I know the horrible feelings of not knowing where to turn and feeling utterly powerless to help the cat you love so much. If only there were information to help! If only I knew what to ask! If only I knew where to start! I didn't want to make the wrong decision and lose Ellie Mae because I didn't know how to best advocate for her. Losing your beloved cat is excruciating, but feeling like you could have done better destroys you (I faced that feeling with another of my cats, Bear).
Often, the experts don't have much more information. We've only seen one other cat in our oncology department visits. All the examples of similar past surgeries were in dogs. Dogs were the basis for all the chemotherapy information (protocol, risks, outcomes, etc.) I received. Unfortunately, many of the chemo agents used in dogs and humans with cholangiocarcinoma are toxic to cats. Where is the research and experience with cats?!?
You are not alone. I created this website to share everything I've learned since we found Ellie Mae's mass. I want to empower you to advocate for the best care for your cat. In some cases, like with my cat Bear, cancer is discovered too late for treatment or palliative care. I focus more on the treatment aspect because that is the road we (Ellie Mae and I - because she had to be part of this decision) chose to take with Ellie Mae. But hopefully, there will be enough information here to help people make other decisions - palliative care, letting your cat go, etc. You are your cat's best advocate.
Since Ellie Mae's cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis in July of 2024, we've leveraged the power of our bond to travel for advanced treatment out of state. Without her trust in me and my dedication to her best interest, these trips and advanced treatment would not be possible. Our journey is a testament to the possibilities when you're willing to push outside your comfort zone for your cat (but again, treatment isn't appropriate in every case). We will also share our experience with travel to help others feel more confident in seeking advanced cancer treatments for their cats.
While we use our experience with cat cancer to illustrate the strategies shared here to help you advocate for your cat, one key thing to remember is that the principles of advocating for your cat apply whether your cat is dealing with cancer or any other feline disease. I've used the information shared here to advocate for my cats about many different disease processes. I believe that those facing common feline health conditions like chronic kidney disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and more will also find the practical information on this website helpful in preparing them to advocate for their cats' well-being.
Kat is an award-winning content creator focusing on cats, humor, and the power of the feline-human bond. Many popular cat-specific publications feature her writing. She's passionate about busting misconceptions about cats, teaching cat parents how to advocate for their cats' well-being, and raising awareness about the transformative nature of the feline-human bond. Kat participates in many learning communities to hone her craft, including BlogPaws and the Cat Writers' Association. Her other website, Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat, features her life with her cats, Ellie Mae and Latte (inspired by her Angel Cat, Bear, who saved her life).
Kat and Ellie Mae
About our blog colors:
Kelly Green signifies cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) awareness.
Purple represents general cancer awareness. We chose a bright color to signify hope.
We use Light Beige to communicate neutrality, comfort, and practicality.
About our logo:
We chose to represent Ellie Mae (a black cat) in the logo to honor her battle with cholangiocarcinoma as the inspiration for this website.
The Kelly Green ribbon represents cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) awareness.
About Kat Kern:
Kat and Bear
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