Thursday, August 04, 2016

Six Months Since Merlin's Cancer Diagnosis

Hello all!  Merlin here!  Today marks another very important milestone in my fight against cancer.  It's now been six months since my cancer diagnosis, and I have outlived my prognosis by three whole months!  I've basically lived for double what they expected me to live!  I am so happy that I am getting to spend a lot of quality time with my dad (and my mom too, but my dad was gone for a while, so it's so good to have time with him).


I'm still doing really well, other than in the litter box.  My stool is soft, and there is occasionally blood or mucus in it.  I also tend to run like a wild cat through the house after I get out of the litterbox, so my mom suspects that it hurts to use the litterbox.  So that's not very good.  I also occasionally make a meow that sounds different from my ordinary meowing (being a pointed Sphynx - a blue lynx point and white to be precise - I like to talk a lot, just like Meezers do).  My mom isn't sure if this strange meow means anything, as it's hard to tell, because I do like to talk!  But my behaviour seems perfectly normal, so my dad doesn't think it means anything much at this point.


I still wrestle with Devi, and every now and then I have to give her a good smack, to let her know who is in charge.


I continue to gain weight, because the steroid chemotherapy I'm on increases my appetite, so I'm hungry all the time and eating lots.  But that's okay!  At this point we would much rather have me gaining weight than losing it!


At this point we are enjoying every day and treasuring all the time we have together.  In just about another month, I'll turn 9 on September 1st!  Back in February when I was diagnosed with large cell lymphoma, we didn't think I'd even come close to making it to 9, and now I'm almost there!  As our primary care vet said, though, with cats, the course of lymphoma is always hard to predict (she said it's much easier to predict timelines in dogs).  She said some cats last less than a month, and some up to a year.   I've made it six months so far, and I'm still looking good!   Who knows, I may even get to see our new home when we move in October!  But we are just taking it day by day.  We know that at any time my spleen could suddenly give out on me (as the cancer had spread to my spleen when they did the biopsy) and that would be the end.  We are trying not to think about it though, and just cherishing the time we have, and taking lots of photos and video.  My mom says she thinks she'll need to get a new external hard drive to store all the photos she's taking of me!

Thank you all for your purrs, prayers, and positive thoughts.  We appreciate each and every one of our friends who are thinking of me, sending me their prayers, their purrs, and their positive thoughts.  Thank you.  And with our thanks we are joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

24 comments

Catio Tales said...

We are delighted to read this, and paws are crossed for your continued good health. We want you in good form to keep that Devi in her place - you should be respected! We REALLY hope we can celebrate your birthday with you but yes, one day at a time is a most excellent philosophy so each day when we read your blog we hope all is well.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Merlin we know that this is a very special time with your family. WE are so grateful you have reached this milestone and we continue to send healing purrs to you and hope you have many many MANY good days ahead.

pilch92 said...

It is best to focus on the positive. I am praying you will get to have a lot of time at the new home. XO

Just Ducky said...

Thankful you have had the 6 months with your people and hopefully a few more months to share their new home. Sending you purrs.

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

Wouldn't it be awesome if you were still around for the new year :) Purrs for oodles of quality time..

Hannah and Lucy said...

We are purring for you Merlin and hope you will have lots of quality times with your family.
Take care little one.

Marg said...

Oh Merlin, we are so glad you are hanging in there . We are so thankful that you have made it this far. You are just a good fighter. We send lots of purrs that you keep on feeling all right.

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

You know, Merlin, a life is measured by the love you have felt, the fun you have had and the stuff you have done. You're a winner on all three fronts. And let us not forget that you are also a very powerful magician! You rock!

Purrs,
The Chans

da tabbies o trout towne said...

dood !!! we all run afturr we uze de box.....coz it....well, it doez knot smell like....freshnezz !!!!!! we haz all 984 paws crossed ewe WILL see yur new houz....never give up buddy...when eye waz like two, maybe one....no onez sure oh me age & eye aint sayin.....de vet said eye wood knot make it ta age 7......{ for diffrunt reezonz } faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...eye terned 18 thiz yeer !!!!☺☺☺♥♥♥

butter lover boomer o cat

Brian's Home Blog said...

We are so happy you are doing good my friend. Purrs, prayers, hugs and love from all of us!

The Swiss Cats said...

We're so happy to read this ! We wish you many many more months of quality time with your family ! Purrs

catladymac said...

So glad to read this ! Purrayers & POTP continue !

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I am very glad you are doing so well, Merlin. I continue to purr for you to have lots more time with your family.

The Florida Furkids said...

We're so happy for you and for your family! We love you and want you to be around for long time!

The Florida Furkids

Anonymous said...

We are so glad you're currently doing okay. We're praying for a long life!

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

We send you loads of purrs every day...we're so happy you're continuing to do well!

The Island Cats said...

We're so glad you continue to do well, Merlin. Y'know, I run around like a crazy cat after using the box too...that's just my way! We send you lots of purrs and hope you have many many more months with your family. ~Ernie

Three Chatty Cats said...

That's so wonderful to hear, Merlin! Sending hugs and purrs!

Marty the Manx said...

Merlin, happy 6months of life!!! We are praying for many more. You are looking handsome as always! Live in the moment, Love till it hurts and cherish every second! That is the way Mom and Oskar the Samoyed spent his last 1 1/2 yrs and she wouldn't have had it any other way!
Sending you tons of positive karma!
Marty and the Gang

Cathy Keisha said...

Here's to six more months of quality time! Here here! TW has had a couple of cats that run crazypants after using the litter box especially after number 2. She always thought it was to escape the aroma.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Merlin we are so happy for you and you are right, just enjoy each and every day!! We are sending purrs and prayers that you continue on this great path! xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody

Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf said...

Hi sweet boy! So glad to hear that you are doing well, putting on weight and pooping...even if it's not the purrfect poop! Purrs and pawsitive thoughts to you and your family! ♥

Jans Funny Farm said...

Very wise to concentrate on spending quality time together. We are so happy for all of you that you are still having good days. We hope there are many more good days together.

Timmy Tomcat said...

Our Buddy Budd has something going on but we did not have a biopsy so are not totally sure what. It did look like he was leaving in Feb but rallied and has been really well since. Merlin we want to come to your pawty so keep eating and using the smacky paw when needed MOL
We are sending purrs and prayers Merlin.
Timmy, Dad Pete and Family