Neville's Last Journey

It turns out that Neville does not have a simple infection. He has, in fact, oral squamous cell carcinoma. He has cancer. The veterinary didn’t give an estimate of how long the Nevsky has to live – there are too many factors – though my reading suggests no more than three months. That, I suspect, assumes that the cat’s quality of life continues adequate until the cancer overwhelms him. In truth, I will probably say good-bye to Neville before then; it will depend on such indications as appetite, weight and level of comfort.

The doctor thinks that Neville is in a small amount of pain now, so a daily pain-killer has been prescribed. It is in liquid form and of a minimal dosage, so he should receive it without a great deal of anxiety, especially as he will now no longer be required to take any of the dreaded anti-biotics. I have usually been able to read the Former Thin Man well, so I will keep him under close observation.

Neville is eating well, as readers may know, and his litter-box visits are without incident, though the anti-biotics he had been receiving softened his feces tremendously lately. The cancer’s first sign was probably the ineffectiveness of the insulin I was giving Neville. I will continue to inject him with that, as without it, he might feel worse.

Neville’s life has not been an easy one, with too many hospital visits and too much medicine. I hope his last weeks or months will be gentler for him, and that he experiences as little trouble as possible until the day he leaves on his last journey.