Chemotherapy for GI lymphoma

[hollihedge]

Hi all
We are awaiting results from an ultrasound guided fine needle aspirate on our 14 year old diabetic girl, Pumpkin, in the next couple of days. The vet has advised tonight that this may be GI lymphoma. If this is confirmed (and I am praying and hoping it is not) he has advised she may be able to have chemotherapy. Does anyone have any experience of this?
Many thanks.

[JulieJulie]

I'm sorry i don't. My cats cancer is not in a place that could be treated but my thoughts are with you at this horrible time x but she's still with me x

[Walesgang]

Hi

My girl Luna had lymphoma - we tried chemo.

We were guided by the the feline advisory bureau - who said that chemo can give a good length remission in 1/3 cases and felt it was worth a shot.

Luna coped amazingly well with the treatment - and our vet was excellent and discussing everything with us. It was a real roller coaster though. She had an initial improvement, but unfortunately the improvement was short lived. In hindsight, we feel we made the choice to go ahead with the right intentions - it might have worked. In reality it gave us a few more months with her, to spoil her and get used to the idea how poorly she was.

There is a really useful Yahoo feline lymphoma group - you will need to set up a yahoo account to join, but members are very knowledgeable and animal onchologists post too. Many of the members are in the USA.

Good luck what every happens and give your furbabe fusses from us

[hollihedge]

Thank you very much both. Tomorrow is D day as aspirate results back - dreading it.

[Walesgang]

Hi

Been thinking about you today.

How were Pumkin's results? Fingers crossed they are ok.

Xx

[Crewella]

Mine too. xx

[hollihedge]

Pumpkin does indeed sadly have GI lymphoma. She has undergone her first chemo session today at the specialist vet hospital. She is due to have x 4 weekly chemo injections and then a break of 3 weeks before having a scan. If the cancer is in remission or partial remission they will continue every 3 weeks for as long as she is in remission. If not, they can try a rescue regime. They have given approx. 70% chance of remission with this chemo and only 10% if it doesn't work with the other regime. We are keeping everything crossed.

Thanks for all your help and support xx

[booktigger]

Fingers crossed it works for her

[hollihedge]

Thank you.

[Janey]

Hope all goes well for Pumpkin, sending lots of get well hugs xx

[Walesgang]

Sounds promising. Keep positive. Fingers crossed for you both xx

[hollihedge]

Thanks all.

Walesgang - did your girl Luna go off her food whilst having her chemo??

[Crewella]

It does sound 'doable' as they say. Everything crossed that the chemo works for her. xx

[Walesgang]

Hi

Luna's appetite was very up and down while she was on chemo.

On bad days we would give her anything we could tempt her with.

Her weight actually increased at one point while the chemo was working and the tumours were reducing.

Cats react differently to chemo. It doesn't make them loose fur or sick. Luna's appetite was very poor before she started treatment, and she had lost weight.

Fusses to Pumpkin xx

[hollihedge]

Thank you xx

[hollihedge]

Dear all

I just wanted to post to say that our beloved darling Pumpkin has sadly lost her extremely brave fight against lymphoma and to thank you all for your posts earlier in the Summer. She had x 4 different chemo regimes (COP, Epirubicin, DMAC and Lomustine). The only one that showed any sign of working (and only partially) was the DMAC and that stopped working after 2 cycles. We were told the day after my darling Dad had died that the DMAC had stopped working. She had had very good quality of life and was pottering around, jumping up and down on beds etc, mousing and eating very well throughout, but she sadly developed x 2 malignant pleural effusions and when it re-filled after draining of the second one within 3 days we knew she was suffering. Our vet confirmed that the lymphoma was very aggressive and growing through all treatment and it was time to say goodbye. We are bereft ...We love her so much and will miss her forever. She was the most beautiful girl.

Thank you all for your support earlier this Summer.

Gill xxx

[booktigger]

Aww, I'm sorry to hear this, RIP little one

[Janey]

So sorry for your loss. RIP sweet little girl xx

[bobbys girl]

So sorry to hear the news. RIP little Pumpkin.

[hollihedge]

Thank you all xxx

[Crewella]

I'm so sorry. Rest in peace brave little Pumpkin. xx

[meriad]

So very very sorry

sweet dreams Pumpkin, sleep tight x

[Grace56]

Awww, Hollihedge I am so sorry. She must have been such a brave girl.

Sleep well little Pumpkin. xxx

[hollihedge]

Thank you so much xxx

[emmab]

Can I ask about this please hollihedge? I am so sorry to hear this how very sad indeed. Our cats Grany is waiting for an aspirition biopsy on Tuesday for enlarged lymph nodes in tummy. He is very well but has lost weight and has had a constant temperature since adoption. Both blood test results also came back with very high protein. I would be interested to know how your vet found this but understand it is all very raw. I am in bits atm and is a trully awful weekend so know how you are feeling. RIP little Pumpkin x