11/5 Alex AMPS 254 PMPS 314

Hello out there in LL Happy Caturday ad Daylight Savings Time Day!

I haven't posted in a loooong time I know. I have had several relapses back into the land of grief, I have been in the process of deciding whether to accept a new job offer which was very stressful to me... and working . Not to mention my stress related ailments(oops I mentioned them) :roll:

But I wanted to let you all know how Alex is doing since you all are such a large part of the reason he is doing so well (unjinx unjinx)!

I took him for bloodwork last week and the only negative think was that his BUN was slightly elevated at 50. His thyroid was at 1.42 so the Tap is doing it's job for now (unjinx). He still tends to have loose stools if he is off Flagyl for longer than a few days but I guess that could be because he is on so much medication.
He was having a bad problem with a tooth after his vet visit because vet removed some plaque and when he did the tooth became very loose. And it started hurting him. And Alex stopped eating very much even though he was very hungry. Vet thought that it was not loose enough to pull though and the next step was going to be having it removed under anesthesia because he couldn't live like that. Alex has HCM and anesthesia is not a very good idea for him so I was not really happy with this but quality of life is important to me for my guys also so....

Anyway I brought him back to vet yesterday and he looked at tooth and it was looser and he said he is doing so well and he doesn't want to have him anesthetized and would I please leave the room for a minute. :shock: Okay..I had to trust him. I had tears rolling down my face and in less than a minute he called me and said "it's done" "it's out and Alex didn't make a sound". I walked back in and my little guy was just FINE! As a matter of fact his mouth hurt more when vet touched it with the tooth in than when he held gauze against the bleeding. He did give him lidocaine first and the tooth was looser than he thought as it just came right out. Alex got bupe last night (didn't really need it), is on Clindamycin and is eating SO MUCH Better already. I'm telling you..this little guy is my hero cat_pet_icon

Of course Jackson is jealous now so I gotta do some damage control cat_pet_icon cat_pet_icon

Alex and Jackson just had a big breffis and are taking their morning snoozle. All p's are in order and Alex is wearing his puddly pants for sure today !
So many kitties are doing so well..I will drop by condos later!

Have a great Caturday everyone!

xoCaryl, Alex and Jackson

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Hi Caryl,

It always good to see an Alex (and Jackson) update! Glad to hear they are both doing well....and that you are OK. Miss seeing you around here.....take care!

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Hi, guys!!!

this condo gets my vote for "Feel Good Condo of the Day!"

it's shocking how long grief lingers, isn't it?
my heart goes out to you, Caryl...mourning is a long and draining process..

I hope the job offer is one you want...

much love to you, alex & jackson
from binks and me

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Sherry & Zoe said:

Hi Caryl,

It always good to see an Alex (and Jackson) update! Glad to hear they are both doing well....and that you are OK. Miss seeing you around here.....take care!

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Thanks, Sherry. Thanks for stopping by. Life for me as I knew it has changed drastically and getting myself to do things like even post has been hard.
Thanks for missing us..we have missed you too!

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

I was so happy to see your post today, we all missed you. I hope things will get better and better for you. Good luck w/ the new job! :thumbup

I'm sure Alex is so relieved to be rid of that tooth.

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Hi Caryl, Alex and Jackson,
I echo all of the sentiments above. It is good to see a condo for Alex and to hear that he is doing well. How great that the tooth wasn't a problem! Good luck with the job, and hope to see you here again soon.

Enjoy the evening,

Ella & Rusty

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

mybuddybinks said:

Hi, guys!!!

this condo gets my vote for "Feel Good Condo of the Day!"

it's shocking how long grief lingers, isn't it?
my heart goes out to you, Caryl...mourning is a long and draining process..

I hope the job offer is one you want...

much love to you, alex & jackson
from binks and me

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Hi you!

I'm glad my Condo made you feel good! It's amazing how difficult it was for me to write. It is shocking how grief lingers and grabs at you when you least expect it... yet I'm not surprised in my case. I live alone. When I lost power last week I kept expecting my mom to call and ask how I was but...then I would remember. These are the times that are the hardest for me. My mom will not leave quietly although I know that's what she wanted. I have been afraid of her dying since I was 5 when I made her promise me every night that she wouldn't die until I didn't need her anymore and that time never came so this is just very painful and difficult for me...as juvenile as this might sound. I have a brother who lives close by but he is married and has a teenager so there is only so much time I can spend with them. Alex and Jackson have become even more important to me than they were if that is possible...lol. Sometimes my loneliness is palpable. I miss my mom every day. I'm trying to bring myself around to the world again I guess it will be in baby steps....like this.

I am declining the job offer even though it is for a lot more money. This is a very hard decision for me to make but I could end up with a shift where I work from 3PM-11PM (or better or worse) and get Tuesdays and Wednesdays off (I definitely would not have weekends off). I would not have any idea what my shift would be until my training is over but whatever it would be it would be and I need to have time to find some kind of life for myself. With hours like that I couldn't and I'm not willing to take that gamble. I have been waiting for 2011 to be over cause 2012 just HAS to be better. I don't want to enter a new year with no possibilities of improving my chances of finding personal happiness...only a higher salary. Does that make any sense? Quality Of Life I guess... So for now I am staying put and will just keep my eyes open.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this out. It's the first time I have and I feel good about it.

It's good to see the Binkster doing so well also. Give him kisses for me !!!!

xoxoC

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Ann & Tess said:

I was so happy to see your post today, we all missed you. I hope things will get better and better for you. Good luck w/ the new job! :thumbup

I'm sure Alex is so relieved to be rid of that tooth.

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Hi Ann,
I've missed everyone too when I haven't been drowning. I am not taking the job(read above) but thank you
How are you and beautiful Tess doing? I am going to start reading more again ..I have been totally shut off for the last few months which is why I didn't know about the calendar. I think it's straightened out though. I hope.

Kisses to Tess!

xoxo

ETA: Yes Alex feels a LOT better already! He is eating much better today than in the last two weeks!

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

hi guys....it's strange that last night i was thinking of you and wondered how you were doing....glad to know Alex is doing better and yes....that would make me scared leaving him with the vet alone but glad it worked out with the tooth situation....yes....now your job is making it up to Jackson....both deserve your undivided attention today and every day....

give lots of cuddles and kisses and lots of hugs to your two brave kitties! i know it's been a rough road for you guys and i continue to pray for you....

glad to see you here....and yes on the anti-jinx thing!

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

It doesn't sound juvenile at all, Caryl...
our hearts are so fragile...and the pain is so devastating.

I have thought of you so very often...
and am truly glad you posted.
I've wondered how you were coping
(even being a counselor, coping was nearly impossible for me for so long).

holding you closely in heart and thought...

celi

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Caryl, it's good to see an Alex update. I'm glad that loose tooth came out so easily and he is eating so much better.
You need to change the link in your signature to go to the correct ss as it is now pointing to one that ended a year ago.
It must be hard to dose on a tid schedule, but I guess you're used to it. I wish you better days, my friend.

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

(((Caryl))) I have been thinking of you and wondering how you and the boys are doing. I know how very hard it is without your mom ..... I also pray for you that 2012 will be better.

Great news about Alex...and that is so funny about the tooth!! I hope you got it so you can put it under his little pillow and maybe the tooth fairy will bring him some catnip....and Jackson too of course!!

I'm sure it was hard to turn down the job but we always make the best decisions for our babies, don't we? We have to....and I know how very, very much you love those boys.

So glad to see you post. Take care of you and hug those boys for us.

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

mybuddybinks said:

It doesn't sound juvenile at all, Caryl...
our hearts are so fragile...and the pain is so devastating.

I have thought of you so very often...
and am truly glad you posted.
I've wondered how you were coping
(even being a counselor, coping was nearly impossible for me for so long).

holding you closely in heart and thought...

celi

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you are a counselor? a social worker? what kind?
I am almost ready to go for grief counseling.....

I spent time as a grief counselor for families of Aids patients...

had to move to a different career after losing my brother...it was just too close to home...
I am a COMPLETE believer in getting help...
as someone in the field, my ego told me i didn't need counseling, but
it was apparent that I did when my entire life ground to a halt due to my inability to cope with loss.

celi

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Marjorie and Gracie said:

(((Caryl))) I have been thinking of you and wondering how you and the boys are doing. I know how very hard it is without your mom ..... I also pray for you that 2012 will be better.

Great news about Alex...and that is so funny about the tooth!! I hope you got it so you can put it under his little pillow and maybe the tooth fairy will bring him some catnip....and Jackson too of course!!

I'm sure it was hard to turn down the job but we always make the best decisions for our babies, don't we? We have to....and I know how very, very much you love those boys.

So glad to see you post. Take care of you and hug those boys for us.

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Thanks Marjorie ..thanks so much :YMHUG:

Actually I made the decision about the job for me. I need a life. However, I wasn't looking forward to being away from them for 13 hours a day for 2 months for training. But that actually had nothing to do with my decision....
Ya' know I was looking at the rotten corroded tooth and I was going to take it but my heart was pounding from the whole toofis pulling episode which really turned out to be nothing much at all-thank God-and I forgot ohmygod_smile

Luckily Toofis Fairy Mommy did pick up some catnip toys for A&J today as a special treat anyhow so all's well that ends well

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Dyana said:

Caryl, it's good to see an Alex update. I'm glad that loose tooth came out so easily and he is eating so much better.
You need to change the link in your signature to go to the correct ss as it is now pointing to one that ended a year ago.
It must be hard to dose on a tid schedule, but I guess you're used to it. I wish you better days, my friend.

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Hi Dyana,

Thanks! The ss link has been changed...
I work at home so tid is not hard although if I get thrown off it's difficult to fix sometimes but we have a lot of experience with this kind of dosing here although I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT ANYONE ELSE TRY IT because there can be overlap and can lead to serious trouble if you don't know what you're doing. Unfortunately it works best for Alex but I am not at all hesitant to put him on bid if I have to be away from home....(Oh if only Jackson had thumbs) :lol:

xoc

ah caryl, i so understand - and there is no schedule for grief. it comes in waves at most unexpected moments. all you can do is keep going, hold onto the treasure happy memories and try to not let them get run over by the sad moments. counseling is always good - a good counselor will help you figure out how to be happy again. eventually the good moments come more often and the sad ones less often.

great luck on alex's toof! punkin had a tooth that was only held onto the roots by the tartar (ewww) and when he had a cleaning, the tooth fell off. i like your story better!

Hi Caryl,

I'm so glad to hear that Alex is feeling better, especially with that sore tooth out of the way! What a brave kitty!!! I hope we see more of you around LL!!!

Amy

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Caryl and Alex said:

....(Oh if only Jackson had thumbs) :lol:

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That made me smile! :lol:
Glad to see you here and hope you post more often and be among your kitty friends. ♡

HI! It is so nice to have a condo for Alex, and you. It is good to read that he is doing well. I loved the dental story... omg - I wish I could handle that as well as Alex did.

Good luck to you - I so understand on the job thing. it has to be a good fit, and if it isn't, then maybe best to turn it down.

take care!! and here's to a great 2012!

went back & found Alex's costume from last halloween...
hope it brings you a smile...
i remember how it made me laugh because it looked so much like him :lol:

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) said:

Hi Caryl, Alex and Jackson,
I echo all of the sentiments above. It is good to see a condo for Alex and to hear that he is doing well. How great that the tooth wasn't a problem! Good luck with the job, and hope to see you here again soon.

Enjoy the evening,

Ella & Rusty

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Thanks Ella...!
Not taking the job (I better preview what I submit..I am very confusing these days).
Now I have to start working on Al's neuropathy again...gotta get his little weggies stronger.
Gonna up his dose of Xobaline he is walking pretty bad :-|

mybuddybinks said:

went back & found Alex's costume from last halloween...
hope it brings you a smile...
i remember how it made me laugh because it looked so much like him :lol:

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He does indeed look very similar to Alex which is kinda funny cause one of my many nicknames for Alex is "bunny rabbit"....and he looks about as happy as Alex would be in a costume :lol:

Michelle and Mannie said:

HI! It is so nice to have a condo for Alex, and you. It is good to read that he is doing well. I loved the dental story... omg - I wish I could handle that as well as Alex did.

Good luck to you - I so understand on the job thing. it has to be a good fit, and if it isn't, then maybe best to turn it down.

take care!! and here's to a great 2012!

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Thanks Michelle...I agree. My headhunter who had nothing to do with getting me this job said "if it feels like you're making a deal with the devil....don't do it"

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

CD and BigMac said:

Caryl and Alex said:

....(Oh if only Jackson had thumbs) :lol:

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That made me smile! :lol:
Glad to see you here and hope you post more often and be among your kitty friends. ♡

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I will try I promise :razz:

mybuddybinks said:

I spent time as a grief counselor for families of Aids patients...

had to move to a different career after losing my brother...it was just too close to home...
I am a COMPLETE believer in getting help...
as someone in the field, my ego told me i didn't need counseling, but
it was apparent that I did when my entire life ground to a halt due to my inability to cope with loss.

celi

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I'm sorry about your brother. Really sorry.
When I was little I was not allowed to go to my grandfather's funeral. I think that was a mistake. The first funeral I ever went to was my dad's when I was 26 and I think I was in shock for 10 years. I never really went through a terrible 'grief' period though although I have them every now and then now and for the past 10 years. When my second cat died I was a mess although the hard mourning lasted about a month. I never even allowed myself to imagine a world without my mother in it. I loved/love her so much. I still ask her what to do about this and that and when I hear her voice in my head I start sobbing. I wish I had let her talk to me about what I couldn't handle but I know she understood.

I'm okay most of the time now but there are triggers every now and then that just start the water works and the pain all over again.
How do you find a grief counselor? I don't want group therapy.

Re: 11/5 Alex AMPS 254

Rocket & his Mom said:

hi guys....it's strange that last night i was thinking of you and wondered how you were doing....glad to know Alex is doing better and yes....that would make me scared leaving him with the vet alone but glad it worked out with the tooth situation....yes....now your job is making it up to Jackson....both deserve your undivided attention today and every day....

give lots of cuddles and kisses and lots of hugs to your two brave kitties! i know it's been a rough road for you guys and i continue to pray for you....

glad to see you here....and yes on the anti-jinx thing!

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Oh Claudia I didn't see this..you were right in the middle. My touchstone. My rock! You are always there for everyone with a prayer and a good thought. Yes I am thrilled that the tooth came out so easily...now I need to up Allie's dose of Xobaline his legs are weak. But he's a happy boy! And so is Jacky(UNJINX UNJINX) :lol:

How is handsome Rocket doing? You and he are always in our prayers as well!Please give him a scritch on his chin and a few kissies on his nose from me, k?

xoxoC

TrixieCat said:

Hi Caryl,

I'm so glad to hear that Alex is feeling better, especially with that sore tooth out of the way! What a brave kitty!!! I hope we see more of you around LL!!!

Amy

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He feels much better with the rotten crummy toofis out...He can eat like a man again :lol:
Thanks Amy xo

Always good to see your precious boys' faces here and on FB.
I was told that Alex is indeed in the calendar. I assumed she would have let you know :?

MJ&Donovan

MJ+Donovan said:

Always good to see your precious boys' faces here and on FB.
I was told that Alex is indeed in the calendar. I assumed she would have let you know :?

MJ&Donovan

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Thanks MJ!!!
Who told you? I was only told by Rebecca and I have no idea which photo was used ..... :-|

Caryl your update on Alex made my day. I know how worried you would have been if he had to be put under for the tooth removal. Totally awesome update.

My heart feels so much for you. Wish we were all closer. This community is an amazing group of people and friends. We are lucky to have each other, just wish we could be there for everyone in real life. Sending you lots of hugs today.

Karrie and Maverick said:

Caryl your update on Alex made my day. I know how worried you would have been if he had to be put under for the tooth removal. Totally awesome update.

My heart feels so much for you. Wish we were all closer. This community is an amazing group of people and friends. We are lucky to have each other, just wish we could be there for everyone in real life. Sending you lots of hugs today.

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Thanks Karrie! It made me happy too!
And so do you...you are always there for me and I thank you my friend
xoxoC