# the bird is getting surgery again **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 22, 2006, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686 "2006-08-22T01:50:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/1 "2006-08-22T01:50:37Z")
George the conure is going in for cancer surgery on Tuesday. I am worried, he has had cancer three times before, and he got by okay. But it keeps coming back. I am afraid to avoid surgery, because when we tried that he had a massive bleed from a tumor. If we just sit and wait, there will be more sarcomas, and they will be bigger. But I feel guilty when he comes back from the vet. I would feel worse if he died. He is louder than a preschool, nippy and high strung. He is also adorable and affectionate. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/2 "2006-08-22T02:00:15Z")
Poor baby, best of luck to him and you. And remember, that knowing when to let go is also a sign of love. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/3 "2006-08-22T02:01:36Z")
Sorry to hear about this. Hope he does well with the surgery. GT ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/4 "2006-08-22T03:17:49Z")
Thank you. You are correct,I would not try to force the little to stick around. He has had what looked like a stroke, chronic nose problems and an irrational fear of Johnny Cash. I am only having him treated because he is so obviously happy to be alive. If he was suffering, I would not try to prolong it. He has had a knack for bouncing back, and is extremely capable of expressing his emotions. ---
**Author:** ![tashabot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tashabot/32/6250_2.png) [@tashabot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tashabot)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/5 "2006-08-22T03:19:33Z")
Awwwww. I love birds. I hope he pulls out alright! ~Tasha ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/6 "2006-08-22T10:25:35Z")
I hope that his surgery goes well. I can understand why you’re so attached to him. I have a small parrot too and I know how much personality those little guys can have. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/7 "2006-08-22T19:37:01Z")
Awww the little guy. I hope he turns out alright and starts squawking his lungs out soon. (erm…I \*really \* hope he doesn’t have lung cancer.) ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/8 "2006-08-22T20:19:49Z")
He did not make it. He had hemangiosarcoma. The lump was sarcoma and clot and blood. The vet said he was already going. The surgery might have killed George bird a little faster, but he could have had another stroke, or hemorrhage and bled out at home anyway. My husband says he was worried all along. The cancer had spread more than we had known. If I had known, I would have just let him hang around as long as he wanted. Hindsight is 20/20, he may have been dead by now anyway and at least I got to say goodbye. I had him 12 years. In that time he has had emergency surgery to remove a cuttlefish bone he stuck up his nose, 4 nose infections (from scar tissue from the cuttlefish bone), 2 strokes, and 3 prior cancer episodes. He could lift cowbells heavier then himself, and throw them. He could type ( but had no concept of spelling, or even literacy. It was primarily a percussive activity). He was 15 inches long, and could bite 8 inch splinters out of a mission oak chair with one bite. He tried to put pizza in my ears and feed me mashed spiders. I miss him already ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/9 "2006-08-22T20:30:20Z")
Oh, I’m so sorry! A friend of mine had birds and I know what wonderful companions they can be. You are in my thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/10 "2006-08-22T21:05:21Z")
He was Jack Bauer and Chuck Norris in a parakeet suit ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/11 "2006-08-22T21:09:09Z")
[QUOTE=conurepete] Thank you. You are correct,I would not try to force the little to stick around. He has had what looked like a stroke, chronic nose problems and an irrational fear of Johnny Cash. I am only having him treated because he is so obviously happy to be alive. If he was suffering, I would not try to prolong it. He has had a knack for bouncing back, and is extremely capable of expressing his emotions. [/QUOTE] This made me sniffle and laugh at the same time. Give him some love from me. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/12 "2006-08-22T21:15:19Z")
[QUOTE=conurepete] I had him 12 years. In that time he has had emergency surgery to remove a cuttlefish bone he stuck up his nose, 4 nose infections (from scar tissue from the cuttlefish bone), 2 strokes, and 3 prior cancer episodes. He could lift cowbells heavier then himself, and throw them. He could type ( but had no concept of spelling, or even literacy. It was primarily a percussive activity). He was 15 inches long, and could bite 8 inch splinters out of a mission oak chair with one bite. He tried to put pizza in my ears and feed me mashed spiders. I miss him already [/QUOTE] This is what I want in my obituary. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/13 "2006-08-22T22:13:16Z")
I’m very sorry for your loss. We’ve lost a few birds over the years, some long before their time. Cosmo the cockatiel and Scritch the budgie are sitting on me as I write this. I’ll give them extra attention tonight on George’s behalf. Sailboat ---
**Author:** ![tashabot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tashabot/32/6250_2.png) [@tashabot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tashabot)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/14 "2006-08-22T22:36:51Z")
☹ Oh, man. I have got to stop reading the stuff that might be a tear-jerker at work. I’m so sorry. I know that when my parents’ cockatiel, Dexter, dies, we’re all going to lose it. He’s an ornery bastard, but we love him. I need to go over there and cuddle with him tonight. :.( ~Tasha ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/15 "2006-08-22T22:44:46Z")
I’m so sorry. My parakeet died more than 10 years ago and I’m clearly remembering what the loss felt like. Sounds like he was a great bird. ☹ GT ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/16 "2006-08-22T22:58:29Z")
I’m sorry George did not make it. Condolences from me, my budgie George, and my other budgie Martha (who is really a Martin). ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/17 "2006-08-22T23:43:38Z")
I’m so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something more I could say-- something that would magically ease the grief that you must be feeling, if even for a moment. But I know that there is not. All I can do is tell you I wish you the very best. ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/18 "2006-08-23T00:07:10Z")
Thank you. It does ease the pain. I miss him, but we cheated the cancer for four years. My husband had spent extra time with him this morning. George liked to have you sing loudly right into his head. Sometimes he would sing along, making a noise like a drain with a sock stuck in it. He really liked my husband’s voice, and on several occasions tried to stick his head into my husband’s mouth during a song. It was subsequently reported that conures taste like extremely elderly fritos ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/19 "2006-08-23T01:39:13Z")
Fritos?! 😃 Poor baby. But he had all that love and affection from you. I know that made him happy. ---
**Author:** ![tashabot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tashabot/32/6250_2.png) [@tashabot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tashabot)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686/20 "2006-08-23T05:13:10Z")
Birds are so cute…they sense when you’re upset and when you’re happy. My parents’ cockatiel is normally a total shithead to me but I went over there today all upset about this thread and he was so nice to me. When my fish died he flew (he hates to fly) over to me and cuddled me. ☹ I’m still really sorry for your loss. It sucks to lose pets - especially birds, because they have extremely distinct personalities. ~Tasha [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bird-is-getting-surgery-again/369686.md?page=2)