Sometimes I just shake my head. So Sissy (my cat) is on thyroid medication. I have to go monthly and get it at the pharmacy but it is formulary and I guess only the University Pharmacy has it. I am okay with it because they have a drive up window. Last month, when I went to get her prescription, it was pretty slick but they said the name on the prescription was entered as Fister instead of Sister. They promised to fix it.
So the other day I called in the refill and waited the 3 days until it was ready (takes longer). I pulled up to the drive up window and sat a minute. No one came. So I pulled forward and pushed the button to let them know I was there. Still no one. I had to pull forward to push it and then back up. During this process, a car pulled behind me and another behind then. I sat patiently but after a few minutes, decided to call on the phone to let them know I was there since no one came. While I was waiting, someone helped the car behind me. But they can't leave because the drive up is narrow like a tunnel and no way to go around. So finally the guy came to help me at my window.
I asked him if I was doing it right and I was waiting and waiting but no one came. He said he didn't see me. I told him I have a prescription for Sister Redmond. And I rotted in hell waiting. He came back and asked if it was under another name. I said they had it under Fister Redmond (and I spelled it out for him just in case). Again, I was there probably 5 more minutes while he searched again. He said there was nothing under Fister, Sister, or Redmond. I told him I filled it just last month and it was little tubes of ointment that goes in her ear. He went to look again. Probably at least 5 more minutes he comes back and says he found it. I asked what it was under. He said it was Fister Redmond but he thought Fister was spelled Phister and he was looking under Redman instead of Redmond (although I spelled it twice). I paid my money and left and the cars behind me bolted out like they were being pushed out with a force. I seriously shook my head wondering how the hell that whole thing happened. Who spells Fister with a PH? And who names their animal Fister anyway?I am a little fearful with the guy if he fills prescriptions. "Did you say Oxycodone or Motrin?" "Oh I thought they said 16 a day instead of 3". There are many things here that kept with me long enough to want to blog about it.
The good news is Sissy is responding really well and although she doesn't like goop in her ears 2 X a day, she tolerates it and doesn't seem to give it much thought once done.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
My Little Girl Sissy
Since last September, Sissy (my kitty) has been losing weight. This is unusual because she was always the fatty of the pair of kitties and even was large enough she had a tough time jumping on things. But since September, she has been losing weight. In fact, she has lost about 3 lbs which is alot for a kitty. She is suddenly thinner than Baby, her sister.
After my March vacation, I took her to the vet to find out what was going on (although I was pretty sure I already knew). In addition to the weight loss, she has been scratching the right side of her neck and chin pretty seriously. A visit to the vet confirmed she had a thyroid issue and needs 2 times a day medication. They also gave her a steroid shot to help her scratching. It helped a little bit but it wasn't long before she flat dug the shit out of her neck. There are tuffs of fur she pulls out. And she had a huge section covered in scabs now which is pretty gross to be honest. And on top of it all, they called me and said her kidney levels are showing the start of kidney disease.
After much thought, I decided to go ahead with the thyroid medication since it is an ointment I put in her ear twice a day. I frankly didn't do much to address her kidney issue. She loves her Iams food and is a picky eater. I started feeding her wet food too. After 13 years, she finally met wet food!! First it was a treat for her but with my run of fosters, I have been giving it to her more regularly. Now in the morning,she begs for it right away. I guess in my senior years, I would want a steady supply of treats too. My choice is chocolate chip cookies please. Although she is scratching her neck like crazy, we went on our way for the past month. Today she had her follow up appointment.
They drew more blood work and we waited...and waited...and waited. Before we actually gave up hope, the vet, Dr. B came in to look at her neck. Her teeth look great. Her ears look good. She doesn't feel anything weird. But the scabs are pretty significant and there is fear there is a nerve issue or a tumor in there we can't see without some distress and significant cost. We waited long enough, her blood results were done. Her thyroid level is great which means I am a rock star at giving her medication on a regular schedule. Unfortunately, her kidney levels have increased meaning the kidney disease is progressing. :-( Unless I start her on kidney food (about $80 a month), she probably won't live too much longer. Maybe a year. If I could get her to eat the kidney food, she might have 3 years more. Of course, that is if there isn't a tumor in her neck. And what if she has a tumor? I draw the line at kitty chemo. Especially for a 13 year old kitty. And I don't know with her kidney problem if that would even be an option. I forces me to have thoughts and make decisions I really don't want to think about.
I've always felt like giving a pet a loving home is a great thing and while there is tons of things we can do to keep our pets alive longer than we probably should, I've always believed in a more minimalistic approach to medical care when it comes to my pets. I simply can't put my Sissy through extensive treatments that make her extremely unhappy, cost as much as my own medical care (yet I have insurance!), and decrease her quality of life. Suddenly, it hit me tonight that my time with Sissy is in the sunset period. Yes, she can live another year or two but that suddenly seems so short. And how can I navigate these choices I must make without seeming or feeling cold and heartless? How do I know what is right for her and keep her as long as I can but not feeling like she is sick, uncomfortable, starving to death, or sad.
I love my kitties but Sissy is like my baby. We've been close as close since shortly after I got her. Once she learned to trust me (remember they were feral and that is no joke with Sissy) and it took Sissy about 3 months to let me really touch her, we were best buddies. But now her favorite thing is to sit by me, lay cheek to cheek, and let me knead her belly. She will not warm up to anyone else. I hate to say it but I would miss Baby too but we just aren't as close as Sissy and I. Why can't this be Baby? So we sat at the vet and waited. We snuggled together waiting for the vet. Here she was in a scary environment with lots of scary noises but when my arms are around her, she relaxed just enough and purred for about 45 minutes - just because I was there with her with my arms around her.
We gave Sissy another steroid shot today. If we keeping giving them to her, she will get diabetes. So it is a balance. We will see if this helps her with the neck scratching. I will keep doing her thyroid ointment in her ear. And I am going to pick up some over the counter medications that will help bind to the phospherous in pet food to help her kidneys feel better. Hopefully that will help her. Of course, I'm going to hold her a little closer and love on her a little longer knowing she won't be here forever. At least I have some time to prepare emotionally and make sure she is happy and comfortable.
After my March vacation, I took her to the vet to find out what was going on (although I was pretty sure I already knew). In addition to the weight loss, she has been scratching the right side of her neck and chin pretty seriously. A visit to the vet confirmed she had a thyroid issue and needs 2 times a day medication. They also gave her a steroid shot to help her scratching. It helped a little bit but it wasn't long before she flat dug the shit out of her neck. There are tuffs of fur she pulls out. And she had a huge section covered in scabs now which is pretty gross to be honest. And on top of it all, they called me and said her kidney levels are showing the start of kidney disease.
After much thought, I decided to go ahead with the thyroid medication since it is an ointment I put in her ear twice a day. I frankly didn't do much to address her kidney issue. She loves her Iams food and is a picky eater. I started feeding her wet food too. After 13 years, she finally met wet food!! First it was a treat for her but with my run of fosters, I have been giving it to her more regularly. Now in the morning,she begs for it right away. I guess in my senior years, I would want a steady supply of treats too. My choice is chocolate chip cookies please. Although she is scratching her neck like crazy, we went on our way for the past month. Today she had her follow up appointment.
They drew more blood work and we waited...and waited...and waited. Before we actually gave up hope, the vet, Dr. B came in to look at her neck. Her teeth look great. Her ears look good. She doesn't feel anything weird. But the scabs are pretty significant and there is fear there is a nerve issue or a tumor in there we can't see without some distress and significant cost. We waited long enough, her blood results were done. Her thyroid level is great which means I am a rock star at giving her medication on a regular schedule. Unfortunately, her kidney levels have increased meaning the kidney disease is progressing. :-( Unless I start her on kidney food (about $80 a month), she probably won't live too much longer. Maybe a year. If I could get her to eat the kidney food, she might have 3 years more. Of course, that is if there isn't a tumor in her neck. And what if she has a tumor? I draw the line at kitty chemo. Especially for a 13 year old kitty. And I don't know with her kidney problem if that would even be an option. I forces me to have thoughts and make decisions I really don't want to think about.
I've always felt like giving a pet a loving home is a great thing and while there is tons of things we can do to keep our pets alive longer than we probably should, I've always believed in a more minimalistic approach to medical care when it comes to my pets. I simply can't put my Sissy through extensive treatments that make her extremely unhappy, cost as much as my own medical care (yet I have insurance!), and decrease her quality of life. Suddenly, it hit me tonight that my time with Sissy is in the sunset period. Yes, she can live another year or two but that suddenly seems so short. And how can I navigate these choices I must make without seeming or feeling cold and heartless? How do I know what is right for her and keep her as long as I can but not feeling like she is sick, uncomfortable, starving to death, or sad.
I love my kitties but Sissy is like my baby. We've been close as close since shortly after I got her. Once she learned to trust me (remember they were feral and that is no joke with Sissy) and it took Sissy about 3 months to let me really touch her, we were best buddies. But now her favorite thing is to sit by me, lay cheek to cheek, and let me knead her belly. She will not warm up to anyone else. I hate to say it but I would miss Baby too but we just aren't as close as Sissy and I. Why can't this be Baby? So we sat at the vet and waited. We snuggled together waiting for the vet. Here she was in a scary environment with lots of scary noises but when my arms are around her, she relaxed just enough and purred for about 45 minutes - just because I was there with her with my arms around her.
We gave Sissy another steroid shot today. If we keeping giving them to her, she will get diabetes. So it is a balance. We will see if this helps her with the neck scratching. I will keep doing her thyroid ointment in her ear. And I am going to pick up some over the counter medications that will help bind to the phospherous in pet food to help her kidneys feel better. Hopefully that will help her. Of course, I'm going to hold her a little closer and love on her a little longer knowing she won't be here forever. At least I have some time to prepare emotionally and make sure she is happy and comfortable.
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| When I am busy and can't told or sit with her, she likes to be in my clothes. What a sweetie. |
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Update from Dr. L
Last week, I had my 6 month follow up with Dr. Litton (my oncologist). Since I last saw him, he had a knee replacement and was getting ready for a hip replacement and then his other knee replaced. He said he was doing good but felt like he was falling apart. He is quite athletic so I am sure this is a huge adjustment for him. But he seemed to be taking it in stride.
So we talked about me. All seems well although I still have the mass behind my left ear. I am glad I can't see it because it is obviously visible. It hasn't grown in the last 6 months and the hard BB that was there originally is no longer there. So we decided to continue with out "watch and wait" approach. This is totally fine by me. I've learned how to live with cancer and have also learned that pushing to treat aggressively doesn't necessarily end in the best results. Slow and steady (yet prudent) is the way to go.
He was able to view my MRI results from the thigh MRI I had in March for Johns Hopkins. It did show a "mild increase in necrosis" and no lumps or masses (not a surprise since I've never grown cancer in my legs) which is a mixed bag. I'm waiting to hear from Johns Hopkins on what the Myositis specialist has to say. My non-medical opinion is that the increase in necrosis is why I've had a decline and an indication of the slow progression of my Myositis....which is expected. As always, I don't really let that define how I feel or what I do but it would explain why I'm struggling more and perhaps give me permission to cut myself some slack realizing this is out of my control. But I am ahead of myself and we need to wait to hear from Johns Hopkins.
So all is well on the cancer front. The muscles? Meh!
So we talked about me. All seems well although I still have the mass behind my left ear. I am glad I can't see it because it is obviously visible. It hasn't grown in the last 6 months and the hard BB that was there originally is no longer there. So we decided to continue with out "watch and wait" approach. This is totally fine by me. I've learned how to live with cancer and have also learned that pushing to treat aggressively doesn't necessarily end in the best results. Slow and steady (yet prudent) is the way to go.
He was able to view my MRI results from the thigh MRI I had in March for Johns Hopkins. It did show a "mild increase in necrosis" and no lumps or masses (not a surprise since I've never grown cancer in my legs) which is a mixed bag. I'm waiting to hear from Johns Hopkins on what the Myositis specialist has to say. My non-medical opinion is that the increase in necrosis is why I've had a decline and an indication of the slow progression of my Myositis....which is expected. As always, I don't really let that define how I feel or what I do but it would explain why I'm struggling more and perhaps give me permission to cut myself some slack realizing this is out of my control. But I am ahead of myself and we need to wait to hear from Johns Hopkins.
So all is well on the cancer front. The muscles? Meh!
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Visiting the flowers at the Temple
While Nola was here, we had a gorgeous Saturday and decided to meet up with Mom and Chuck and go see the flowers at the temple. We were clearly not the only people with this idea. There were lots of people there and several couples getting married and having photos taken. The sunshine was wonderful and the smell of the flowers were amazing. It was a wonderful afternoon!!! It was so beautiful and best shown and told through photos.
It really doesn't matter what religion you are. It was spiritual and beautiful and a fantastic way to spend the afternoon. I loved every minute...and was thrilled I could do it with a little help.
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| Right as we came out of the building, there were beautiful beds of pansies...that matched Nola! |
The Let's Create Expo
One of the fun things us scrap booker and crafters enjoy is getting together with other crafters and shopping. The Let's Create Expo brings that all together. Nola introduced me to an online scrapbooking group years ago. This year, several of the ladies decided to fly to Utah to attend the Expo with us.
We met up in the conference center bright and early on Friday. The line was absolutely ridiculous but it moved fast once the doors open and before we knew it, we were all sitting at a large table setting up our stuff. They offer specials for early birds and we all went to get in on the deals. For a solid hour, it was fast and furious shopping. Then through the day, there was lots of shopping. It is kind of fun because there are so many vendors and if you are doing a page and need anything, you can just go get it! And there was great deals.
At one point, they were calling out names and mine was one. I went up to find out the deal and I was chosen to play a relay race. We that won't work for me but I was allowed to substitute someone for me. Sherri (from Texas) said she would do it. She was a perfect person to do it and would have won could she have used the broken in case. But she won second and received a water cup.
It was really fun spending the day crafting and meeting these ladies in person. Of course, I love spending time with Nola doing anything anywhere.
We met up in the conference center bright and early on Friday. The line was absolutely ridiculous but it moved fast once the doors open and before we knew it, we were all sitting at a large table setting up our stuff. They offer specials for early birds and we all went to get in on the deals. For a solid hour, it was fast and furious shopping. Then through the day, there was lots of shopping. It is kind of fun because there are so many vendors and if you are doing a page and need anything, you can just go get it! And there was great deals.
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| Me and Nola |
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| Becky (from Seattle, WA) and Sherri (from Fort Worth, TX) |
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| Stacey (from Syracuse, UT) and Nola |
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| Me and Becky |
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| Waiting in line. Natalia (from Fort Worth, TX) is in the middle. |
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| At our crafting table for the day. |
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| Getting ready to compete |
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| Going to town and winning!! |
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| I want this crafters camper!! |
Princess Jasmine
Around the middle of April while I was in the throws of my bronchitis and feeling just flat shitty, Best Friends asked for anyone that could foster an adult kitty for a few weeks. No idea what came over me but I jumped on that offer in about 2.5 seconds. I explained I was sick as a dog and had no energy but the kitty could come hang out with me as long as it didn't need much. They must be desperate because they agreed and even offered to bring her and her supplies to my car for me since I was weak and my balance was off.
Jazzy has been with Best Friends since November. She came from Salt Lake Animal Shelter. Somewhere along the line, she had a mass removed from her tummy and had a pretty absurd and radical shaving. She is long hair so it looked pretty sad. And she had a respirartory infection and blood in her urine. She came to me completely dirty. Her fur was sticky with medication residue and she was not grooming. She was on 2 types of antibiotics and had just about had enough of them. In fact, she had an uncanny ability to spit it out projecting it onto my mirror. The left overs that didn't already slip out of her mouth would come out hanging out of her mouth in a string of foamy spit fangs. I kept at it though despite her protests. I was given wet wipes and a cat comb to try to clean her up but they warned me she was not okay with a bath.
After a week and a half, she was done with her antibiotics and hated when I came to see here because it meant she was getting medicine. Her hair was super sticky. And I had to gather a urinalysis and take it in to see how she was doing. Sadly, I got a call back a few days later that she still had blood in her urine. They decided to leave her as is as she was happy, not having accidents, and any further tests are invasive and expensive. So we settled in to learn to like each other. (And I got to work with my 409 and Windex to clean the spit medication from the mirrors, counters, and floors.)
After she finished her medications, she is clear to come out of the master bath so I opened the door and let her enjoy the bedroom without my kitties in there. It was a nano second before she was in my window looking outside at the sunshine. She is a sunshine kitty. And she loved to sit on the bed and be combed and loved on.
I did suggest we take her to get a haircut because her trimmed surgery spot looked weird and she was pulling out her hair fairly regularly (she is anxious and this is her chosen twitch). I did get a call that they found a place that would donate her haircut if I could take her. Of course I will take her! She got the cutest cut and was such a good girl through the whole thing. When I got her home, she was absolutely beautiful and happy. She looks so much better and smells and feels good so that is great.
Before we knew it, Nola came to visit. Nola bonded with Jazzy almost immediately. Jazzy was sweet with me but a snuggle bug with Nola. It was really cute to see her come out of her shell and love on Nola. It really boosted her confidence (Jazzy's.....not necessarily Nola's). Nola convinced me to let Jazzy out of her solitary confinement and meet my kitties! It actually went pretty well although we discovered Baby is very territorial and a bitch. It was so much easier to foster Jazzy with her roaming the house and she was a really good girl and never made a mess which was great. Jazzy was so sad when Nola left to go home. She looked for her for 2 days.
Sadly, it came time for Jazzy to go back to Best Friends. I took her back last Thursday and they put her right out in the colony room....which was full of adult kitties already. I think the hardest part of taking my fosters back is they give a look of disappointment because they have learned to trust me and think I am their forever home. I did go pet Jazzy in the colony room until it was time to go.
Yesterday, I went back to see Jazzy. She has settled in pretty well. They said she is super friendly. They can't believe how good she looks which is great. I took a comb and gave her a brushing and a pep talk. We snuggled for a minute and then we got her sassy confidence and strutted around the room visiting with other people that came to see the kitties. She calls out for pets and rewards them with purring. She is such a sweetheart and I hope she gets adopted soon.
They decided to adopt her out with a disclaimer about the blood in her urine. As a pet owner, you would never know she had issues and she is doing great. So it should be a non-issue. I will keep visiting her to comb her out and keep her feeling confident and social.
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| Meet Jazzy. I called her Princess Jasmine because she is beautiful and has a regal way about her. |
After a week and a half, she was done with her antibiotics and hated when I came to see here because it meant she was getting medicine. Her hair was super sticky. And I had to gather a urinalysis and take it in to see how she was doing. Sadly, I got a call back a few days later that she still had blood in her urine. They decided to leave her as is as she was happy, not having accidents, and any further tests are invasive and expensive. So we settled in to learn to like each other. (And I got to work with my 409 and Windex to clean the spit medication from the mirrors, counters, and floors.)
After she finished her medications, she is clear to come out of the master bath so I opened the door and let her enjoy the bedroom without my kitties in there. It was a nano second before she was in my window looking outside at the sunshine. She is a sunshine kitty. And she loved to sit on the bed and be combed and loved on.
I did suggest we take her to get a haircut because her trimmed surgery spot looked weird and she was pulling out her hair fairly regularly (she is anxious and this is her chosen twitch). I did get a call that they found a place that would donate her haircut if I could take her. Of course I will take her! She got the cutest cut and was such a good girl through the whole thing. When I got her home, she was absolutely beautiful and happy. She looks so much better and smells and feels good so that is great.
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| Fresh haircut and bath. She knows she looks good |
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| Jazzy the runway model. Look at her work her tail!! |
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| She decided she liked sitting in my drawers |
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| She took over my kitties cat condo |
Yesterday, I went back to see Jazzy. She has settled in pretty well. They said she is super friendly. They can't believe how good she looks which is great. I took a comb and gave her a brushing and a pep talk. We snuggled for a minute and then we got her sassy confidence and strutted around the room visiting with other people that came to see the kitties. She calls out for pets and rewards them with purring. She is such a sweetheart and I hope she gets adopted soon.
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| Jazzy in the PAC colony room. |
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