Touching Base Tuesday

Hi pals!

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday! Mom is a little sad because it's her first Christmas without me in 15 years. Yesterday would have been my 15th gotcha day anniversary! It makes me sad to not be there physically with mom but I am keeping an eye on her and my fursibs from OTRB. 

Mosby is coming out of his shell! He's even hamming it up for the camera! 

He's also becoming a lap kitty which I know mom loves. 

Mia is still being a meanie and growling at Mosby but they are playing some and can now eat in the kitchen together. 

Glad to see my fursibs are taking care of mom. Well I gotta go. More anipals have joined me up here but rest assured we are looking out for our humans from the Bridge. We're always with you even if just in spirit. Take care pals!

Love,

Angel CJ

Portrait of CJ

A few years ago after we lost Cosmo in the fire, mom got a portrait made to have something to remember him by.

Artist BzTat created a special memory that mom cherishes so it was no surprise to learn mom had a portrait of me created to remember me by. Artist BzTat did the honors again this time. I think it came out purrfect! What do you think?

Purrs,
Angel CJ

Do cats help with anxiety and depression?

You may or may not know that September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Mom has a blog about Suicide Prevention. While she doesn't want to busy up my blog about the topic, she did want to explore one question here since it is Suicide Prevention Month. The question is: Do cats help with anxiety and depression?  Why would mom ask that question? You might be surprised how many people struggle with anxiety or depression or both. I bet you know someone who has at one time struggled or may be struggling now with anxiety or depression....

Mom has struggled a bit with depression since our fires in 2012. She's not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders or depression and sometimes both. Mom started seeing a therapist a few years ago and still sees her regularly. Her therapist says she has "situational depression" caused by the fires. Mom still occasionally has nightmares about fire. While they are few and far in between now, they are still scary when she has them. I used to cuddle with mom at night. Now that I am gone to the Rainbow Bridge I am not there to cuddle and comfort mom when she is feeling down or experiences a nightmare. That brings me to the question.... do cats help relieve depression and anxiety in their humans? Yes! At least I think we do and here's why:

Pets offer unconditional love and acceptance. We cats can help our humans by providing our unconditional love. We love our humans dearly and they love us back. It's a wonderful, uncomplicated love that we look forward to every time our human comes home and that we miss when they are away. Kitty love is purrfect to cure our humans of pain.

Pets offer a soothing presence. Research has shown that pet parents have significantly lower blood pressure and muscle tension than humans that don't have cats or dogs at home.

Pets provide a sense of responsibility. This can be a negative as sometimes just getting out of bed can seem like a chore for someone struggling with depression. However, feeling responsible for something (like the happiness/wellbeing of a furkid) will give your human purpose, which really helps in times of struggle.

Pets provide a distraction. Pets, whether us cats or those annoying doggies, are like riveting movies and books. We take humans out of their heads and into another reality for a few minutes or more - one that involves food, water, afffection, and maybe a head butt or 2 - for as long as we allow. Distraction is an effective therapy for your human. How can they feel bad or sad when you are head butting them or purring in their lap? Us pets trigger "feel good" hormones for our humans which helps them feel less stressed and happier than if we weren't there for them. Depression can sometimes cause humans to feel isolated. We help keep them from completely isolating by being there for them when maybe other humans aren't there to help.

Pets alter human behavior. Imagine this scenario: Our human walks through the door after a long day at work. A million little snafus happened throughout the day that we don't know about but has our human dangerously close to wanting to take it out on someone. We come running to the door and get tangled up in our humans legs, nearly causing her to fall. She kneels to pet us and a smile spreads across her face. Viola! We have altered our humans behavior. Now of course she doesn't know it's because we are hungry and that we are tripping her because our real motive is to get her to feed us. That's our secret! :)

Pets promote touch.  The healing power of touch is undisputed. Research has shown that a 45 minute massage can help our human decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol and optimize their immune system by building white blood cells. Hugging floods the human body with oxytocin, a hormone that reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure and heart rates. It's not surprising then that petting a kitty or doggie can reduce our humans blood pressure and heart rate as well as boost their hormone levels. It's so hard watching from the Rainbow Bridge knowing I can't snuggle with mom and she can't pet me. I loved my couch time with mom! Sisfur Mia loves to hug mom. It's so funny to see her wrap her paws around mom's neck. I wonder if Mia is hugging her or trying to strangle her? Hmm....

Cats (and doggies) have so many health benefits for humans. Since I can't be there for mom I am glad she has Sisfur Mia and Brofur Mosby there to take care of her! They better behave as I am watching over them! Sisfur Mia likes to hug mom and Brofur Mosby likes to hang out on the couch with mom. It does my heart good to see my fursibs being affectionate with mom.

Anxiety, depressiona and suicide prevention are serious topics. If you read this far, thank you! And because today's topic was such a serious one, I want to end this blog post with a funny....

Take care pals (and take care of your humans)!

Love,
Angel CJ

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Couldn't let Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day go by without remembering CJ and Cosmo. Miss my boys!

Mia update

Mia is doing better. The meds seemed to be doing their job as her eye is clearing up and she isn't sneezy much anymore. Mom is happy she is feeling better. The visit to the stabby place with Mia was the first since I went OTRB and it was hard emotionally on mom. She misses me so much (as I do her)! It's hard watching from the Rainbow Bridge when mom is sad. I'm so glad Mia is feeling better. Now if we can just get Mosby to behave! He's cute but he sure can be a pest to Mia. 

sifur Mia

Thanks for all the paw-sitive thoughts for Mia!

xoxo,

Angel CJ

Mia goes to the vet

Mia has been squinting a lot lately and pawing at her right eye so mom made an appointment for her to go the stabby place today. In true calico fashion (or any kitty really), she meowed the entire way there. She was pretty good when she got there though.

Mia at the stabby place

That is until they put the thermometer thingy you know where. I can't blame her for not being happy. I remember my visits to the stabby place and where they put that thermometer thingy. I don't have to worry about that here at the Rainbow Bridge though.

Anyhoo... back to Mia. Poor kitty has a Upper Respiratory Infection and Feline Ocular Herpesvirus (more commonly called FHV-1). Mom knew when she adopted her a few years ago that she had scar tissue on her eye possibly from FHV but she hasn't had a flare up until now. The vet asked if there is any new stress in the home. Well, yes actually there is Mosby!

Mosby at home

Mia and Mosby aren't exactly buddies. It's almost comical becuase Mosby is doing to Mia what Mia used to do to me. Chase! I didn't like it when Mia chased me and apparently Mia doesn't like it when Mosby chases her. Karma? Ok, I admit I actually thought it was funny at first but if it's causing Mia stress then it's not so funny. Stress is what often causes flare ups of the FHV and I don't want to see my sisfur hurting. Mosby - play nice would ya? I'm watching you from the Rainbow Bridge and want you to be nice to your sisfur Mia so she can feel better, okay! Mia has been started on pills and eye drops to combat both the URI and the FHV. She's not an easy kitty to pill or give eye drops to so mom's going to have a challenge on her hands for a few weeks. Poor mom.

Pals if you would keep Mia in your thoughts until she feels better that would be pawesome! 

Thanks pals!

Love,

Angel CJ

The True Tails of Baker and Taylor

Mom likes to read and of course she loves cats so what better book to read than The True Tails of Baker and Taylor! 

What a great story about how cats can help bring together a community! Who doesn't love cats? Okay, there are a few people out there who don't but we'll just ignore them. After all cats are good at ignoring humans! Anyhoo, I don't want to spoil the story but if you have read it you know why mom cried at the end. It was a reminder for her how much she misses me. She actually had to put the book down for a bit to clear her leaky eyes. :( I sure do wish their were visiting hours at the Rainbow Bridge! I want to comfort mom and let her know I am doing great at the Rainbow Bridge. I have met many friends including brofur Cosmo. The catnip is plentiful and I am healthy again.

Mom says new brofur Mosby is doing great and has adjusted to being in her home. Sisfur Mia is still being a brat and hissing at Mosby but it's improving. They can now be in the same room together without much issues. There is some chasing. Is it mean that I chuckle when Mosby chases Mia? I mean she did chase me many times when I didn't want to be chased? Karma? I look over them and try to tell them to behave. Guess they are ignoring me. Hmpfff.... Guess I'll have to be a little more verbal. If a kitty can be heard from Kitty Heaven I sure am going to try! These 2 need to get along! I'll keep snoopervising from OTRB to make sure they do.

Until next time... take care pals!

Love,
Angel CJ

Meet the new kitty

Mom adopted a new kitty from Wayside Waifs today. She said Mia was driving her crazy wandering around at night meowing. She thinks Mia probably misses me and might do better with a new kitty at home. 

Mom misses me a lot. She said I will always have a special place in her heart that no other kitty will occupy but asked if it was ok to adopt another kitty. Mom talks to me a lot. I wish I could talk to mom and say YES, It's absolutely ok to rescue another kitty! Or maybe the kitty's rescuing mom? Us kitty's help our humans through a lot. Since I'm no longer physically there I hope Mia and the new kitty help mom through her grief. 

Anyhow....  Meet Mosby!

He probably thinks his name is "Hi Handsome" as mom says that a lot to him. He's not as handsome as me but I can see why mom thinks he's handsome. And look at those paws! Mosby is polydactyl. He not only has extra toes on his front paws but on his back paws too! He'll need those big paws to keep Mia in line. She thinks she's the alpha cat. Mosby might have something to say about that! 

Mosby was adopted from Wayside Waifs as a kitty back in 2013. He was recently surrendered to Wayside for behavior issues. The notes on him said he was shy and would hide. Who would surrender a kitty because they are shy? Sad! Mom has a soft spot for shy kitties. She adopted me after all! Yep, I was a shy kitty but not quite as shy as Mosby. He does hide under the bed quite a bit but he also makes his way out and about. He's not afraid of Mia and because of that, mom made the adoption final today. (Mosby has been on furlough with mom this week to make sure he would be a good fit.) It will be interesting to see how well Mosby adjusts to his new home and how long it will take Mia to adjust to him. Mia is a shy kitty too and there has been some hiding from both kitty's this week. It will be a process to get these two comfortable around each other.

Will my pals join me in welcoming Mosby to the family? Thanks anipals!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

It's been almost a month since CJ went to the Rainbow Bridge. The pain of the loss is still very real.

Miss you buddy!

Love,
Mom

Meowing Diva

Mom says Mia is driving her crazy. She thinks Mia misses me since I have gone OTRB. She wanders around the house meowing in the middle of the night. This is new for Mia. She has never done this before. She certainly didn't do it when I was around. Mom says she is sniffing my beds. (I had some favorite things such as beds that Mia never really took a liking too and mom hasn't gotten rid of.) She's not really playing much either although mom did get her to play a little with the wand toy recently.

Mia the Diva

I have to admit that I never really was buddies with Mia even though she tried to be my buddy. (I was buddies with Cosmo and never really adjusted to Mia whom mom adopted 2 years after losing Cosmo in the fire). It sounds like Mia misses me. What's mom to do? I don't know if mom is ready to adopt a new kitty yet but maybe it would be good for Mia if she did? Is Mia just being a Diva now that she has the house to herself? Or is she ready for a new brofur or sisfur?  Looking out for mom and Mia from the Rainbow Bridge is hard!

One Word Wednesday

Cat's Prayer for Grieving Humans

Letter to CJ

Dearest CJ,

I hope you are running free and enjoying health and happiness in paradise! Helping you to the Rainbow Bridge was the hardest thing I have ever done. I have loved you since the day you reached out your paw to me at Petsmart.

December 26, 2001 I went with the Pottingers and Prices to Petsmart to pick out a new kitty. It was their Christmas present to me. You are and always will be the best Christmas present I have ever received! I walked through the kennels looking at all the kitties. You were near the end of the row. As I approached your kennel you reached out your paw to me. Although Jennifer was hoping I would choose the black kitty because he reminded us of a kitty we shared in college, I knew you were the kitty that would become part of my family. You had chosen me. 

I thought you were the sweetest thing. When we got home, the sweet little kitty went shooting out of the carrier and ran crazy throughout the apartment. I was so surprised I called you crackerjack. You know, as in the surprise you find in the box. CJ would become your name. 

Little did I know how much joy you would provide me. You became pals with brofur Cosmo and you two would spend many years watching bird tv, chasing each other through the home, grooming each other and fighting for nap time on my lap. You both were great lap kitties!

And then disaster struck... February 23, 2012 a devastating fire ripped through our home. I wasn't there to get you and Cosmo safely out. Brofur Cosmo never made it out but miraculously you did. I have no idea how you made it out but I do know that a neighbor found you and she lovingly cared for you until I arrived home. She and her husband provided life saving CPR and oxygen to you until you were stable enough to go to the emergency vet. They gave me a carrier to put you in since ours was lost in the fire. I drove as fast as I could to the emergency vet where they asked me the hardest question I would ever face... Did I want to save you? My answer was yes! It was the best decision of my life and I hope you agree. You were so courageous during your recovery. You were burned badly but yet were so sweet to the vet staff who nursed you back to health. You purred for me every time I came to visit, reassuring me you would be okay. When I took you to our new home I couldn't be happier that someone cared enough to save your life and you would be there for me during such a difficult time.

I struggled after the fire. I struggled with losing Cosmo, with losing everything I owned, with losing the feeling of safety. But I had you. Your loving purrs and head butts helped me heal. 

When you became sick earlier this year I cried. I couldn't stand the thought of you hurting. You had already been through so much. You weren't a young kitty anymore and I feared I would lose you. When I learned it was your thyroid I was a bit relieved because that was something we could treat. I got help from a lot of your pals so I could get you I-131 treatment for your thyroid. It was the gold standard of treatment for the thyroid. It was rare for the treatment to not work but for some reason it didn't work for you. And then you developed a sneeze. A sneeze isn't that big of a deal but yours wouldn't go away and that worried me. We tried several different medications. Each one helped for a few days and gave me hope you would recover.  But the sneeze would return until eventually it became a serious infection. You became feverish and no longer wanted to eat. I was so scared I would lose you and I didn't want you to feel so bad. You looked miserable but yet you still purred, still spent time socializing with me. I wasn't ready to give up on you if there was a chance you could get better. I began syringe feeding and providing fluids for you at home so I didn't have to take you to the vet for that.  To my shock and surprise you started eating again on your own. I was so happy. I thought that meant you were turning the corner and were on your way to recovery!

But then your eye started bothering you. The third eyelid became protruded. I knew that wasn't a good sign. We started you on meds for the eye but it didn't get better. Your sneeze that had mercifully disappeared for a few days was back with a vengeance. Although you were eating, I knew you weren't feeling good. I looked in your eyes and saw the pain. You laid your head down in my lap and sighed. I knew it was time to let you go. I pulled you up to sit on my chest so I could look in your eyes. I made a promise to you that if there was nothing else I could do to help you recover and it was time to go to the Rainbow Bridge I would help you. You stayed in bed with me for most of the night rather than go sleep in your favorite bed. I appreciated that because I knew it would be the last night we'd spend together.

When morning came you didn't care for any food although you did eat a few bites. I think you did that for me. You didn't need to sweet boy, but you did. Then you went to the deck door so I let you out. You spent time out on the deck enjoying the nice weather and watching the birds. When it was time to go to the vet you didn't want to go in to the carrier. I think you knew it was the last time you would go in to it and it broke my heart to put you in it.

Off we went to the vet. You meowed as you usually did in the car. You never liked car rides. But then you laid down and rested your head the remainder of the trip. I began to cry because I knew we were about to say goodbye. When we arrived at the vet we learned what I had feared. Your eye was dead, the infection had damaged it and was ravaging your body. You had lost so much weight and were very weak. The vet asked me what I wanted to do. I cried and said it was time to end your pain. He agreed and said it was the compassionate thing to do. It was obvious the infection wasn't going away despite our efforts. 

You meowed a few times but then climbed on to my arm. As the sedative began to take effect you wrapped your paws around my arm and laid your head down against my side. I couldn't stop crying but I fulfilled my promise to end your pain and told you it was okay to let go. I'm glad I got to say goodbye and that you hugged me as you took your last breath. When I last looked at you I no longer saw a sick kitty. I saw a beautiful boy. You gave me so much joy for so many years! Your courageous story of surviving that horrible fire touched so many lives. You were such a symbol of strength and courage! RIP sweet boy! Run free CJ! 

Love,

Mom

Gone to the Rainbow Bridge

Hi pals,

Thank you for all the love and support during my illness. I let mom know last night that it was time to go. I didn't have enough left in me to fight. She understood when I laid my head on her lap that I was tired and ready to go. 

I deteriorated overnight and although weak, wanted some deck time this morning. I spent about 30 minutes sitting outside watching the birds. Mom then put me in the carrier and off we went on my last car ride to the vet. I meowed at first but then laid down and rode quietly the rest of the way. The vet took one look at me and one look at mom and knew it was time to help me over the Rainbow Bridge. Mom cried. I wrapped my paws around her arm and hugged her as I took my last breath...

I hope mom knows she made the right decision. I am no longer in pain and can fly free now. Brofur Cosmo met me at the bridge. 

Please keep mom and sisfur Mia in your thoughts and prayers as I know they miss me already. :(

Love,

CJ

Visit to the stabby place

Mom had to take me to the stabby place again today. On top of losing a lot of weight, I now have an issue with my eye. Last week the third eyelid started protruding in my right eye. It looked fine (white and normal size) but was believed to be from dehydration. I hadn't been eating for a few days and wasn't drinking much. The vet had mom start me on sub q fluids at home. Unfortunately the eye has been bothering me a lot, is red and swollen so much that mom felt I had to go get checked out again today. Vet did some tests and it appears that I have a scratch on my cornea. Vet thinks my eye got really dry because of my dehydration and I may have accidentally scratched it when I pawed at it. It hurts me quite a bit. I have been started on a steroid drop that mom has to put in my eye every 2 hours. I will return to the stabby place on Wednesday for followup exam.

The good news is that I am eating again. Mom says she is very happy that I am eating again but I am a very sick boy and have a long road ahead of me. Thank you for all the healing purrs, positive thoughts and prayers! Please continue to think positive thoughts for me!

Love,
CJ

I ate brekkie!

Mom is so excited, I ate brekkie this morning! Is it coincidence I picked today of all days to start eating again? It's Mothers Day and while some might think furkids aren't kids many more feel very much that fur kids are kids. I still have a ways to go to full recovery but I'm glad my mom thinks of me as her kid. I'm resting now. All that eating was hard work!

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms!

Not feeling well

So things have headed in the wrong direction since my last post. I am no longer eating and really scaring the begeevies out of mom. She is now syringe feeding me because I refuse to eat. I am being a good kitty and letting her syringe feed me without spitting out too much of it. Mom and the vet are confused as to why I won't eat. My lab work is good. The thyroid level is a little high (5.2) compared to my last test so they are adjusting my medication. All my other lab work is good including my white blood cell count that was a little out of whack at last test. The other test they were keeping an eye on is my liver enzyme as it was slightly elevated last time but was within normal limits this time. My biggest issues right now are not eating and a snotty nose that doesn't want to clear up. The nose issue is actually why my vet and mom think i won't eat but that doesn't lessen the concern any. I am down to 6.2 pounds which is the lightest I have ever been. If anyone has suggestions for mom on food that is good to syringe feed me we would appreciate it! We are currently trying baby food because it is easy to get through the syringe and I am tolerating it.

Thanks pals!

Love CJ

Quick update

Hi pals,

Thank you so much for all the luv! Even though mom hasn't been responding to each comment left wishing me good thoughts she wants you to know she reads them and is so appreciative of the support! Just dropping in today to say thanks and give a quick update:

I have improved a little each day since last Wednesday when I scared the begeevies out of mom. I haven't thrown up since leaving the vet on Wednesday. I am on a new antibiotic which is helping. I am still a little sneezy but with no or little discharge. And what discharge I do have is not the icky brown stuff that was clogging my nose and bothering me last week. I am drinking water, milk and even eating a little food. I am more alert each day and have even enjoyed some deck time as well as some bird tv time while sitting in the window. I will go back to the vet on Friday to have my lab work rechecked and see what treatment option to follow at that time. 

Thanks again for all the positive thoughts!

Deck time on Caturday!

Hanging out in the window on Easy Sunday

Purrs and headbutts,

CJ

Update from emergency visit to stabby place today

Mom says I am really sick. She took me to the stabby place this morning because i was vomiting and not acting like myself. I actually hid under the bed! Mom says she has never seen me do that before and it scared her. Results from the vet so far:  I am running a fever, vomiting, have nasal drainage and an elevated heart rate. Preliminary results indicate an infection. Mom says we are making some changes to my medications including going to a stronger antibiotic and I was given an injection for the vomiting which my vet says has helped. He said I haven't vomited since the injection. I also have been given fluids because I am dehydrated. My thyroid tumor appears to have become more enlarged so blood work was done to see what's going on with my thyroid levels as well as white blood cell count. Mom will be able to pick me up in a little bit and take me home where hopefully I will be more comfortable. Vet says I am very stressed in the office which is also unlike me. I am usually pretty laid back and don't usually give the vet trouble with lab draws and other tests. 

Thanks for the positive thoughts and purrayers! I sure do need them right now.

Love,
CJ

Emergency visit to the stabby place

Hi pals,

Mom took me in to the stabby place this morning. I threw up my dinner sometime overnight and was throwing up white frothy foam this morning. I was very lethargic and even hid under the bed and wouldn't come out for mom. She had to crawl under the bed to get me out from under there. She called the vet and took me right over. We don't know any results yet as mom had to leave me at the stabby place for observation and tests. I know mom is anxious to find out what's wrong. I was actually feeling better over the last few days. I was eating and being more social. Mom has leaky eyes this morning seeing me not feel well when it looked like I was getting better. Thanks for all the positive thoughts, purrayers and hugs. Please keep them coming!

Love,
CJ

Another Update

Hi everyone, I just wanted to provide an update. I'm still not feeling well. Mom spoke with both my vet and the vet at Blue pearl today. Neither know why the I-131 treatment didn't work. One of the reasons why it doesn't work sometimes is if the tumor is malignant. My vet assures me that my tumor was benign so cancer isn't the concern. Given my thyroid value is very high and did not improve with the treatment we have 2 options. The first option is to wait a couple of weeks and retest my thyroid levels. Sometimes it takes more than the anticipated 4 weeks to lower the thyroid levels. If the thyroid levels remain high, Blue Pearl said we can try the I-131 treatment again. The second option is to start me back on the thyroid meds, along with a steroid and antibiotic to help with my sneezing, and re-evaluate in a few months. Because I am not eating and still sneezing quite a bit, mom has opted for the 2nd treatment plan. I have started on meds and hope that will start to help me feel better. Mom says I responded well the first time we tried the thyroid medication so the hope is to get me healthy again and then in a few months decide if we want to try the I-131 treatment again. Thanks for all the positive thoughts and prayers! Please keep them coming. I want to feel better soon! 

Thanks pals!

Love,
CJ

Update 1 month post I-131 procedure

Hi pals, I have lost 1.5 pounds since getting the RAI treatment (I-131) nearly a month ago. My vet ordered more lab tests per protocol after the I-131 procedure and we have learned today that the treatment did not work. Mom doesn't  know what the next step is. She will talk with Blue Pearl tomorrow to see what they recommend. It's so rare for the treatment not to work that my vet doesn't know what to do so he wants mom to talk to Blue Pearl. I'm not eating much and that concerns mom. Please continue sending positive thoughts and prayers that I feel better soon. Thanks pals!

Love,

CJ

Update

I just wanted to give a brief update. I'm about 2 weeks post RAI procedure and mom is about 1 week post surgery.

I will have lab work next weekend to see if the procedure was a success. I'm not eating very well so mom and my vet decided to give me an appetite stimulant. I guess it's working because I ate my brekkie this morning. Mom says I'm acting anxious though. She hopes it was the right decision to try the stimulant. I'm resting now after running around all morning.

Mom is feeling better and was released to go back to work next week. She has some restrictions but nothing that will keep her from picking me up and cuddling with me. Sisfur Mia is too big so mom has to be careful and not pick her up. That means more cuddles for me!  I've liked having mom home these past few weeks so I'm not looking forward to her going back to work next week! 

Thanks for all the purrs and positive thoughts pals!

Love,

CJ

My Turn

It's my turn to be caregiver. Mom had surgery today. It went well but recovery not so much. She doesn't feel good so I'm cuddling and providing healing purrs.

Thanks for all the positive thoughts for mom and me! 

I'm home!

I'm home from procedure! The folks at Blue Pearl took good care of me. They said I am such a sweet boy. Of course I am! 

I'll need some follow up lab work in a few weeks to make sure my thyroid levels normalize. 

I didn't eat well but they gave me an appetite stimulant and that seems to have done the trick. 

I used the kitty box first thing when I got home. I want to make sure sisfur Mia knows I am home to stay and it's my home. I just let her live here too.

I then had a little kibble and a bit of milk.

It's good to be home! Thanks for all the love and support pals!

Update- day 1 post treatment

Mom called to check on me today. I am in day 2 of my captivity at Blue Pearl. I had my Radioactive Iodine (I - 131) treatment yesterday. It went well but per state laws kitties can't go home for a few days after getting this procedure. I have to stay here until Friday or until the radiation level is down to a permissible level to be discharged to go home.

I didn't want to eat this morning so they gave me an appetite stimulant. They checked on me this afternoon and the stimulant must have worked because I finally ate my brekkie. I am being good and using my litter box which is a must before I can go home. I am bright eyed and alert. Of course I am, I am wondering when mom is coming to take me home! She can't come visit me while I am in isolation. I bet she is worrying about me. Don't worry mom, they are taking good care of me here! I am ready to go home so Friday please hurry up and get here!

Thanks for the continued purrs and kind words pals!

Today's the day!

Mom took me in for my procedure today. Here I am at home this morning. I didn't know when she snapped this pic that I was about to go for a car ride.

I should have known something was up since the carrier was in the middle of the room instead of in it's usual spot. I need to pay more attention to that detail next time and run and hide! Mom must have known she wouldn't get a happy pic of me at the VET. I don't like car rides and meowed the whole way there! And I made sure not to give a good photo op while there either!

I'm now at Blue Pearl. They are taking good care of me. Mom said they called her to let her know my procedure (I -131) went well. I ate some brekki and am relaxing in my kennel with the shirt mom left with me (so I can smell her scent and know that she's not leaving me here permanently). I am still having trouble with an upper respiratory infection so they have started me on another round of antibiotics. This is round 3. Hopefully it takes care of my sneezing. Mom's pretty sure the sneezing is why I am not eating well. So, hopefully that is under control and along with the procedure I will feel better soon.

Thanks for all the purrayers and pawsitive thoughts pals!

Update

Somebody tell mom she's not supposed to get sick just because I am! She's even losing a lot of weight. She said that's not necessarily a bad thing as she has some extra to lose but maybe she lost too much too fast (13lbs in a week). Turns out she does have a bad gallbladder and needs surgery. Thankfully she doesn't need emergency surgery as her tests indicated might be necessary. Surgeon said it needs to come out but not today. So.... surgery is scheduled for a week after my RAI treatment. That way mom can take me for treatment and spend some time with me after I get home before she goes in for her surgery. Then we can be healing buddies for a few weeks while she's at home recovering!

Thanks for all the purrs and pawsitive thoughts!

Radioactive fun...

So mom decided to jump in the fun and have some radioactive treatment today. She doesn't have hyperthyroidism like me but she's having a medical issue that required a radioactive isotope be injected in her today to look at her abdomen. She's guessing that "your gallbladder is full of junk" is not a good thing! She doesn't have the results yet but was told her doc will be calling her today. She's been in a lot of pain and is glad to finally be getting some answers. Sounds like surgery is in the near future. We're not sure how this is going to work out with me being scheduled for RAI treatment next week. Hopefully mom doesn't need emergency surgery and we can time this out so it works for both of us.

I sure appreciate all the positive thoughts for me! Maybe say some positive thoughts for mom too? Thanks pals!

Another visit to the stabby place

Mom made me go to the stabby place last week...

I am NOT happy to be here and I don't wanna get out of my carrier!

I was not happy to go and I made sure mom and everyone knew it! But I had to get my lab work repeated to verify the kidney function was good and not being masked by my high thyroid levels. I am happy to report that I gained 1.5lbs! I still need to gain a few more pounds back but mom and vet were happy with that for now.  And mom got a call from the vet today saying all my lab work came back looking good! So that means we are all set for the Radioactive Iodine treatment next week. Mom said she will be happy when I get that treatment because I am already showing signs of withdrawal from the thyroid medicine that I was taking. I am off it now per protocol for the RAI treatment and I am already experiencing lack of appetite and am picking at my fur. 

Tuesday March 15th can't come soon enough! Mom wants to say thank you to everyone for the kind words, suggestions about diet and for contributing to my fundraiser so she can afford to get me treatment. We couldn't afford to get me this treatment without all your help!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Relaxing at home after visit to stabby place.

Mom will post an update when I go in for treatment. Thanks for all the pawsitive thoughts and purrayers!!!

Medicine... blech!

Mom says I am the easiest cat in the world to medicate! That's easy for her to say, she isn't the one getting a pill 2x's a day everyday. Ok so maybe it's not every day for the rest of my life but it feels like it! (I have to be on that medication for one more week and then I go off of it in prep for my procedure on March 15.) Anyway, I hear I have to start taking a new medicine for my sneezing. Hmmfff.... I'll show her I am not an easy kitty to medicate!

I don't start that medication until mom gets home from work tonight so I guess I might as well take a nap and plot how I am going to keep mom from being able to give me that new medication.

Take care pals!

Starting treatment

Mom called the vet hospital and got me scheduled for the radioactive iodine treatment on March 15. Actually I'm only penciled in for that day as their computer was down. Thank you all for the support, purrs, prayers and green papers!!! Mom says about half of the cost of the treatment has been raised which is a huge help! She wouldn't be able to afford my treatment without all the help.

***Update: I am now officially on the schedule for the Radioactive Iodine treatment at Blue Pearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital on March 15. Their computer was broken yesterday but they called mom today to confirm the date and it's now in the computer. This wouldn't be possible without the help of my pals donating green papers. Every little bit is a big help. Mom is very grateful. Thank you so much! 

I'm starting on the anti-thyroid medication today and will be on it for 2 weeks. My labs will be rechecked and then I'll go off the meds in preparation for the procedure. I'm not eating much and still sneezy. I can't wait to start feeling better.

Please continue to think positive thoughts for me pals!

Love,

CJ

The results are in... CJ update.

Hi pals,

Thank you again for all the love and support and information about hyperthyroidism! I can't tell you how much it has meant to mom. She doesn't like seeing me sick and it has caused some leaky eyes the past few days but now we have some answers and can decide on a treatment plan.

The final results are in. My total T4 came back at 10.2 which is well out of normal range. The free T4 was so elevated it wouldn't even register a number. So, the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism has been confirmed. We had to wait on the other tests to make sure my kidney, heart, etc were okay. Those tests all came back good. Good enough that the VET actually said I had values better than a lot of kitties younger than me! I will be 15 this year so I am not exactly a youngster anymore but I have some good years left in me!

Here's my dilemma. Because of the trauma I suffered in the horrible fire a few years back, I would be better off going with the Radioactive Iodine treatment rather than the anti-thyroid medication. Although many kitties don't experience side effects from the medication, some do. Because I already have some fur/skin issues from being burned in the fire, it would be better for me to not be on the medication for the rest of my life and risk having some of those side effects. The problem with the Radioactive Iodine treatment is it is expensive. We got a lot of help after my fire and mom really doesn't like asking for help but in order for me to get the Radioactive Iodine treatment mom needs help raising the funds. If you can spare a few greenies to help me get my treatment please visit my You Caring page at:  https://www.youcaring.com/kathi-mckinley-s-kitty-cj-522940. Some of my international pals indicated paypal would be an easier way to donate so mom just went in and set up an account. The link is: https://www.paypal.me/KMcKinley.

Please continue to purr and say positive thoughts for me! I lost over half my body weight so it's really important for me to start feeling better and eating regularly again.

That might be tuna dripping out of the corner of my mouth. Tuna is about the only thing I will eat right now so mom is bribing me with it so I will eat and try to put back on some weight. 

Thanks pals!

Love,
CJ

Feeling the love...

Thanks to all my pals for the support and love! Mom is still waiting on some final test results before deciding on a treatment plan. We hope to have that news soon... possibly today but we thought that yesterday so we are trying to not be too impatient. In the meantime we are reading all the comments from pals near and far and really appreciate the information provided by those kitties who have experienced hyperthyroidism. I know mom will make an informed decision and do what is best for me. And we can't even begin to thank everyone for all the love, purrs and prayers! Some of my pals even have this cool badge on their bloggie for me!

Thank you! and I promise to have mom post an update as soon as the final test results are available.

Love,
CJ, sisfur Mia and their human

Preliminary results from stabby place

First I want to say Thank You for all the purrs, prayers and positive thoughts! Mom, sisfur Mia and I appreciate all the love being sent my way.

Mom got a call from the VET today and while we are still waiting on some results to come back, the preliminary diagnosis is hyperthyroidism. We will wait for all results before deciding on a treatment option. I'm almost 15 years old so we need to make sure there's nothing else going on before proceeding with treatment.

Any kitties have hyperthyroidism?  What treatment options did you choose?

Thanks for continued purrs, prayers and positive thoughts!

Love,
CJ

Visit to the stabby place

I had to take a car ride today to the stabby place....

Mom knows I don't like car rides so she bought me a new soft sided carrier prior to the trip to stabby place today. Here I am checking it out... not realizing I would be taking a trip soon.

Here I am in the carrier in the car. I'm NOT excited to be going on a trip!

But I haven't been feeling well so off to the stabby place we went. Here I am poking my head out to see what all the noise is about in the waiting room of stabby place. another kitty had just came out from seeing VET and was voicing his displeasure. I can't believe mom made me go there! 

I wasn't happy to see the VET but I was a good boy. I let them weigh me, take my temperature and take my blood. I was dehydrated so it took 3 tries to get all of my blood needed for the test. Ok, maybe they didn't take ALL my blood but it sure felt like it! 

I have lost a lot of weight since my last visit. So much so that the VET is worried I might have kidney disease. He also discovered my thyroid is enlarged so some of the blood he took will test for that. I was started on antibiotic to treat the inflammation in my nose. He told mom to try and get me to eat and drink as much as I will tolerate. She also bought a humidifier for home to help with the dry air that might have caused my nose inflammation. Otherwise, we wait to see what the tests say before deciding what next course of action to take.

Thanks for purr-ayers! Please keep thinking positive thoughts for me pals!

Love,

CJ 

Not feeling well

Hi pals!

I'm not feeling well. I'm not eating much and had quite a sneezing fit last night that resulted in a little blood spray. Mom says I need to go to the stabby place tomorrow. Can I get some purrayers that everything is ok?

Thanks so much!

Love,
CJ

This week's featured Waif - Iris

Mom's doing better about going in and volunteering at Wayside Waifs and that means she has a few new favorites. This week she wants to introduce my pals to Iris.

Iris

Iris is 3 year old tabby and quite a sweet girl. Wait, what? Well Iris just found her forever family. How cool is that? We were going to tell you all about this sweet girl but she's going home to her new family. Guess mom will need to be picked by another kitty as her favorite...

If you are looking for a kitty to adopt in to your home be sure and visit Wayside Waifs. Sisfur Mia is an alumn! 

Do you live in the KC area? Wayside Waifs has many animals that are brought in as strays. Has your furry family member wandered off? Check out the found pets page at Wayside. 

This week's featured waif - Sunny

Hi there! Mom has a new love at Wayside and his name is Sunny. Sunny is a very handsome red and white male tabby who is timid when he first meets new people. Sunny came to Wayside from a hoarding situation. Like many cats that come from a hoarding situation, Sunny is shy and will need time to adjust to his new family.  

Given time you will learn Sunny is an active 4 year old kitty that loves to play and enjoys attention. 

He likes being pet and even gives head butts. 

Visit http://www.waysidewaifs.org/ to learn more about Sunny. Or better yet, come on out to Wayside and meet Sunny in person. 

I like that mom's getting out to Wayside more frequently again and helping other kitties find their forever homes. Although I'm not a Wayside alumni, sisfur Mia is. Wayside does a lot to help kitties and woofies find their forever family!