Congrats Megat!!

Megat resting after dinner...

We decided to cross our fingers for good luck. Grandma wished twice as hard :)

Tanaka in the meantime practised Yoga for peace and harmony :) He sits like this quite a lot.

Our appointment today was actually for 3.45 but we came early. Thank goodness for this as Dr L called for us at about 3.10 pm. WAHH!! We were so impressed. He got down to business immediately and asked me if I had good news for him. I told him Megat is doing well, he is active and eating with good appetite.

So we got him on the table and Dr L proceeded to refer to his notes then he said in firm tones that I must continue with this particular protocol of low doses of vincristine with a 2-week break after a series of 8 doses, coupled with the sang hwang, colloidal silver and Lukeran tablets. In this way he said, we do not have to subject Megat to continuous blood tests. After all he is a 13 year-old kitty. He said that 80% of his patients using the same protocol lived 2 or 3 years longer. I told him that I was very pleased with Megat's state of affairs and would follow this particular protocol.


He then checked Megat's vitals. Gums - hmmm rather pale. He prodded his abdomen. I was very anxious. he checked and prodded and said that he could not feel any hard lumps anymore except for...poo!!WAHHH....I was so pleased and kissed Megat and told him he was a very good boy! Dr L then proceeded to check the rest of his body and announced that he felt no other lumps :)) The both of us could not help grinning although Dr L cautioned me again that THIS in no way means that Megat is cured as there is no cure for lymphoma but it looks promising that he would be able to make it past the 4 months. I said in the previous entry that my best hope was that his lymphoma would not grow in size but this was the bestest news I think. However, Dr L is giving him hepavite capsules (which he hates, even with mashed papaya) for his liver as he is being given a chemo drug.

It could not be helped that Megat has to be given an enema- Microlax. Dr L lined his carrier and gave him the enema. Megat did not beat an eyelash. "this is a good cat. he is so well-behaved." I didn't show Dr L the scratches I got. Why mess his image I thought.

Megat lost no time in poo-ing. I was glad the cab driver did not protest as Megat whined and complained about being in a carrier with poo! He hit his face against the sides of the carrier and it was agood thing I had bought him his very own semi-soft carrier. Once home, I brought him to the loo and Cousin R and I bathed and shampooed him. Cousin R was very impressed with Megat as he enjoyed the warm bath and would even offer us his butt to clean :) Once cleaned, I put him in his night cage and he was finally quiet and rested...not without poo-ing 2 more times though.

However, he was very naughty and did not want to eat his supplements. He spewed all of them out, even the one which was always his favourite. He was having none of it. I was not angry as I thought he had behaved very well during the vet visit, the ride home, the bath and he deserved some aggro time :)

So we do not have to see Dr L until the 8th of September. Way to go Megat!

End of 1st series of chemo protocol

Megat stalking the house...

This Tuesday Megat will see Dr L and it will be for his 8th chemo shot of vincristine. Dr L said that after every 8 shots, the cats will get a 3-week break. Of course I would have to bring him back if he does not feel well. I think he will have to get one ultra-sound after every series to see the progress of the lymphoma. We hope for some good news - I hope the lymphoma has not gotten any larger - that is all that I dare hope for.

Where have they gone san?

He has 3 whiskers on this side of his face...

Megat is balding on the left...

and on the right...

Front view...It does not look so bad in this view though..

Drinking water...running away from san is thirsty work..

Yesterday Megat only had his 1/4 Lukeran. Since he spent so much time hiding, I decided that he should have just one day to rest from his supplements. I also took these pics as just like Dr P said, he is losing his hair although she said with cats, it would sometimes be only whiskers.

A trip into the past

Megat now in 2009

Megat then in 2006

I was reading some old entries about Megat when I saw this one The Great Megat Scare from 2006. This was after a few days after I decided to adopt him and when he went 'missing'. Even then he has a rather hard life :). Actually Megat's real name is Shaolin Megat as he used to do the Four_Legged_Box with Bujang and Toro when they so much as looked in his direction. He was also called Megat Hitam and when he was living in the carpark, he was called Screaming Banshee.

Megat's stare was much more intense then than now I think.

My details about him then (Dec 21 2006)

Age : 10+ years (grey film in one eye) It seems you can tell the age of a cat by these cataracts.
He has the beginnings of a cataract and that was how the vet estimated his age.

Weight: 3.75 kg
Other details: FIV positive, has some kidney trouble

Medication: At present vet recommends boosting his immune system. So he is taking 250 mg cod liver oil, ARCferon 0.5 mg from vet. ALFA LINA as recommended by M to improve his skin and coat. Salt water wipes everyday to stop itching. One Drontal Cat Allwormer Tablet for worms. Revolution for mites/lice.

Food: Natural Balance/avoderm but will be eating Life Extension Cat Mix when it comes

Likes: Head Rubs/ Hide and Seek

Dislikes: Noise and frenzied activity

Family: Grandma, san, Bujang (who ignores him), Akira (who vomits at the sight of him) and Toro (who gets on his case at all times).

I think Megat's life is still the same now esp with the meds :)

Daily - Weekday - 1 300mg sang hwang suppository
Weekend - 250 ml sang hwang liquid (X2)
- Health lingzhi with mashed papaya
- Colloidal silver 300ml (X2)
- 1 tablet Natural Defence mushroom (for immunity), pounded into powder and taken with pumpkin and mashed papaya
- 2 droplets milk thistle for liver

Clean wipes - warm water+ shampoo ( about 2 hours after suppository) + warm water + salt solution.

It looks the same for Megat :) and his weight in 2006 when I first got him was 3.75 and now he is 3.68 although he does look better and feel heavier.

Visit with Dr Sh

Hmm...more strange docs

We got to the hospital way ahead of our appt and Dr Sh saw us. Megat got weighed and he has lost some weight - he is 3.68 from 3.74 but the vet didn't think that this was a concern. She took his temperature 38.1 as he was hot and felt his abdomen. The assistant found it a little difficult to take his renal temp as Megat has wisened (??) up to this and had clamped his muscles tightly. Then Dr Sh looked into his mouth and his eyes and pronounced him fit for his 7th chemo shot. She kissed his head twice and told him to be a good boy. It went very well I am very glad to say.


I asked Dr Sh to give Megat his Tuesday suppository as I thought it would lessen my stress this evening when he gets his supplements and obviously it would lessen Megat's stress as well. She first tried to take out some of his poo as she did not want him to poo his suppository. "Woah..phenomenal muscle control!" she said and tried her best to coax him to do as directed. Then with more lubricant she managed to give him his suppository. Thank goodness. She said that after 2 weeks (of letting me have my way), he has become wiser and know what to do to get his way. Aiyah!! THAT is Megat for you.


It didn't take long for the whole thing and we were out in 10 minutes at most. Thank goodness I do not have to coax him to into his suppository today. Yippee!

PS
Megat was very sleepy when he came home and so I put him in his cage until dinner. He sat and napped and after dinner, he pooed in his bins. Of course his blanket was stained by poo and sang hwang. he made many protests until I cleaned him up, shampooed him, wiped him with mango scented wipes and changed his litter. Then he rested comfortably until its time for supplements. He got his treats and is now walking about doing his parameter inspection of the living room :)

Patchwork Cat

Cousin R and I tried to give Megat his suppository today but it was not successful. I was not able to push it into his anus and it crumbled as it is made of beeswax and sang hwang. Aiyah kitty! All that money in the drain...and you would have to take the awful liquid later then. There is nothing for it...sorry. It has been easy as pie the other days...

Solution

I was just trying to get away san...

The solution to our problem..worked rather well...

I used the lining that I still had from last year when I had to bring Callie (the community cat who died of Ataxia in 2008) to the hospital. After the supplements, Megat was put in his lined cage. he very meekly went inside as it is a familiar place and where he feels safe. He sat for the rest of the time on his side, which is important for this exercise to be successful. As he did not ask to be let out and he fell asleep most of the time I did not let him out.



At about 10, which is bedtime for Megat and the boys, I cleaned his cage, got rid of the lining and cleaned Megat as well. I used warm water, some shampoo and a soft cloth. I must say he quite enjoyed the experience and allowed me to clean his butt quite readily. I think its the sensation of warm water. I know he would enjoy the warm water as when we first got him, the vet told me to clean him up with warm water and salt solution everyday until his very fragile skin and the clotted leaves and dirt could be separated. :) After that, I gave him his night snack (Waltham's Renal) and one salmon treat :) This was much easier than all those nights ago for him as well as for me.


I suppose using the liners would be a pretty expensive option so I am exploring the idea of using newspapers.

Revenge of the kitty

The source of all my pain taking a refreshing rest on my bed :)

Fresh scratches in the am from forelegs..

Fresh gashes in the am from hind legs..after being treated with antiseptic

Dried scratches in the pm...

This morning Megat decided to tell me off in the best and most graphic way he can. Usually he is very good in the morning and I can give him his meds very easily. This morning he decided that he had had enough and struggled in my grasp. I was very surprised and did not think on my feet (it was only 5.15 am). I did not let him go and so he did what all cats would do in that situation - he encouraged me to let him go with multiple scratches!


As I was nursing the screaming pain in my head, Megat simply rushed up my bed for some R&R. The thought of spraying antiseptic on these wounds made my heart faint but well..what can you do about it! I took a very deep breath and sprayed as much antiseptic as my trembling hands can cope with. AWWWWWWWWWWW!!!


Of course after 10 minutes, I could think more clearly and managed to bathe, drink tea and say goodbye to devil cat Megat without wanting to scold him. It was after all my fault for being stupid and hanging on.

When I got home from work, the amigos greeted me at the door and Megat came to welcome me too. I think he had forgiven me and I was glad he did not run off.

However, tonight I had sequested him in his cage after his sub q and he ate his dinner in his cage also. I am now going to go through the sang hwang saga again in 2 minutes but this time I would make sure he goes back into his cage after the hour. then at about 8.30 pm he would be allowed out until bed time.

Poor Kitty Megat

No..I dun want you to clean me all the time san...

Now that we have found a neater way for Megat to have his supplements, we hit on another difficulty. It has to do with his sang hwang suppository. It leaks out and poor Megat goes about sometimes with a trail of sang hwang following him. Of course I would also have to follow him and clean up after my poor kitty...even after the 1 hour of compulsory immobility. I don't think I should subject him to much more cleaning as he needs to rest after his night supplements. But as he and all of us need to be clean, I have to clean his anus several times after and sometimes I need to give him a wash with warm water and shampoo because he smells of poo. And of course the places that he goes to for respite also smells and sometimes has traces of poo. :( Since he cant help these things, I am not upset nor angry. Its just that I wish it could be easier for him.


He is very patient with all of this but I foresee that I might need to change his bedding daily or not allow him to walk about even after the 1 hour confinement. This kind of stress would freak out his immunity I am sure. I have yet to find a resolution for such a thing so will probably just keep him in his cage immediately after the 1 hour time-out so he could use the bin in there. Then I would clean him up and change the bedding. This seems to be the best option.

Your cat has cancer?

I look too healthy? I hope to get there soon...

The pestle and mortar with the mushroom supplement...

Huh? We now had a little tray? Its much easier that way Cousin R..

Dr L exclaimed. He looks too healthy:) Then he looked at the computer and asked many questions about Megat's health. Although we had to see the doc a little late as he had surgery, the whole consultation took no less than 10 minutes. Dr L kissed Megat on top of his head and whispered that he was a'good boy' :) Megat then had the usual low dose of vincristine, Vitamins B12 and metomide. Dr L then asked me about the suppositories. I told him that apart from my very nervous first try, the rest of them went quite ok. He laughed and told me that he thought I would complain about it :) but he gave me the liquid sang hwang also apart from another 10 suppositories. I am glad he also said that Megat's hydration is 'good,' not just 'quite good.' It does make a difference to the both of us I think.


Dr L also said that Megat will have the 8 injections of vincristine, after which he would get a 3 week break to recuperate. Today was his 6th vincristine injection as we are not doing any Endoxan. I think Megat would appreciate that for sure :)Then he told us we should see him again next week. However we found out that Dr L would not be about and so we made an appointment with Dr Sh. I think maybe it would only be for a blood test. But I made an appointment with Dr L for the Tuesday after that.

While we were waiting for our bill to be processed we met several very kind people who said nice things about Megat. We appreciated all of them as Megat was not really the best looking cat there :) One of the people told us that Megat is an old name for a Malay warrior and jokingly asked where his 'kris' was...It was very funny. She also asked about the names of the amigos and when we got to akira, she laughed and said it was her husband's name and she would tell her husband about the amigos :) Then she told us that her own cat was hurt by someone and he has a hole in his chest! She had taken her cat to a clinic and now was in the hospital to see Dr L. WOAH! I really don't know how anyone can do this to an animal!!

Sleeping Cat

zzzzz....

Aiyah Kitty

Megat's new bib so the supplements does not mess up grandma's towels too much...

Congrats Megat! May you have many calm days like this one...

The answer to the question that has been plaguing me about the sang hwang and Megat was finally revealed last Friday. I had given him the sang hwang, waited for 10 minutes and then given him his sub q. The sub q takes a much longer time than usual as I am using the 21 gauge needle which he tolerates much better. After that, I had waited for about 5 minutes before I let him go. All in all it was about 35 minutes.


Of cos my curiosity was still piqued and as he walked towards the bins I followed him and waited. Then after he had done his toilette, I looked into the bins and of course saw his poo and what looked suspiciously like the remnants of the sang hwang...and indeed it was. Aiyah Kitty!


So yesterday after his sang hwang and the rest of his supplements, I had cradled him for about 1 hour. he tried to protest but after some time, had a nap :) Then when he was released, he went to the bins, Aiyoh! But he just peed and then went into hiding ...just in case.


So I guess it has to be one hour when done at home...just like the nurse said :)

Btw today is 2nd August. So that makes it two months out of four.

2nd Day of sang hwang suppository

Oh dear...when will san make me take the nasty fings?

Megat swaddled in preparation for the supplements...

The sang hwang suppository...

Megat in nifty orange - time to rest and relax after the whole ordeal...
He likes being swaddled and would sometimes fall asleep while taking the supplements!

After 30 minutes Megat got to get out but he decided to hang around in the computer room for a little while longer...

Tonight was not so bad. I got the suppository in one push although he protested rather sharply. Then I held him for a bit so he can relax. after which he got the rest of his supplements and then another session of just cuddling :) I thought he should have a change of towel, something that doesn't smell of ling zhi or pumpkin :). It was not as nerve-wrecking as last night- thats for sure.


Megat was also very much more relaxed and did not run out of the room immediately but opted to hang around the door, grooming. Then he went out to investigate salmon smells but returned to sit for a very short while with me in the computer room. I have yet to check the bins though but since I held him for much longer than yesterday, I am quite assured that no accident would happen. *cross fingers*

PS
I went to the bins and was quite horrified to see fresh poo. Of course like a good and desperate cat person I scrutinized each one closely and did not see the sang hwang. I asked Cousin R if she saw Megat going to the bins but she said Megat had been with her in the living room all this while and not in the bedroom or toilet. So I guess we are safe :)

Success...maybe

Finally my first effort at giving Megat his suppository was successful. I was very anxious and had to try 3 times as the suppository became very slippery with the cooking oil. I bought gloves so it would be more hygienic for Megat and myself. He was not pleased and moved around alot but finally I took a deep breath and pushed it in gently. Then I cradled him with his blanket for about 5 minutes and then gave him the rest of the supplements. After that, Cousin R helped me to clear everything up while I cradled him again quietly. I was afraid he would rush to the toilet to get rid of the suppository. Dr L told me to hold him close for 15 min and the nurse told me I should distract him for an hour. I decided half and hour would do it :) Once I released him from his blanket I allowed him to walk about in the room and he didn't do any 'poo' actions so all is well. I am really relieved.


Of course I had to check the bins to see if Megat had returned the 'gift'...hmmm...what are these things in the bins....I don't see anything resembling the sang hwang but I did see new poo. I hope he was able to absorb the suppository and not wasted it. Actually I don't even know if the poo was Megat's to begin with as I have stopped giving him the papaya and pumpkin for constipation as he is no more constipated and therefore could not identify po anymore :)

Review Update

I am now supposed to eat Silver? What else? In my butt?No way san_jose!!

Our appointment with Dr L went smoothly and neither Megat nor I was very anxious. We had to wait some time for the doc but when he appeared everything went BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!

He had his usual blood tests - his haematology one as well as his prep profile test. His numbers for his liver is higher than normal but other wise everything else went well. Dr L says the sang hwang also helps with the liver. His weight has gone down slightly from 3.77 to 3.74 kg but the doc was pleased with his progress.

Dr L is going to only give him low doses of vincristine 0.1 only and then we are also doing 1/4 tab of Lukeran every two days. He also gave Megat a bottle of colloidal silver, a tcm supplement as well. he has to take 3 ml twice a day. I forgot to give him his morning 3 ml and allowed him out of his cage. No wonder he merrily scooted off and went into immediate hiding. I did not have time to persuade him at all so that was one chance lost already. I gave him his 3 ml of collidal silver with some pumpkin yesterday and he was quite happy to take it.

Dr L also showed me how to give Megat the sang hwang suppository (ouch). It looks like a small bullet of beeswax and I have to lubricate it with some oil/lubricant. Dr L did it with one gentle push and Megat did not even flinch. Dr L kept telling me that Megat was very 'good' and gentle. Aiyoh! I told the doc that Megat was a very good Pretender and he is always amazingly good-natured at the vet's. :) But once he is home and I have to give him something, its like a small skirmish. (But with Bujang, it would be a 3rd World War!). I was then to hold him close for about 15 minutes for the sang hwang to be absorbed by his body and also it was to prevent him from going to the loo to get it out. :) The assistant held him after that and Megat actually went into some kind of slumber. So the doc and the assistants had quite a difficult time believing my seemingly tall tale about His Fiesty Highness :)

I told the doc I would try especially after he told me that the suppository would ensure he would get 100% of the effects and if I give him the ling zhi orally, 60% would be destroyed by stomach acids! So got 4 suppositories (300 mg each) to try. I would get the capsule if I was not suceesful with them next week.

The protocol is much changed. Now we are doing vincristine only; 1/4 Lukeran every two days, colloidal silver twice a day and sang hwang suppository once a day. With this we hope that he would be able to have a healthy immune system. Dr L says that sometimes if we are very aggressive with the chemo, then the cat dies with the chemo. Although there is no cure for lymphoma, we are working towards the cat dying with the cancer- that is old age and not with chemo. I think this is a wise thing to do for 13 year-old Megat.

Dr L gave him a cocktail of vincristine, metomide and vitamin B complex and so he only had one injection although he had to try 3 different veins. But Megat took everything in his stride to the ring of "You're such a good cat. I can't believe it." :)

Update on Sang Hwang

No he doesn't like the liquid version of the ling zhi. I have tried it with papaya or pumpkin or both. However he can be persuaded to eat it first thing in the morning before grandma lets him out of the cage. He has to be swaddled like a baby and be given the sang hwang very firmly. After this bottle, I would have to ask the doc for the powdered form which he tolerates better.

Cousin R bought me a tin of canned pumpkin by Libby's. Its 100% pumpkin and used for making pies. I now use this instead of mashing pumpkin. Megat takes this much better in the syringes with his supplements although he does not like it in his food. For THAT, I have to give him mashed pumpkin!

He has not put on much weight from last week. Instead Cousin R thinks he has lost some and so I have taken to giving him back the health ling zhi as well.

i'm keeping my eye on you san

I know what you're up to. The answer is NO...


No san..I dun want to eat the sang hwang...no..it doesn't taste good...

But Dr L says its for cancer silly. I tasted it. It tastes like nothing. It has no taste.

We cats have more refined taste buds. Take that syringe out of my mouth you silly bean. You can't make it eat it in the morning..

But its good for..

NO!

Btw he had to eat it anyway as I had swaddled him well and good in the morning. Then he had some kibble so he forgot all about it. :)

Vet Visit with Dr L

Megat resting after dinner this evening...

The ling zhi that Dr L recommends - Sang Hwang ling zhi for cancer

Megat getting sleepy after dinner...

Our visit with Dr L was short and sweet. Another vet was also in attendance (not a nurse) and she took Megat's vitals. He is now 3.77 kg (hurrah) from 3.56 two weeks ago. Dr L came in, after surgery and asked me how old he was. "13," I said. He was very surprised and then discussed his plan for Megat with me. He said that after 2 or 3 sessions, he might recommend that I give Megat a vincristine tablet at home, on alternate days so he does not have to come to the hospital every week. I told him that I have yet to get over Megat biting me and he laughed when he saw that Megat had only 1 canine and a few of his front teeth left. "Its ok to fight with him on alternate days," and I concurred.


There was no blood test as Dr L said Megat looked very well and all his vitals were ok. He was not dehydrated and his weight was good. He said the blood test would be for the time when Megat does not look well. Then in less than 5 minutes, he had given Megat his vincristine, without the catheter, in his very tiny vein on his left foreleg. WAH! I thought. Not bad. Megat did not even have time to recover and all was over. There was no blue bandage and no complaints from Megat. He got the anti emetic and we were out. Dr L said next time we would combine everything together so Megat would only get one injection.

Dr L said we have to be back next week where he will take Megat's blood test to see if he could be given his Endoxan. I seriously doubt it as if Megat is true to form, his wbc would be too low for any of that. We made an appointment to see Dr L again next week.


Dr L recommended the Sang Hwang ling zhi as he said this ling zhi was one that is used for cancer patients. So I said we would try anything at this point. He said there are over 20 types of ling zhi. That is of course true and I have been giving our ling zhi to Megat for his health and indeed it has worked very well as he has put on weight, become more cheerful and playful and generally more alert. Dr L said it would be ok to give him the Sang Hwang lingzhi after we have finished with our health-giving linzhi so I would follow that advice. He said most pets can take the liquid form very well but when I asked his attendant vet, she said it tastes kind of foul and recommended that I give it with some honey. I asked if I could give it with some papaya as Megat likes it that way (I had been giving him his ling zhi with mashed papaya) and she said it would be ok as long as he doesn't have it with any other medication. But then I have only been giving him mushroom supplements plus the ling zhi so I think the whole thing would be ok.


All in all we had quite an easy time of it today, unlike our horrendous adventure two weeks ago with the nurse.

Letter to my cat

Megat on Sunday

Dear Megat

I am glad you are taking the supplements and coping with the vet. You have behaved very well indeed and no one could ask you for anything more. I am very sorry about the harrowing experience that I had put you through last Tuesday. Please forgive me.

On the 2nd of July, I know that you have lived through one month from the day Dr P said you had 4 months to live. Does it mean you have 3 months more with us? I do not know these answers. I only have what the docs have told me to hold on to. I put my faith in you more than the chemo although I should have more faith in what the docs say. I am glad there are people who are trying to help us with this and I thank them for their kindness and concern for us. I know I had told myself I should not watch the days but I can't help it.

I know the supplements have kept you well and you look happy and healthy and I'm sure Bujang does not midn you trying to run him off your mat :) or that you try to muscle into his territory although I suggest you exercise some caution.

love

san

Poly-mva - our new supplement

Our package finally arrived yesterday...

Contents - 2 bottles and 2 syringes packed in styrofoam...

The much-awaited supplement for Megat...

Megat trying to prevent me from reading the literature...

"So she doesn't give it to me...more supplements...oh noooo!"

The Poly-mva finally arrived for us. We had to pay some taxes on it unlike the supplements we got from iherb.com. This supplement does the following:

• assist the body in producing energy by recyling the free radicals, not just quenching them
• supports liver funsctions
• assist in promoting healthy cell integrity
• assist in removal of hevay metals from the bloodstream
• acts as a powerful antioxident and detoxifier
• support nerve and neurotransmitter function
• enhances white blood cell function
• support pH balance, helping to maintain oxygenation of cells and tissues

Of course the website has much more information. I know that pH balance and oxygenation of cells and tissue are paramount in trying to combat cancer.

It tastes like something you get from the doctor for a nasty cough. But with some pumpkin, it doesn't taste bad. Megat likes it with pumpkin and he has to take 1ml 2x a day. I think Megat has gotten used to his nightly ritual of supplements which makes it less stressful for him and for me.

I think the supplements of milk thistle, ling zhi, Natural defense with 16 mushroom combination has worked very well for him as he is not as tired as before when he has to take vincristine. He is now alert, his eyes are clear and he is drinking by himself. :) I am much encouraged as he is better able to cope with his chemo.