Health and Sanity Check-Ins

[sprocketta]

Things are crazy now. I think we are all trying to stay healthy and maintain sanity as well. I thought I would start this thread so folks can check in and discuss how they're doing. I want all my BIC friends to be okay. I will kick this off with a first post. Take care of yourself lovelies.

[itscarin]

@Titian06 @Thanks, I appreciate it. 

[niki172]

I just wanted to pop in real quick and give everyone an update on my kitty. His labs sadly came back worse than what they were before. He also has an uptick in his white blood cell count so my vet had me bring him in to get an antibiotic shot. On the bright side he has gained a little bit of weight which is greatly needed. At this point we can only hypothesis what may be going on with him as things like exploratory surgery or a bone marrow punch is out of the question as there is a good chance he would not survive such a procedure (nor would I put him through that). She's hoping maybe he has an infection of sorts that's destroying the red blood cells and that the shot will help him. A change of his diet is currently going on and we may change his medication as well. What hurts so bad about all of this is that he's still acting like he's fine. Yes he has arthritis but he's 18 so that's par for the course. I know cats hide illnesses well, but his lab work is so confusing. If I could please ask for your continued prayers/good thoughts for clarity on what is going on and how best to treat him/help guide my vet in the right direction for care I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd understand if he was more aloof, not tending to his fur, etc but he's just acting like he normally does. I just want what's best for him and for him to be comfortable - that's the biggest thing I want is quality of life for him. I love him so much I just wish he could tell me what he needs.

[Sunnysmom]

Oh man @niki172 my heart hurts for you so badly and I empathize with what you’re dealing with, it’s just so so hard. The price of the love for them is very tough isn’t it. He knows how much care and love you’re giving him for sure. Maybe it’s a blessing they act so normal and just live in the moment too. Big hug to you. 🤗😘

[niki172]

@Sunnysmom I'm not sure who said it but the quote goes "Grief is the price we pay for love." I mean that pretty much sums up life doesn't it? My littlest one got into a freak accident tonight (he's perfectly fine) but he got caught up in a long electrical cable that I didn't even know he could get to as it's a celling light fixture and I just thank God that my husband was home to help get him out of it (his height and also his calm demeanor was what I needed desperately). I was screaming for a pair of scissors as I was 1000% freaked out trying to get him loose. Later on he informed me that there was a chance that I would have electrocuted myself which I didn't think about nor did I really care about. He fixed it so that the cable is up now and we moved a coffee table so he (the kitten) doesn't have a launch pad anymore. This whole week coupled with me having migraines the last 3 days I'm done with officially. What I would give for some good news from somewhere or someone would be greatly appreciated. I mean someone I know could win $5 and I would be so happy for them. So much bad news this week from so many of my family members *sigh* maybe I need to go look at the haul thread and live vicariously thru people 💙.

[Sunnysmom]

Oh man @niki172 you are going through it. Wow. I’m so sorry for your headaches too. You need that “Calgon take me away “ moment for sure. So thankful YOU are ok. Good grief. (That’s an odd funny phrase too if you think about it right. ) Yup that’s the quote. 😢 It’s so fitting too many times sadly. Buddy says he would love to come and give a proper sized hug to his Auntie Niki about now. Tho your kitties would have nothing to do with him I’m sure!! Hang in there. My first thought tho it would mess with your headaches- WINE!! Nope. 

[sprocketta]

@niki172 Your poor little guy. I hope he improves. I know from personal experience the difficulty of medical treatment in an older pet and quality of life. I am keeping you guys in my thoughts.

[lmaster]

Awwwww @niki172 🙏❤️ 

[pocketvenus]

@niki172 I hope his normal behaviour means he's not suffering. Hang in there! Sending more healing vibes ✨ 

[tsavorite]

@niki172 ,

I'm sending you and your kitty my best wishes and sending prayers on your behalf. I think it's a good thing that your kitty is gaining weight and acting normal. I have lots of empathy for what you are going through.  We who love our pets all get to take turns going through situations like this.  Enjoy the good moments and the good days!

[FullCoverageBB]

@niki172, sending love and prayers for you and your kitty. Stay strong. 

[Titian06]

@niki172 - Thank you so much for your update!  You and your kitty are still in my thoughts (((HUG)))  (((SCRITCH, SCRITCH)))  I think the best thing is he is acting himself.  My cat, Titian (yes, that's who I'm named after, in her memory) had renal failure.  I gave her IVs every day, took her to a clinic over an hour away every two weeks, and she had 3 blood transfusions.  The best decision I ever made!  After each transfusion, she was "her old Titian self" (my description).  She lived for 9 more months!  But one day she told me it was time.  It just happened we had an appointment scheduled at the clinic that day for her fourth transfusion,  but I knew it would not help.  I had her euthanized instead.  Your kitty may not be able to tell you exactly what's wrong, but he'll let you know when it's time.  I've had 5 cats; 4 of them told me--No. 5 is 15 and doesn't show any signs of slowing down!  I'm sure he'll tell me too, but I can't worry about that.  I want to enjoy the time we have left!  You do the same!  😘

[niki172]

@Titian06 I've thought about asking for a transfusion but I'm not sure if my vet offers it. I know my one cat that's 3 years old could be a donor as he's healthy. It may be something I ask her about before our next visit. I do the fluids as well, but since he has such little body fat it's hard to get the subq in there. Whenever I take him in they give him fluids for me. As his kidneys are still in good shape according to labs I'm focused on trying to get his red count up and also his weight. BJ is cat number 2 for me - my first kitty thankfully passed away at home, but I saw the signs for a few months. He lived to be 17 and BJ is almost/is 18. I know I've given him a good and wonderful life - it's just really hard to let go as you know well.

[SportyGirly125]

@niki172 Sending prayers your way.

[eshoe]

Thank you for the update, @niki172. I am keeping up hope and prayers for your little kitty. And for you, this must be hard on you. I wish they could talk, it would make so many things that much easier! Then again, it is the quiet companionship that makes them so special. Hugs 🤗 

[FullCoverageBB]

My boyfriend had to break up with me last night. He said it was because he didn't like sneaking behind his parents' back and dating me. Honestly, I cried so dang hard. I would love some prayers/virtual hugs right now. 

[sprocketta]

@FullCoverageBB Sorry you’re going through this. You’re better off not being in that kind of situation. I was in a relationship with a guy was keeping me a secret from his parents. It’s just painful and stressful.

[lmaster]

@FullCoverageBB sweet beauty,, if you have to sneak around,,, it's not meant to be, you will be treated better in time lovely!! Until then, keep your head up and know, you are worth more

[FullCoverageBB]

@lmaster, thank you so much. His parents have quite..unusual rules when it comes to dating. So that's why we had to sneak around. But it did suck that we couldn't do anything a "normal" teen couple could. 

[Sunnysmom]

Oh so painful @FullCoverageBB , we’ve all been there and it hurts so badly! I’m so sorry. Hugs to you! Keep playing with all the makeup. It’ll help! And he’ll see what he missed out on all the more too. 😘🤗🥰 

[FullCoverageBB]

@Sunnysmom, that means so much. Thank you!! ❤️ ❤️ 

[pocketvenus]

@FullCoverageBB I'm sorry you're going through this, please take care of yourself!