I've updated Thumper's blog page with additional photos taken tonight.
Thumpers Blog Page

The improvement is so easy to see in the series of photos. Her eye is looking particularly improved. :thumbsup:

Thanks for sharing her progress with us, Becky! :hug:

She's looking good....thank you for updating her progress w/ us.
She definitly looks like she's enjoying life :luv1:

:bawling: She does seem to be doing well and the treatments are helping, but the photos still made me cry!! How sweet of you to help her any way you can! :hug:

She is definetly enjoying life to it's fullest. Thank goodness for alternative medicine. Regular vets gave up on her but we DID NOT and we are so thankful for our good friend who got us in contact with her friend who does the Reiki Therapy.

:wave: :hug:

I remember reading about her before, but can't remember if you mentioned if she was in any pain.

The treatment is certainly helping her...it's amazing!! Bless you for caring enough to stick with her.... :hug: :bow: :smooch:

She isnt in pain.
We adopted her 11/26/01, she was our 2nd cat and has been with us now going on 6 years in 2007. We love her to death and she is the joy of our lives.

That is just AMAZING! :luv2:

Wow thats pretty amazing, I can see improvments with her condition. I really hope she continues to improve. Sweet Thumper :luv2:

It's been an amazing month since we started the Reiki Treatments. It's been a slow improvement process but it took a long while for this mass to develop so we know it's going to take a while to dissolve it.


Just recently we got the papers less 2 weeks ago from the specialist with the path report results (for insurance purposes) etc. It's like reading about a whole other animal because it sure isnt our Thumper.

Our journey to this point with the animal vet world has been an interesting one indeed. I say that with tongue in cheek.
They all need to remember behind a human there is an animal that is like part of the family. This is something they have forgotten big time. :mad:

:comfort:

We have truly been blessed to have a wonderful vet for our furkids. She loves them as much as we do, it's quite evident. When Brandon's mom had to have her dog put down she sat and wept with his mom.

But I know what you are saying, vets like her are far and few between. Heck, even finding a compassionate family doctor is a difficult task!

Much love to you for not giving up! She is a lucky girl!! :smooch:

Well said, Susan! My thoughts exactly! :comfort:

Becky, from working with those in the medical profession, I think I have some insight into the way doctors think. They think that if something can't be treated with medication or other medical techniques ... then it can't be treated. One major difference between doctors and nurses is that we (nurses) look at the person holistically ... meaning we look at the whole person, not just the disease.

I think this concept can be applied to animals as well. What you're doing is looking at Thumper as a whole "person" ... or cat in her case. :) You're not just concerned with her medical problems like the vets are. So in that sense, you're being her "nurse". Did you know that one nursing theory states that anyone can be a nurse? Not just those of us with a license. ;) That theory is based on the concept that nursing involves holistic care - taking care of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

I hope that makes sense. What I'm trying to say is, I think what you're doing is wonderful! :thumbsup: Keep it up!!!

Lisa,
It makes sense, thank you for kind words :)

I just put up on the blog "background" information of this whole experience we are going through now.

I'm so glad she's not in pain. Her eyes are so bright and she looks amazingly well for such a large tumor. Does she not have any neurological problems because of it, or is it mostly outside the skull?

Lisa, you're so right. I think sometimes it's much better for a family member to nurse and advocate for patients. I think some patients do better at home under the care of people that love them. But some situations require the expertise and confidence of a trained nurse, of course.

I think the problem with a lot of doctors is that they have to rely so heavily on science that they often forget there are other options. They're resistant to anything that hasn't been scientifically proven or things that don't have a tangible, measurable method.

One thing, though, that I don't understand is why, when they've given a patient the very worst prognosis, they don't pull out all the stops. Why can't they, at that point, suggest alternative therapies and give experimental treatments and drugs? I mean, if they truly believe the patient is dying, what could possibly be wrong with that? It certainly can't hurt, and just the act of engaging in some treatment, regardless of lack of benefit, helps patients to hold on to hope, and the families to feel they are fighting. There is nothing harder than just giving up-it goes against human nature.

I think you taking little Thumper in for Reiki is an amazing example of bravery, love and hope. Even if there weren't obvious improvements, it helps you by allowing you to feel that you really are trying everything you can to help her. She can feel your support and love through those attempts. I think that is so important for families in that position.

Sorry I'm so wordy. But this is something I've often wondered and feel strongly about.

No there are no neurological problems because it's outside the skull.

I am so sorry, I don't know how I had missed this thread. I have been so interested in Thumper and how things were going with the Reiki treatments and herbal remedy. I hope he continues to show improvement! Thumper seems to have the heart of a lion!

She loves going on Sundays for Reiki treatment and especially exploring the room where we do treatments.

Updated photo on blog site ;)

Are there any more updates on Thumper, Becky? :)

Lisa,
Thanks for asking about Thumper. She is doing great, I've increased the 4 herbal tumor remedy to 3x a day. She seems to tolerate this well.
It's been going on 2 weeks.

One thing we are having problems with is her scratching the side of her head to point of bleeding. One theory is since it's "healing" it itches her more. I've been putting herbal remedy on the sores it heals them fast but then she goes and scratches again :(

I have some new photos to put up on the blog site just havent had time to download and upload. These holidays get in the way of internet usage :whistle:

I think I have a solution for the scratching, something I used to prevent Mellie from scratching a spot on her ear until it healed, but I absolutely can not find the pictures I have of it. I can't believe I didn't save them. Maybe they got saved somewhere else on my computer. I'll look some more tomorrow.

But basically it's a kind of a "sock" that I made out of something I bought at Walgreen's called "tubular gauze." I cut it to fit and sew the end shut and then put it on the leg she scratches at her ear with. I tape it on with kind of first-aid tape that's a bit stretchy and only has a light stick so it's easy to get off and doesn't pull a bunch of hair, but it's enough to keep her from shaking the sock off. Anyway, having that sock on keeps her from scratching, and that makes it possible for those spots to heal up. :)

Dang!! Where are those pictures!! :confused:

Well this morning I STILL can't find that pic of Mellie with her sock. It's not on my computer, period, so I suppose it's gone. BUT I did find a pic of the same thing I did for Rocket when he burned his front paw pad:

Great idea, I'll look into that suggestion.
My only concern is litter box residue being on it.

That hasn't been a problem. It does get dirty after a few days, then you just put a new one on. ;)

Sorry these photos may NOT show the true progress. My camera is NOT a high tech model but a modest $125 one. Wish I had a more expensive one, I'm sure the photos would come out better.

I've updated the blog page today 1-3-07
http://www.xanga.com/Craftlady2006

Additional photos taken today 1-3-07

Blog updated 1-9-07

She's looking better and better each time :thumbsup: :luv1: She has such a sweet little face :luv2:

She's looking better! I commented the pictures.
BTW, my blog page is www.xanga.com/i_love_cats

That sweet face keeps us going everyday :hug:

Aw, precious Thumper! :luv2:

I updated her blog tonight :kittyluv:

Blog

Yup, I commented. :)

Going through this thread and pics, I can definitely see a difference. Bless you for taking care of such a beautiful baby!! :hug: :hug: I pray she continues to improve...YAY Thumper!! :luv2: :luv2:

:hug: :hug: :hug: to Thumper and to you....you are taking the best care of her! :jump:

:thumbsup: :kittyluv:

I hope she keeps improving! What a cute photo of her sleeping. :luv2:

I updated her blog tonight. (3-1-07)

I'm sorry that I'm just seeing this thread now. Your Thumper is such a beautiful and precious girl. You are doing such a wonderful job in taking care of her. I truly believe in holistic treatments for animals, I've used it quite often for Sash's health. I'll be praying for Thumper that she makes a complete recovery. Wishing Thumper and you many happy years ahead!