Four years ago, pawpular Internet cat Marmalade announced he was cancer-free. Because May is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, I have decided to re-run my interview with Marm from 2015, right after he told me his good mews.
KATNISS: Marm, viewers know you as that amewsing cat who dives into dumpsters, climbs up the family Christmas tree and curls up in your Humom’s purse. But then, this past October, everything changed when it was discovered that you had a tumor.
MARMALADE: Yes, I’m a fast eater and sometimes eat too quickly and vomit food back up, but then I began to vomit more furrequently and my human realized something wasn’t right. That’s when the vet discovered I had a cancerous tumor that needed to be removed immediately. We cats are very good at hiding symptoms when there’s something wrong. I’m lucky that my humans discovered my purroblem early on.
KATNISS: You are very furtunate. But I bet you were scared.
MARMALADE: Well, I’m tough so I did my best to be brave… but I did hiss once or twice at the vet techs even though I knew they were just trying to help.
KATNISS: How many rounds of chemo did you have to undergo? How many surgeries?
MARMALADE: Luckily I just had the one surgery that same night to remove the tumor… although I had to wear the dreaded cone of shame after for a long time! And I had around a dozen chemo treatments. Then I started feline better.
KATNISS: What a relief. I’m sure it helped to have the suppurrt of your family.
MARMALADE: Fur sure! My humans and big brother were all pawsome. They took care of me and fed me as much as I could eat, plus Cole gave me additional grooming sessions whenever I meowed for more.
KATNISS: Your fans sent you so many get well cards! That had to make you feel better.
MARMALADE: Definitely! It was so cool – I got online messages and drawings that were mailed to us. I really appurrciated all the love. I know it was a big help for my humans, too!
KATNISS: Your recent vet visit showed that you had successfully attacked cancer like a fuzzy cat toy and destroyed it once and fur all.
MARMALADE: Yes! I have a healthy appetite and my human is giving me supplements to stay strong and healthy. My energy levels are back to normal and I enjoy running around chasing Cole just as much as I did befur I became sick.
KATNISS: Cancer isn’t easy for anyone to go through. But a pawsitive attitude and fighting spirit seem to help. What advice do you have for others struggling with cancer or similar challenges?
MARMALADE: You’ve got to take one day at a time. Try not to think ahead and worry too much, because worrying gets you nowhere. Stay pawsitive and try and have fun everyday (and maybe indulge in some catnip).
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This interview is from 2015. Today, Marmalade is still cancer-free. He recently starred in the CatVideoFest. He is FIV+ and advocates for cats with FIV, most of whom are able to live average life spans. Please visit him on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.