BigMac Day 3 at Hospital

Yesterday's report - Day 2

I sat with BigMac today for an hour and a half and he is doing a little bit better each day. He was still trying to get up and get out, but he has to stay a little longer.
Today he received food through his feeding tube for the first time and it seems to be going well. His drain tube is producing much less so they may get to remove it tomorrow. That would help get rid of another invasive tube thing. And we know how he feels about tubes... gotta' get them OUT.

They said they are trying to bother him less and less and do all their checking and changing bandages all at once. So he gets handled less. I asked them not to bring him to me and I would sit on the floor at his cage. If they are busy, I wait so I won't get in their way. The staff is fine with this routine.

When I got to his cage he was lying in the litter pan again. Gosh I hate that he does that, but if he feels safer there... well, ok. He stood up when he saw me and I managed to gently persuade him to lie on the blankets instead of the litter. So that was something. He looked alert, not sedated and was interested in every sound and movement around him. No matter how much I spoke softly to him and stroked him, he wouldn't close his eyes at all. It was as if he just was too worried that someone was going to come 'get him'. Every time a tech or doctor walked past, BigMac would jerk his head up to check them out. He clearly is wary of the staff at this point. I hope that doesn't mean he will now be super afraid of strangers when he gets home. :sad: He was calm with me.

Tonight one of his surgeons called me at home. I about had a heart attack when I saw the caller ID. Since I was sitting on the floor, the doctors didn't notice me because she asked if I had been in to see BigMac today. Yup, I've been a real pest, hahaha! She said she must have missed seeing me sit there since there is an exam table between two areas of the room. I heard her talking and walking by but didn't know she was looking for me. Oops.

The doc said that BigMac is doing well but they think he needs to stay for a few more days, through Monday and probably Tuesday. Poor guy. He really is tricky because although he looks good and is so alert and determined; he had some major major surgery.

Here are a few of today's photos. You can see how one moment he is calm and the next he is super alert to that tech walking past his cage behind me.
And I ruefully smiled at all the tags on his cage door.

NOT in the litter box for once!



Listening to me talk.


And the next moment...


Signs on his cage.

I'm so glad you got to see him for so long today. I wish you could take him home with you. I'm so amazed at how well he looks.

What did the surgeon say about the jtube being removed without closing the openings or the stoma being formed?

More hugs for you and your Big Mac today.

escape risk - ha. well who would blame the big guy for wanting to go home!? hospitals aren't exactly great places to hang out. bless his little heart.

he does look good, carolyn. yes, i see the "ALERT" look on his face, but overall he looks bright and interested in everything. he's got SUCH gorgeous eyes. he's just beautiful. you're so good with him - i'm sure he just wants to go with you.

(((((CD))))) What a sweetheart BigMac is! Thank you for the report. I've been thinking about y'all today and sending healing energy to your guy. He looks great!
Liz

Karrie and Maverick said:

I'm so glad you got to see him for so long today. I wish you could take him home with you. I'm so amazed at how well he looks.

What did the surgeon say about the jtube being removed without closing the openings or the stoma being formed?

More hugs for you and your Big Mac today.

Click to expand...

The j-tube question was the number one question on my notepad. But I missed seeing the lead surgeon today and when the resident called tonight, I was so startled I went brain dead.
I will ask tomorrow since I think I have a better idea of their routines and I know which doctor will be there all day.

Hi CD - thank you (!!) for the update on BigMac. I think of him constantly, hope he is getting better. It does sound like he is improving - YAY!!! I am sure that he wants to come home too. Soon big guy! I wish you uys the best, hope he continues to be better every day so you will be able to bring him home. Nice that the feel they can remocve ne of the tubes - that will help him feelbetter too.

Take care - you guys will remain in my thoughts.

Hey BigMac - it's me, Mannie. Dude! I hope it is OK that we, the KTSS, come and visit you. We gots all kinds of good stuff, and the bestest ever chicken soup, and It goes down those tube things real good. it's true! We gave some to BJ that way when she as real sick. See you tomorrow OK? You up for a massage. Tobey gives the bestest ever. See you! ~~ Mannie

CD, he does look so alert with those big beautiful eyes. I'm so sorry he has to stay more days, but it sounds like it's the best for BigMac. He is truly an amazing kitty. More healing vines and prayers for BigMac and you.

I am trying to reach through the computer to give him scritches, he just draws you into him, what a magnificent kitty he is. I think he's a smart kitty too so I don't think he'll start being afraid of strangers when he gets home if he wasn't before. However I do suspect he will afraid when he has to come back to the vet in future. He'll no doubt be very concerned that he might have to stay there again - without his mommy

More healing vines for you BigMac, we be healing you as fast as we can so you can go home sooner

Oh, Carolyn...I was saying "Awwwww..." "Ohhhh..." and then just burst out laughing at the "Escape Risk" sign!
Somehow, I expect to see that appear in an OTJ video :smile:
That's right, Big Guy...let them know they need to beware!!

Sorry he has to stay longer, I was so hoping he could come home with you, but surely better to let him recuperate under expert eyes...
what an ordeal!

Sending our love and healing thoughts in waves.

And haven't said this before, but congratulations on the impending arrival!!!

We lubs ya, Big Mac... rest well, and I'm sure the KTSS is giving you the gentlest, loving spa treatment as I type!

Oh wow! He looks good, Carolyn!

I think we are all as bummed as he is that a few more days will be required in the hospital. Gosh, he is so receptive to you. Look at the love in his eyes while you are speaking to him. And, letting you take the photo so all of his LL friends can see he is ok (even if an escape risk.... :lol: You will NEVER live that one down Big Mac! :lol: ).

The LB bed is pretty tough to see. The fact that he gets out for you just shows it is situational. It is probably not so much about how his body is feeling...more emotion. I would worry if he did not get out of the box for YOU and was not receptive towards both the scary and not so scary things around him.

Hang in there, both of you. Thank you for visiting him and letting him feel loved. A lot of people would not go to the extent you did with the surgery, let alone visit so often.

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

You are both in my thoughts. Who would have thought that BigMac was a Houdini cat?

The "escape risk" card is such a good sign...BigMac is feeling good-n-feisty.

You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers!!

:lol: :lol:

Hi CD and Big Mac,

Glad to see he was perky today!

The "purse strings and chinese finger traps" are where the tube is stitched when inserted during surgery and when the tube is removed the stitches close. (just like pulling a purse string closed, or the chinese finger traps...they have more netting) So that's good ;-)

As with all surgeries, there is risk that not everything works out as planned but Elie and I are hopeful that Big Mac will do great!

How are your knees doing?

I'm really glad to see the photos. He is so gorgeous but he does look worried. It is so good you are able to go and see him. I know that makes all the difference. Big hugs to you and BigMac :YMHUG:

Hi Carolyn,
This is an encouraging report and before he knows it BigMac the escape artist will be home in his own bed. Good that another tube will be taken out. He is such a brave and proud kitty. He loves his mamabean so much. I hope that he will have a restful night and that you will, too.

Healing vines, a good KTSS visit, and lots of love to BigMac and to you,

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Ella & Rusty

Happy to see another good BigMac report! The Escape Risk sign gave me a chuckle. Give 'em heck, BigMac!! :lol: :lol: :lol: Continued thoughts and prayers for you both!!

Just trying to get the OLD PC going at least once a day so I can check in on our handsome guy - and on you. I can close my eyes and see you sitting on the floor in front of the cage - he sure has been through a lot but looks surprisingly well for all of it, doesn't he? Those eyes look pretty clear and alert - especially the one where he's looking "beyond" you - apparently at a tech behind you.

Got a chuckle out of the signs - yep - he does want out of there. Hopefully the time will pass quickly and he'll be home very, very soon, healing fast and doing well.

Sending a multitude of hugs for you and scritches for the Big Guy - Mittsi is dancing as fast as she can to keep the healing vibes coming your way.

Love ya' - keeping you in my thoughts and prayers -.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)

Thank you for the progress report. It really is amazing progress. Vets are too often amazed at the care we will give our furbabies, I'm amazed that they see so many people who don't care as much. You are a shining example of love. :YMHUG:

Tess is packing her overnight bag. she says KTSS is going to sit up all night so BigMac can feel safe and get rested and strong. They are going to bring him special goodies from the party too.

Hi Carolyn,

Poor BigMac looks like he's really sick of that place. When he's looking at you he's calm and at peace and when he looks at the other people there he's looking daggers. I always feel so badly for the poor furkids when they're sick and don't understand why they have to stay in a cage with strangers at the vet. I also am so glad you visit every day. I'm sure that's really helping him & gives him something to look forward to.

It sounds like he's making good progress if they're removing another tube. That's good news. Are his eyes redder today or is that just the position he's in? He's so alert! I wonder if he's getting any sleep.

His signs are hysterical. I wonder what he did to earn them. :lol: Did you ask? I bet there's a story there.

Thanks for the update. Every day brings him closer to coming home and more good news of progress. Give the sweet boy a kiss for me.

Melanie & Racci

I was thinking of BigMac all day, but didn't get to my computer much, so I'm happy to see the report and see that BigMac is doing well. Hope he gets to have another tube out today. I had them myself for an operation, for about a week, and boy did that ever feel great to get them out. And great that he is getting food with the feeding tube, I'm sure that will make him feel stronger too.

When my Ginger was in, like I said, I slept in the waiting room, but when I went in to see him, I didn't want to be in anyones way, so I fit myself inside her cage. :lol: I'm sure you will be able to picture that when you see BigMac. I'm only 5' tall, so it wasn't too much of a squeeze. I know they must have had a lot of stories to tell about the crazy lady in the cage with her cat, but I didn't care :lol:

I'll be thinking of BigMac and hope to hear more good news soon. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

I love seeing his sweet face. This must be so hard for both of you, but he is doing incredibly well after such a huge surgery. Just a couple more days to be safe, and then he will be home where you can spoil him around the clock. I expect they want to be able to see him, but I wonder if they could hang a towel over the front of his cage to give him a feeling of more privacy?

(((hugs))) So sweet .. I can't wait till he's back home with you, where he belongs .. But I understand his surgery was major, and needs those eyes on him so we wait .. but his coming home party is going to be crazy!!

I like Linda's idea of the towel over the cage...I didn't think of that one!!! ;-)

Sending continued prayers for you both and a million hugs...
(((((((((BigMac & Carolyn)))))))))
You will go home soon BigMac....hurry up and get healed so you can get outta there......sniff-sniff.....

he really does look good, Carolyn. I hope he can come home soon where he can really get his recovery started. ((((CD and BigMac)))).

Sorry I missed this yesterday but he's looking stronger every day.

I don't know if he would use it or not, Carolyn, but they have those hooded cat beds. When my cats have been in the hospital and wanted to sleep in the LB, I took it in (they never slept in it at home). They'd turn the back to the front of the cage so the kitty could kind of hide. Here's what they look like:

Hooded cat bed

Gracie sends her DBF, BigMac, extra hugs and healing vines and Tobey says GET WELL SOON, DUDE....my sister is driving me crazy about BigMac!!!

It is so nice to see Big Mac's sweet face. I'm so glad you are able to spend so much time with him and I'm sure he's glad too. Continued prayers and vines for Big Mac's healing. He is doing great!