Thanks, Jerry!  Wyatt Ray is one handsome guy!!  And it looks like he is still super active; that's wonderful!

Bubbie hasn't had any pain symptoms apart from in the leg her tumor was on; the arthritis doesn't seem to be affecting her at all as far as I can tell using the pain guidelines provided (thank you!).

We are having a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow.  I am just worrying because if she's not a candidate for amputation, there isn't a good prognosis.

Speaking of which...this type of tumor, from what I have researched, is pretty scary and reoccurs 90% of the time with conservative treatment; however, the oncologist said that actually, as long as it hasn't metastasized (most commonly, to the lungs or lymph nodes for this type of tumor), there is an 85% chance of a radical treatment -- such as an amputation for wide, clear margins -- being curative.  The prognosis/survival rates I have found posted seem pretty grim...is that because most people don't treat cats aggressively? If so, is there a reason for that? I was really upset with the initial diagnosis, but the oncologist gave me a lot of hope and said her prognosis is actually pretty good, and I want to believe that really badly, but I'm afraid to.

I was just reading about little Three Paw; she really doesn't let anyone stop her and even those stairs don't get her down!  And what a beauty!!

Bubbie has a spirit very similar to your Three Paw, so I have it in my head that I am going to go forward with amputation as long as it is a good option.  I will definitely get a second (or third) opinion if this surgeon sounds too conservative, because you're absolutely right, time is of the essence.  My thought is that Bubbie is tough and a fighter, so I have to be too...I at least have to try to cure her.  If it doesn't work, at the very least it will give her a good quality of life for hopefully much longer than she would have had, and she will tell me if/when she isn't feeling well enough to keep going.

I somehow missed that about Three Paw, I didn't know she was showing metastasis in her lymph nodes - what a wonderful mama you are to listen to her and give her all these months.  She is inspiring!!  I have a feeling she will continue to astound her doctors. I really couldn't believe how fast she is on those stairs!! Her personality really shines through; she is very spunky!!

Hi Jackie, I just started reading little Huckleberry's thread!  What a cute little guy he is, and how lucky he wandered into YOUR yard!  I'm only about halfway through his story so far. I'm so sorry you guys had to go through an amputation, but so glad it wasn't due to cancer! My Bubbie had a grape-sized lump on her arm for over two years...I took her to the emergency vet when I first noticed it.  He did a fine needle aspirate and assured me it was a harmless lipoma.  The mass was firm and felt kind of attached and irregular, and he did not even look at the fluid under a microscope much less send it for biopsy - all red flags, though I didn't know it at the time. A year later, she began mowing or barbering the hair on that leg, so I took her to a different vet who also said it was a lipoma, and that her barbering was due to allergies or stress; gave her a steroid shot and sent us on our way saying to monitor the lump for size.  About a month ago, that lump grew almost overnight to the size of a chicken egg, so this time, I took her to a vet specializing in cats the next state over.  That's where we finally got started on this journey with a biopsy and correct diagnosis.  It is very odd that it seems to have been "dormant" for over two years without metastasizing (knock on wood). Once I can figure it out, I am going to blog her story so hopefully it can help others going through this.

Hi Kerren! Bubbie kind of named herself; everyone just started calling her that because it fit - not sure where it started!   I just love little Mona's sweet face; black cats look like 90% big, beautiful eyes! Could YOU tell Mona had arthritis, or did the vet just know by the x-rays? That's the only way we know about Bubbie's, because she certainly doesn't act like it's bothering her. I know we can't project too much, but I personally would rather lose a limb and have some arthritis (as long as we can manage the pain) than go the conservative route and have a poor prognosis. I don't think I am projecting because she is full of life, joy, and is VERY loved and spoiled. I wish we had her records, but I was 23 when I first got her and moved around a lot, so she went to a lot of different vets and I was not good about transferring or keeping copies of her records. Of course now I feel horrible about that. I hope she can do as well as Mona is doing.

You all are so supportive and inspiring, thank you SO MUCH for helping Bubbie and me!  She is the love of my life...well, tied for first with my husband! 

Amanda and Bubbie

Jackie, I saw your message this morning even though I couldn't log on to respond; it was so sweet and it really meant a lot. Thank you!!

Bubbie update: Consult went GREAT!!!  Really like the orthopedic surgeon.  He said that he has no reservations about her age, size, or the spondylosis/arthritis, as he sees many 10+ cats with that, which I already knew thanks to Kerren. 🙂  He also said he likes to try a more conservative approach before amputation, EXCEPT in the case of cancer.  (graphic detail warning:) He is confident that we can get clean margins with an amputation and will send her little forelimb for a biopsy to be sure, along with the lymph node in her armpit if he can get it.

He also thinks it very strange that the mass was just sort of hanging out, not doing anything for two years, and said the location was odd (kind of where our elbows are).  She goes in Wednesday for her surgery and will stay at least over night with 24-hour supervision. He showed us the operating room where they have a special heating pad for kitties to keep their body temperature up, and said even the IV fluids are warmed up before going into the body.  He said that they use IV fentanyl during the procedure because of its short half-life and the ability to monitor and tweak it quickly. They will also do a blood panel the morning of to double check that she is okay for surgery.  I was very impressed!!  pain management is buprenorphine, but I am going to ask for a prescription for gabapentin as well since it really helped her nerve pain during her last biopsy/lumpectomy.  And I won't be shy about asking for pain medication for her - thanks, Holly and Purrkins! 

I went on Chewy and bought the Lucky Champ litter box with a low lip, as well as some stairs and a couple of washable beds. I am going to turn our extra bedroom into a recovery room after I barricade underneath the bed. I am going to study Holly's guide for a modified onesie and give it a go!  I think I am as ready for this as I can be!!

Thank you guys so much for your support, you are all so kind.  Bubbie really enjoyed your messages AND her after vet treat of one grilled chicken nugget from Chick-fil-a!

Side note: The surgeon told me he didn't know my background, but that I seemed very informed...so I told him all about you guys on Tripawds and he said he had heard of this site!