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Wilma has cancer. May only have a few weeks left 😭

Hannah_xx

Hannah_xx

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Vet phoned me a little while ago with the results.
Wilma has cancer. Lymphoma I think she said.
The only treatments available would possibly give her a few months longer. But there is no cure.
Think I’m just going to keep her comfortable, happy and full of yummy food until she shows of discomfort and then I’ll have her PTS.
Vet said it’s a fast spreading cancer, she has a lot of lumps that we could feel. And it’s possible that’s why she has a big beautiful tummy.
She may only have a few weeks left.

I’ve only had Willamena for a month. But I love her so so much. I’m heartbroken.

She seems happy and content for now. I hope I know when the time is right, I don’t want her to suffer but I don’t want to put her to sleep too soon.

😭😭😭
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Oh Hannah, I’m so sorry to hear this.
Definitely spoil her and enjoy her for the rest of your time together.
You will know when the time comes and We are all here for you, sending hugs x
 
I'm very sorry for the sad news, when you said lump in neck, I thought it could be this, my old boy sky of 7 years had it ( lymphona) Just enjoy every minute you have left. Sky lived 7 weeks after diagnosis, non aggressive cancer
 
I am so sorry to hear this Hannah - it is such a difficult thing to go through.
Our Oreo also had lymphoma and it's a terrible disease.
However just remind yourself that Wilma doesn't actually know how ill she is - she probably just feels a bit tired right now - but overall her life is filled with comfort and love.
With Oreo we kept her topped up with Metacam just incase she was in any pain (although I don't think she was), and decided to wait and see how it went. We always knew it was weeks and not months, becasue like Wilma she had a lot of lumps that had come up in a short space of time.
So we loved her, fed her all her favorite foods, took endless photos and cried a lot.

In the end simply waiting was turning into pure torture for my 13 year old daughter who was Oreo's main care giver.
Every day she was so upset thinking it might be the last, and there was nothing more she could do. She was devoted to that guinea pig.

So we picked a day and made the appointment. It may sound awful but we definitely let her go sooner rather than later, and in hindsight that was the right thing for our family. We know with absolute certainty that Oreo didn't suffer, and in the grand scheme of her life a few extra days wouldn't have a made a difference either way.
My 13 year old held her the entire time, and has a special shelf in her bedroom with photos, a paw print and her ashes on.

I wish you all the strength in the world - Wilma is lucky to have found you to walk on her final journey with.
 
Oh I am so sorry for your sad news. My lovely piggy Coco had lymphoma. I was distraught when it came to making the decision to have her pts last December. I miss her terribly. I tried the treatment with steroids which I now regret. She picked up for a couple of days but then declined rapidly. I think you're doing the best thing by keeping her comfortable, spoiling her and then make the decision when the time is right. Big (((hugs))) xx
 
Oh no, poor Wilma and poor you, I am so sorry. Treasure the time you have left together, she will know just how much you love her x
 
So sorry to hear about Wilma’s illness. I also think you are doing the right thing by keeping her comfortable until you know when the time has come. Wilma is very much loved by you ... and she knows it.
Sending you a big hug x
 
I'm so sorry to hear this @Hannah_xx 😭 I'm sure Wilma already knows how much you love her and is thankful for giving her the life she deserves.

Regardless of how long or short of the time we have a piggy, the love we feel for them doesn't change. We had a piggy we adopted in the past that passed away with us and we only had him for 4 months. He got sick during his 2nd month with us from a hernia that wasn't diagnosed until the day that he died (he had an exploratory surgery that day but passed away in my arms that night). I cried so much and still tears up whenever I think of him.
 
Oh I’m so sorry you’ve had this devastating news. Your girl was clearly destined for you so that she would have a place of love and safety and company in her hour of need. It’s like our Felix. She doesn’t know what you know. She just knows she is loved and happy with you. Hugest hugs xx
 
Oh I'm sorry your news wasn't good. You'll have a special time with her over the coming days and weeks knowing what you know & she will be feeling the love 💖 big hugs xx
 
I'm so sorry that it's come back as the worst possible news. At least she is knowing a loving home and will be allowed to live out her final days, weeks, months in comfort and luxury
 
So sorry to read such sad news. I believe that Wilma was destined to be with you so that she is loved and cared for in her time of greatest need. I am sure that you will make some special memories in the time she has left with you.

Holding you and little Wilma in my heart. :hug:
 
Oh Hannah.. My heart sank when I read that.. I am so very sorry to hear this news... Poor Wilma.. Take comfort in the fact that she will have THE BEST care and lots of love from you for the time she has left.. Sending you and Wilma a virtual hug.. xx
 
Very sorry to hear this, your posts always show how much you care for all animals, I have no experience with lymphoma in guinea pigs but my first dog had lymphoma and he showed me when it was time, it's never an easy decision but I'm sure you'll know when it feels right. Take comfort in that you gave her the best in your short time together.xx
 
I’m so sorry to hear that. Hugs to you and Wilma. She’s in the best place and has all that love from you two and her friends to see her through to the end. Hugs 💖
 
Oh no, I’m so sorry Hannah :( I did wonder when you said she had lots of lumps on her lymph nodes I on your last thread but was hoping for an infection.

I’ve lost two piggies to lymphoma now. It’s a horrible disease :( just take each day as it comes and make lots of memories. She will let you know when the time comes to say goodbye xx
 
BIG HUGS

I am so sorry that you are having such a bad streak right now, @Hannah_xx !

Please concentrate on making the time she still has quality of life a special one; cherish every day she can enjoy her life and let her go when her time has come; whenever that feels right for both her and you.
There is a grey zone where there is no right or wrong; whether you want to spare her the sharp end and as much pain as possible or want to let her live for as long as she still has the will to eat and you have the time to support her around the clock - either argument holds up as long as they are made your girl's best interest in mind before your own fears of letting her go.

Make sure that you create some very special and comforting memories for yourself that can help you during the grieving process when you are struggling with the inevitable soul-searching. Being able to prove to yourself that you have made Wilma as happy and fulfilled as possible will go a long way towards your own healing.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

There is no shame in which way you want to ultimately decide, including you not having the time/strength to cope with caring for her right until the last possible moment or finding the stress from the daily ups and downs/wondering whether today is the day too much.
When the time comes, go with what you feel you can live with best in the long term because you have to make peace with your decision, whatever it is. And you will do that if you can find the balance that works for you in this specific case between Wilma's wellbeing, your own capabilities and which side of the argument you are personally coming down - for most of us it is somewhere in the middle between the two extremes.

As it is a terminal condition, long term serious side effect considerations do not apply, so you can ask your vet whether they may want to consider the use of steroids (which is otherwise not recommended in rodents) and of tramadol or a comparable opiate in the latter stages when totally maxed out dog metacam given every 12 hours doesn't work well enough anymore.
 
Swissgreys said:
I am so sorry to hear this Hannah - it is such a difficult thing to go through.
Our Oreo also had lymphoma and it's a terrible disease.
However just remind yourself that Wilma doesn't actually know how ill she is - she probably just feels a bit tired right now - but overall her life is filled with comfort and love.
With Oreo we kept her topped up with Metacam just incase she was in any pain (although I don't think she was), and decided to wait and see how it went. We always knew it was weeks and not months, becasue like Wilma she had a lot of lumps that had come up in a short space of time.
So we loved her, fed her all her favorite foods, took endless photos and cried a lot.

In the end simply waiting was turning into pure torture for my 13 year old daughter who was Oreo's main care giver.
Every day she was so upset thinking it might be the last, and there was nothing more she could do. She was devoted to that guinea pig.

So we picked a day and made the appointment. It may sound awful but we definitely let her go sooner rather than later, and in hindsight that was the right thing for our family. We know with absolute certainty that Oreo didn't suffer, and in the grand scheme of her life a few extra days wouldn't have a made a difference either way.
My 13 year old held her the entire time, and has a special shelf in her bedroom with photos, a paw print and her ashes on.

I wish you all the strength in the world - Wilma is lucky to have found you to walk on her final journey with.
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😢
 
So sorry to hear this.
Wilma will know she is loved. Please try to enjoy the time left together.
We are all here for you at this difficult time.
Sending you massive hugs.xx
 
So very sorry to hear this news.
Give yourself and Wilma lots of good todays, lots of memories and lots of photos.
Remember that you are already grieving as grief begins with diagnosis so be gentle and understanding with yourself.
Holding you in my heart
 
So sorry to hear this, big hugs 💞
Enjoy the time you have with your girl, my tumour piggy is on maximum metacam and now buprecare too, it works well for her at the moment 💞 thinking of you xx
 
So sad to hear this Hannah, but remember that Wilma probably doesnt know she is so ill just yet- make the most of spoiling her while she is still well enough to enjoy it, and take things a day at a time x
 
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