It definitely gets easier to get blood over time-- the more you poke, the more new capillaries grow, until eventually you just have to do little pokes to get blood. That's why we say to start with the thicker lancets, but then you can move to the thinner ones later. Dunno about "toughness" per se, but yes, definitely easier!
It is only a little blood - I am putting the wash cloth in the microwave today and then placing it in a plastic baggie and I am doin ok with getting blood. Last night, I was just using hot water. So, the microwave is better.
I have no idea what emergency room would cost. I just know, in past, when I did have money, I was never out of emergency without spending any less than $800 - and that wasnt even for emergency like it would be for a diabetic cat in need. I would try to start slipping a little money over, not that there is any money left to slip over, but at least try. It would take a very long time to get this much together, to have in savings. I havent been able to save even $300 because every dime we have is spent and that isnt even enough.
I will say, if this was me, with diabetes, I would have to let me die. There would be no money for insulin or anything. There is no money for me to even consider walking into a doctor's office. And I have gotten these cats to the vet, gone in deep debt doing so, so deep, there is no more deep to go, as all avenues are closed - I have done far more for these animals, than I could ever do for myself. I have prevented their death, when I will have to let me die, if ever I get anything that requires very much at all with doctors.
So, if anyone is looking down on me, because I say I do not have money for a cat to get to emergency, please stop and look what I have done and what I do. You have to walk the walk, walk in my shoes, before you place any judgement on me, and even then, I will say, you still have no right to place judgement. And I am saying this because I can see that a lot of people do not understand my lack of money in trying to get Mouzer started with what he needs. It has been an expensive ride, to get everything together and pay the vet too. Mouzer is not the only cat here that has ongoing treatment and vet visits.
I have done far more than most people would ever think of doing for animals. I dont know people who would spend near $2000 a month, for regular daily care, plus try to pay the debt the animals have put them in, which is another $1000 or more a month, on a low-end, middle income, when they cant even afford to take a picnic in the park, because of it. I have given up everything for them, including my life, since 2004. I dont get a day off from what I do and it is nine to eleven hours a day, which now has turned into much more time added to those hours, with Mouzer. Seven days a week, 365 days a year. My last vacation was August of 2003 - which I have had to give up visiting my own son, once a year, to do what I do for animals.
And I am putting this here because I know how people are. They dont walk in my shoes, so they do not understand what I do and the life it takes from me - All Life - My life belongs to these animals. I have no other life and no money left.
