I made an appointment to have my two 9 year old cats get their annual checkup and shots today. Routine, as they have been eating, playing, seeking the usual amount of affection, and pretty much acting like themselves.

Lilith gets her checkup and treatment, and is fine except for needing her teeth cleaned. No problem we'll schedule it for next week.

Lola gets weighed and is down a bit. That's ok, because I cut back on her dry food because the vet said she was too chubby. Then while on the exam table, she loses control of her bowels and starts hyperventilating. The vet asks to give her mild sedation and I agree because it's unusual for her. A few minutes later, she says she'd like to take an X-Ray. It turns out that there's an orange sized tumor in her abdomen. No symptoms until she collapsed on the exam table, but also no viable treatment options.

After holding her for more than an hour in the back room, with her breathing still shallow, the vet tells me she has doubts that Lola will make it home and will start having pain by the weekend. Tumors in cats double in size every five days and Lola is a tiny cat. I put her on the exam table and she can't walk.

I held her as the vet put her down, she went peacefully. The sweetest cat I ever knew, who only wanted her belly rubbed and to lay next to me in bed and cuddle for warmth, is gone.

To quote the Go-Go's... How much more can I take before I go crazy. Oh Yeah.