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!
I am so sorry to hear about Sketchie. Like many other comments have mentioned, reading about your life day in and day out really makes us feel a connection to you and your family. I read through most of the comments on both posts last night and wanted to suggest (I didn’t notice it, so if it was mentioned, sorry I missed it.) one last food option. For picky cats who love dry food and won’t transition to raw or all wet food diet, we tried a moist kibble from Whole Foods- brand is Fresh Pet called Nature’s Fresh, comes in resealable little plastic baggies in the refrigerate pet section that is only gently pasteurized and grain free. It has a pretty limited (for pet food) ingredient list and my baby goes bonkers for it. We don’t have it constantly since my Whole Foods is an hour away, but he positively glistens when it is his primary food for a few days. My neighbor who feeds cheap grocery store food would probably have a heart attack at the price, but it’s competitively priced with other high protein grain free options. The only thing is is being gently processed means it is only good for like a week after opening so you have to watch the big bags and it stinks. Like a LOT! Just something that may be worth trying, I know anything you can get him to eat while he recovers from surgery would be great, since you mentioned he is so picky it may be something to look into if you can source it there.
Love and kitten snuggles from Florida.
First of all, my heart goes out to you and your sweet lil baby. Secondly, I wanted to let you know that we had a great dane who lived to be almost 12 years old who had lymphoma, and was treated by a holistic veterinarian. Great Danes are notoriously short lived, so this was huge. Any treatment that she had was completely non invasive and complementary to her having a happy peaceful life. Not sure where you live, but many holistic vets wilk do phone appts. May bring you a little peace of mind to know that there can be long quality life, even with lymphoma. Sending Sketchie healing, warm, lovey, positive vibes!
I am sending Sketchie lots of Reiki!!! I know that he can get through this!!! I haven’t had an animal with cancer before, but I did have a dog who I almost lost 2 years ago from a rare blood disease. On top of the veterinary treatments I explored various energy healing techniques and had lots of reiki and BodyTalk sessions for her. Within 2 months she was off of her meds and is still her puppyish self. The vets are still shocked as they have never seen a dog respond so quickly and not relapse. They honestly thought that she wouldn’t make it because she was so far gone when they found it. This worked for me, but every animal, family and illness is different, but I highly recommend looking into some energy work, it is always a great compliment. It has led me down an amazing path working with animals. Sketchie is in my prayers and my Reiki healings.
Oh, I forgot to mention that at the time my dog had just turned 7. She will be 10 this year and not a day goes by that I don’t thank everyone involved for her health and the time that I still have with her. All the best to you, Sketchie and Eric.
Hi Angela,
I’m so sorry to hear about Sketchie. I started tearing up when reading your post. I’m a cat mother too :) and I wouldn’t know what I would do without them. I experienced something similar but it was with a kitten who my husband and I adopted. The poor guy ended up being so sick and the vets didn’t know what was wrong with him. We were going to spend thousands on him for surgery but he wasn’t strong enough to go through it. It’s the hardest thing to go through and I can only pray that Sketchie makes a full recover and gains more health and strength every day. Thoughts and prayers are being sent your way!!
Miranda
Angela,
I am sorry to hear your news and I hope that you have time to enjoy Sketchie as long as possible. I am a dog person, not a cat person – but I can relate to your love of an animal. Our sweetheart, Tasha died in August at age 7 from a very aggresive cancer tumor that was leaking into her system. She was running through the yard the night before, catching a ball, full of energy and boundless love for all of us, and the following morning she was dying before my eyes. It was unfathomable and so painful, even as I write this today. I was screaming at the unfairness of it all – lots of stuff was going on in our lives that was not good; but she was the part that was all good. I can’t describe the pain of losing her but I know that she was enjoyed every moment that we had her, she was loved and she returned it to us. They give us so much more than we give them. So I guess what I am trying to say is just love her and enjoy every moment you have – it is finite, but it always is.
Take care and be gentle with yourselves.
Thinking of you at this difficult time. I will send positive thoughts your way for little Sketchie.
I can’t help but post. I usually don’t. It made me tear up. Your poor kitty. I hope he responds to treatment and has a long happy life. I had a really rough year last year with my two kitties. Both of them past away. I am hoping for the best for you guys.
I am glad he perked up and is feeling better.
They are such a part of the family, they feel love and give love.
I have enjoyed seeing Sketchie’s photos in your blogs. He is a beautiful cat on the outside and ovviously on the inside too! Anyone can see how much he is loved! I will be thinking of you, Eric and Sketchie in the days to come. You and Eric are the best parents a kitty could have!
Angela,
Animals have a gentle soul making them a part of the family instantly! Sketchie is just adorable and even though I just met him, I will never forget him as his soul speaks to mine!
Love to y’all and Sketchie. <3
So sorry about Sketchie :(
On a happier note, you did an amazing job on tv! I hope you get you own cooking show someday, you’d do so well! :)
Oh Angela I am so sorry to hear the news about your beloved Sketchie <3 Sending lots of love and positivity your way to you and your little kitty. <3
I am so happy for you that you got a chance to be on the S and C show and Canada AM! Congratulations on all your cookbook success – you are such an inspiration !
Sending hugs to all of you. Glad to hear that Sketchie is rebounding!
Hoping the treatments go well. Will keep you all in my thoughts n prayers.
Thank you for your beautiful book. I am enjoying it daily! Reading and eating!
I can’t imagine what you are going thru now!.. My kitty cat (12 years old) is my little boy. We adopted him when he was 1 1/2 or 2 maybe and he’s been a blessing. He travels with us when on vacation.. we hardly leaving him behind.. I’m sure that what you are doing is going to help him get better! Positive thoughts and all our blessings to Sketchie!..
So very sorry about your sweet, beautiful kitty. Lost one of our to cancer last year. I understand. Get better buddy. Prayers for Kitty.
Hi Angela –
I’ve been following your blog for quite a while now, and I also pre-ordered your cookbook. It came on Thursday, and I LOVE IT!! Thank you so much for all the delicious and healthy recipes!! You are my go-to girl anytime I’m looking for a vegan version of, well, anything. I also tell anyone and everyone who will listen about you. In fact, I took your book to work on Friday to entice people to buy it. ;)
I’m a cat mom myself. I had two wonderful babies, Chaos and Madness (brother and sister). Madness left us last February at the age of 16, so it’s just me and my boy now. I say that to say that my thoughts and warm hugs are with you. I know how incredibly heart wrenching it is when your baby is sick and you have to make decisions for them. I wish you, Eric, and Sketchie much love, the right treatments, and a long, happy life together.
Warmest regards and furry hugs from,
Teri and Chaos
(Fort Worth, Texas)
Following you through the years and hearing about the wonderful mischievous little guy that is Sketchie, this sad news truly hit me like he was my own! I’m so terribly sorry to hear.
Sending thoughts and prayers!
Every day for your beloved putty pat is a bonus day! I am so glad you caught the issues early on. I was so pleased to hear you value his quality of life above all. Decisions about our pets are wrought with self doubt. You will find the path which is good for you and your Sketchie. I will be thinking of you during this journey.
Yes his quality of life is everything to me and will be at the forefront of all our decisions. Thanks for all your support Wendy!
Hello –
I am hearbroken for you and Sketchie – I truly know what you are going through, but I can also offer you some hope.
In October 2012 my dear Abigale was also diagnosed with lymphoma after exporatory surgery. It was in her pancreas which is somewhere the vets hadn’t seen it before and it was large cell. I know what you have been reading – we read it all too. However, Abbey was only seven years old and my heart – there was no way I could let her go without trying to do something. So we opted for the chemotherapy even knowing the odds.
Abbey is with me today and has been in remission since January of 2013. The treatment went through April 2013, but they couldn’t find any signs of cancer after January. We go back for bloodwork and a checkup now every 3-4 months. The vets call her their miracle girl. She tolerated the treatments pretty well until the last month and by then she was just tired of them – but she was loving and gentle throughout.
I also worked with an animal communicator by the name of Edwina Gustafson who helped me help Abbey. Our agreement was if Abbey wanted to stop, we would. Abbey wanted to fight and stay with us and so we kept going……and I would do it all over again.
Having said that, it was very expensive and I was fortunate to be able to cover it. I don’t know where you live, but we were referred by our vet to the Charleston Veterinary Referral Clinic – CVRC – in Charleston, SC. They are wonderful.
If you would like more details, please contact me.
Angela–So sorry to hear about Sketchie–praying real hard for a recovery. Congrats on the new book and promo schedule…you were born to be on TV. Take good care, Valerie