Evidently when they were putting him under, they noticed an abnormality under his tongue. Upon further inspection they determined that it was indeed a tumor and so they called us to get the go ahead to perform a biopsy on the tumor. Everything was immediately sent over to the pathologist for examination and we are anxiously awaiting the official results of the biopsy. Unfortunately, our vet indicated that it is most likely indicative of cancer, and this is an extremely deadly form of cancer in cats. He is very young (9 months to be exact) and our vet has not seen a case of mouth cancer in a cat this young, but she still thinks that is what we are looking at here. We are absolutely devastated and are once again asking for your prayers.
Rocky is extremely active and playful, and has not shown any indication that anything could be wrong. He has not displayed any of the typical symptoms associated with this awful disease, and if I had not seen the pictures of the tumor myself I would think that they diagnosed the wrong cat. 
Rocky came to us this past November in the middle of a very cold streak. I looked outside and saw this kitten running around with his fur flying in the cold breeze. At first I thought that he belonged to one of our neighbors (he was too cute, was super tiny and just appeared out of nowhere one day) but after he came by a few more times I felt that familiar tug on my heart, and I knew what we were being called to do. Oh, I fought it this time. I remember thinking, God, we already took in 3 cats and we do not have room for another. The tugging on my heart continued. What am I going to do with 4 cats? Nope, not me, ask somebody else. I still felt God calling me to help this kitten. I’ve done my part – it’s somebody else’s turn. The answer was, “No, this is meant for you.” I felt what I was being called to do loud and clear, and so on a freezing November night Patrick and I managed to finally lure this skittish little kitten into our house.
He ran around like crazy, not sure what to make of his new surroundings. At this point, I started to panic, realizing that we had just taken in our fourth cat. I don’t want to have four cats! People already make fun of me for taking in three – what will they think of me now? We had to enlist the help of our neighbor to corral him into our front bedroom, and I distinctly remember saying aloud, “He can stay for one week.”
I didn’t go in to see him much those first couple of days. I did not want to get attached, and I kind of resented his presence in our lives anyway. As the days passed, I went in to take pictures of him so that I could find him a good home. Nope, I was not going to have four cats of my own. We even had a home lined up for him that eventually fell through. As his week and then two passed, I started spending some more time with our visitor and I ended up falling in love. He is the cuddliest cat I have ever met (he crawls in your lap for cuddles, follows behind me when I leave a room, and lets me carry him around like a baby – he has fallen asleep in my arms on more than one occasion!) Patrick had already taken him to the vet for his initial round of shots, and when the time came for his follow up appointment I went too because I felt so protective of my little Rocky. There was a girl who worked there who was looking for a young cat to befriend her existing cat, and I knew that he was ours when I held him close and said that he was our kitty. (We had previously told the vet that we were fostering him and trying to find him a good home.)
I prayed so hard about his situation, and while it might sound strange, I know that God had called us to adopt this kitten. And so we settled into life with our newest addition and when Caddy got so sick it was helpful to have this friendly little face (who loved his big sister so fiercely) with us.
Many of you know that the past 6 – 8 months have been especially trying for us, for a number of different reasons. It’s not really important to know the details, but I have felt things over which I have always had control being ripped away from my tight grasp and it’s been a pretty difficult time. Through it all, I have remained faithful and tried not to question why so many things, in such quick succession, are going wrong in our lives. And now to find out that our beloved baby boy might be facing cancer, it is just too much for me to bear right now. I am completely broken and I am sharing this only to ask that you please pray for God to bless our Rocky. I know that he was brought into our lives specifically and for a reason, but I had no idea that God would be asking us to undertake such a painful journey. I have been holding him close every moment that he is not sleeping (and sometimes even as he sleeps) not sure of how much time we actually have left together. I have watched my husband cry under the weight of it all, and I just feel such an absolute sadness in my heart. There is still a chance (albeit a small chance) that Rocky could not have cancer, or even have it be a treatable form of cancer, so please pray for his health. Please pray that he is comfortable, and continues to not feel any pain, and pray for Patrick and I to have the strength to continue on this journey in the manner to which we have been called. I understand now why he was brought into our lives, and I am so hopeful that he will be with us for many years to come.
One of my favorite baby pictures of Rocky
1 comment:
Oh honey, my goodness! There have been a lot of burdens that you have had to bear over the past months. Just don't forget that Jesus is there carrying your cross with you, and He knows what is in store down the road. You were brought to Rocky for the fierce love you and Patrick both give to all of your adopted children. Perhaps Rocky was brought into yours to confirm the fierce love you BOTH have for these kitties, and perhaps that is indicitive of the love you have for each other, even when times are tough. I certainly see that in you, and I suspect that it is there in Patrick as well. Praying for you ALL....I'll try to call soon.
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