It is some comfort to know that. It was almost too late when I took my cat to the vet when he got cancer or some sort of digestive tract blockage. I still feel bad for how quickly his health fell at the end, but cherish the last night I had with him. Didn't help that I had to call the ambulance for my wife that night as well. When we have events in my family we try to get them all at the same time. My wife was fine, just wasn't a good idea for her to have a shower while sick.
Anyway, sorry for your loss. It hurts to lose a loved one.