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?
+++++++++++
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 very sorry to hear about Sketchie. We had a recent health scare with two of our fur gang and I know how terrifying and stressful it is. Thankfully they have recovered and we hope for the same for Sketchie. Thinking of you and sending hugs and purrs!
Oh Ange! I’m so very sorry about Sketchie! I hope everything goes well. It’s good to hear that his surgery was uncomplicated and he’s healing well. Cats are so resilient!
Years ago my cat Emma, who was only 6 at the time, was diagnosed with nasal passage lymphoma. At that time I was told that with chemotherapy, she would probably live 8-10 MONTHS. But chemo would make her more comfortable. So I put her through chemo in the hopes that her final months would be comfortable. And she lived. In fact, she lived 8+ YEARS, breaking my heart when she was 14 years old. And I can honestly say that she only had a couple of not-great days during chemo. For all the rest, she seemed happy and normal. I know many people say they would not put their pets through chemo, but I think it’s worth it. It doesn’t always work (I lost another cat within 8 months to lymphoma), but it’s worth a shot. Good luck with Sketchie. I know this is a hard time, more for you than for him.
Angela,
I wan you to know I wish you the very best on the new cookbook. You were the first person I started to follow when I decided to go to a plant based diet; you have the best stuff.
I will keep you in my prayers as you, Eric and Sketchie are on this journey to get him well. It is hard to make those decision for a family member. Last June our German Shepherd was very sick and the out come was not a positive one. We think of her often.
Best of luck to you all
Angela, I’m another one who reads your posts but I don’t think I’ve ever commented until now. I read this evening of Sketchie and the lymphoma you are now battling. What a beautiful boy he is <3 I'd like to do some distance Reiki for him if its OK. I hope you have success with treatment. I just love all animals and hope to help in whatever small way I can.
Linda Bickford in Massachusetts
Will keep Sketchie in my thoughts. My dog had to have 3 lumps removed a few months ago and was so sad seeing her not herself after surgery. Now she’s doing much better and I hope the same for your sweet cat.
Praying for Sketchie – I know how it is – the worst. Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your way. So glad he is bouncing back from the surgery. And I am so glad Sketchie has such loving owners. Don’t we wish all animals did! All the best and thanks for all you do. I was a vegetarian for 17 years before becoming a vegan – I couldn’t have done it without you!
I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I think we all have had hard decisions to make when it comes to the health of our pets. I think you are on the right path though, thinking about quality of life. Sketchie’s life is not over yet, cherish every moment, and no matter what treatment you choose for him (or none), your love is the best medicine. I wish you the best.
I wish Sketchie all the best and I hope he’ll respond well to treatment. When I read this, I started crying and went to pet my two cats. Sometimes it feels as though I’ll never learn to appreciate them enough.
I don’t believe in sending healing energy, but I’ll do it anyway. Just in case.
Oh Angela, I’m so sorry about this sad news and I’m thinking of you, Eric and of course, darling Sketchie. My closest friends are not “animal people” so do not understand that a beloved pet becomes a member of your family and that you can become deeply attached to them. But I comppletely understand your feelings: I have had my cat Candy for almost 15 years and she’s been my most constant companion all these years and she’s the apple of my son’s eye.
When she started suffering from epilepsy a few years back, I found out all the information I could about the condition (you are right: knowledge IS power!) and completely changed her lifestyle, from the food I feed her to the dish I feed her in. I also started a homeopathy treatment, which has been successful – her fits are less frequent and less severe than they were. Yes, it means that she has to take a few drops of medicine EVERY day, twice a day and the medicine is expensive but I (and my son) wouldn’t have it any other way. The quality of life of our beloved Candy is of the utmost importance to us.
As shocking and upsetting as this news is, Sketchie’s condition has been picked early and it is hoped he will respond well to treatment.
If you are open-minded about alternative methods, I would encourage you to find out information about homeopathy treatment that could help support Sketchie’s recovery alongside his traditional treatment (if this is the way you decide to go.)
I wish you all the best of luck, give you all a big hugs and I’m sending Sketchie many healing thoughts.
Take care,
Sandra xx
So sorry to hear! We lost a cat due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I still grieve for this loss over 10 years later. animals become such an integral part of our lives that they are family. I hope Sketches responds well to treatment.
Hi Angela,
So sorry about your beloved Sketchie.
My parents Basenji had Lymphoma, they took her for treatment at the VEC in Toronto.
I cannot say enough good things about her care, the centre and the staff. She lived for years after her initial diagnosis.
I also had my sweet boy under the treatment of a cardiologist at the VEC when he was 15 and in heart failure, we had the gift of an extra year with him.
If you would like more specific details of the treatments or cost, email me.
Just want to also mention how much I love your blog and recipes.
I have learned so much about cooking on here!
I am also loving the new recipe book.
You and Sketchie are in my thoughts! Wishing you the best.
Sending you love, positive vibes, and hope from Boston. Pets are our family,reminding us about kindness and unconditionality– It’s never easy or fair to see one of them hurt. Good luck with Sketchie, Angela!
*tears* into my green smoothie this morning. Wishing you the best for your lovely sweet kitty. Keep us posted
I’m so, so, sorry! my cat just died last year of old age but i certainly can not say I know how you feel so I’m not even going to try. I love animals of all kinds but especially cats. I hope he feels better soon! ):
I’m so sorry to hear your beautiful cat isn’t feeling well. I know how difficult it is to decide what treatments are best and to sort through it all. I find Robert McDowell has a wonderful site with good info. They will call you and answer any questions you have as well.
http://www.herbal-treatments.com/treatments/for-cats/1159-feline-lymphoma
I’d also like to share a success story – Years ago my aunt had taken in an outside cat, when he was around 7-8 years old he got really sick. The vet told her he had leukemia and she should put him down right then. She refused, brought him home and fed him ground up raw chicken liver. He got stronger & more alert little at a time then completely recovered and lived another 11 years.
I will keep Sketchie in my prayers and send positive thoughts. Best of Luck.
BTW, love your site! I’d love to see Sketchie on the cover of a future book for raw pet food:)
I am new to your blog and just got your cookbook, which I am thrilled with and have really enjoyed the recipes I have made so far…I can’t wait to make the salt and vinegar roasted chickpeas. Congratulations on such a beautiful book!
I am so sorry about the news about your cat – I am so glad you were able to catch it early and I hope he responds to the treatment well. He is adorable!
Ang,
Have been reading you for years now, and have been a fan every step of the way. I just want to send you love and positive energy. I sat on the couch bawling my eyes out reading your last post, because I too have a cat I love more than is humanly possible and I cannot imagine what I would ever do if something happened to my dear sweet Mensa. My thoughts and energy are with you. If costs are an issue with Sketchie’s course of treatment, PLEASE start a funding page and your readers will help you. We are there with you as much as we can be. Stay strong, snuggles for Sketchie (and Eric) and remember to breathe.
Sara
I can’t imagine the grief you are feeling. I teared up when I saw Sketchie. I can tell he is a wonderful companion to you and your husband. My heart goes out to you all.