Well, this is a post I thought I would never write. To say that my heart broke after receiving this news is an understatement. We were so excited to bring Sketchie home from the vet last week. As you may recall, he had exploratory surgery in an effort to determine his health issues (see this post for more info). I was convinced that he had IBD. To be honest, I was second-guessing our decision to proceed with the surgery. Would it even help him? Was it worth it to put him through all of this? I felt so unsure and conflicted.
Eric picked him up from the vet last week and I stayed back to finish up some work. He was gone a really long time which I thought was unusual. When I heard the door open I yelled, “Sketchieeee!!” like I always do in a high-pitched voice whenever I see him after being out. I ran down the stairs to greet them both and stopped in my tracks when I saw the look on Eric’s face. I knew something was terribly wrong.
After seeing Eric fight back tears I could only get out “what’s wrong?” in a choked up voice.
“Sketchie has lymphoma.”
I just collapsed into Eric’s arms. Completely lost it. The whole day was like one long nightmare. I wasn’t prepared for any of this. Even though the vet mentioned lymphoma might be a possibility, I thought “not Sketchie”. Eric explained that it’s small cell lymphoma (in his intestines) which apparently has a decent chance of responding to the treatment. I kept reading things online that treatment could help them live a few years (a few years?, I’d wail) and then I had to just stop reading about it. It was too much to process.
To make matters worse, Sketchie was still in a fair amount of pain, totally not himself and unsettled. Seeing the 15+ staples in his shaved belly was hard. It was a really difficult few days, but we gave him so much love and attention to try to help him feel better. His eyes looked so sad, obviously not knowing what the heck happened to his body. I’m so grateful though that the surgery went well without any complications.
So here we are a week and a half later still grappling with the news and trying to figure out what course of treatment we’re going to take. If anything, I’m so grateful that we were able to get the exploratory surgery to determine the root cause of his digestive issues and low B12. And that we caught it early. Knowledge is power!
I just want to thank you for thinking of Sketchie over the past couple weeks. Many of you left lovely comments and tweets and it really means a lot to me. I’d love to hear from those of you who might have had a similar experience with your pet and what treatment options you used. Right now, we’re open to exploring our options while keeping in mind his quality of life, above all.
The good news is that Sketchie is recovering well from his surgery! He’s a trooper! After 4-5 days, he seemed much more like himself. His appetite is back which is reassuring because he lost a lot of weight over the past 6 months. The spark in his eyes is back. Today he gets his staples out which I’m nervous about, so I hope it goes well and he’s not too traumatized by going back there so soon.
He’s still a young cat (7 years), so I’m hoping he will respond well to treatment. I know this one is not going down without a fight.
Now go on and hug your pets for me, will you?
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Updates:
In lighter news, I wanted to thank you for your incredible comments on my Cookbook Launch & Sneak Peek Post this week. I was on cloud nine all week seeing your tweets, Facebook messages, and comments come in. It really helped cheer me up and take my mind off things.
Newsletter:
I sent out the second cookbook newsletter yesterday, so be sure to check your spam box because they have a tendency to end up there. If you still haven’t received any newsletters yet, please add “[email protected]” to your email contact list to ensure that you get future newsletters. That should do the trick! If you’d like to read the 2nd newsletter in the meantime, you can do so on my book page (it’s linked near the bottom of the page).
New OSG Virtual Cookbook Blog Tour Reviews:
Check out these new reviews and don’t forget to enter the giveaways!
Dreena @ Plant Powered Kitchen (review, recipe, giveaway)
Kate @ Cookie + Kate (review, recipe)
Kaila @ Healthy Helper Blog (review, recipe, giveaway)
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies! (review, recipe, giveaway)
Kathy @ Healthy Happy Life (review, recipe)
Cadry @ Cadry’s Kitchen (review, recipe, giveaway)
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan (review, recipe, giveaway)
Nicole @ A Dash of Compassion (review, recipe, giveaway)
Livvy @ 86 Lemons (review, recipe, giveaway)
Ashley @ {Never} home maker (review, recipe, giveaway)
Emily @ Daily Garnish (review, recipe, giveaway)
Sarah @ The Sweet Life (review, recipe, giveaway)
Jess @ Get Sconed (review, interview)
Canada AM:
Lastly, I had two fun TV appearances this week. The first one was Tuesday morning on Canada AM. I somehow managed to get through LIVE TV without passing out. hah. You can find the link to watch the video at the bottom of my book page. Thanks to my friend Karly for the screenshot above!
Steven and Chris:
The second appearance was a taping for the Steven and Chris show. It was also a total blast! We made my Empowered Noodle Bowl with Orange-Maple Miso Dressing. I don’t have an official air date yet, but I will let you know as soon as I find out. It should be within the next week or two. I hear that it’s syndicated on the Live Well Network in the US, so hopefully those of you in the US can watch it online as well.
[a couple behind the scenes photos from Steven and Chris. Thanks to Ange for the bottom photo!]
Thank you again for making this week one I won’t soon forget. Have a great weekend!
Oh, Ange! I’m so sorry about Sketchie. I wish you nothing but the best as you figure out what you’re going to do next. Give him a snuggle from me, would you? *Hugs.*
I’m sorry to hear about your cat. I have been stalking your blog the past 6 weeks after searching for vegan recipes online and finding this gem. My husband and I have started eating 90% plant based whole foods and your blog and recipes have been a lifesaver to us! When I found out that your cookbook was being released in the US, I ordered on, and it came today. It is BEAUTIFUL and packed with amazing recipes…I cannot wait to dig in and try all of them. We both come from a culinary background, and appreciate how you keep food as natural as possible, which is how it should be eaten. Thank you so much for making it…it truly is an inspiration for us to continue our new lifestyle and continue to glow! :)
Thank you so much Andrea! I’m so thrilled to hear this. :)
Sketchie is such a beautiful cat! Is Sketchie a type of calico? I’ll be praying for him!
Loved the Canada AM segment. Do you have a Steve & Chris Livewell network/USA air date yet? I looked on their website but couldn’t find anything.
Just tried your crispy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies both with peanut butter & almond butter out of your cookbook – both were awesome! Forgot to take a picture. Guess we’ll have to make more! :) (My husband was the one that actually made them.)
Thanks Angela!
That broke my heart….. my husband and I have a 7 year old orange tabby (Bill), who is one amazing kitty. I’m so sorry you are having to watch your little guy deal with pain that he can’t understand. It’s just so hard to see them not be themselves, and not being able to explain to them what’s happening. Especially when you’re so used to them bringing you up.
I’m absolutely positive that you & Eric are excellent parents- and, in his own cat like way, I’m sure he’s happy to have you to console him.
Good thoughts to Sketchie!
Oh my gosh, Angela! I am so sorry to hear about your precious kitty!! I wish you guys all the best… our kitties are our babies. <3 xoxo
Ohhh Angela
I’m so sorry sending you all my prayers for a nice recovery for sketchie!
I absolutely love your blog and have been following it for a couple of years now. I just bought your cookbook and adore it! I have empower noodle bowl cooking right now. Just wanted you to know I am sending Sketchie good vibes and wish your husband, Sketchie and yourself good wishes. Stay strong :]
I’m so sorry to hear about Sketchie – those little guys are family, and it’s so hard when they’re ill. If there’s anything we can do for you, please let us know. Until then, sending lots of positive vibes your way!
New to the site. So sorry to read such upsetting news for you and Sketchie. Try to stay positive, and make every day special in some little way. Be thankful for the day. I will pray for your Sketchie, and for you.
I truly wish you the best with Sketchie and your family. Meow
I’m so sorry to hear about Sketchie. I found out recently that cancers are actually a deficiency disease, it occurs when the person is lacking the vitamin B17. B17 can be found in bitter almonds, apple seeds and apricot pits, it has a bitter flavor. I know of a few people who consume the seeds (or vitamin tablets) for cancer prevention. I also know of someone who was cured of cancer this way and lived into her late 90’s and her husband who also ate them lived to be 99 using it as prevention. There’s a book on it called “A World Without Cancer”. I don’t know how the cure would work with pets, but I’d encourage you to look into it. Either way I hope he recovers well.
Hi Angela,
I’ve long been a fan of Oh She Glows but don’t think I’ve ever commented (and as a fellow food blogger, I know I should do more of that!). I just wanted to chime in and say my thoughts are with you, Eric and Sketchie. Animals brighten our lives in so many ways, so it is devastating when they’re in pain or suffering. Yet it’s also so hard to imagine them leaving us, as they all do at some point. I am sure with the love and support of his amazing parents, Sketchie will put on a brave fight. I’m rooting for him. And yes, I will go hug my dog now…
Much love and best wishes!
Beth
So sorry to hear about Sketchie! It makes me happy to know that he is in the best care possible, with you :) I hope he recovers speedily and continues to gain strength. You poor thing, hang in there!
I’m so sorry to hear about Sketchie Angela. I’ve followed your blog for a while and am always excited to see pictures of him. Being so young I’m sure he will respond well to whatever treatment you decide on, but no matter what just remember you and Eric have given him a loving and wonderful home for which he is lucky to have. Giving them a happy and love filled life (for what always seems like too short a time) is the best thing we can do for our pets.
1. I love your blog. The recipes are the best
2. I volunteer at a no-kill, free roaming cat shelter and we have a boy with lymphoma who also has symptoms similar to IBD. Though he has gastrointestinal issues, he is a happy, loving little guy and has been for several years and he’s responded well to treatment. Every cat is different and I’m sorry you have to go through this with Sketchie, but I thought it might help to know there are other cats with this and they’re doing and have been doing great for years
Thank you Sarah. It does help. We’ve heard of many success stories and I’m hoping Sketchie fares as well as he can. He’s a tough little guy with lots of life left in him!
I’m so sorry to hear about Sketchie! He is ever so handsome, and sounds like a great fellow. We have two kitties, and while we don’t have experience with lymphoma, one of ours does have a chronic (and challenging) ailment that we treat and cope with. It’s no fun for us or him, but he remains his cute, sweet, and occasionally naughty self all the same.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that everyone in our household (human and feline alike) send furry hugs and our best healing vibes your way!
Angela,
I don’t usually comment on this blog, although I am a long time reader but felt compelled to. I am so sorry! Your family and your little Sketchie is in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs and lots of love from Ohio. I hope that you guys can overcome this and everything works out, and am so happy that he seems to be recovering well from surgery.
Best,
Christie
I’m sorry to hear about your little Sketchie. My beloved Hubba Hubba died in August after her battle with lymphoma. I work at a vet hospital and it doesn’t make it any easier. Hang in there!
Oh I’m so sorry about the sad news with Sketchie :( I’ll be thinking of you guys and hope that everything works out – she’s still such a young thing. *hugs*
I’m going to hug my Sunny girl right now!
Congratulations on the cookbook and shows Angela – this is such an exciting time for you! You were the first blog I ever started following and it’s still my fav to this day =)
Oh, I’m so sorry! We had a similar situation with our cat and it’s amazing how hard it is. These little furballs add so much to our lives!