During April 2005 a cancerous tumor, of another kind, developed behind Odin’s left eye.  It grew very quickly, causing his eye to bulge out so much that he couldn’t even close that eyelid.  Shortly after that tumor was diagnosed as cancer, Odin had his first chemotherapy treatment on 4/18/05.  Amazingly, the next day the tumor had shrunk so significantly, that his eye was completely back to normal.  However, we were warned he probably would not live past Christmas.

Notably, after that first chemotherapy treatment, Odin had a surge in his energy level, no doubt because the cancer had made him feel so terrible.  However, during the first few months of chemotherapy he developed a few problems.  He required low dosage insulin shots for a few weeks; and since July 2005 has required a thyroid medication that is administered as a gel that we rub on the inside of his ear.  Most frightening was after about one to two months of chemotherapy treatments, Odin barely ate any food for about three weeks, and lost a substantial amount of weight.  We could feel his knobby spine when we petted him.  There wasn’t any kind of food he would eat, then he started eating a particular brand of kitty “treats.”  This was not healthy and caused him to have chronic diarrhea, but at least he was eating.  Our Vet then suggested a prescription diet/dry food.  Odin has been eating it like a little piglet ever since then, and gained back all of his weight.

Odin’s original Vet moved out of State during September 2005, and he was referred to Dr. Karen Comer who has treated him since then.  Odin continues to get chemotherapy treatment every six weeks.  The chemotherapy does not affect cats like it does people.  Cats do not lose their fur, suffer from nausea, or become physically tired as a result of the chemo.  Odin’s energy level has essentially been normal throughout; and at times he even has bursts of extra energy.  Odin has never missed a chemotherapy treatment, and his cancer has not returned.  He is an indoor cat, which is beneficial, because it makes him less susceptible to other illnesses he might otherwise contract.

Odin’s cancer cannot be cured, and eventually the cancer will beat the chemotherapy.  However, Odin has already lived far beyond our expectations, during which we believe his quality of life has been maintained.  He looks and acts like a normal, healthy cat, and remains the loving, goofy kitty he has always been.  We feel a great deal of gratitude to Dr. Comer and her staff for their loving care of Odin, and appreciate their candor throughout this process.