Update on Cooper

I have been silent for the last few weeks on what has been going on with Cooper. It has been a rough time, but we are ready to share this part of our life. Before reading, please know Cooper is still with us!

There is no way to really break the news to you all, but Cooper has been diagnosed with cancer. Pancreatic cancer to be exact. In late December, Cooper’s doctor had an ultrasound and took some samples from Cooper’s pancreas. She told me that they suspected cancer. The results came back and she was correct. She referred Cooper to a specialty surgery center for the type of exploratory surgery Cooper needed, and the hope was the cancer was localized in his small intestines and it could be removed.

Cooper was a high-risk patient for this exploratory surgery since he has kidney disease, hypertension, and epilepsy (which has been under control for several years).  It was a hard decision to make for Cooper to even have this surgery, but after calling Cooper’s doctor from the surgery center exam room, I made the decision to go ahead with the surgery that day. Cooper could not be helped if we did not know what was going on inside his body.

The surgeon called me after the surgery around 7:00 pm, and informed me that Cooper did well during the surgery. He explained that Cooper’s intestines were clear, but he found abnormalities in the left side of his pancreas. They could not remove the masses from this area of his pancreas. He went on to explain that this is likely carcinoma or a small chance that it was long term damage from pancreatitis. Cooper would have to stay an extra day in recovery to make sure his kidney values stayed in a healthy place. Many renal cats do not respond well after a major surgery, but Cooper did. We were finally able to bring Cooper home. There were some scary days and nights shortly after Cooper came home, but his doctor helped me keep Cooper comfortable since most of what Cooper was dealing with was post op pain. Within a week after surgery, Cooper rallied back to the Cooper we have always known. His appetite was better than ever, and he was starting to socialize with us again.

A week after Cooper’s surgery, I was scheduled for another knee surgery. This one put me on crutches, a brace, and really not too much activity. Cooper and both recovered from our surgeries together. My husband took care of us 24/7, while Cooper and I laid in bed enjoying more snuggle time than ever.

The biopsies were supposed to take 5 days to get the results back, but in fact took 14 days. Needless to say, the results were not what I wanted to hear, but by that time, I had had time to digest this possibility. However, on a positive note, the cancer in Cooper’s pancreas has not spread and the lymph nodes that seemed to be of concern in his initial lab work are just reactive and have no cancer. However, the fact of the matter is Cooper has pancreatic cancer. Presently, Cooper is not suffering. His appetite is great, and f, Cooper is not feeling sorry for himself in the slightest. He is living life and the good life for that matter.

His doctor is mapping out a treatment plan based on the type of cancer Cooper has to make sure we give Cooper the best of the good life that we can possibly give him. Sure, I have hope that Cooper can kick this cancer in the booty, but I am also very much aware of the statistics. Regardless, treatment is the route we are taking to ensure we can keep Cooper continuing to thrive as long as possible. I have had my fair share of tears, but I am focused on enjoying Cooper and soaking in all of the good life with my precious Cooper. Tears would only dilute what I can have with Cooper right now. Please bear with me, while I may not have as many recipes to share. I am slowly getting back in the kitchen with crutches, but it has been challenging, to say the least. However, I am also choosing to focus more on Cooper right now which I will share with you as well.

So, there is the update that I had hoped I would not have to give you all. But, Cooper is still with us, and Cooper is doing great! He continues to sleep with me on the bed at night, and enjoy our morning coffee time near his favorite window (pictured above)! He continues to greet us when we come in from work. He wakes me up for more food in the middle of the night. Life with Cooper is still good, and I look forward to continuing to share as much of Cooper that life will give us.

I love you, my sweet Cooper!