Rassy cat & Howard, Sick with kidney failure Options

[Furkidlets' Mom]

Joanne,

Yes, best of luck on your surgery - I didn't realize it was coming up so soon! I'll write you again as soon as I get more time, but if it's before your med. date, know that my thoughts, too, will be with you.

And if you're not able to pay tribute to Pu$$ywillow on the 25th, don't worry - she and we will understand, and again, our thoughts will be with you on that day.

Yes, our lifetime's losses are so often mixed right in with each one's. It's not unusual, even IF we've done a good job of 'coming to terms' with each. I think it's just because we miss any and all of them...but it does add to the pain, unfortunately. But there's nothing wrong with remembering whomever. They all deserve to be kept in our treasured and heartfelt memories.

[anartist]

Hi Joanne,
As for how you go on, besides that you just do, I don't know. Neither I nor my baby Jilly [Jacky's sister] are doing all that well with it and it has been since mid September 08. We are trying to regroup and reshape ourselves without our alpha cat who took care of both of us. I have done a few other things that have helped me--I made a memorial to him--first on Facebook, then moving on to FLICKR. Reliving all the memories as I post the pictures feels so [painfully] sweet that I didn't stop after telling their story. I keep putting up stuff -- the story of Jilly as she goes on alone here in Washington DC -- and the story of Jacky's memories. He's beginning to become sort of like Max Headroom, alive in cyberspace and when I miss him too much I visit him there. The second thing that happened is I was found by other flickr folks -- cat and other pet groups abound and you are invited to join or can seek them out. Among the flickr friends I discovered was katzarella. A Dutchwoman who has several cats, constantly and beautifully photographed, and has them talk to the visitor, tell them what they are doing and how they are feeling [with a lot of poetic license]...They are happy and loving and mischievous and reminded me so of the happiness JackyJilly shared that I kept following them back in time and discovered the death of the beloved orange Fokke. I kept going back and and forward in time on the photostream and saw how they worked through it and evolved, then back in time to see their relationship with Fokke. The love and joy was palpable and the cat world katzarella shows people [and cats who look] is warm, humorous, and soothing, even if a few tears are part of it. They also made a memorial album of him.
Maybe creating will help, maybe looking will help. Here are some ways to see this.
http://flickr.com/photos/katzarella/225782...in/photostream/ takes you back to the announcement of Fokke's death -- from that point go either forward or backward to see what happens next or what came before.
http://flickr.com/photos/katzarella/sets/72157603899850894/ is the very loving memorial to Fokke.
and my JackyJilly set is http://flickr.com/photos/anartist_flickr/s...57607591185442/

My best to you all during this hard time.
Anne

[myhrtisbrkn]

Joanne,

Wishing you speedy recovery from your surgery. I hope all goes well.


Thinking of you and your kiddens,
Dayna

[myhrtisbrkn]

I understand how you feel. When Mack and Birga and I were alone in Austin, when Charles' Dad was ill, I worried constantly about what would happen to them if something happened to me.

Do you have a pill splitter...would that help with their supplements?

[Furkidlets' Mom]

Good idea from Dayna. I used a pill splitter all the time and for most (hard) supplements it worked really well and easily. It was the powders that were trickier, but I'd put whatever first, workable amt. I needed onto a little pce. of paper, then use cut that with a knife into the # of amts./mg. or whatever measurement I needed, then slide each portion off with the knife edge. This way I was able to make up several days' worth of divided amts. ahead of time, and just store them in those smaller-sized, segmented pill containers.

Do you think you might be able to do that ahead of time, Joanne? Like many of us, you need a clone of YOURSELF to get through such times!

What day do you go in? (if you'd rather not say, that's okay)

[Furkidlets' Mom]

Oh, Friday the 13th!!! WONDERFUL!! And I'm not kidding! No fearful thinking, now, remember and this is why -- I'll lend you some of Sabin's "13" 'magic' then! Remember, he was 13yrs. and 13 days old when he graduated, and a black cat, of course, so 13's are WONDERFUL day's now, and esp. if they also fall on Fridays! DOUBLE luck!! So just think of The 13th Ascended Master himself when you're being worked on!

Awfully glad that storm has passed you by, and that your sitter is going to lend you that support, too. Get some well-needed rest now, K?


........hee-hee-hee....and so without the use of your opposable thumbie, I guess you're even more CAT-LIKE for now, so that can't be ALL bad, right? And soon you'll start growing some lovely, soft fur there.......talk about one GREAT DNA combo.!

[Nemo's Mommy]

Joanne,

Let us know how your surgery goes tomorrow... thinking of you!

Rassy had toe tufts? How cute!

Hope your dear babies are doing well. I know what wonderful care you take of all of them.

My babies are all doing pretty well, too. Right now (it changes weekly) they really love the EVO canned food duck flavor... they can't get enough of it!!

Take care and give us an update after your surgery when you can!

Ren, Zorro, and Nemo's Mom

[Furkidlets' Mom]

Hi Joanne,

I know you'll probably already be at the doc's by now today, but wanted to leave a 'note' for when you're back. (was out last night so couldn't get here any sooner)

Try not to panic about Moose. It might just be an emotional thing. If you stop to consider how frantic you've been feeling lately, with all the arrangements you've had to make, it's not unreasonable to think that he may have been picking up on your distress - you know, like animals do, esp. cats. I know everything feels like a horrible concern, but just trying to lend another perspective here...even though it's kind of late to already!

That's AWFULLY nice of your clinic to offer to drop him off for you, though! Wow. Count THAT blessing!

And remember, too, that Dr. G. might be able to recommend a homeopathic remedy or two for YOUR post-surgical pain, too! (maybe someone could go pick it up for you) If you'd asked her earlier, she may have been able to let you know what remedies to even start taking prior to your procedure, as this is a common way to address surgery with the remedies, so the body is then already set up to begin healing afterward. If you can't get ahold of her right after and you happen to have them in on hand already, you could certainly try Arnica (and Rescue Remedy in FEs if you have that), &/or Hyperic*um. You'd have to ask your vet how to dose yourself properly, though, as acute dosing is different than constitutional dosing.

We used up to 3 dif. remedies for Nissa's one major dental surgery.....and the results were astoundingly effective. She had ZERO pain and was eating normal food just fine w/i one day (albeit handfed, as her body was still recovering and just tuckered out). At her recheck in a week, the vet was also astounded, as she'd NEVER seen (she said so, emphatically!) any animal's mouth heal so fast in all her years of being board-certified in dental work for animals. That's quite a testament to their efficacy! There are also, naturally, remedies to help with swelling and all sorts of other post-op conditions. As well, we'd taken her kidney counts beforehand (to check if she could even have the surgery safely w/o further harm to her kidneys) and......they actually IMPROVED afterward, all due to the extreme care we took with every part of the procedure AND the remedies given both before and after. All THREE of the vets involved were astounded, even the 2 homeo. vets!

So I'm so happy to hear that Lily's doing so much better! (but not that surprised, given her new care regime!) Yes, I remember clearly how, once we hit on the right remedy for whatever was happening at the time, Nissa could be suddenly running around like a total kitten w/i an HOUR or so of giving the remedy (after having been feeling SO down), and how gratifying that was to see! I witnessed the remarkable speed of giving the correct remedy many a time with her. Like night and day, and SO amazing to observe! I always felt SO darn grateful in those moments, knowing how WISE these other ways of helping the innate wisdom and miracle of the bodily processes to do their thing naturally were!

Waiting to hear back about your opposable thumbie and how you're feeling afterward.
Much love and healing thoughts for both you and your babies,
F.'s Mom

[LoveThem]

Hi, Joanne

Just a note to let you know we are all here for you, as you can see by your many replies.

Hope today's surgery turns out to be a breeze and when you can "talk" again (type), let us know how you are doing.

Hugs to you and your babies...

Judy

[LoveThem]

An update on Joanne:

Her surgery Friday was a breeze and she is feeling good. She will be able to take off her dressing Monday and wear a bandage and hopes to be back here Monday...typing.

She wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and is still feeding and pilling her babies in spite of ..right now...wearing gloves that aren't easy. But we all know how we "Moms" are, don't we? Nothing stops us from taking care of our babies.

Judy

[Furkidlets' Mom]

So glad to hear all went well, Joanne! Now more of US can rest easier, too. Yah, just take it easy and don't push yourself to write until you're feeling more back on track. You don't want to re-injure anything.

I'm also gathering that Moose is back home with you, so that's good, too!

[LoveThem]

Always glad to see you are back, Joanne.

Looking forward to more updates when typing is agreeable with your hand.

Hugs to you and all your babies.
Judy

[Furkidlets' Mom]

Thanks for the update, Joanne, and it's so good to hear you're healing up so well. Don't worry about rushing to get back to writing - gives us all a chance to practice patience!

As for Lily, the new plan might just be the ticket for her. You'll see if that's so in time. Dr. H. used to actually promote a day of fasting each week or two for reasonably healthy cats, as that's more natural to their roots (and digestive processes), where wild cats may only eat their full once every few weeks. So I highly doubt you have to worry about her "starving." Besides, if it doesn't go as planned, you still have Dr. G. to consult with. Remember, you're in the process of "peeling layers off the onion," so you have to have patience yourself, as well as perseverance.

With Moose, you may have to just 'make do', at least for the present. It sometimes comes down to making some concessions for each of our animals' individual issues. Don't forget, Nissa never would eat nothing but her raw food, and we had to work within those confines because having her keep her weight up (and in tandem, enjoy her food) was the highest priority for her overriding kidney issues. But at least she ate the highest quality wet food as well (plus her very tiny amts. of high quality dry, plus drinking plenty of water). As always, we do as much as we can and that they can handle at any given time. Sometimes the 'perfect' plan just isn't totally attainable by the time we begin trying to get a better handle on their chronic conditions. So try not to fret too much, and just take one day or week at a time.....just like we do with grief.

But I know it's also very hard to feel very settled and calm, when you're still experimenting to find the best possible solutions, and cures, if possible. It's hard on everybody, but eventually you usually find the most workable methods and then the routines are easier to implement.

Take care yourself, and use this time away from typing as a wonderful opportunity to spend more time with your beloved furries!

[myhrtisbrkn]

Joanne,


Hoping your memories of your girl are mostly, and overwhelmingly sweet today! I'm glad your recovery is going well.


Wishing you some comfort,
Dayna

[Furkidlets' Mom]

Hi Joanne,

Since I'd just passed my dearest Sabin's 9th Year mark myself, I 'get it' fully about how, although our grief has evolved, too, the longing always seems to remain a part of us. How could it not?...unless maybe we could actually really tangibly visit those other realms whenever we wished. And we all know that if we could, we'd be spending at least 50% of our days there!

Time is nothing but a construct, and so appears totally relative to our inner world. Thus, the feelings that can arise, making it seem like 'losing' our loved ones was merely a short time ago. The fact that our love still resides within our essence 'shortens' that linear time span to almost nothing...again, regardless of how our mourning may have actually moved since. In an instant, we can be right back where we were, and that's fine, when it happens. We get on with the rest of our lives regardless, so it's not as if anything has really quit moving, it's just that the past can ALSO reside right alongside our present. We sort of live in 2 worlds at once at these times -- light and dark -- the land of duality. That doesn't mean we haven't made any progress.

Many of us repeat ourselves. It's part of the whole process. And when one has had multiple losses to contend with w/i a relatively short period of time, it's even more common and natural to have to rehash things over and over, until more movement comes about.

So yes, it's more about the love that never dies and all the attendant feelings that go along with that, and the physical 'loss' of those we remain so connected to, regardless of that lack of physicality. The heart never forgets. Never ever, not if the love was true.

This is what we're all mainly here for, to grieve, to experience compassion, to work through our myriad of feelings, to use this place as a journal of sorts, to lend aid as we are able in whatever ways, to become more aware and to effect some healing. I didn't even get a chance to write about my darling Nissa 2 days ago on her 2.5 Year Angelversary, even though I dearly, dearly wanted to, and so there is much still 'stuck' inside. So I'm glad you could on your beloved Pu$$ywillow's 10 Year mark.

It's not self-absorbed, no....it's just grief. No one usually questions when a widow or widower still sits and cries , whenever, even 20 or more years after they've 'lost' their spouse. So what's the difference? Our love for our furkids is just as large and all-encompassing, and that should be respected just as much.

Thinking of you and Pu$$ywillow today, and honouring the both of you...

[nicole'smom]

Hi Joanne
I'm new here. I've been reading about your journey with Rassy cat. Your expressions of love for him have been a great comfort to me in my own grief for my baby girl, Nicole. Nicole, a tortie himalayan, died in the early morning of Dec.7th. Like you, I still long for my baby. The pain is still sometimes shockingly raw. Thank you Joanne for sharing your experiences with Rassy, Howard, Mew, and all your furkids. The warmth of your heart shines through your words. Special thoughts to you on Pu$$ywillow's 10th year anniversary.
Lynda

[nicole'smom]

Thanks for welcoming me here, Joanne - not only in your personal welcome to me just now- but the warmth and love you have for Rassy, Pu$$ywillow and all your babies feels like home to me.
Thanks again, yes, I'd like to share Nicole's story when I've been here awhile. She was a private little person. I want to honor that and be as sensitive as she was when I share my memories of her. Lynda

[LoveThem]

Joanne

You have said it all so very well (about judging, etc) that I can't think of words to add to what you said except I have something to add to this one thing:

Today marks ten years....Self absorbed, hardly not, this is about love that is the strongest bond of all.


I could only add "and lasts forever."

Hugs to you and all your babies and your Angels from me and mine,
Judy

[LoveThem]

There isnt any difference....that is to those of us who have come out of the tunnel and into the light of love and wisdom. For those who just dont get it, i guess they have to find their way out. They have to let go of the judging others and thinking they are so above the rest of us...who are still grieving. Those who judge dont understand that their judging is nothing more than a projection of how much they loath themselves.


Hi, Joanne: I just reread what you said above. If the Judges of our words reflect what you are saying and we know they do believe they are "above the rest of us"...is that why I see they are reluctant to stop and are contacting new victims rather than move on instead of creating more hurt than we already have? Because deep down they really do loath themselves? Even so, that is no excuse for pretending to be comforting while inside waiting for a reason to explode and ridicule. People come to a place like this to get away from people like that but there are no guarantees, are there?

I found some words from the Judge I thought interesting: "It is not acceptable for anyone to explode and attack another person no matter what is going on in their life. I would have to be willing to take a good look at myself before I could ever explode and attack another person."

Of course that was long ago whereas the "explode and attack" were recent. Hard to believe this is the same person, isn't it?

Well, venting helps...as it does with everything that causes pain. Thank you for being here for me. It helps.

Judy

[nicole'smom]

Thanks for your encouragement, Joanne.