, NJ and her neurologist came very highly recommended to us.  So we feel that she is in the best hands possible.

I think my best advice to Judy at this point is to ask a million questions and read as much material as you can get your hands on.  I am very new at this brain tumor stuff too but i'm getting as quick an education so i can make decisions that I'm comfortable with.

I'll be happy to share any info with you as we go along.  Right now, just praying that Kitty's surgery will go smoothly and asking you all to keep a good thought for her. 
Thanks,  Val