12/11/05 -Bo is doing well. He continues to eat well and play. He sleeps a lot and before the diagnosis of cancer I thought it was healing sleep ... now every time he naps I have to wonder if it is a healing sleep or is a little part of him slipping away from us w/ each nap. My days are full so I do not have much time to dwell on sad things and seeing Bo at play makes my heart think he will be OK; it's the nights when the flock is tucked into bed that the fear of the unknown grips my heart and won't release it. Whatever the outcome is I know Bo is a very special and very loved bird ... not just by myself but he has a huge adopted cyber family pulling for him!
I am ecstatic to be able to announce that between private donations and the raffle enough was raised to be able to cover the medical expenses we have incurred so far AND the CAT Scan !!!!!!
I am unsure at this time what the future holds as far as on-going medical treatment will be but I suppose that bridge will be crossed when we get to it. It's all a waiting game now, starting w/ the second read and the appointment for the CAT Scan.
I'd like to take this time to say that every last dime that has been sent is written down and accounted for and that every dime will go toward Bo. While the vast majority of people have been extremely supportive there have been some nay-sayers. To them I'd like to say that I never asked for Bo to be in my life nor was it my intention of keeping Bo. I THOUGHT Bo was "just" an ill mutilating bird that I could help and than adopt out. I accept the burden of medical costs for all fosters and do not ask for a dime back at the time of adoption. Bo's medical condition is more than anyone, including my vet had fathomed ... let a lone a diagnosis of cancer. I still did not ASK for help but generous souls starting spilling forth asking to help w/ the healing and on-going treatment of Bo. The good people who have supported Bo not just financially but through the power of prayers and healing thoughts have been VERY appreciated. Should any money be left over at the end of Bo's treatment, however the end may present itself I will ask those that gave how they would like for any remaining money spent, if there is any remaining money. IF there is I am hoping that they will grant me permission to make a donation in the name of Bo to any avian research center that is studying cancer in avians. I would not wish the pain that I feel for Bo on anyone; including the nay-sayers.
While cancer in our feathered friends is rare it is not as rare as one would think. I have found out from a very reliable source (a noted avian vet in Fl. that a friend of mine has the privilege to be a client of) that the cockatoos are the most prone and to narrow it down further most commonly seen in Moluccan Cockatoos. I received a letter from a very nice lady who was told of Bo's story and she wrote to me because she lived through the same type of cancer Bo has, w/ one of her Moluccans. While I can't say it was "nice" to hear from somebody that was in my shoes I can say that it is therapeutic to know we are not alone.
12/14/05 - Found a lump on Bo, but I find that I am always finding bumps on him, but it's my paranoia because these are natural lumps that are supposed to be on birds. This one is not a normal bump but that is not to say that it is a cancerous bump.
He continues to eat well and play. Almost knocked me out by knocking me in the head with a chunk of wood he was playing with. I was leaning into the cage to hang a new toy and he felt the need to bang on my head w/ the block, LOL.
He is so obsessed w/ his feathers and chest area ... it's so sad to see. I've heard from a couple of people that have had cancer in their moluccan cockatoos ... sad to think these majestic creatures seem so susceptible to cancer. I wonder if it is only captive raised or if the wild ones too? So many questions and so very few answers out there.
I'd like to ask that if anyone out there has had a molly with cancer to please drop us an e-mail.
