12/31 Alex AMPS 212*Jackson Needs Some Help

Alex seems to be ending the year in a very positive way and I am just thrilled. I am unjinxing him I gazillion times as I write this because, I just hate putting anything positive in writing. It seems to always backfire on me. These last couple of months have been crappy for me and I have tried very hard to not let what is going on get in the way of my small successes with Alex and I think I've been doing a good job with that...even if I haven't been doing it in the 'conventional' way. Alex (UNJINX) is happy, he is eating well, he appears to have put on more weight and he is much more sociable than he's been since he was diagnosed. He even plays sometimes...limiting himself to what he knows his heart can take. I would be, and AM, ecstatic about this but in the background is the always dark and looming fact that my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer a little over a month ago and she is refusing treatment. How can you be happy about anything with that on your mind?(just a rhetorical question...I really don't expect answers) :-|

But, I keep putting on a happy face and trying since there is nothing else I can do. Make lemonade, right?

Early this week I woke up to Jackson limping.I'm sure he has arthritis. He was obese until he went on Alex's diet in Sept 2009..now he is svelte and stunning (which could also be from his hyper-t. ;-) I have been sleeping in the living room so he wouldn't jump on the bed, but nothing seems to be helping. It seems to be one of his front legs...but I can't tell which one. He keeps shifting the weight. This morning he could barely walk. At first I thought he must have injured something jumping(and hopefully that's what it is), but now my mind is running away with me and I'm thinking bone tumors. :shock: I'm actually shaking. Maybe it's just too much. I don't know. Anyway, He is going to the vet at 12 today and I hope you can spare some prayers that he is okay. He's hungry and eating so maybe that means something. But I'm sure he is in pain. he walks a few feet and then lies on the floor. This morning, he laid down in the kitchen and grabbed my hand as if to ask me to help him. He wouldn't even stand up for his pills :sad:

Back to Alex. All p's are in order and he and Jackson are taking their morning naps.

A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!! to all of my LL friends and your loved ones...beans and fur babies ♥♥♥ drinking24

Two Days Ago

sending you prayers and healing thoughts in a gentle storm for jackson.

so very sorry to hear about your mother, Caryl...wishing strength for you through this ordeal.

best of results at the vet!

celi & binks

Caryl: we're sending healing vines to Jackson and hope that he just has a little arthritis or sprain. Good that you are being proactive. And we're sending even more healing vines for your mom; we are so sorry to hear about this diagnosis but there is hope....people do survive lung cancer and we will keep her in our thoughts and prayers and you as well. (((Caryl))). Glad to hear that Alex is doing so well!!

Prayers and positive vibes for Jackson today at the Vet. Keep us posted. That is a really hard call about your Mom refusing treatment for lung cancer and so sad for you. Maybe she will change her mind; I will say a prayer for her and you, too. Hugs.

((((((((((((caryl)))))))))))))))
Sending healing vines to Jackson, and hoping the vet visit reveals something simple regarding his walking. I know how hard it is to watch a cat not be able to walk well, or at all. Really is heart wrenching. I suppose you are going to get some xrays? If it ends up arthritis is really bothering him, have you thought about tx's? Acupuncture might be a good option to consider.

Glad to hear Alex is doing so well, overall. Its been a challenging year for you. Im encouraged by your big heart and strong will. :YMHUG:

(((Caryl)))

My very best wishes for a Happier New Year, my dear. I'm so sorry about your mom - what a heart-break. And now Jackson. We are sending our warmest healing light to your entire family. Wrap yourself in it, dear Caryl, and know that we are all with you and Jackson today at the vet. Close your eyes and take a deep breath and you will feel our many arms around you hugging you tight.

(((Caryl))) I'm so sorry for your mom. Sending healing vines and prayers for Jackson. Glad Alex is doing good.. Take care of yourself too. :YMHUG:

Prayers for you, your family, and those beautiful boys of yours.

MJ&Donovan&Butthead

(((Caryl))) I am so sorry that you are going through all this....but maybe the vet visit will shed some light on Jackson's issues.
Hoping that all will be fine with him... Alex's report was so good and I am so happy to hear that he is doing so well!

Sending prayers for your Mother...and hugs to you both.... :YMHUG: :YMHUG: My DSIL is dealing with that for a couple of years now.....we just went up to NY to be with her for Christmas Eve....she had an operation and has been going through chemo. It is a very though situation....you are in my thoughts and prayers....

((((((((Caryl))))))) Sending hugs and good thoughts for you and Jackson and your mom. I know you aren't looking for advice, but I hope you don't mind if I add about sharing memories and not dwelling on regrets. I lost my Dad last December after a diagnosis. He was given three weeks but we had six. Every single day was a gift. I am wishing she has lots more time with you, and that it is quality time.

I am wishing its something minor with Jackson. I'll be watching for updates. (((((Jackson))))

Jackson back from the vet

well it just figures that when I took Jackson to the vet he hardly limped at all. The vet could tell that there was something wrong and that his legs were 'stiff' and he did believe it when I said he could hardly walk this morning because I've been telling him all week....but he said that adrenaline was pumping him up and making him scoot around the room. Vet said that he definitely doesn't have any fractures because if he did it would have made him REALLY cry when he manipulated his legs. He didn't feel anything 'unusual' anywhere.(In his paws, legs, neck or back. He said front leg pain can be caused by the neck...) which leads him to believe that he must have hurt himself somehow or another and he may be doing it repeatedly ie jumping just hard enough to keep hurting himself. I asked him to take x-rays but he said he didn't know what to x-ray at this point. (It is weird because sometimes Jackson limps on his left front leg and sometimes on his right. I was sure it was his left last night...) :?

Vet gave him prednisone to take for 6 days (yeah I know and he knows but he wants to see if there is inflammation that needs to go away so he'll stop limping. And Jackson's blood glucose was 76 a few days ago-I take it once a month). Hopefully the pred will work and make him feel better but not so good that he'll start jumping all over the place. I started him on Cosequin this week as well.

I took him for a little ride with me after the vet because I needed to go to the Post Office(which was closed)and Jacky kept trying to tell me something but I thought he just wanted to go home and I kept telling him 'soon soon little monkey'. when we got home, I saw what he meant..he peed himself and I felt so bad. And of course, for ME..he is back to limping..BADLY..again. *sigh* :YMSIGH:

so I am still worried. nailbite_smile

Jackson and I thank you so much for the wishes. I'm keeping them with me while he's on the prednisone

If it is arthritis, you could talk with your vet about using Cosequin. It's a glucosamin/chondroiten capsule that you dump into food. I'd just want to make sure it's ok for him to take with his other meds.

Karrie and Maverick said:

((((((((Caryl))))))) Sending hugs and good thoughts for you and Jackson and your mom. I know you aren't looking for advice, but I hope you don't mind if I add about sharing memories and not dwelling on regrets. I lost my Dad last December after a diagnosis. He was given three weeks but we had six. Every single day was a gift. I am wishing she has lots more time with you, and that it is quality time.

I am wishing its something minor with Jackson. I'll be watching for updates. (((((Jackson))))

Click to expand...

I wish it could be quality time too but my mom can't walk. she broke both hips in the last 4 years and she never really recovered. All of the women in my family are hypochondriacs-I mean we don't have any aversions to going to the doctor(to put it mildly)and we certainly go for well visits...but my mom never did. She always hated doctors and since my dad died 30 years ago and no one forced her to go to the doctor, she just stopped taking care of herself. No HRT, no calcium....that is why she broke both hips. And that is why she is refusing treatment. She doesn't want to go through all of that to buy herself maybe another year of living in a nursing home because she's immobile. She said if she were younger there would be no question that she would have the chemo...but it's a QOL issue and she is begging me to understand. In my head I do but I'm having trouble reconciling this whole thing in my heart. I honestly don't think she's even strong enough physically to go through chemo..either does her doctoer. It would be torture.

The whole thing is very depressing...and this NYE SUCKS because I already feel that next year is not going to be good. (I can only imagine how my mom feels) What a crummy way to start a new year. I don't even know what to say to her..'have a happy and healthy new year"? that sounds kind of stupid, doesn't it?

I am so sorry for going off like this...it all just occurred to me :cry:

((((Caryl)))))

Sienne and Gabby said:

If it is arthritis, you could talk with your vet about using Cosequin. It's a glucosamin/chondroiten capsule that you dump into food. I'd just want to make sure it's ok for him to take with his other meds.

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure he's got arthritis anyway.I started him on Cosequin this week. I have been thinking about using it for Alex's bladder but hadn't started. Vet told me to start using it for Jackson this week. He really isn't on very much medication. I have been splitting one capsule between two meals.
Thanks

Happy New Year!

Is he on Prednisone or Prednisilone? (Spelling). Hope it works for him. If it is arthritis you could also try some other things. A few of us have cats with arthritis and it seems the treatment plan they've been recommended is similar. Maverick has baby steps all over the house. And he uses them. His arthritis was gradual. But he seeks out the stairs to go down too. My husband made them and carpeted them so they are very sturdy. He built Maverick raised feeding stations so he didn't have to crouch. We had to block off areas that he tried to access that he could hurt himself on.

((((((((((Caryl)))))))))) Sending more hugs. Its very hard to go through this. Unfortunately you are starting the grieving process early when you know. We are all here for you. This group is like a second family in such a short period. Your mom is probably thinking the same thing about NY. But she is still here You could say you are glad she is still with you and that's a great way for you to start your new year. You will get through this together. Wish I could give you a real hug.

awwwww, Jackson! (((((((((Caryl)))))))))

Latte had the adrenalin rush thing going on the first time she lost her ability to walk, and a few times prior when I thought she was walking funny.

Im not sure why they cant take an xray of both front legs? If you suspect arthritis, its always good to have an xray with a baseline, so you can see if there is any progression as time goes on. Maybe next week you could try again?

I hope if its immflamation the pred helps. Does he have a heart condition, tho? OR am I confusing him with Alex (sorry).

Enjoy your NYE, however you choose to spend it. drinking24

carolynandlatte said:

awwwww, Jackson! (((((((((Caryl)))))))))

Latte had the adrenalin rush thing going on the first time she lost her ability to walk, and a few times prior when I thought she was walking funny.

Im not sure why they cant take an xray of both front legs? If you suspect arthritis, its always good to have an xray with a baseline, so you can see if there is any progression as time goes on. Maybe next week you could try again?

I hope if its immflamation the pred helps. Does he have a heart condition, tho? OR am I confusing him with Alex (sorry).

Enjoy your NYE, however you choose to spend it. drinking24

Click to expand...

If it doesn't get better he will have x-rays next week. He does have a heart condition(a grade 2ish murmur) but not like Alex. He has everything that Alex has except for diabetes (knock wood and Unjinx Unjinx) why do you ask?

Hey (((((Caryl))))) I'm just giving you a big hug. Because I'm better with feelings than with words.

Hi Caryl...just dropping in to say hello and saw that you are having a rough time of it. I am very sorry to hear that you are going through this, but remember that you aren't alone! We are all here to support you!
I hope that you have a Happy New Years, regardless!

hang in there. HAPPY NEW YEAR