Daphne - Sad News

A week or so ago, I mentioned Daphne in a post called - These are a Few of my Favorite Things.  I was reporting about an ear infection she was fighting, and of course that wasn’t one of my favorite things.  But Daphne IS.  I love her.  So much.  Many of you are familiar with Daphne’s story.  When Older Daughter rescued her, she had a severe leg wound.  That’s never good.  Those deep flesh wounds are the primary way FIV is transmitted from cat to cat.  And sure enough - Daphne is FIV+.  We nursed her back to health, she was eventually spayed, and she moved to a cage in the cathouse. I put out special pleas for a home.  I checked into special shelters that take FIV+ cats.  But Daphne didn’t get adopted, and no rescue offered to take her.  As I continued to get information from some of you about even more shelters that took cats like Daphne, I started wondering if I could make it work here.  I truly didn’t want Daphne to move on.  She is completely blind in one eye, and we discovered that she is almost entirely deaf.  I really didn’t want her to have to live in a shelter environment.  She is also completely in love with me.  She STILL rides around on me like a baby koala bear, hanging on and purring.  I started having Daphne OUT of her cage every minute that I was in the cathouse.  And then, when my girls both started making their plans to move out in 2012, I realized that Daphne could move into our home if a another home didn’t present itself.

I first suspected an ear infection because of an odor coming from the ear.  The first try was with an antibiotic ointment for the ear which also included an anti-inflammatory.  Daphne moved to my kennel office so I could keep an eye on her and make sure the drops were administered every 12 hours.  Two weeks with this treatment gained us no improvement.  Back to the vet for a high-powered antibiotic drop for that ear.  But Daphne’s condition did NOT clear up.  In fact, the odor was getting worse, and she was starting to be off-balance when she ran or jumped. 

Then last Friday, it scared me when I found a hard knot under that ear.  I called and got in.  We saw a different vet who said the hard spot was crystalized cartilage.  I worried that it could be a tumor, but he felt reasonably sure it was the cartilage thing.  I explained about the being off-balance which he said comes naturally with an ear infection.  The last couple of days, however, Daphne hasn’t wanted to walk towards me.  She stands and wobbles and waits for me to pick her up.  Then yesterday, I noticed Daphne seemed to be having a little bit of difficulty swallowing.  As I was administering her ear drops, I felt around on the knot.  It felt bigger.  And what really worried me was that it seemed to now stretch down onto the side of her throat.  I called and got her in.

The news wasn’t good.  The diagnosis is an inoperable, fast-growing tumor attached to the ear canal.  She has every symptom.  It wasn’t one of those moments when I felt the room start to spin because all day yesterday I was already thinking this was a tumor.  But I did feel the crushing disappointment that comes with getting news that has no hope in it.  Dr. A and I discussed the place we found ourselves in.  The tumor was growing fast.  It was blocking access to the deeper part of the ear.  This was the reason the ear infection wasn’t going away - the drops couldn’t reach the infection.  Daphne was off-balance as a result of the ear infection, but also because the mass was pressing on the inner ear.  Now the tumor had reached a place where it was encroaching on the larynx and esophagus.  It was only a matter of time - very short time - before the tumor would cut off Daphne’s airway or her ability to swallow food. 

I asked Dr. A if I would see rapid decline.  She said she thought so.  I told her that Daphne still eats and purrs like crazy when I hold her.  Dr. A said - Look Chrystal, I know you well enough to know that I had better try EVERYTHING before we opt for euthanization.  You would never forgive yourself or me if you were left with any doubts.  So I’m going to give Daphne a massive injection of antibiotic and steroid.   If we can clear up some of the infection, or if the steroid can shrink the mass a tiny bit, we might be buying Daphne a small amount of time.  It will give you time to adjust and might relieve some of Daphne’s current discomfort.  But I really think we could be talking only DAYS here.   I stood there wondering if I was hanging on for me or for Daphne.  It was for me.  Daphne cannot get better.  The tumor is highly aggressive and will only continue to press in.  But I had not had time to make sure Daphne knows how much I love her.  She was still eating and purring.  And she was not struggling to breathe.  Dr. A said the injections would give her a little relief, or they would not.  If she went downhill fast, I could call as soon as I knew it was time.  But any way you look at this, we aren’t left with much . . . 

Driving home from the vet, I put in a Christmas CD.  I thought about Daphne and her horrible start in life.  I thought about the hopes I’d had for her.  I thought about those of you who would be reading this sad news.  It’s Christmastime.  I wondered if I should maybe NOT share this to keep from bringing all of you down with me.  But over and over again, you have assured me that this is the reality of Life, and that you are in it with me.  When I sat down to type this post, I was SO glad to have a place to tell this story.  SO glad to have a place to share my thoughts and my pain.  SO glad to have a place to honor Daphne - a place where people would care so very much about her.  Daphne  deserves to have her story told.  Her life matters.  She is a little being.  Loved.  We'll take whatever time we have left, and cherish it.

                                    Daphne, sometimes called "Daffy Doodles", part koala bear.

 

 

Comments

[Cats of wildcat woods]

Thanks for letting us know what is going on with Daphne. Everything you share about your charges - good and bad helps all of us in ways you don't even know. we learn about so many things from reading your blog. Never feel you have to sugar coat anything. Daphne is getting surrounded by love and healing light - we can't change the outcome but we can make the process easier and more peaceful. Sometime our beloved animals are only supposed to be with us for a short time. Cherish each moment and we will all make sure we do the same with our animals. Bless you for all you do for these animals.

[Hannah and Lucy]

We are so sorry to hear this news about Daphne. We know you will keep her warm and safe not to mention loved until it is her time to cross the Rainbow Bridge to eternal (and healthy) life.
Take care
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

[Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom)]

Such tragic news ~ and thank you for caring about her and loving her so much. At least her last days will be full of love and I know you will ensure she is comfortable at all times. Blessings to you both. I'm so very sorry. xx

[Artemisia, Fenris, Socks & Scylla]

We are heartbroken for you and poor Daphne. Thankfully she has your love and will be able to spend her last days in comfort and receiving love from you and your incredible family.

[The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie]

We're typing this through tears. We're so sorry to hear about Daphne. We know you will do the very best for her and that she is so lucky to spend her last days with someone who loves her so much. We're also glad that we can all be here for YOU.

The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie

[meowmeowmans]

We are so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. Although sweet Daphne's time with you is short, she is being well-loved and loves you back. Surely this is worth more than all the riches in the world. We are sending purrs and prayers for you both.

[Penelope the Cat From Hell]

Dear Crystal,
Me is sad that Daphne is not well. We sends yous all comforting purrs and know that yous will know the right thing to does at the right time. Daphne's kind soul and spirit has touched your heart and there she will live forever.
Kisses
Nellie

[Old Kitty]

Me and my cat Charlie came over from the CB. We are sorry to read about sweet beautiful and wonderful Daphne. We know her days with you will be filled with such love. Please take care
x

[Charlemagne, Tamar and Mal]

We hope that the meds give Daphne a little relief so that you can make sure she knows how much you love her.

We really wish there's was something we could do so that she would be all better.

Sending purrs from all of us,
Charlemagne, Tamar and Mal
(and Momma Colleen)

['Kaika]

We are so sorry to hear the news about sweet Daphne, but know whenever you make the decision to let her go, it will be the right time and an extension of your love and caring for her. Sending you and Daphne gentle purrs and healing light.

[Tillie and Georgia]

We are sending big purrs to you and Daphne.
We are happy she has someone to love her and
care for her at this sad tome.
Purrs Tillie & Georgia,
Tiger,Treasure and JJ

[Team Tabby]

We are purring for Daphne. We know you will do all you can for her and she knows she is loved.

[Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101.com)]

We are heartbroken by your news about Daphne and will keep you and her in our thoughts. She is blessed to be surrounded by love and not in a cage or worse. We have a FIV+ feral Domino who finally came inside after seven years. The most challenging cats are our best teachers.

[Camie's Kitties]

We are so sorry to hear the news about Daphne, but she found her special person to love and to be loved. That is always the most important thing. We know your heart is breaking as always. We are purring for you.

Cody and Gracie

[Simba]

We read the headline about Daphne on the CB website and came over to read your post and say how very sorry we are that sweet Daphne has a horrible tumor. Sending many man purrs to you and to her.

[Hannah and Lucy]

We're so sorry to hear this news. Daphne loves being with you and knows you will take care of her and do whatever is right for her.
We know you will not let her suffer.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

[Ani]

Daphne is one of God's precious chosen ones. I knew that from the moment I saw her plea for adoption. She definitely captured my heart, and I kept thinking about adopting her, but I too had a FIV+ kitty at the time trying to find a home, and I ended up adopting him myself. Having 4 other cats didn't make matters any easier.

Daphne will have a part of my heart for ever, and thank you for giving her all the love she deserves and craves so desperately. Please let her know how very sorry I am for not being able to take her in. I have promised myself that if one day I am left without a kitty, I'll devote my time to taking in the most unwanted little Angels. It is very sad that this world will lose such a precious little soul, but the Angelic host in heaven are already rejoycing, awaiting the arrival of one of their own with open arms.

[TK]

Me is so sad to hears about poor Daphne. She sure is lucky to has found you. All kitty wants is to has a love afore they moves on. You has given her that.
Me sees you has done this so much.
Our world is better to has a Crystal and daughters in it to heps the less fortunate kitties to finds that love.
Love, TK