Jackster's Blog: A Sad Prognosis

Well, the news just gets worse. I declined to let Rasta have the colon surgery because a pre-operative needle sample of his liver revealed that the cancer had spread. Surgery would have resulted in a painful recovery, a cone on his head (he won't even wear a collar) and a 2 day stay at the hospital for post-op monitoring. Followed by chemotherapy, dubiously effective, to attempt to slow the progression of the cancer in the liver. So it comes down to the decision so many humans have to face for themselves or their family members: quality v. quantity. As the doctors finally admitted (I had to drag this out of them), the quantity gain probably would not be that significant. So, I made the Warren Zevon decision for Rasta. The only further indignities he will suffer will be taking the medications.

After several phone calls to, and no replies from, the regional animal hospital to find out when Rasta could be discharged, I finally phoned them at 7 pm and told them I'm on my way to pick him up. Upon my arrival, the doctor did come out and provide the medications with instructions. However, the assistant threw a nutty, screaming at me "where's his carrier, he has to have his carrier, I can't handle him". I told her to show me to his cage and I will get him. When I approached him he was trembling scared in the back of the cage but he jumped into my arms when I reached for him as if to say "get me the f*ck out of here". Though I am in no way happy with my decision, this experience validated it. That 12 hours took its toll on Rasta. 2 more days no doubt would have destroyed his wonderful free spirit.