Argh

[pameladean]

Lydy misunderstood the vet. Chumley has not been determined not to have lymphoma. They can determine it by doing an endoscopy. For a thousand dollars. If he has it, they can treat him for 26 weeks and maybe extend his life by about a year, for another two thousand dollars. Lydy hasn't got it, we haven't got it, Chumley's part-time person hasn't got it. The drugs that are used to treat inflammatory bowel disease overlap with those used to treat lymphoma and can make a patient resistant to the chemo. Lydy doesn't know yet if they'll let her treat him for the bowel disease and see what happens if she makes it clear there's no way she can pay for the endoscopy and the chemo. They don't have -- I wanted to say scholarships, but I don't mean that; any kind of assistance for people in this situation. Lord knows, the human health-care situation in this country is quite bad enough already without adding in pet stuff. They have a payment plan, but it has very high interest rates.

We hate this a lot.

Pamela

Comments

[red-queen.livejournal.com]

Oh, ouch, ouch, ouch. I'm so sorry (say I with a purring cat in my lap even as I type, sigh) (oops, cat just hopped off). Is there a vet. school nearby that might have reduced fees (not that I'm suggesting allowing amateurs to experiment -- usually students are thoroughly supervised). Or is there a local ASPCA that might help you find subsidy?

Much sympathy from another cat-lover...

[noveldevice.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry. :( I'll think good thoughts for Chumley. Poor little guy.

If the vet's payment plan is sucky, you might look into a pet health credit card. Some friends of mine got one when their cat had to have gender reassignment surgery after developing chronic cystitis of the sort that kills boy-cats. It had reasonable interest rates and could only be used for vet bills.

My Miles (yes, named after Miles Vorkosigan) is laying in his favorite sleeping spot on top of my monitor. His head is hanging down off the edge and the angle is making him snore. I don't know what I'd do without him, or any of my pets. *Hugs* for all of Chumley's people, and give him a little hug for me.

[pameladean]

Thank you. I am appreciating all the other cats a lot. And Chumley too. He's not dead yet, and he is terribly purry.

The U *is* the vet school.

Pamela

[pameladean]

Thanks. I'll mention the credit card idea to her.

And so you see who's getting hugged:

http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/gallery.cgi/2003/02220-Mostly%20Cats

The black and white one is Chumley; the other is his devoted companion Fester.

Pamela

[kightp.livejournal.com]

*empathy*

[elisem.livejournal.com]

Oh, Obble. Good wishes from me to Chumley and to all his people, part-time or full-time. Especially to Lydy. I shall try to remember to pass them along myself, as I ought.

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

Argh. My sympathies to all involved. (Pet care costs suck, but what can you do?)

Chumley

[(Anonymous)]

Sending healing wishes to Chumley. Must go appreciate my own cats now (and they hate it when I get this way...)

Cindy L

[laurel]

Oh dear. Best wishes to Chumley and Lydy and the rest of you. I don't know what I'd do under those circumstances.

[pameladean]

Thanks, everybody. I'll pass the good wishes on.

And yeah, my own particular cat thinks I'm crazy, and if I really loved him I'd melt all the snow and take him outside for hours and hours.

Pamela