4/1 BigMac day 4 - Hospital

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CD and BigMac

CD and BigMac

Member Since 2009
BigMac day 3 Hospital

BigMac is doing well. The doctor said he is feeling better today. I asked if he was less 'grumpy' and they smiled and said yes they think so.
I don't know how much of that short conversation was to cheer me up or if it was really true. Let's go with true. :lol:

He looked a little less active to me today as if he was resigned to the fact that he has to stay there. He did stand up twice when I opened his cage but it didn't take much encouragement to get him to settle back down. He looked tired and he closed his eyes more than he has in the past few visits. His eyes are clear - just a little bloodshot. The crying puppy next to him didn't seem to be bothering him as much as it would have yesterday and people walking by didn't seem to frighten him as much. As of the morning visit they had not removed any other tubes so he still has 4 of the original 5. My gut told me he was very fatigued and maybe a little depressed. I don't blame him. He was not lying in the litter pan, so that's an improvement.

For the first time he watched me leave. Usually he is too busy looking for those 'bad guys' ready to poke him with sharp things. But today he watched me as I stood up and walked to the door. That really got to me. :sad:

I'll be going back to visit in an hour or so. Sunday's are hard because the emergency hospital gets a lot more walk-ins since regular vet offices are closed. I had to wait an hour this morning before I could see him. I always call ahead and they say "sure come on down, it's not busy." But can you never know what will happen in the next 5 minutes. I hope there are not many emergencies tonight.

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(((((((Carolyn and Big Mac))))))))

Have you talked to the surgeon yet? I'm sorry to be such a pest. With Maverick they told me he needed to be rushed into the emergency hospital when he pulled his PEG tube out and that was day ten, not day 1 or 2. Also a PEG tube is the stomach. I'd think with the Jtube it could be even riskerif there is an opening there, and they are now feeding. I'd just really push hard to talk to the surgeon and find out how they are monitoring if BigMac is healing okay from this. How could they tell if he wasn't? Since I went through it with Maverick - it is something I worry about for you guys. They had to open Maverick up to close the opening and wash his insides out.

If he hasn't been fed in a few days he may be experiencing refeeding injury. Where the body adjusts to nutrients. But I'd expect he'd be getting this from the fluids. Being at the hospital I'm sure takes a toll on them.

You two are on my mind tons through the day. I hope Big Mac gets to come home real soon.
 
Aw...BigMac...mom wouldn't leave you if she didn't have to, buddy :sad:

The KTSS is on the road and heading your way for spa treatments, healing soup, and muchas lovins to make you feel better!
Binks was kind enough to leave his hairstyling accessories at home...
though I know he's just aching to get his 'stylin' paws' on that gorgeous mane of yours!

Healing and comforting vines are coming to you from the NW!

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Still sending tons of healing vines and thinking of BigMac all day. He looks like a fighter and I'm sure he just can't wait to get out of there. At least now, you have established a routine for him, to know he is not abandoned since you go everyday, he now knows you will return. That was the big thing I wanted to establish with my Ginger, so she knew I was there. I made it a clear amount of time so she would know in her, "little kitty brain", "oh yeah, mom is coming every two hours now". So BigMac will know, mama bean comes to see me everyday.

Big :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: for both of you!
 
Aw, I hope he's not depressed - maybe just sore and very tired at this point - hoping he's a little better when you go back later today.

Must be so hard to walk out of here with him watching you - sure hope he's home with you and healing soon.

Sending many many more healing vibes and prayers and lots of hugs your way - keeping you both in my thoughts.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
(((((CD))))) Thank you for the update. He's definitely improving, that's the main thing. Maybe he doesn't hurt as much so he's not as agitated. And he will get to come home soon, just a couple more darks. I just figured out he's BigMac (not Big Mac). :-D Sending healing energy to you both.
Liz, Anne, Zener & Tillie
 
Hey BigMac! Rusty here.
Don't let it get to you, buddy. Your mamabean comes back every day, so you don't have to worry. She wants you to get lots of rest so you'll be ready to come home real soon. I'm sending you all the healing vines I could find today, and all your pals in the KTSS will be along later to cheer you up and give you some good chicken soup. It will help you relax.
Feel better and better, my friend.
Hugs from me and my mamabean to you and your mamabean,
Rusty
 
Sending continuous healing and feel better vines to BigMac.
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Get all better soon.
 
Sending healing vines and prayers for BigMac. Thanks for the update. I can imagine the pain meds must make him a little tired. It's nice you can visit often. Lots of hugs and comfort vines for you, CD.
 
Carolyn, I feel so bad for both of you. Having to leave him there must hurt so much. I'm sure he knows that they are going to make him better and you will be coming back by now though. He sounds like he's not as scared as he was and knows he's not just been left there. Cats understand so much more than we give them credit for. I'm sure the techs talk to him and pet him by now too. You ought to ask them to if he's awake when they're near him and have time. I bet all that time awake and scared after that tremendous operation is also taking its toll on him now. He could have been either at the beginning or end of his pain meds cycle too when you saw him before.

I wonder about his pain level and if they've changed his medicine amount. I read an article the other day about research proving how much better cats heal with enough pain relief after surgery than those who do not get enough, so you might want to mention that he looked depressed.

I hope he is well enough to come home soon. Maybe they'll remove another tube tomorrow. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you and keep sending well wishes.

Hugs to both of you,

Melanie & Racci
 
Hey Big Mac - it's me, Mannie. I hope you are doing OK buddy. I know you want to go home and you miss your family. Hang in there, it won't be too much longer. My bean says your bean writes that you are doing really well. That makes me very happy. She misses you as much as you miss her - I know, I can tell from what she writes. Me and the KTSS will be by to spend lots of time with you. I hope that is OK. We will keep you company and bring you really good fuds and stuff. see you soon!! Tell you mamabean that it will be OK, that you are getting better and stronger. ~~ Mannie
 
Thanks for keeping us updated Carolyn I am continuing to send vines to you guys. If BigMac is depressed in there I'm sure he will be cured as soon as he gets to go home. Your visits much be such a highlight in his day.
 
Hi Carolyn,

I forgot that I've emailed the FAF moderators on Big Mac and have kept them updated in case you joined. One of them commented on your Day two update but I forgot to email it to you. One of her cats also went through "a pretty massive GI resection".

"Just thinking here.... but do you know if BM is on anything for nausea? Pain meds can cause nausea, heck heaps of meds can cause nausea(and I'm sure he is probably on a bucket full at the moment.)Pain can also exaserbate nausea too, not to mention the problems with bile duct that might make him nauseous too. If it was me I'd be trying him on some anzamet to see if it helps with the agitation before upping the dose; seeing he is on a fair bit of analgesia/sedation already."

More hugs, tons of them for you and BigMac.
 
We will keep you company and bring you really good fuds and stuff. Mannie
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Mannie...you, Rusty, and Tess need to keep an eye on what Binks is smuggling in to the Big Fella.
I seem to be missing a bottle of Vodka and pitcher of orange juice
Not what BigMac had in mind... :roll:

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Hahaha! Celi that looks just like BigMac!

I just got back from the evening visit. I had to wait a long time due to numerous emergencies.

BigMac seemed calm and quiet. He stood up and then sat down. As usual I sat in front of his cage and he leaned his head on my hands. I rubbed his ears and top of head. After a while he started purring and it was not a weak purr where you aren't sure if it is imaginary. It was a loud strong purr. A BigMac purr that could be heard even in that noisy hospital room. :-D

Karrie, I spoke to surgeon and he said that he had stitched the tube in and the opening was closed when they removed the tube. Also they took the tube out on day 2 before BigMac had been fed. During surgery they flushed the gallbladder, duodenum, and stomach with saline. Perhaps because of this there is less chance of problems.

When I asked about chance if infection, he said there always is a chance but after two days the feel like he is doing well. Plus he is being pumped with several antibiotics already.

I still think BigMac is very sad, but it shouldn't be too long before he comes home. They will remove the drain tube in the morning. So maybe that will help him feel better.

The liver cultures came back and showed that his liver had serious infection. The doc said they had been concerned about how bad the liver looked when they opened him up and they weren't sure how much of it would be regenerated and heal. But now they are more encouraged that it WILL regenerate since they know why it looked so bad. The antibiotics he is on will take care of the bacteria in his liver.

He is going to be fed a little more tomorrow... He said they will do pulse feeding. Not sure what that is. But it may be closer to the way I will be feeding him - in intervals - and not on a pump getting a tiny bit all the time as he is getting now.
 
Hiz Big Mac I hopz you getz betters real soonze lubs you Big Guy
Do Lou



Do Lou and I are sending lots of snowflakes today ((((((Carolyn)))))
 
(((((Carolyn)))))
Thanks so much for this report. It sounds encouraging. We will all be thinking good thoughts for BigMac's liver tonight: come on, liver, regenerate!!

Big hugs to you both,

Ella & Rusty
 
Warms the heart to hear such an encouraging report :-D

I bet he's got the sweetest purr...and so glad he got it back!

Still sending love and healing in boatloads, CD...
and hoping for sweet, peaceful rest for you both tonight.

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Hang in there BigMac... you'll be home soon...

Sendings lots of healing vines your way...

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(((((Carolyn)))))
Nice to see the daily reports and pictures... Must feel good to hear BigMac purr... cat_pet_icon I imagine it must be hard to leave every day... but he will be home with you soon..
 
I'm glad you spoke to the surgeon who did the surgery. It isn't that clear to me, but he is the expert and he's done an amazing job with BigMac. I am sorry I have been kind of pushy - if I didn't have the experience I did with Maverick, I wouldn't have been so concerned. Please give BigMac a gentle kiss from me. Sending tons more hugs your guys way.
 
(((Carolyn))) I always heard that the 3rd day after a surgery is the worst for some reason....
Maybe that's why he was so quiet yesterday. I am hoping that today's visit will show a better and happier BigMac....
I still wish at times like these that our kitties understood each and every word we speak to them....it would make it so much easier. But, seeing you leave must have been awful for him....as it was for you. I can only imagine...sigh... :sad:
Continued prayers for the big Guy's speedy recovery and for strength for YOU....(hope you are feeling okay and that everything else in your world is quiet as you wait for BigMac's return home)
(((BigMac))) We love you Mac....get all better real fast...love from Raja, Shad-O and Auntie Pat
 
aw, your second report last night sounds a lot better than the earlier one. i can imagine he's a little depressed - who wouldn't be? but to hear him purr must've been just what you needed. he wouldn't be giving you the happy purr if it was too awful. i've heard cats will purr for other reasons, but i know i can sure tell when punkin's purring cuz he's content, and it sounds like that's what you got from big mac.

celi posted a picture of you in punkin's condo, and i just thought i would put it here so people can see what you've been up to. i think you accidentally forgot something when you headed out to the vet's - cuz you've got Big Mac on your brain! she thought it was me, but i recognized you right away. :-D

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sending you and Big Mac lots of hugs! :YMHUG:
 
Wasnt around yesteday But am SO GLAD to hear such encouraging news about Big Mac!!
Carolyn, Believe me I think about you & BM all day every day, & will till he is home & in your arms..
The hospital sounds so so good there & vets so caring... You are blessed with a good staff, and he is being well cared for--Love you kiddo, dont forget it..We ALL Love you both--
Prayers continue & of course Hugs & Love from us!!
 
HAHAHAHA!! Julie and Celi! You're right I might forget the clothes but never forget to bring my iPad to the visits!

I'm here waiting and will update later.
BigMac is in ultrasound right now. I hope they see nothing but good images.

Later...
 
BigMac get well soon! You can do it!

Carolyn, can you bring a small toy of something with his own smell on it? Is it too much to put in that compartment? Sometimes staying in the clinic for days, the smell just makes you depressed.
Hugs!
 
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