My cat and my BC

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Karen09
Karen09 Member Posts: 320
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi ladies!  I just wanted to share this with you all and brighten your day a little.  I was diagnosed with Stage 3 metaplastic triple negative breast cancer last year and I've been on this site a lot since then.  Maybe you have seen me sneaking in to post from time to time.  Anyway, after my second chemo I found the most beautiful long hair stray cat out behind my apartment building and I took him in.  I couldn't find his owners (thank god!) so I kept him and he was so good to me when I was sick.  He never left my side on my bad days and was so wanting to play and have a good time on my good days.  He really touched my heart and I was interviewed by Purina Cat Chow about him not too long ago.  They are doing a big donation to BC and a campaign next month about how cats can help ladies through BC.  Here are the first two articles on the interview.  A video should follow at some point too.  

http://pets.savvy-cafe.com/cats-comfort-breast-cancer-patients-2010-09-07/

http://www.emcorleans.ca/20100916/Lifestyle/Cats+comfort+breast+cancer+patients

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Comments

  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited September 2010

    Karen that is so cool!

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  • Celtic_Spirit
    Celtic_Spirit Member Posts: 748
    edited September 2010

    My big Maine Coon cat usually sleeps by himself in the rocking chair. But during treatment, without fail, on nights when I was particularly depressed, upset or feeling sick, he would sleep on the bed next to me and purr me to sleep. My boyfriend and I still refer to him as "the anesthesiologist" since his presense and his purr helped me to sleep.

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited September 2010

    i love this story. heartwarming anf full of hope.

     in july i rescued a stray that had been hanging aound my patio for a year.  little at a time....she would come in and stay a minute or so...the minutes turned into a hour....turned into hours...and now she lives in my home full time....with my two other indoor cats.  she is the sweetest cat....3 pounds heavier....fur is beautiful.

     thanks for sharing**** love this story*

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  • Joviangeldeb
    Joviangeldeb Member Posts: 213
    edited September 2010

    That is so cool. :)

    My pets helped me get through my active treatment also.  I love them. I have a black tomcat named, Midnight.  He's really so loving and sleeps with me alot.  we lost our min pin, Gizmo Killer, last year from heart disease, but he was at my side and was my lap dog.  I miss him. Now we have a wild and crazy Fo-Tzu, named Tinkerbell.  She's such a joy to have. 

    thanks for starting this thread. 

    Take care,

    Deb

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  • Joviangeldeb
    Joviangeldeb Member Posts: 213
    edited September 2010

    That is so cool. :)

    My pets helped me get through my active treatment also.  I love them. I have a black tomcat named, Midnight.  He's really so loving and sleeps with me alot.  we lost our min pin, Gizmo Killer, last year from heart disease, but he was at my side and was my lap dog.  I miss him. Now we have a wild and crazy Fo-Tzu, named Tinkerbell.  She's such a joy to have. 

    thanks for starting this thread. 

    Take care,

    Deb

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  • negirly
    negirly Member Posts: 318
    edited September 2010

    From one Karyn to another -

    I love your story.  I too have a cat who was with me through treatment.  Unconditional love and support when I needed it most.  Animals have a way of being there when we need them.

    Karyn

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  • Wonderland
    Wonderland Member Posts: 3,288
    edited September 2010

    So glad you found Luke (love how you named him).

    My 2 sister cats we got from the pound wouldn't leave my side during my active treatment. They each picked a side and sleep beside me every night. I love them so!

    Wonderland

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited September 2010

    Thanks ladies!  I changed my picture to a better one of Luke so you can see him too! 

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited September 2010

    Karen,  The story of you and Luke coming together when you needed each other most really hit home with me, too.  Smokey (see my Avatar) showed up on my front porch just after I was diagnosed.  He was thin and weak having at some point been badly injured and then healed over; awful and I nobody knows how he survived. even the vet.  After surgery he recovered right along side me as I went through chemo.  For me, too, he was companion, comfort, and inspiration.  He helped me more than I can say, and probably, in his own way, more than anyone else could have.  Our animals are really special.  What a great photo of Luke!  Thanks.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited September 2010

    Sounds like you and Smokey found each other when you needed each other two Gitane!  Thanks for sharing.

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  • sweeney
    sweeney Member Posts: 353
    edited September 2010

    I love this story. And as I read it and fight the fatigue of chemo my cat Franny is curled at my feet purring away.

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited September 2010

    Karen,

    That definitely brighten my day!  What a need story and such a nice write up by Purina. 

    My cat is "all cat".  Despite all the love and attention we lavish on her she is pretty independent and cannot tolerate other cats.  Unlike previous cats we've had she doesn't try to act like a human.  But during chemo, when I finally had to quit work, I spent a lot of time in the recliner and bed taking naps.  She was there.  She especially liked it when I was on the bed because she'd get under the afghan and lie right up next to me.  My husband started refering to her as my "snuggle buddy".

    Gitane -

    I've always liked your avatar and wondered what the story was! 

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  • travelgal
    travelgal Member Posts: 47
    edited September 2010

    Pets are the best!!! So glad Luke found you!!!

    I have 4 dogs and had a stray cat until the week I was diagnosed when she sadly passed away :(
    I miss her so much but her male friend comes to visit me every day and helps ease the pain.  I told her male friend to "put the word out on the street" that there is an opening for a stray cat at my house with lots of love.

    My dogs are great.  Every day one of them checks my incisions from the lumpectomy/SNB and port.  In a week I start chemo and I know my pets will be there for me.

    Love your avatar!!!

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited October 2010

    Thanks for all your comments!  I love reading all your pet stories too!  Good luck getting another kitty Pat!  I hope you find one soon!  .

    If anyone is interested, here is the video Luke and I did for the Canadian breast cancer foundation and purina cat chow   http://www.purina.ca/cbcf/KarenStory.aspx     He is so handsome in the video and was well behaved for much of the shoot.  I'm very proud of my boy!

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  • Celtic_Spirit
    Celtic_Spirit Member Posts: 748
    edited October 2010

    What an inspiring video, Karen! Thanks for sharing your story. Luke is a gorgeous kitty. He must have been such a comfort. Glad you two found each other.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited October 2010

    He really was - and still is!  :)

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited October 2010

    awww.. what a beautiful cat.    great story.

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited October 2010

    What a warm feeling I had watching your video, Karen.  Your cat was there just at the right time and was just what you needed.  Luke is so beautiful, and so are you.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited October 2010

    Awww thanks! You ladies are sweet!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited October 2010

    Karen - Luke really has become a part of your family.  I'm wondering - did you rescue him or did he rescue you?  I love hearing about him!!! 

    I grew up with cats, but have all dogs now (all rescue dogs) and they really helped me on my worst days.

    Thanks for sharing.

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