You are so right.  I remind myself occasionally that we cannot save
them all.  Crackers cancer is so close to the brain that the prognosis
probably is poor.  I hope he is not allowed to suffer.  On the other
hand, think of what that thousand dollars could do for other needy
kitties.  We all grieve for those we lost, but life goes on.  Purrs
for all those needing comfort.   MLB

Yes in my 71 years I have outlived quite a few beloved cats, and dogs
and it doesn't get any easier!  Purrs and Hugs for Crackles and youself
and my deepfelt sympathy.   Jean.P.

He doesn't act as if he is any pain except when I need to clean the
operation wounds and only seems annoyed by the blood that weeps out of
the hole the vet left for drainage(it flows when he chews). The fill-in
vet kept asking me if he was eating or had trouble breathing, He eats
like a horse(a half can of wet food, an unending supply of cruchies, 7
of 8 cat treats(he gets 3 or 4 after each pill) and table scraps(he
loves mac and cheese and spagetti)) and breathes fine. And they seem
surprised that he is strong, it takes 3 of us to get him out of the
carrier at the vets office.

He loves to look out the window(he would like to be outside) and sits
with my mother while she uses the computer(tho doesn't sit with me when
I do). When he was outside, he was my gardening buddy, I'd pull weeds
and he would sit beside me.

If the operation would give him a good chance I'd be willing to try it
but moneywise I don't have it but if the specialist would be willing to
trade services or something(I do graphic design). I need to talk to the
vet before I make any kind of decision, if there is a big chance it
likely wouldn't work I wouldn't do it and if the specialist isn't
willing to trade I couldn't do it anyway. A specialist needs brochures
and such don't ya think?

I've got to call the vet tomorrow anyway cause I think he needs a
stronger antibiotic, he smells infectiony somewhere(maybe in the ear, I
don't think it is the operation wounds).

I'd want to thank everyone again for all your help and good thoughts. If
anyone has any advice please post it.

This is my 3rd sick cat in a year and a half biggers and orangie didn't
make it. Biggers was a stray I got in college and she died in the night
of a stroke while we were battling thyroid problems and Orangie, a young
cat, she stole my heart she was such a sweetie, came from the same awful
neighbor as Crackles, she died of unknown neuralogical problems the vet
couldn't pin down. Within that same timeframe my mother put 2 of her
cats to sleep so they wouldn't suffer anymore, tiggy had a congenial
heart problem that caused his chest to fill up with fluid and
Longhair(the family cat from my childhood) a 21 year old cat had
multiple strokes and could no longer stand, walk, or potty by himself.
Its too many cats in such a short time. p

I talked to the regular vet, I have more sad news. Crackles isn't a good
canidate for the surgery,  tho if he was a dog with the same thing he
might be. They'd have to take too much surrounding tissues to assure of
getting it all.

She perscribed prednazone(sp?) for inflamation and he still needs his
antibiotics eveyday. He had his first prednazone yesterday and it seems
to have helped already with the swelling in the cheek. He got his
stitches out today and now is hiding in the storage room...opps take
that back he just walked in front of me to the food bowl. She said as
long as he is eating and breathing fine he is doing fine and I just need
to keep a close eye for any changes.  

She says all of y'all  are "good people" for helping Crackles and I
gotta agree. p