If you are reading this because you are looking for a cure for cancer, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

There is no cure. I’m sorry. 💔

I wish we do for our family pets, like dogs, cats, gerbils. hedgehogs, rats etc. But not that I’m aware of at the time of writing this post…

It’s with a heavy heart to pen this down Lou’s cancer update.

After a long and challenging 16 weeks of battling oral cancer, Lou has crossed the rainbow bridge in his sleep at home. 🌈

The Final Farewell

I knew it was about to happen any day since our last vet visit on December 1, 2022. It was the first time vet suggested euthanasia after our back and forth visits for the past three months. We were scheduled for a recheck and a difficult decision was to be made.

On December 7, Lou was restless as usual. He had a sudden spurt of energy after medication time, so I decided to let him free roam and we got to play around. Little did I know, it was our last one together. I’ll cherish this memory along with the many others dearly. Late noon, he spent the time running 0.2km or so on the wheel on top of free roaming, I thought Lou demonstrated an impressive feat and strength of resilience.

He passed away shortly in his nap before dinner time. When I found him, it has been about an hour since he passed, initial stages of rigor mortis has set in. His muscles has stiffened already. I bawled. My heart was in a million pieces and I was in disbelief.

At the same time, I knew he was finally at peace. It would have been selfish to keep him longer. After a couple of hours of holding him in my arms, I had to place him in a box I prepared in advance and store his physical body in the freezer as it was too late to bring him to the vet for cremation. Part of me didn’t want to let him go yet, I wasn’t ready…I don’t think anyone will ever be truly ready for the death of a loved one.

You can read more about Pet Aftercare here.

16 Weeks of Borrowed Time.

Lou faced this uphill battle with so much determination, bravery, and courage. He was truly a cancer warrior in many ways. Ever since we found out his cancer diagnosis, or rather the day we suspected something was not right with the odd lump growth, we lived as if it was our last day.

I was already experiencing anticipatory grief, which is the feeling of grief before an impending loss. I was also very worried we didn’t have enough time to make more memories, but I was wrong. Although 16 weeks may not seem like a long time, it was long enough for both of us to process and do everything we can to fight the cancer symptoms.

I was told by our friends that some hedgehog friends who had the same type of cancer only had four to six weeks post-diagnosis. In comparison, 16 weeks was a very long fight. I must be doing something right for him. Lou was also putting in the effort to fight this with the help of the pain medication, cancer diet, and round-the-clock care. Although syringe feeding was not always fun for both of us, Lou was relaxed for the most part, which made it a little easier.

Our family, friends, and the vet were all surprised at how long Lou held out against the aggressive oral cancer and its symptoms. Lou made all of us so proud and in awe of his resilience and bravery. I couldn’t have been more proud of him as his human, caretaker, housekeeper, best friend, and mom.

Until we meet again.

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In loving memory of

Lou 🦔

My cheeky and brave warrior.
2018–2022