Hello to everyone, Oreo's surgery was scheduled for Thursday, but I am sorry to report that the determination has been made that he is just not well enough to undergo such a tricky surgery. I did consult again with both our regular shelter vet who sees him on a regular basis as well as the surgical vet in order to determine what we can do for him. His blood sugar last week was 39 despite him already being on prednisone and diazoxide, which was concerning. We upped his dose of diazoxide and he is a bit brighter, however in the past ten days or so since we considered surgery, the tumor has grown quite a bit bigger and quite a bit harder, it is involving more of his abdomen and even just trying to debulk the tumor would be quite tricky with a low surgical survival rate. I cry every morning when I see how big the tumor has gotten and that I can't do anything to stop it. You know all too well how hard it is to see them fade a bit more each day. So I try to do something special every day with him. We have special play times with paper bags, we have special times with hopping around in the grass outside with the wind blowing through his whiskers, I'm happy when I get soupy kisses when he finishes his bowl of soup. He does seem a bit brighter on the increased medicine and even played a little bit with me on the floor. He enjoys snuggles with his friends and somehow manages the litter box. I have noticed that he now lies on his back when he sleeps in his favorite round bed that Rose German made especially for him. We he doesn't feel well or is tuckered out, his favorite spot is in this bed next to the St. Francis medal (and yes there still is a "glow" around him in the mornings.) We did receive a some of donations and all of it will go towards keeping him comfortable for all the time he has. We especially want to thank Rose German of Little Feet Ferret Retreat who has been his champion since the day he came to us. She has made special round beds for him, as well as special squares for him to get in and out of is cage as well as to rest on while he eats his soup. As well the bedding set that she recently put up on eBay helped us to buy his diazoxide which he depends on we are lucky that there is a pet compounding location nearby (Animal Pharm in Scituate, MA) which has extended a discount to us. We love Eleanor Mead who has put up ferret figurines and donated proceeds towards his medical costs. As well we so appreciate Cathy Ryan for all the special vibes she sends to him (as well as his St. Francis medal), Libby Nelson who has provided some wonderful things for Oreo, his hospice buddies and Turbo (from Ohio). We have received wonderful emails from California to New York. There are many other people from Mass Ferret Friends, and wonderful eBayers who have recently purchased some of our Dry Dook Soup and Ferret Faces Greeting Cards. All those funds will go towards Oreo being able to see our vet frequently, ensure he has whatever medicine he needs as well as some herbal supplements. While I am never surprised by how awful some people are who are surrendering uncared for ferrets, I am always amazed by how kind the really good ferret people are.....for one little boy with three legs who had touched more than just my heart. Hug 'em all is what I say, fur or no fur, skin and bones or fluff, fleas or no fleas (Lauren)........... Maybe we can't change all the things in this big ole' world, but we make such a difference in their little world. Sincerely, Diane Wall South Shore Ferret Care [Posted in FML 6036]