Casper Farewell

We got a card from Casper's oncologist with a very touching, heartfelt letter. I told her that they did all that was possible for Casper. I just wish that veterinary medicine wasn't so far behind human medicine. Most people won't pay what's necessary to save one of their furkids and that's something I've never understood. Here is a nice Casper photo. It's off of my website and shows him on the left with his buddy Beau on the right.

Webpages Updated

I took the day off and have alternately been sobbing and finishing up the Francis and Casper webpages in the link in the title of this article. Just as I finished I received an email from a stranger named Flo. I had asked Karen what state of mind Casper was in last night before his death. She said that Casper was not afraid because he and a cat named Mistletoe were fascinated with each other. She apparently kept Casper distracted until he was taken in for anesthesia. I am very thankful that he did not spend his last hour in fear. I don't think that Flo will mind me printing her email to us.

' Ken and Karen,

I saw your posting on the Yahoo site for felines with cancer. I was there last night when Casper passed. I had Mistletoe with me. She and Casper made eye contact and seemed quite content with each other. I know she will be looking for him when she gets to the Rainbow Bridge one day.

I am so sorry for your loss. We were all so upset for you. Please accept my sympathy. - Flo '

Casper is dead

Casper went in for his first radiation treatment this evening. When they gave him anesthesia he stopped breathing and they could not bring him back. He died at 7:30 PM.

The Oncologist

We spent an hour at the oncologist, a very nice young girl who looks like she just got out of med school. She does seem to know her stuff. I just don't know how much she can help Casper's pituitary tumor. I saw the MRI and it is a big tumor pressing on the optic chiasma and extending down the brain. They sent off the MRI to the University of Florida to see if Casper is a candidate for stereotactic radiosurgery or if he will have to go through the 6 weeks of standard radiation. They say it will extend his life an average of 1 year. I just hope it's worth the stress and side effects to him. Meanwhile Casper is hanging in there. We got more cortisone for him and valium in case he begins having seizures.