h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's so weird Fathom, because I have both heart and head decisions going on.

Head says: Lua is old, she has arthritis in her hip and is already in pain with that, has trouble walking, and this can only get worse. She now has a tumour and an operation might help, but for how long? Also the operation might kill her. You took her in almost twelve years ago when her previous owners no longer wanted her - she was left in a place where she surely would have died if you hadn't taken her. You gave her a loving home all this time and loved her even though she was a cranky thing and often made it difficult for you to love her. You saw her through having kittens, and later when she fell three floors off the terrace and broke her hip you helped her recover, you saw her through the op to have her sterilized after the butchers who did the op almost killed her. She knows you love her but you have to be practical now as to what sort of quality of life she would have if you try to prolong it further.

Heart says: She's my Lua and it's killing me to think I have to decide whether she lives or dies now. And I feel so guilty I didn't find the lump sooner. And I feel so incredibly sad about losing her because in spite of her being the crankiest thing ever I love her to bits. But I don't want her to suffer more just so I can continue having her in my life. And I wish she could tell me what she wants. And I wish someone would tell me for sure whether the op would truly help or not. I don't want to decide her death.

Head-Heart dilemma.

az

az

Your head and your heart aren't really in conflict; the proof is some of the head and heart things are in the wrong paragraph. You know that once you've decided on the correct course of action you'll also 'know in your heart' it's the right thing to do. Sometimes it's up to the heart to make the right decision anyway.

This will be an emotional decision as well as a logical one because we keep pets for emotional reasons. That's the way it should be. Doesn't make it easy though but that's the price we pay for a decade or so of love and affection.

You're strong enough to make the right decision but you're faced with a lack of reliable information. What it comes down to is this: would an operation make things better or worse for Lua? There's no perfect answer to this; you've asked a few people and you can talk some more with the vet but in the end no-one knows. If this leaves no room for an informed, logical choice perhaps you should let your heart rule for once - this is how you got Lua in the first place is it not?

I think I know what your emotional decision would be and I can tell you if you haven't worked it out for yourself. All I can suggest is you get the best information you can but if there is still not enough to make an informed choice then allow yourself to make a decision from the heart. You will NOT make the wrong choice, trust me.

F

I just spoke to another vet who told me that if I can get an xray done on Lua's thorax this will show if the tumour has spread to the lungs. He says that in this case an operation woud be useless. He then said that as long as the blood tests show her renal system can withstand a general anesthetic and if the xray shows there are no other tumours, then he would recommend the operation in spite of Lua's age.

Information! This is what I've been needing. I guess now the thing to do is await the blood test results and then do the xray, which will only mean one more vet trip for Lua but nothing painful.

Okay! I don't know why my vet didn't recommend an x-ray first. I have switched vets recently because my previous ones always did way too many expensive tests for nothing (last time I took Lua in it cost me 120€ just to find out she had a bit of gastrointeritis!) But calling the ex-vet was a good idea. I spoke to Miguel Angel - he remembers both me and Sunny (Lua's son) and I apologised that I had gone to another vet first but he said not to worry, that he wanted to advise me the best he could. I think if the blood tests come back saying Lua is fine for an operation I will take her to the ex-vets for an x-ray.

Miguel Angel said that in spite of the size of the tumour and the fact it is bleeding the important thing was to see - before operating - if there are other secondary tumours. He said a thorax x-ray would show this. Oh, thank god. Another option for information. Because if the x-ray shows the worst then I will know I am making the right decision not to operate.

phew! Momentarily at least. And thank you so much for all your support and caring!

az

That sounds a lot more promising. Perhaps the other vet doesn't have an X-ray machine so doesn't use one routinely. (Benefit of doubt - otherwise why the f*** didn't he suggest it?)

This should at least give you an opportunity to make a more informed decision. Perhaps Lua has a better chance than you think. I wouldn't hope for a cure from an operation but a couple of more years, say, is a long time in cat terms.

Well, I'm feeling happier, I don't know about you.

F

I am feeling happily informed! You can't imagine how good that feels after not understanding why I couldn't know about the possible spread of the tumour previous to operating. Okay, it still may end up that Lua is riddled with cancer and cannot be operated on, but at least I will know this. I will know that not operating is the only option if it comes to that.

It's also an annoying thing about being skint - I would have taken her first to the other high-tech vets but I was afraid they would just do what they have done in the past - over test her and make me feel afraid that I had to go along with every single thing they suggested. Like with her gastrointeritis. There had been no need for an x-ray and blood test then, nor for the injections of vitamins and whatever else they gave her and charged me for.

They are a rather big time vet company here and I know they do prey on the fear of pet owners. They once, when I brought Sunny in for a possible kidney stone problem, way over-tested him for everything and stuck in a catheter that wasn't necessary and even suggested after listening to his chest with the stethoscope that he might have some serious pulmonary problem because of the way he purred and suggested further testing about this. At which point I put my foot down and said - 'hey, wait a minute, he has purred weirdly like that since he was a kitten!' At which point they backed off. So I do have my reasons for not totally trusting them.

But I have also been told that the guy that runs that place is the best cat surgeon in town, so perhaps if it comes down to Lua having an op I might take her there rather than to my present vet. And I will tell him that he owes me one for his staff over-charging me for Lua's gastrointeritis! I have met this guy a few times so I think he will be accommodating.

The relief I feel is not so much about hope that Lua will live for a few more years to come - though of course this is my utmost desire - but more that I will be able to make a better decision based on the real situation.

exhausted az

Morning az,



On the whole I have a high regard for vets but I know the picture is changing. Veterinary medicine is becoming more like human medicine. Possibly as a result of the success of and publicity from the James Herriott type stories, veterinary medicine has developed a glamour element it never had before. There is a huge demand for veterinary courses and some of the applicants are undoubtedly doing it for the fame and fortune. A large proportion of pets are insured these days so vets can get away with charging significantly higher prices for treatment - much as in the private health sector. Modern veterinary surgeries will want to use their state of the art equipment and will assume the insured pet owner can pay for 'just in case' treatments.

Like any marketplace you need to take advantage of the benefits - better diagnoses, modern treatments etc while avoiding the pifalls - high cost and overselling. This means using a 'local' vet for minor ailments in the same way you would visit your GP and referring to the high-tech vet when serious problems have been suggested; much as a doctor would refer you to a consultant. It might be worth looking into pet health insurance too.


Here's a joke for you (if you're feeling up to it):

A man takes his hamster to the vet and places it on the table. The vet tells him there's nothing she can do - the hamster is, unfortunately, dead. Not satisfied the man demands a second opinion or at least more tests. The vet calls in her dog, a black labrador, who jumps on the table then carefully sniffs the hamster up and down, shakes his head and jumps down again. The vet's cat then comes in, sniffs at the hamster's limp body, pokes it gently with a paw, shakes her head as well and walks away.
"OK", says the man, "I guess you're right but I wanted to be sure, how much do I owe you?"
"Five hundred Euros", says the vet.
"What! Just to tell me the hamster is dead?" says the man.
"That, and the lab tests and the cat scan" says the vet.



Take care.

F

Very good joke!

How are you today? Any exciting plans for the weekend?

I've got w*rk this afternoon - after taking most of yesterday off. Gotta make some x-ray money. So I'd better get back to planning my next class.



az

Hi,

Don't tell anyone but it's my birthday on Sunday - I'm 45. Looking forward to a quiet meal in some nice restaurant if I can find one that's open on a Sunday evening.

I'm on holiday next week but I won't be going away; I've got a bedroom to decorate. It'll be ladders and scrapers and paintbrushes for a few days so I may not get on here much - even if the computer survives the dust and upheaval.

Our daughter is coming up this weekend so we'll be entertaining her I expect. If the weather is nice it'll be a trip to the Lake District tomorrow with lunch in a country pub somewhere. She's going back on Sunday so won't be out with us on Sunday night.

Lunchtime now so I'll catch you later. I hope you find time to relax a bit this weekend before you have to face the vet again.

F

Oh, dear. You two really do not listen to a word you are told, do you?!

A man's standing before God is NOTHING WHATEVER to do whether they are 'nice' or have done well in the world. It is ENTIRELY dependant on the grace of God, and His sovereign work in their lives. If you do not know God, that is, you have never been brought to new birth, and changed from a sinner to a Christian, by His work, you will never enter the Kingdom of God. I could give you several Bible passages to look up, but you would not do so.

It is inevitable that you see those who are in the other camp from you as being 'offensive' and 'arrogant', but I cannot help that. All come to a realisation that what God has said is true, eventually. Mostly after they die, and when it is too late. But there is mercy for all who will seek Him out to get free of their sin. NOTHING you can do of yourself will alter your standing before God. You cannot earn a place in Heaven, regardless how 'good' in your own, or other's, eyes you are.

It is inevitable that you see those who are in the other camp from you as being 'offensive' and 'arrogant', but I cannot help that.

"but I cannot help that"

Oh yes you can you arrogantly assume that az wants you here with your biggoted views. Lets get this straight in three easy steps.

1.YOU want to engage with people about your faith and if people come to your space and do so, fine.

2.People engage with you on other threads about subjects, fine, you can say what you like.

3.You are being even more stupid that I would noramlly expect if you think that going to peoples PS to print your usual rubbish that people can easily read elsewhere is going to advance your cause one bit. It aint.



Forcing your views on to the PERSONAL space of others uninvited and as you well know unwelcomed is offensive, you know az does not want to discuss this from how she responded to your appearance on other threads so dont play dumb.

If you want to reply come over to my space.

one love

Poor Justin, he really needs help.

F

I've got a hammer I could help him with...

Justin,

What are you doing here? Please go away - you are not welcome on this thread. Thank you.


hi blicky and Member,

Fancy seeing you here!


Fathom,

I'm actually taking Lua for the x-ray at 7pm - fingers crossed!

az

az, best of luck.

F

¡¡¡Feliz Cumpleaños!!!


tu amiga,
az

Hi,

I'm back. Did you miss me?

F

Every waking moment! Did the sun rise this past week? Life felt such a meaningless journey . . .




az


YES! Welcome back!

Hmmm, not as much as I expected then...

I've just read the backlog for the Lua diary. You're being very brave but I think you're making the right decision. You've done the very best you can to get the right information from a number of knowledgeable people and you're acting on that information with logic and clarity: even though it is hard. Some of our world leaders could do with your approach.

If I was Lua I would be pleased that I had someone like you to help me at such an important time.



F

Thanks.

It really was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, though I know many people wouldn't find deciding the fate of a cat that difficult and so would think that statement means I haven't had to make many tough decisions in my life (although I have). I also spent hours and hours crying and I really almost never cry, so that was quite exhausting. Anyhow, the hardest thing was deciding. Now I am just dealing with it.

And you? Did you have a nice birthday? And did you finish decorating your bedroom?

az

Hi,

I had a lovely birthday, thanks.

Haven't finished the bedroom yet; fitting some wardrobes so lots of technical issues, sawdust and the like before I can do the easy bits with the wallpaper and paint. I'll have to get on with it instead of dropping in front of the TV after w*rk or it'll never get done.

The poor computer is covered with dustsheets in the middle of the room because we've nowhere else to put it. I hope it survives this insult but it will get the benefit of better surroundings once we're finished. Of course computers don't look at things that way; a bit of dust in the hard drive and it'll throw in the towel, no matter how nice its new workstation looks. You just can't reason with them.

Oh well, going home shortly.



F