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It absolutely kills me to actually have to write this – We just got bad news a couple of days ago when Jack’s ultra sound confirmed that he has cancer. He has a cancerous mass inside of one of his lungs that is spreading little tumors throughout his lungs. The time that is given, (where I will have to help him peacefully pass over), isn’t very far away. Could be a few weeks to a couple of months. Right now, it makes him tired, but he still eats, lounges with Vivian, uses the litterbox just fine. He is not struggling to breathe and I won’t let him suffer. Right now he breathes heavy but still can enjoy a few things. The vet suggested that when he has no more interest in anything but to just breathe, then that will be the time as it will be before any real suffering happens.
Vivian takes good care of him as she cuddles with him and grooms him alot these days. She is just sticking by his side.
This is going to be a huge loss for us. My heart is broken. I know he’s a senior but I just imagined him being around for a couple more years. I just love that big white goofball of a bunny so much. I just can’t imagine my life without him. So, for now, I try not to dwell on what’s coming and just love him every day. I might cry when I first get up or as I write this post, but in general I take a few minutes to get the sadness out each day, and then go into Jack and Vivian’s space with just love. I don’t want to bring in any sad dark energy into their space.
I will keep the webcams on for only a few hours a day from around 11am – 3pm, when I know they are the most relaxed and at peace enjoying their window box together, or hanging out on the ground near the food and hay. Also, with the cams off, I can spend more time with Jack and Vivian. I will probably only have the cameras on for a week at the most or until I feel things are disgressing to a point that it would not be appropriate. Currently, Jack still enjoys Vivian’s cuddles and he purrs, and he even tried to give her a half hearted honk and hump last night, but the cancer just makes him more tired at this point. But you can see the sweet things on the cams and please send love, joy, peace vibes their way.
I changed my avatar to Jack’s binky because that is how he has lived most of his life – just a fun goofy silly emotional little spirit, and I don’t want to get caught up in this upcoming ending as that is such a small part of his overall life. This is who Jack really is:
This next part is how I discovered something was wrong and maybe it would be helpful to others.
He has a cancerous lump inside of his left lung, (nothing you can see externally) that has spread little tumors to the rest of the lung and the other lung and causes fluid around the lungs. Being that he is a senior bunny at an estimated 9 years old, his gradual slow down was normal. But a couple of weeks ago, I noticed just a little less umpf than his normal. He still ate, pooed, pursued Vivian nightly though with less energy. It was time for him to get his regular check up so I decided to make a vet appointment to make sure it wasn’t some bladder thing returning.
A few days prior to the vet appointment, I noticed Jack’s breathing pattern was different. He didn’t seem in distress, as he was acting normally that maybe I had just caught him after romping around. But then when I spotted him at complete rest with this strange breathing patttern, I knew something was wrong and moved up the vet apointment. Thank goodness I took video his breathingt because when Jack was stressed at the vet, you couldn’t see the strange breathing pattern, and everything else in his exam came out normal. So when the vet looked at the video, she knew something was wrong and we had xrays done. The xrays revealed an enlarged liver and the lungs did not look normal — which could have been due to an infection, heart problems or cancer. But only an ultra sound would be able to reveal what was really going on and that was done days later — which confirmed cancer.
NOTE: UPDATE — I originally posted that he has a mass in his chest that spread to his body, but after speaking with his vet in more detail just now, (as I was a bit foggy headed when I first got the news), I discovered he has a cancerous tumor that is in his left lung that has spread little tumors throughout the lungs. So if you have read this and have seen some of the details change — that is why. I asked her if there are any causes that she was aware of this and my vet said no. But that it is normal for older bunnies to get cancer and the time line given is based on her experiences (and she is an extremely rabbit savvy vet).
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Oh my Lord, is there nowhere this disease will not go? *shakes an angry fist*
Jen, I am absolutely gutted right now reading this, so I can only imagine how you must feel. Your courage in only wanting Jack to feel the love and compassion and not the apprehension at what is to come is awe inspiring. Ironically, due to Mimzy’s rather odd moods of late, off and on inappetance and subsequent low energy, I Googled cancer in rabbits last night and was reading up on the symptoms. So seeing this post made me feel kind of like I am fresh out of the Twilight Zone.
Knowing how tuned in you are to both Jack and Vivian, and all your other darling lovebunnies you’ve had, Jack is blessed indeed to have you as bunny mum to care for him. I will keep you all in my prayers and I plan on setting up a luminary for him at the Relay for Life this Friday.I don’t know what else to say. There is nothing really. Words seem so worthless at a moment like this. I wish there was more I could do…that SOMETHING could be done to avert this. But all the warm, golden, hopeful vibes I can muster are coming your way. (((((((((((((((((((((((((God Bless Jack)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need something. Even if it’s just an ear. I’ll be here. We all will. This wonderful place has Jack running through it always. And I would’ve been lost long ago without you, his happy face and all others who come here, drawn to the love that emanates from it.
Bless you all. (((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))) -
I am so sad to hear this! Poor bunny boy
I’ve so enjoyed having the webcams on while I work and watching Jack & Vivian as a little “bunny break” when I get stressed. In the time I’ve been able to watch him, there have been many instances that he’s made me laugh or smile just when I need it. And I agree with the others, Jack IS BinkyBunny and he always will be. Lots of hugs and vibes to you, Jack and Vivian!!!
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Though it is painful in some ways to know what’s ahead, I am grateful I am able to be aware so that I can be sure to spend more time with Jack and especially to make sure to prevent suffering.
And this also gives me the opportunity to have time to gain strength from you all. I can’t express how touched I am by everyone. Thank you so much. I have linked this thread to my toolbar so I can be sure to come here to read all the wonderful things you have said throughout this time. It gives me strength and comfort. Your love, hugs, prayers, vibes will help us through.
Jack just got finished eating some greens and snuggling with Vivian — until he decided to give her a little love honk, then he stretched out in a relaxed superman pose. So looks like the all the good vibes are helping him stay happy too.
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I went onto the webcams about a half hour ago, and I just saw one out of 4, with an empty room, in the Webcam page.
But when I went onto the Home page, which I almost never do lately, there were Jack and Vivian all snuggled up right in front of the camera!
So I took 4 snaps of them, assembled them into a cropped jpg and here they are. Just a lazy afternoon together, June 3, 2011.
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Every time I log on, I see this in the web cam area:
And all I can think of is the conversation they’re having. I like to think that rabbits, being prey species, have a much more acceptable attitude when it comes to death. I know it’s a major anthropomorphication of them but working at a rescue you have to develop something to help. Here’s the conversation I keep on hearing between the two of them – and as an FYI I was COL (Crying Out Loud) while writing it.
I hope you all take it in the loving spirit I mean it in.
Hey Viv?
Yeah Jack?
I gotta go soon.
Oh? When you coming back?
I won’t be.
What?
Yup. Have to make the trip across the rainbow bridge.
That sucks. I’m going to really miss you
I’m going to miss you too. Do me a favor, will ya?
Sure, Jack. Anything.
Look after our slave for me? She’s going to need the help.
You got it.**Pause**
Hey, Jack?
Yeah?
You scared?
Nah. Had a great time here and Ruby’s waiting for me now.
Never met her. Say hi for me?
Sure. And Viv?
Yeah?
I love you.
Love you too, you honkin’ fool.
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Mark that was perferct translation
(It’s true -Rupert verified)
I think the reason animals are peaceful with the way things happen, is they know things-can see the forest for the trees so to speak. I don’t normally speak to these kind of things, I’ve heard the incredible stories. And I always thought-well if it happens to me, I’ll think about it. … I can tell you I felt like Chuck was still here with us while Noot was really here with us. And now I know they’ve moved on. It’s a personal thing, just an inkling. But I’m saying…I feel that’s why they take it like they know, it’s a parting for sure, a seperation but there is a peace to it we could learn from in our own lives, and I can only take solace in what they’ve shared. I never did believe but I think I’ve been shown some extraordinary faith. -
I also don’t doubt that everyone’s energy and love somehow makes it over our way. A few hours ago, I saw her do a head binky and then a big leap binky. That is very unusual for her as she’s always been much more reserved in that way. So I was shocked when I saw her do that. So some obvious happy vibes are happening there in the bunny room.
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Well, he must have just exhausted himself with extra energy yesterday as today at least right now, he’s pooped and breathing harder. I am keeping an eye on him as he still is grooming Viv and eating, but I took him off cams for now.
. I’ll bring them back up periodically if I think he’s doing better and it’s appropriate. -
Posted By Sambuca on 06/13/2011 04:55 PM
Sweet Jack…hope you are breathing easier today and are comfortable…more love and kisses to you and Viv and your family,He is breathing a bit easier today.
Whew. And Lara, I appreciate the idea that animals have a better perspective. I like to rely on that to comfort me when I feel like my emotions get overwhelming as I definitely feel like I’m on a little bit of a rollercoaster ride as my first priority is that he doesn’t suffer, but at the same time if there are some things that he still enjoys, that I don’t cut his life short either. He didn’t have that much energy this morning, though he was breathing a bit better than yesterday, and I found Vivian alone in the Window box, so I picked Jack up and put him up there with her. He didn’t struggle, just let me (so at first that made me really worry). As soon as I put him in the window box with Viv, he perked up, ate and groomed Vivian quite a bit (he made sure her ears were squeaky clean.
I talked to my vet because I needed to get a reality check. My vet really helped me relax and just see it from different points of view, one being that if Jack is grooming Vivian and eating, and purring when I pet him, then he still has some quality of life that he is enjoying. Of course, you don’t have to wait until an animal is miserable either, but at the moment Jack does still have some quality of life that he can enjoy. I do know that it’s something I have to take day by day (and even hour by hour), as I know fluid can continue to build up around his lungs along with the tumor issues.
In the meantime, thanks again everyone, you are helping us (bunnies and humans alike) through it.
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{{{Jack}}} I’m glad your vet was able to give some other perspectives! It’s a hard weight to shoulder, choosing when quantity is more than quality. And then defining what is quality. Even for a person who can tell you, it’s difficult. One true blessing is that we can let them go peacefully whereas we don’t have that choice with our upright loved ones. So while it’s a heavy decision with lots of questioning and guess work, it does give a sense of control to the situation-one which the loving pet owner does not take lightly.
For me, I’m with you & your vet, if pain is controlled and other activities (whether it’s eating, or looking out a window or laying by a heat vent or open window) can be enjoyed-that says to me life is being enjoyed. {{{Jack}}}
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We are truely sorry to hear Jack is ill; we have lost 2 bunnies ourselves a few years ago; and I swore I never wanted to go thru that again. I stopped watching Jack some time last year. But, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. I so miss seeing him, Bailey , and Reuse; I just got thru watching the videos; they make me feel happy. Rabbits are a joy to watch and play with. God bless you and your family, and, we hope Jack will find peace.
Sincerely, Shannon
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Though I don’t personally know him, I have seen videos, pictures, and messages of and about Jack and it all just makes me so sad! I cry every time I read these messages I think of how loved he is!
I live on the other side of the country as you do, but I hope my prayers will help you over there. When reading what everyone posted, I couldn’t hold back the tears and was a mess! It is just so wonderful that a rabbit can be so loved! You can tell that Jack is cared for and loved by so many people (and Vivian, too!) I just hope that he has more time to enjoy your family and Vivian. Just remember the good times and that he has lived a pretty long life and he has been pampered and loved by a lot of people. I am hoping and praying for Jack, and hopefully he perks up again. I am praying for you!
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How cute BB! 
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