3/31 Trixie AMBG 142 PMBG 93 Trix & Dad updates

[Amy&TrixieCat]

Yesterday

We've had a rough start today. All seemed fine at her first round of breffis...normal appy, attempts to track down kibbles, etc. I did her gelcap without too much trouble - it went down on the third try. But maybe 15 minutes later, she threw up. Since Trix is not a barfy cat in general, any time this happens it REALLY catches my attention - and, or course, rattles me to the core. I did not see her pills in the barf, so hopefully they stayed in place, especially since two of the pills were pepcid and cerenia. We waited a little while and then gave her 75mls LRS (vetty told us to give her some fluids whenever she barfs to stay ahead of potential dehydration), and then almost 2 hours after pills, I did give her a little more food...so far, so good.

Naturally, right after the barf she looked like she wasn't feeling well at all, but by the time we went to do the fluids, she was her usual snuggly self again. After fluids, she was half-heartedly looking for more food, but I wanted to wait a while for the pills and fluids to settle in before offering her more. Since then, she has been snuggling and resting in comfortable-kitty positions....she's not meatloafing. I'm hoping and praying that maybe I just gagged her a bit when I did the pill. I did that once before, last year.

I do have DH staying home to keep an eye on her, though, because I'm supposed to go to the doc with my parents. He's supposed to take her to the vet ASAP if she barfs again...if she barfs again, I want a cerenia injection to get it under control immediately.

We're supposed to meet with my Dad's oncologist today for an evaluation about his pneumonia situation. In some ways, he does seem much better; in other ways (like the excessive exhaustion and lack of appy), he's not. I am suspicious that the AB is a contributing factor, as I have seen several of his symptoms listed under "serious side effects", yet I hadn't been able to convince anyone to call his doctor to ask about it...stubbornness and all that.

Between Trix and my Dad, my anxiety and stress levels are off the charts....

Thinking of my L&LL family....

Amy

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Amy, I'm beginning Tai Chi and one of the things it is apparently wonderful for is reducing stress. I hope your day improves, that your dad will get a good evaluation, and that Trixie will settle down and not have to go to the vet.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Amy, I'm sorry for the rough morning. Sending prayers for Trixie and your dad. I hope Trixie's stomach settles down and things go well with your dad's doctor's visit.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Morning Amy

A nice BG start for Trixie today. So sorry for the barf situation... perhaps it was just a gag reflex on her part. BJ used to always look like she didn't feel well for a while after she did that too. It sounds like all is well with Trixie now, hope she settles during the rest of the day.

Good DR vines for your dad. I hope the eval goes well. I think you may be right on the AB's being a contributing factor to his lack of appy, and the exhaustion. I had pneumonia several years ago, and the one thing I do remember about that time was that it took along time for me to get past the exhaustion. Several weeks. I can imagine that with your dad's age, and the chemo aspect of it all, that this could be normal, and may take some time to not feel so tired. Hugs to all there. Positive vines for your appt today.

Have a great day today. I hope all goes well. And Trixie? Surf well!

 

[tiffmaxee]

I'm sorry Trixie isn't feeling well this morning. It might hopefully be a one time barf. max did that recently. Once they have issues we worry every time. Prayers and vines for your DF and Trixie.

 

[Melissa & Tarragon]

I'm so sorry for the rough start today. Healing vines for Trixie and big hugs for you. I'm glad Mark is there to keep an eye on her. Definitely catch it sooner than later. Good luck at your dad's doc appt. I really hope they get to the bottom of it. ((((AMY))))

 

[suki & crystal (GA)]

Take care Amy, hope both your DD and Trixie feel better soon. A very stressful time for you.

 

[Marilyn and Sheldon]

Be well vines for Trixie. Fell better vines and good report vines for your dad. And lots of calming vines for you, Amy.

Marilyn and Polly

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

First, Trix....anti-jinx, she seems fine. Had a nice snack when I got home, had a nice first dinner so far. Still, of course, I'm a nervous wreck, 'cause that's what I do. Hopefully it will be a calm evening....

For my Dad...overall, all things considered, it was a pretty decent report. He's still very weak, a bit loopy, extremely tired, running the low-grade fever, and having the night sweats. But all of his bloodwork looks good, and his lungs sound good. But, just to be sure, his doc extended the antibiotic for another 3 days. I do think the antibiotic is contributing to his feeling so crappy, and I asked if we could try a different one. The cod was about to give him something else - maybe a z-pack - but then saw some drug interactions he didn't like, so it's more of the current antibiotic....all tolled, 4 more days of it. Then it will take some time to clear his system. Even one of the chemo nurses commented on how tough this particular AB is.

His scans from a few weeks ago were good - showed stability/no change from December. They also showed evidence of the developing pneumonia - the scan was done 3 days before he went into the hospital. I feel like the ball was dropped a bit there. I suspect the pneumonia and maybe the blood sugar issue are why his markers were going up, since both of those can cause a rise. And the blood sugar issue probably accounts for the weight loss. An unnerving merging of a variety of issues all at once.

Shockingly, his weight was the same as it was 3 weeks ago. He needs to gain weight, but I can't believe he didn't lose any. He has virtually no appetite, but he is forcing himself to eat as much as he can tolerate. Loss of appetite is one of the side effects of this stupid antibiotic he's on.

His BP was on the low side, due to dehydration again. So we stayed for a couple hours while he got IV fluids. His BP was much better when we left. We're thinking we might do another round of fluids on Friday, after he sees the endocrinologist. At the moment I don't think he can drink enough water or pedialiyte to keep up with the night sweats (which his doc believes is just the pneumonia working its way out). As of now, he has another follow up next Tuesday, and chemo tentatively scheduled for the following Tuesday - two weeks behind schedule, but what can ya do.

After setting up my Dad for fluids, my Mom and I were going to run to Sam's. But when we got out to the parking lot we found that their car had a flat....totally flat. So when DH was done swimming, he had to come out and fix that.

It has really been one of those days/weeks/months/years...I may have an adult beverage with dinner - but I may actually even be too nervous to for that!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Good report all 'round. Sorry for the extra added stress of a flat tire.

 

[Anne & Zener GA]

Adult beverage is definitely called for.
Liz

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

some days are like that - I'm sending "tomorrow be better" vines your way. Glad your dad is holding his own - that's a good thing!

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

Whew! So glad things got better as the day wore on(Anti-jinx,anti-jinx-ani-jinx) Sending vines and prayers for you and your family, scritches for Trixie Yes to the glass of wine for dinner!

 

[Dyana]

I think a glass of wine might help you to relax. I'm glad the report is pretty good. Sending hugs to you and your family.

 

[Laura&Chichi (GA)]

Days like these are tough...sending calming, and relaxing vines your way..

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Yes! A glass of wine!! And a relaxing evening!!!

Hugs, scritches,

Ella & Rusty

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

if you don't have that glass, i'll have one for you.... ( oh yeah, I had 2/3 of a bottle last night, but there's at least a glass worth still there)

It has really been one of those days/weeks/months/years

I'm going to add to that..... it's been one of those decades.....


prayers for your family....

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Excellent report overall. so sorry about the flat tire...

 

[BJM]

Just a thought, but since antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria as well as the bad, maybe it would help to give him a probiotic a few hours after the antibiotic, to help restore normal bacteria in the gut. It might help him feel better. Check with his docs.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

{{{Amy}}}

I've been having a lot of "those days" lately, so I can so totally relate. I'm glad the report on your Dad was overall positive, and that Trixie seems to have recovered from whatever made her sick. I concur that you need an adult beverage tonight. Due to the time difference, I'm guessing you've already indulged. I hope it helped you relax.

Sending good tummy and appy vines for Miss Trixie (nice numbers today, btw) and overall healing vines and prayers for your DF.

 

[Deanna & Billie]

Sending lots and lots of vines your way for your dad, Miss Trixie, and you I hope tomorrow is an easier day!

 

[Melissa & Tarragon]

You have had your fair share the last year. ((((Amy)))). Good report on your dad really. Just a few more days with that AB.

 

[Chris/China (GA)/Garfield]

He needs to gain weight, but I can't believe he didn't lose any. He has virtually no appetite, but he is forcing himself to eat as much as he can tolerate.

Another thing to remember is that while he's feeling so tired, he's probably also not doing as much to burn any calories, so he wouldn't have to eat much to "keep up".

Sending vines for your dad and hope that after a few more days of the AB he'll be starting to feel better and better. Some of those really strong AB's can really make you feel drained!

Trixie...you be a good girl and don't add to the stress! Mama needs to relax!!

Amy