Violet had surgery a few weeks ago to remove a cancerous tumor that had returned to the side of her chest. I paid a small fortune for it, but I had the funds and decided it was worth it. I think it (literally) bought her more time. I'm willing to spend on my pets to a reasonable degree because they mean so much to me, especially now that I'm single and alone >40% of the time. Violet's presence and companionship are such a comfort to me.
She had the same surgery last summer and it went well, but unfortunately, about two months ago, the cancer started growing back. It's a soft-cell sarcoma, so the good news about that is that it doesn't spread as easily or as quickly into the organs or throughout the body. But it is persistent, and it's probably going to be what sends her into the next phase of life, if you catch my drift. 😔 The vet surgeon (who I found out later went to Penn's vet school) and I decided after the surgery last month that "benign neglect" would be the best way to proceed from here on out. Doing another surgery in the future when it grows back isn't a feasible option given her age and the fact that she's had two surgeries now in the same spot. Radiation isn't really a good option for her either.
So I will treasure the time I have left with Violet. I'll continue to treat her like the little lady she is and then some. I'm thankful for the time I have left with her and that I can prepare myself for the end, whenever that turns out to be (which hopefully won't be for many more months 🙏). This same thing happened with Bentwood at about this time last year and though it was still so sad and upsetting when he died, it wasn't full of the searing grief and shock that happened when my beloved Boo Boo died suddenly and tragically in 2020.
The good news is that Violet seems comfortable and pain-free, she eats well, and she still loves her evening walks. All things considered, she's doing well for 96 years old! She turned 14 the week after her surgery and in human years, that equates to about 96. She's mostly blind in her right eye from a botched procedure two years ago to remove some teeth (at a different vet that I'll never go back to again), and she's in the beginning stages of laryngeal paralysis, and she has soft-cell sarcoma, but other than that, she's fine and fit as a fiddle! 😅
These are pictures from March before she got surgery. Sometimes I like to bundle her up in a blanket when she's lying on the couch because I think it's cute. She always patiently puts up with my antics. 😄
