4/10 BigMac: 14 days in hospital so far...

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CD and BigMac

CD and BigMac

Member Since 2009
My heart goes out to Tena. What a sad sad day. Lovely Curry... so heartbreaking...
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Sorry that it's taken me a while to post. I wanted to post some encouraging news about BigMac and my granddaughter. And for a few days I didn't have anything good to say. But now I do. :-D
BigMac is still in the hospital. He finally is making some small improvements. Very slowly.

BigMac did start to eat a few days ago, then quit. It was very discouraging and his blood work had stalled. The WBC was very high, his bilirubin had stopped declining and I just thought he looked awful. He was so sad and depressed... and so was I. It looked for a while that he might just whither away in that cage and it tore me up. He has lost even more weight and is very weak.

But yesterday he perked up and took about 1 teaspoon of baby food from me before turning away. I sat in his cage with him and he sat in my lap. That was wonderful, even if it was extremely awkward and uncomfortable for me. :oops: Last night he stopped eating again but his bilirubin numbers had dropped considerably. I was so happy to see this. His white blood cells are way too high and his red blood cells are way too low, but the trend is a little bit better. He still seems unhappy but he always is glad to be with me and lays his head in my hands. I clean his cone for him and stroke him so he feels like I'm grooming him. He has tried to groom himself once in a while - which is a very good sign. Unfortunately it must be very frustrating since he can't do any grooming with that cone around his neck.

I've discussed the nausea problem every time I've been there. There has been some resistance and it's been frustrating for me. Two of the surgeons didn't think he was nauseated and the other said that she hated to add another medication to everything he is already taking. Bah... I was getting ready to smuggle my own Zofran in and give it to him myself. Today I insisted that they give him some. I told them he's interested in food but turns away after one sniff and has been licking his lips and drooling. If they are looking for vomit, it won't happen because there is NOTHING in his tummy. The internal medicine doctor who has taken over the case from the surgeons agreed that they should give him some Zofran. FINALLY!

Because of other commitments this evening I couldn't get back to see how he feels after the anti-nausea medicine. I am going to call them around 11:00 pm and find out.

My newest granddaughter is better today as well. She was on a ventilator for a while and that was upsetting but she is off that and now is on oxygen and breathing on her own. The hospital is allowing my daughter to stay there for another day or two to be with her baby. They only allow the mothers (of infants in the NICU) to stay beyond the normal time if the maternity ward is not full so she's lucky that it's not busy.

I've been going back and forth between the two ICUs... one for babies and one for kitties. A weird situation to be in I must say! Plus I am taking care of my two older granddaughters (7 -9 yrs.) so I am running around between hospitals, schools, activities, and home (you'd think they'd go to the same school, but nooooo...that would be too easy!) I visit BigMac during school hours and after the kids are asleep so that my DH can be home with them. It makes for a long day. ohmygod_smile

I'm buying stock in 5-Hour Energy drink. :lol: Seriously!
 
aw, carolyn, it's just good to hear from you. i know i wasn't the only one wondering. it's not surprising that your little guy is taking a while to recover from 2 major surgeries in 2 weeks. but with his mama bear looking out for him, i'm not at all surprised to hear that he's doing a little bit better.

good for you for advocating and getting the meds for him today. he'll get there. your little granddaughter is already on her way! there's going to be a lotta celebrating in your family in another week or so!

wish we could be there to help. sending all the LL loving energy your way! :YMHUG:
 
(((Carolyn))) It IS great to hear from you....I was getting worried but I also knew you were probably taxed to the limit between BigMac and your granddaughter. I am so happy to hear there is some improvement on all fronts.
Now we worry about you running yourself ragged. I hope you are finding time to get some rest.

It's great that you have been so proactive to get BigMac the Zofran. It's just like with humans....if you aren't there to be their advocate, there's no telling what they will/won't do.

Sending BigMac and your grandbaby girl many prayers and healing wishes.
 
Julie's right -- she's not the only one that has been keeping Big Mac, you, and your family in their thoughts. I'm glad an IM vet is taking over Big Mac's care. They are often more sensitive to the broader issues than surgeons are and much better at managing infection, pain, and other issues like nausea. I hope you get good news when you talk to the techs tonight.
 
We are so relieved to hear that you have good news from both ICUs - the furry one and the non-furry one. ;-) BigMac and his bean are a very strong duo! We are sending heaps of healing snowflakes to BigMac and comforting hugs to you. Thanks so much for posting. We keep you and yours in our thoughts every day.
Anne, Liz, Zener & Tillie
 
Carolyn, I'm not sure how you are doing all this, it touched me so much after I read your post, I literaly looked at where you lived because I had the urge to come to you in person and sit with BigMac to give you a break and to give BigMac some extra tlc. Not that I don't think you are doing enough, its just that, I know how hard it is to try and do everything you need to do and be tired (thats my life). I just want BigMac to be better now. I'm sorry, this is not a uplifting post but I just feel you need extra help. So all I can do for now is send you some cyber hugs and healing vines and lot of white light. I also hope your new baby granddaughter can come home soon too. So great your daughter can stay with her baby for now.

Stay strong Carolyn, sending these :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
CD - it is wonderful to her from you. I am glad that there is improvement for BigMac. Wonderful too that you were able to get him the nausea meds he needs. I hope you get good news from the techs when you call tonight. Very cool on his dropping bilirubin numbers. good news I think. Very nice that the IM vet is taking over. My wishes continue for Big Mac - he is one courageous cat. When I think what he has been through during the past two weeks it is no wonder that recovery is slow. It is so good to hear that there is improvement. Love it that you managed to get in his cage with him. :-D I have no doubt that he loved it.

I hope all is well with your granddaughter. I know how it feels when there are issues... my second born spent 14 days in the newborn ICU, tough times, I know. i hope she is able to come home soon.

Take care, rest when you can. and :lol: on the 5 hour energy.
 
Hi Carolyn,
We are relieved to hear that BigMac is hanging in there and that he is making progress. I'm glad that you were able to convince the doctors that he needs anti-nausea medication and pray that it will make food attractive to him again. He is a strong kitty and he knows that you are doing everything you can to get him better so he'll be able to come home soon.

Your new granddaughter sounds like a fighter, too. I wish we could be there to help you out with all that you have on your shoulders.
Sending all sorts of healing vines and healing snowflakes, light, etc. etc. And sending lots and lots of strength to you.

Big hugs to you all tonight, :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Ella & Rusty
 
it is great to hear from you Carolyn...been wondering how BigMac is doing

i know what you mean about vets and meds....with Rocket i always get the "i hate to add more meds to his already full med-schedule".....but then i say "it doesn't hurt to try and i'm there to watch his every move"......so good on you for pushing the Zofran....

i'm still praying for you guys....and your granddaughter....i know what you mean about the lack of sleep... i know all too well how that is....been at it for a long time with Rocket....and the energy drinks don't do the job for me....not even coffee.... :sad:

give BigMac a big kiss from me next time you see him....and another one to your granddaughter....i still can't believe you are a grandma....you so not look like a grandma ;-)
 
Fourteen days is SOOOOOOOOOOO long!!

Carolyn, so good to see an encouraging report on the Big Fella, and good news on the DGD as well!

I know you have been just totally on the go bcatrun_gif ...so wanted share with you-
almost every condo posted sends out good wishes and vines for you and yours :-D :-D

Your FDMB family loves you and BigMac dearly!

Now we need to figure out how we can get you some rest :?

Good on you for making them give him the anti-nausea meds. :thumbup
and totally giggling at the image of you squeezing into his cage.
Next time, perhaps the vet tech could get pic of that for us? :lol:

We are all holding you both very closely in hearts, thoughts, healing energy, and prayers for recovery and a lovely homecoming.

Celi, Binks, Smudge, and Annie

sweet_dreams_cat.gif
 
Wow - I'm really glad to see this post, Carolyn - thank you so much for taking the time out of what is such a hectic schedule to keep us updated on your sweet family - both wee one and furry one. You must be exhausted - sure hope you are able to get some rest.

I was really getting worried about both your granddaughter and Big Mac -had a feeling something wasn't right - but glad to hear that you finally got someone to listen about the nausea and hopefully the anti-nausea med will settle his little tummy and he will begin once again to eat. He's had a long haul of it and his little body has to readjust to everything.

Will be watching for your update as to how the meds are working -hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day for everyone. So happy the new baby is now off the ventilator and breathing on her own.

Bet those other granddaughters are keeping you hopping - they are so cute.

You take care of yourself and know that many many prayers and hugs are being sent to surround you as you try to get through this stressful time.

Hugs to you, my friend.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
BWAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!1

LOOK WHAT BINKS FOUND FOR YOU!
 

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Oh Celi! LOLOLOLOLOL....
It looks like a belt with bombs....but it's really only CD's Energy Drinks... LMHO....
Those should last her the day as she races around, right?...

(((((Carolyn))))) I ditto what everyone has said here my Friend....thinking of you and all that you are going through. I hope the meds help BigMac with his appetite a little. Great job getting them to see reason!!!!
You are the BEST Mama Bean!!
Sending prayers and hugs to BigMac and your new Granddaughter and to YOU.....
Thank you for writing....we all appreciate knowing how things are going...
:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
I was sooooo worried not hearing from you...Now at least I know things are moving along!
Babies & Kitties in ICU OMG Carolyn, you are a ROCK!!! How can you do all this?
L_O_V_E!!!! That's the greatest Motivator ever!
Praying for everyone's recovery, and hoping for peace for you...
Poor Big Mac-14 days in the hospital--I was in once for 9 days & almost went Mad!!
Prayers that the anti nausea meds work! His poor insides have had to adjust, so hard,
But where there's Life there's hope!!
My heart is with you, my head is thinking of you, my mind is praying for BigMac to recover & come home soon--AND OF COURSE the Baby!
Love you kiddo, you are a tower of strength--when it's all over & everyone is better, then you can fall apart
We will be there to pick you up!
Hugs & Love from us--Ni Ni girl, try to sleep some!
 
if zofran (ondansetron) doesn't end up doing the trick, might want to try cerenia instead. cerenia and metoclopromide (reglan) combo ended up doing the trick for bobby (metoclopromide for GI motility, cerenia for nausea).

injections of these two two days in a row was enuf. ondansetron does work to stop that gag reflex, tho with bobby's recent bout with inappetance it didn't work so i switched to cerenia (after 3 days of arguing with vets to get them to agree to give them). bobby had an empty stomach, too. bad inappetance for almost a week.

just call me the vomit queen after cleo and bobby. LOL.

keeping you, bigmac, and baby in my thoughts. sending you strength and much love.
 
It is great to hear from you!

All the best to you, Big Mac, your grandbaby and the rest of your family. I hope you are able to get a little rest for yourself too...

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

Tanya and Elie
 
I keep checking in for updates on BigMac, hoping for the best and praying he gets to come home soon. Glad to see he is making progress, even if its slow and steady. Sending prayers of health and strength to you both, and to your little granddaughter too!
 
I also was worrying Carolyn and am so glad you posted. Thanks for doing that as busy as you are. I think of you & BigMac everyday. It's so good to hear that your granddaughter and BigMac are both improving. I hope it keeps going the right way and that you find the strength to continue to get through this and the time to get some rest.

Hugs,
Melanie & Racci
 
Ah Carolyn, thank you for the update. I have been imagining him eating a bit of food, and getting up to walk around a little. I will keep imagining and sending good vines that he is eating some more and gaining strength to do some walking around that hospital floor. When J.D. was in the hospital, they finally put him in a bigger cage that was on the ground, and I would open the door and thought about climbing inside (I don't remember if I ever did), but would sit right outside the door to stroke him, and he would get up and climb into my lap and he was always so happy to see me. I am wishing the best for you and BigMac and continuing our prayers even stronger.
God Bless you both.
smiley-hug008.gif


Sending eating vines
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vines to Big Mac. I hope the antinausea meds help him a lot. And I hope your granddaughter is doing fine.

Please keep us posted, when you can :-D
 
I'm so relieved to see this post. So sorry BigMac isn't able to come home yet and hoping that the new meds do the trick to get him eating and then healing faster with his belly full of nutrients. You are managing so much right now I really take my hat off to you. Hope that DGD is able to go home shortly and that soon we see a picture looking something like this:
 

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I've been waiting to see a post from you Carolyn.

Please promise me you will take care of yourself during this time. Please drink some water with those energy drinks if yours.

I'm glad that you can see some small measures of improvement with BigMac. We are all praying for him and for you.

Even if you dont have anything to report, you can always post a pic of BigMac. He has got such sweet soft eyes. So pics w/o words are Ok.

And I'm glad to hear about your DGD. Lots of LL prayers for her as well.

Hugs
Tena
 
(((((Carolyn & BigMac))))) Glad to get an update on your little fella and your DGD. Looks like things are starting to look up for everyone. They may be small steps....but they ARE steps and that is a wonderful thing!
I hope you are taking care of yourself also...BigMac and DGD need you to have your strength!
Continued prayers and well wishes will be coming.
 
(((Carolyn)))

I am glad to see an update and to see that there is encouraging news on BigMac and on your granddaughter. I hope that the Zofran helps BigMac. My kitties always did well on a combo of Zofran and Cerenia. I know you have the best in medical care there, and that you are there advocating for your boy, so I know that he will get what he needs. You know, I hope, that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I come on the Board looking for updates frequently. I know your life is crazy right now. Even when you can't post, we are all standing with you and holding you in our hearts.
 
(((Carolyn)))

I was so glad to see an update this morning. You have so much on your plate I don't know how you are doing it all.
It was nice to hear that Big Mac is improving even if it is slowly.

I am also glad to hear that your granddaughter is getting better.

Thinking of you! :YMHUG:
 
We've all been watching for up dates and hoping that things were just too busy for you. flip_cat flip_cat Great that he has eaten at least a little and I hope that the Zofran does the trick. It sounds like things are perking up on all fronts, it's so good to hear that DGD is off the ventilator.

You are the full focus for white light and healing vines streaming from LL. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
((((Carolyn)))
I'm glad to see this update. I don't have time to write anything much but I hope you know where my heart is.
I am thinking about you, BM and your family all the time.....

Love,xoxo
Caryl
 
So glad to see this post......continued good thoughts and prayers for BigMac, DGD and YOU!

Take care of yourself....big hugs from us.
 
Hi guys .. thanks for the update on you, and bigmac, and your new grandbaby .. I can't imagine all you are going through .. keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers still .. scrtiches n kisses to bigmac!!!
 
Hey u!!
Holy carp ur busy!
And u tell those docs where its at!! cat(2)_steam

U know we are thinking of u and we are still sending healing vines for Big Mac!
And of course for ur new grand baby!
Much luv and ((((hugs)))) Carolyn!!

I dont know about these energy drinks, but if it's helping go go go - ok then!!
please make sure u are eating good too!
 
I think of you guys a hundred times through the day. I'm glad he is hanging in there. I don't know anything about the red and white blood cells. He is in good hands where he is.

You are my hero pushing for the ondansetron. I know I would have lost the courage after a couple of times. Seeing the impact that it has on the cats on the FAF forum though I think its worth its weight in diamonds, not gold. Which ever works out to more value. For just overall feeling well it makes a difference. He may not eat right away though - he may associate food with feeling yucky. I hope it helps him feel a tad better. Sending you big squishy hugs. Please give BigMac a gentle kiss from me.
 
Carolyn - so glad to hear about The Burger Boy. I hope that they can get him eating regularly now that you've gotten good stuff for his stomach. Gotta get his strength up so he can get outtathere! You both need to be at home.

I hadn't heard about your new little granddaughter - I hope she's doing better, too. So many things to be anxious about. I hope that there's some comfort in knowing that there is a whole cheering section out here, waiting for the universe to smile on you and yours.

Waiting for you to say that BigMac's eyes are shining and clear and bright again......

love ya,
 
(((((((((((((((Carolyn))))))))))))))))) so happy to see a Big Mac update sending lots of healing vines his way and may your DGD be home soon as well my youngest was in ICU for 5 weeks and wow it takes its tole on you running back and forth and you are babysitting and have Big Mac to worry over I am tired after just reading that :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
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Thinking of you two everyday!
 
((Carolyn)) been thinking about you guys and was so happy to see an update! I pray the anti-nausea meds work! Take care of yourself, you have so much on your plate! You and Big Mac are in my thoughts and prayers!!! Hugs!
 
Great to hear from you!!! You have to be exhausted. Please know I am thinking about you and sending healing vines and snowflakes to sweet Big Mac and DGD. ((((Hugs))))
 
Oh Carolyn.... so relieved to hear promicing news... New Granddaughter doing well... Her mother alright also... and now BigMac turning the corner racing (at least slowly heading) on the way home.... Now... please as others have said... take care of our dear friend CD... We love you very much. I'll continue my prayers as I need something to do.... Kiss all involved from me and let them know I'm just a crazy cat lady that loves you!
 
Carolyn, I am not able to fall asleep and my mind just went to BigMac. So I know everyone is hopefully sleeping in peace tonight and I will continue to pray, send lots of white light, and healing vines for all of you and as always a lot of these :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
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