Lymphoma sadness

[Wyattskywalker]

Hi to all,
My baby boar Goma was just found to have lymphoma. He’s just turned 5 this year and it’s a sadness I’ve not felt before. I was wondering if anybody has any palliative care tips or guides to make his time with us here more fun and enjoyable.
Thank you and best wishes to all,

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry to hear your boy’s diagnosis. There are a few in here who have had piggies with lymphoma.

I hope he has many more happy todays with you.

Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

 

[piggl]

I am so sorry to hear this.

I have never had a lymphoma piggy but I have had a few pigs on palliative care. Take loads of pictures and have many cuddles.
Your grieving journey will have started, from the moment you got the news, so allow yourself to feel what you are feeling as it is so valid and completely understandable.

Everyone is different but I personally felt honoured to be able to care and help my boy/s across the bridge. After everything they had done for me, making me laugh in the toughest of times, to be able to ‘hold their hand’ as they crossed the bridge made me feel proud and lucky to be their owner.

The guides attached above are great, I would definitely recommend giving them a read through when you have a chance.
My thoughts are with you and your family at this time x

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your sad news.
I’ve a palliative care piggies so my tips are :
Ensure he is kept comfortable and pain free.
Make as many memories as you can, lots of photos and time spent with him.
Give him treats, stuff you would rarely give like carrot. I used to put a small dish of their favourite Oxbow Aniseed critical care with some mashed banana in the cage as well to help feeding.
That’s a bonus for the cagemate.
Enjoy every day as a gift.

I hope that Goma slips peacefully away at home but be prepared for pts if he suffers too much.

Remember that you are grieving - that started as soon as you received the news of his lymphoma. It probably feels as if the bottom has fallen out of your world, so be gentle with yourself.
We are here to support you.

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry to hear your sad news. You have had some wonderful advice above, I can't add more. I hope you get many more happy days with your boy.

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

So sorry to hear about Goma. My piggie Jellybaby had lymphoma diagnosed too. I would echo above comments - spend as much time as you can with Goma and make memories. There will be good days and not so good days - sometimes JellyB ate his critical care with enthusiasm, some days not. I mixed with oats as a treat. Move hay near Goma’s sleeping area if not close by. In the end I had to help JellyB across the bridge as he lost his spark. Thinking of you and Goma x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. Getting the bad news is always the start of your own grieving process, whether it takes weeks or months. If you live the time consciously and see every new day that Goma is still here and has quality of live as the blessing it is, you will build up a hoard of precious memories that will stay with you forever. You will also find that underneath of this, your own grieving process keeps running and the time after the loss will be in some ways easier compared to a sudden loss since you have done your homework. You do not grieve any less overall but the dynamics differ.

Just plan a little special thing for every day. It doesn't have to be expensive - it's the enjoyment and fun you get out of watching and interacting. In fact, the cheapest/free stuff around the house often provides the greatest fun since piggies have a bit of a destructive streak.
This link here may give you some inspiration for the many ways that enrichment works: Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Here is the link about caring for older piggies but some of the practical tips also work for the frail and the ill once Goma is starting to no longer feel quite as well: Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

You have already been given the link to my end of life guide, which also contains a chapter on terminal illness and the particular challenges and questions that come with that situation. It doesn't make easy reading but I have tried to make it as practical as possible and tackle all the sticky issues that most other articles gloss over head-on in a hopefully helpful and constructive way.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry you little piggie is so poorly, sending huge hugs, make loads of memories and enjoy your time together

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry for your news. Getting a palliative diagnosis or just generally having a pig who you know is nearing their time is really hard, you start to do preparatory grieving even while they are still here. My advice- lots of treats. Lots of cuddles. Do a photo shoot and get a bunch of nice pictures. Just generally make every day as happy as it possibly can be.

Last summer, my 5-year-old pig, Leela, was diagnosed with an abdominal mass and we were told she didn't have a lot of time. We gave her all the lettuce she could eat every evening, cuddled with her a lot, and took a bunch of beautiful pics on her enjoying her time out on the lawn eating the grass. She actually surprised the vet and lived much longer than expected (about 9 or 10 months post diagnosis of her mass) and although I miss her a lot, it makes me feel better knowing that her last months were the best they could possibly be! Pigs don't understand their own mortality, so from her perspective one day the humans just decided to spoil her excessively every single day and she had many happy days with no clue why we were making such a fuss. Just make the days special and enjoy each and every one with Goma. He won't know anything other than he is loved and getting lots of time and treats from his people. ((HUGS)) to you.