Dear Friends in Felinity:

After presenting with a swollen paw and marked weight loss (by my own account)
my very shy, 12-year old spay, Tabisha,  has been biopsied and diagnosed with
having a schwannoma.     The vet stated the pathologists report assured it
was benign.  However, he recommended if the tumor began to limit her mobility
it would need to be excised.

Well, I know its limiting her mobility, she no longer claws the sisel posts
or even knits the rug when I pet her.  Furthermore, I can tell its getting
larger.... it seems to be concentrated just beneath the large pawpad on her
left front side.   She favors that paw more and more when she walks....and
when she stands still and bears weight on it, it just shakes as though it may
collapse.

My dilemma:   Tabisha is a very shy cat...she runs for cover if I sneeze in
her presence.    Her last trip to the vet was only her 2nd.   I've always
kept her very sheltered and rightfully so, given her nature.   My vet has
assured me that with the excision,  things will be physically  worse before
they get better.

Does anyone have experience with a benign tumor producing secondary issues?
If not, what would you do if this was your cat?   I'm open to any and all
suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Marie