4/16 Alex AMPS 307,PMPS 298,+3-199

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Alex seems to be a little droopy today although he perked up a LOT when he had he breffis! Seconds as usual, that's my boy! He must be all tuckered out from his birthday activities yesterday....

One of which was his trip to the cardiologist for an ultrasound/echo-cardiogram and blood pressure. After that scary night last week I knew that had to be done. Having had a heart kitty before, I pretty much knew what the results were going to be, although the doc thinks his panting could be related more to hyper-t than his heart because he has no fluid around his heart and it's not enlarged. But as I suspected, he does have HCM and I am sick to my heart. Why I'm reacting as badly as I am I don't know. I knew it. I shouldn't have asked THE question. I was expecting a totally different answer than I got. I had a kitty with HCM who lived with it for 6 years and finally was taken by intestinal cancer. "Several Months"? I can't believe that. Maybe I shouldn't have gone. Maybe ignorance IS bliss. If she feels that way, why did she say Alex should come back for another test in 3-4 months? Even my own vet who is the voice of brutal honesty said to me right after "Caryl, it could be an hour, a day, a month, a year, two years, you just can't tell with HCM. Just like heart disease with a person". I don't know...maybe if she had said it that way to me I could have given Alex and Jackson a better birthday yesterday. All I did was cry. Alex was given a crappy deal. I don't know why this poor boy has to deal with so many different things. And he's such a god cat. I don't get it...I just don't.

But I have decided that I am going to TRY to act like I don't know (except for the pills of course. I'm going to give him his pills lol). Before I saw him panting that night I knew he had a murmur but I attributed everything he did that was different to diabetes. And the thought of anything 'bad' happening to him was NOT there. Now I'm looking at him differently, and there really isn't anything different and that's not fair. I know that HCM is not curable but no one ever told me that Chance(my last cat) was not going to be around to see his next birthday when he was diagnosed at 11 years old and he lived to be almost 17. So I didn't treat him that way. I realize Alex has a lot of other things going on, but he doesn't have fluid around his heart or in his lungs, and he doesn't have an enlarged heart, His blood pressure is normal and his kidneys are still good so I choose to HOPE and to believe that he still has a good long time left in him. There's still lots of foodies to be eaten and Alex is the guy to eat them. That the pills will help him. That's what I am believing.

Alex is taking his after breffis snooze now, all p's are in order, and he and Jackson will be getting their second birthday present later in the day cause we didn't have time yesterday :roll:

Happy Friday everyone :razz:

yesterday

 

[Jay]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

Looked like a very cool bday party you threw.

Especially the Tuna dish you whipped up

 

[CD and BigMac]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

(((Caryl)))

I will be years for Alex. You guys have lots of hugs to hug and lots of food to eat and lots of playing to do. He is the same kitty as he was yesterday when you knew you had lots of time.... he is the same kitty.... lots of time... Ok?

Doctors usually like to be dramatic and pessimistic so when the patient is better or lives a lot longer, the doctor looks like a hero for saving patient. I swear I've seen that so often that I wonder if they teach that method in med school.

 

[Pat+Raja+Shadow (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

.......But I have decided that I am going to TRY to act like I don't know......... I realize Alex has a lot of other things going on, but he doesn't have fluid around his heart or in his lungs, and he doesn't have an enlarged heart, His blood pressure is normal and his kidneys are still good so I choose to HOPE and to believe that he still has a good long time left in him. There's still lots of foodies to be eaten and Alex is the guy to eat them. That the pills will help him. That's what I am believing.......

And I will believe that along with you Caryl....(((Alex))) Keep up that positive attitude and the hope....
I usually think that knowledge is power...and you have his pills and you are aware of his condition. Now, just give him lots of loving and his meds and try to forget what was not said in words to you. Celebrate each day and be thankful that you at least are aware of what is happening and are not blind to it all. You can do this Caryl....and as always, you can put the negatives aside and deal with what it is. Sending hugs to you all.... :YMHUG:

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

(((Caryl)))

I will be years for Alex. You guys have lots of hugs to hug and lots of food to eat and lots of playing to do. He is the same kitty as he was yesterday when you knew you had lots of time.... he is the same kitty.... lots of time... Ok?

Doctors usually like to be dramatic and pessimistic so when the patient is better or lives a lot longer, the doctor looks like a hero for saving patient. I swear I've seen that so often that I wonder if they teach that method in med school.

Thank you...I really really needed that ♥♥

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

.......But I have decided that I am going to TRY to act like I don't know......... I realize Alex has a lot of other things going on, but he doesn't have fluid around his heart or in his lungs, and he doesn't have an enlarged heart, His blood pressure is normal and his kidneys are still good so I choose to HOPE and to believe that he still has a good long time left in him. There's still lots of foodies to be eaten and Alex is the guy to eat them. That the pills will help him. That's what I am believing.......

And I will believe that along with you Caryl....(((Alex))) Keep up that positive attitude and the hope....
I usually think that knowledge is power...and you have his pills and you are aware of his condition. Now, just give him lots of loving and his meds and try to forget what was not said in words to you. Celebrate each day and be thankful that you at least are aware of what is happening and are not blind to it all. You can do this Caryl....and as always, you can put the negatives aside and deal with what it is. Sending hugs to you all.... :YMHUG:

♥♥♥

 

[Mindy & Max]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

(((Caryl)))

Oh my, you had a rough one yesterday! And on his birthday too! Goodness, they should just know better than to tell you things like that--it doesn't make any difference to know an estimate on time, because your regular vet is right--kitties are all different, they all handle things differently, and you just DON'T know. Yes, Alex has had a raw deal in the physical/medical department--but he got one hell of a good mom, which is better than a lot of kitties get. You know that, and so does he. He's had 13 great years with you, and I believe he'll have many more. Just be thankful that you have enough experience, and enough insight, to know just how wonderful every moment is that you have with him.

When my Potter got diagnosed with fatty liver at the ripe old age of 2.5 years, I cried for days. We did try to help him through it, but ultimately we got the diagnosis too late, and didn't know quite enough about how to help him best (oh how I wish I'd found this board then--he might still be here). He was such a bright and beautiful kitty (as so many of them are), it was such a shame to see his life end so soon. In the short time he was here, he gave us lots of love and lots of laughs (and darn it, now I'm crying!), and ultimately I came to the realization that some flames burn so bright that they can only burn for a short time. Potter was one of those flames. I sincerely hope that Alex is not one of those flames, that he can continue to burn for quite some time, and continue to light your life.

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

(((Caryl)))

Oh my, you had a rough one yesterday! And on his birthday too! Goodness, they should just know better than to tell you things like that--it doesn't make any difference to know an estimate on time, because your regular vet is right--kitties are all different, they all handle things differently, and you just DON'T know. Yes, Alex has had a raw deal in the physical/medical department--but he got one hell of a good mom, which is better than a lot of kitties get. You know that, and so does he. He's had 13 great years with you, and I believe he'll have many more. Just be thankful that you have enough experience, and enough insight, to know just how wonderful every moment is that you have with him.

When my Potter got diagnosed with fatty liver at the ripe old age of 2.5 years, I cried for days. We did try to help him through it, but ultimately we got the diagnosis too late, and didn't know quite enough about how to help him best (oh how I wish I'd found this board then--he might still be here). He was such a bright and beautiful kitty (as so many of them are), it was such a shame to see his life end so soon. In the short time he was here, he gave us lots of love and lots of laughs (and darn it, now I'm crying!), and ultimately I came to the realization that some flames burn so bright that they can only burn for a short time. Potter was one of those flames. I sincerely hope that Alex is not one of those flames, that he can continue to burn for quite some time, and continue to light your life.

Thanks Mindy ♥

 

[Deb & Spot]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

Oh my, Oh my.......I'm late, I'm late, I missed an important date!!!

drinking24 HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ALEX AND JACKSON!! SORRY WE MISSED IT!!!

(((Caryl & Alex))) Reading your post made me sad because your pain and anguish came through so loud and clear. In situations like this, I really don't know what to say or what to do, but I am here for you. Positive thoughts is the best medicine all the way around. You know, Alex doesn't really know anything is wrong with him...all he knows is that you love him...and probably right around now loving him way to much with all those squishies, lol (of course, that's his take on it, not ours, lol). You are a wonderful mom, Caryl!

 

[Dawn & Nova]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

Those guesses are guesses and that's it.. Jerry was given 1 month to live after he was dx with HCM (a week after I got him, when he was 1 year old, so likely had it since birth).. 5.5 years ago. We went for his every 6 month full heart check up earlier this week.. so what do they know! Doesn't change how much I cry about it though.

Kinda scratching my head a bit about having HCM and not having an enlarged heart.. those typically go pretty hand in hand.. Did they do a full blood panel and a thyroid test? If they suspect hyper-t this is a test they should have done (and sometimes you have to do it a few times, it's like BG, it varies).. it's worth exploring and isn't an expensive test.. (relative to ultrasounds ).. there are some remarkably successful (as high as 95% cure rate) treatment options for hyper-t.. it's an avenue that should ALWAYS be ruled out before settling in on an HCM diagnosis..

Did they do a chest x-ray and take a good look at the lungs? Asthma is another thing that can mess with heart function.. basically HCM is usually a last resort diagnosis.. after ruling everything else out that can be treated and/or fixed..

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

Those guesses are guesses and that's it.. Jerry was given 1 month to live after he was dx with HCM (a week after I got him, when he was 1 year old, so likely had it since birth).. 5.5 years ago. We went for his every 6 month full heart check up earlier this week.. so what do they know! Doesn't change how much I cry about it though.

Kinda scratching my head a bit about having HCM and not having an enlarged heart.. those typically go pretty hand in hand.. Did they do a full blood panel and a thyroid test? If they suspect hyper-t this is a test they should have done (and sometimes you have to do it a few times, it's like BG, it varies).. it's worth exploring and isn't an expensive test.. (relative to ultrasounds ).. there are some remarkably successful (as high as 95% cure rate) treatment options for hyper-t.. it's an avenue that should ALWAYS be ruled out before settling in on an HCM diagnosis..

Did they do a chest x-ray and take a good look at the lungs? Asthma is another thing that can mess with heart function.. basically HCM is usually a last resort diagnosis.. after ruling everything else out that can be treated and/or fixed..

Hi Dawn,

I was on the health board the other night reading some of your posts and wondering how long Jerry had HCM but not able to discuss it yet as Alex hadn't gone for his tests yet. He DOES have confirmed Hyper-t. he is on medication for it. My ex is a/my vet and yesterday we took Alex for his tests. I was in the room the whole time with the cardiology team there(very state of the art animal medical center) and my vet and me. The cardiologist who is a specialist in feline HCM told me what was going on and what she said is that he has a mitral valve problem so there is a leak, the walls of his heart are moderately to severely thickened in some places but normal in others, his left ventricle is really not enlarged at all which is a good thing and means his heart is not enlarged, there is no fluid which we already knew because my vet took an xray the night he was panting, she did a full exam and his chest sounds fine, he had blood tests about a month ago(March 4th) and he is having them again in 2 weeks ...and his blood pressure is normal.

That basically is the story.

He's on atenolol and enalapril for his heart and has been on tap for his hyper-t for a year.

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Caryl -- what everyone said, I repeat.

Here's another thought - take a look at the bottom of Alex's paws. Go on - take a good long look. What do you see there? Hmm, toesies, fur. What else do you see? Nothing right? What am I talking about you ask?

Well I'm glad you asked. What is missing from his paws is an expiration date! Cat's don't come with expiration dates and therefore, for anybody to tell you how long or short Alex or Jackson have to live is just ridiculous.

You needed to get the test done, because it is important to know what's going on, so you can treat it correctly. You won't shoot insulin without taking a BG, right?.

Please stop thinking about what the doctor said and instead focus on what you are and can do for him. Whether he lives 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years - is not the point. What is, is that you love him and cherish each and every moment and stop thinking and treating him like he's already gone. The fact is that one day he will move on and there is nothing you can do about that.

Don't live your life or his life thinking about what may happen, because if you do, you will miss out on all the really great things that are happening each and every day. And REMEMBER they can feel your feelings!

OK, lecture over....now give those toesies a smoosh!

 

[Dawn & Nova]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Oooh ok, I'm so sorry, I read your post wrong.. had got the impression that it might be or something... have you looked into radioactive iodine therapy at all? It's not available in the city I live in, but our clinic has sent cats to a city 3 hours away to have it done and had amazing success with it.. I suppose it depends a lot on how old the cat is.. my parents helped their hyper-t kitty over the bridge about a month ago.. he actually went into full blown heart failure 2 years ago.. and lived most of the last 2 years pretty happy.. if you can believe that craziness.. they debated the more aggressive/expensive treatments.. but he was I think 13 or 14 years old (he was a "next on the list" rescue too, so age unknown).. sort of a yeah we can fix it, but old age will find some other way to sneak up on him type thing..

Jerry doesn't have hyper-t (have tested him like 10 times for it, in fact did the test again this week.. always hoping!!! ).. and has just about the opposite stuff going on in his heart as alex.. left ventricle is a total gong show.. his heart is HUGE.. his mitral valve is not to bad (considering hahaha) but becoming a gong show.. but still holding on.. keeping him dancing with the heart failure line but not quite over it yet.. (once both of those pieces are fried, you'rr kind of screwed).

I wish I had some awesome advice that made everything easier.. it's a really stupid STUPID stupid disease.. I think he's why I'm so dang upset about Nova being "stuck" FD wise.. yes diabetes is a crappy diagnosis.. but I thought OK! I can actually DO something about this.. my cats finally have something I can fix! Not my lot in life I think .

Even after all these years I still look at Jerry and know that 30 seconds from now could be it.. maybe that's the blessing.. you learn to really only think of RIGHT NOW a good part of the time.. I don't think it's a bad thing that you are looking at him different.. I think it's a really good thing actually.. when you see him it'll really put in perspective what is important and what can wait until after 5 minutes of giving him attension.. not that I think you ignore him now obviously.. but it does change things...

I got Jerry in sept and he was dx a week later.. had a totally crappy life pre-me.. and I was so angry at the entire world that he would never have a good Christmas.. we had Christmas every single day until January.. stockings, wrapped presents (after the first little while I started rewrapping old presents I admit it!! ), christmas carols, special suppers, extra treats, everything.. even all this time later, when he meows I very rarely put him off until later (sometimes in life you just have to)..

If you are worried that he will miss on events.. don't wait.. he can't read a calendar..

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Oooh ok, I'm so sorry, I read your post wrong.. had got the impression that it might be or something... have you looked into radioactive iodine therapy at all?

Alex wouldn't be a good candidate for it as he is a very bad patient when I'm not around and would be very stressed out if left alone for 3 days without me. That would counteract the treatment. When he was dx'd with diabetes he was DKA and left at vets for 24 hrs and I was asked to care for him at home because he would do better here as all he was doing was lying in the litter pan growling. At home I got him to eat and relax.

 

[Dawn & Nova]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Yeah.. I don't know that the would even consider it given FD.. they like those kitties to be pretty dang healthy hyper-t aside.. maybe the surgical option but I don't know much about the success rates..

I know what you mean about being a crappy patient.. Jerry had 8 teeth removed and part of his jaw.. they brought him to me (still bleeding) right off the operating table.. and send us home an hour later.. this is NOT normally how they do things (Nova had 1 tooth taken out and some gum surgery, they kept her for 5 or 6 hours).. they figured his best chance to pull through was with me and at home.. to limit his stress.. didn't limit MY stress any though .

Alex is 13 I think right? Not that it matters much.. when Jerry was dx I thought that's so unfair, he's only a year old.. it's 5 years later..and I think.. it's so unfair, he's only 6 years old.. pretty sure I'd STILL think the same thing if he was 100 years old.

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Yeah.. I don't know that the would even consider it given FD.. they like those kitties to be pretty dang healthy hyper-t aside.. maybe the surgical option but I don't know much about the success rates..

I know what you mean about being a crappy patient.. Jerry had 8 teeth removed and part of his jaw.. they brought him to me (still bleeding) right off the operating table.. and send us home an hour later.. this is NOT normally how they do things (Nova had 1 tooth taken out and some gum surgery, they kept her for 5 or 6 hours).. they figured his best chance to pull through was with me and at home.. to limit his stress.. didn't limit MY stress any though .

Alex is 13 I think right? Not that it matters much.. when Jerry was dx I thought that's so unfair, he's only a year old.. it's 5 years later..and I think.. it's so unfair, he's only 6 years old.. pretty sure I'd STILL think the same thing if he was 100 years old.

My last cat was 11 when dx'd with HCM. They didn't tell you the worst case scenario then. They just said things like 'we don't really know' which was probably kinder but more open to malpractice....Like I said, he lived for 6 years with it and passed from cancer...future ultrasounds had even shown that the disease hadn't progressed at all

what meds is Jerry on?

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

Looked like a very cool bday party you threw.

Especially the Tuna dish you whipped up

Bumble Bee whipped it up..thanks

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Caryl -- what everyone said, I repeat.

Here's another thought - take a look at the bottom of Alex's paws. Go on - take a good long look. What do you see there? Hmm, toesies, fur. What else do you see? Nothing right? What am I talking about you ask?

Well I'm glad you asked. What is missing from his paws is an expiration date! Cat's don't come with expiration dates and therefore, for anybody to tell you how long or short Alex or Jackson have to live is just ridiculous.

You needed to get the test done, because it is important to know what's going on, so you can treat it correctly. You won't shoot insulin without taking a BG, right?.

Please stop thinking about what the doctor said and instead focus on what you are and can do for him. Whether he lives 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years - is not the point. What is, is that you love him and cherish each and every moment and stop thinking and treating him like he's already gone. The fact is that one day he will move on and there is nothing you can do about that.

Don't live your life or his life thinking about what may happen, because if you do, you will miss out on all the really great things that are happening each and every day. And REMEMBER they can feel your feelings!

OK, lecture over....now give those toesies a smoosh!

thank you as always ♥

 

[Dawn & Nova]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Jerry only takes suspended release diltiazem for his heart.. his heart is pretty bizarre as far as how he progresses.. and his doctors and I feel pretty strongly about only medicating him for problems he does have, not problems he MIGHT get at some point..

Maybe would have made different choices when he was a little guy, if he wasn't such a nightmare to medicate.. but now that he and I have an "understanding" and he puts up with it decently (I would rather pill a pitbull ).. not about to change my approach now, since this way has been so amazingly successful with him for so long.

He also gets flovent 2x (was 1x until his check up this week).. a day for his asthma (and ventolin if I catch an attack, but unfortunately ventolin doesn't seem to help him much.. thus the evil steroid inhaler).

Isn't enalapril for high blood pressure?

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Jerry only takes suspended release diltiazem for his heart.. his heart is pretty bizarre as far as how he progresses.. and his doctors and I feel pretty strongly about only medicating him for problems he does have, not problems he MIGHT get at some point..

Maybe would have made different choices when he was a little guy, if he wasn't such a nightmare to medicate.. but now that he and I have an "understanding" and he puts up with it decently (I would rather pill a pitbull ).. not about to change my approach now, since this way has been so amazingly successful with him for so long.

He also gets flovent 2x (was 1x until his check up this week).. a day for his asthma (and ventolin if I catch an attack, but unfortunately ventolin doesn't seem to help him much.. thus the evil steroid inhaler).

Isn't enalapril for high blood pressure?

enalapril is for high blood pressure but is one of those wacky drugs that they are finding has multiple uses, and is working very well for HCM! Here from one article on HCM...

"ACE Inhibitors:enalapril or benazepril
Ongoing clinical trials with cats seem to indicate that these drugs may work better than Beta Blockers, for improving heart function."

My cat Chance was on Cardizem (diltiazem) and only that for the whole six years he had HCM and he did great on it!

I was just asking because Alex seems to be having some side effects today which I've already called the vet about(but I guess you wouldn't know since Jerry is on a different med)

 

[Kelly & Logan]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

I'm so sorry about the diagnosis, Caryl. Try to enjoy each day you have with Alex and love him as much as possible. Vets don't know everything - we all can attest to that! They really don't know how long Alex has. It could be years! I totally understand your feeling that he's gotten a raw deal. I feel the same way about Logan. He has had one thing after another and he just turned 6 a couple weeks ago. And he's the most loving, affectionate cat I've ever had. It's so unfair! I will keep you and Alex in my prayers. ((((Caryl and Alex))))

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

I'm so sorry about the diagnosis, Caryl. Try to enjoy each day you have with Alex and love him as much as possible. Vets don't know everything - we all can attest to that! They really don't know how long Alex has. It could be years! I totally understand your feeling that he's gotten a raw deal. I feel the same way about Logan. He has had one thing after another and he just turned 6 a couple weeks ago. And he's the most loving, affectionate cat I've ever had. It's so unfair! I will keep you and Alex in my prayers. ((((Caryl and Alex))))

I know you know, ((((Kelly))))

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMBB 353

Oh my, Oh my.......I'm late, I'm late, I missed an important date!!!

drinking24 HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ALEX AND JACKSON!! SORRY WE MISSED IT!!!

(((Caryl & Alex))) Reading your post made me sad because your pain and anguish came through so loud and clear. In situations like this, I really don't know what to say or what to do, but I am here for you[/b]. Positive thoughts is the best medicine all the way around. You know, Alex doesn't really know anything is wrong with him...all he knows is that you love him...and probably right around now loving him way to much with all those squishies, lol (of course, that's his take on it, not ours, lol). You are a wonderful mom, Caryl!

Thank you, Deb..I know you are

 

[Dawn & Nova]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Yeah heart meds are pretty finicky.. some medications (insulin is a good example).. seem rather natural (ish) to me.. because you're just tossing in what the body would make anyways if it could.. but these heart meds.. the stuff they do can be downright scary.. no doubt it takes some time for them to adjust.. hopefully those meds work well for him.. hyper-t heart problems can actually be reversible.. not the greatest chance, but not necessarily a death sentence either.

Jerry used to be on 3 times a day regular diltiazem.. helped a ton but once we switched to suspended release once a day capsules.. it was like a new lease on life for him.. he went from this rollercoaster of ups and downs.. to just chill all the time and feeling good.. he sleeps like 21 or 22 hours a day now (he gets pretty worn out now in his "old" age).. but those other 2 hours he's feeling great! .

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

Yeah heart meds are pretty finicky.. some medications (insulin is a good example).. seem rather natural (ish) to me.. because you're just tossing in what the body would make anyways if it could.. but these heart meds.. the stuff they do can be downright scary.. no doubt it takes some time for them to adjust.. hopefully those meds work well for him.. hyper-t heart problems can actually be reversible.. not the greatest chance, but not necessarily a death sentence either.

Jerry used to be on 3 times a day regular diltiazem.. helped a ton but once we switched to suspended release once a day capsules.. it was like a new lease on life for him.. he went from this rollercoaster of ups and downs.. to just chill all the time and feeling good.. he sleeps like 21 or 22 hours a day now (he gets pretty worn out now in his "old" age).. but those other 2 hours he's feeling great! .

The doc we saw yesterday thinks Alex should have a thyroid test he hasn't had yet because she doesn't think his panting was caused by his heart because he has no fluid....so that will happen in about 2 weeks. Maybe another adjustment will help. Who knows, right?

 

[Dawn & Nova]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

The doc we saw yesterday thinks Alex should have a thyroid test he hasn't had yet because she doesn't think his panting was caused by his heart because he has no fluid....so that will happen in about 2 weeks. Maybe another adjustment will help. Who knows, right?

A biopsy as opposed to a blood test? or is there another kind as well?

Edit: I'm getting so little work done today it's ridiculous... we expected Jerrys blood test results back today.. and haven't heard yet.. nail biting.. sit here hoping and dreaming that it'll be this "oh.. those last like 8 ultrasounds you had were a big mistake.. turns out he has the flu!".. and dreading that some other random organ is on it's way out..

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

The doc we saw yesterday thinks Alex should have a thyroid test he hasn't had yet because she doesn't think his panting was caused by his heart because he has no fluid....so that will happen in about 2 weeks. Maybe another adjustment will help. Who knows, right?

A biopsy as opposed to a blood test? or is there another kind as well?

Edit: I'm getting so little work done today it's ridiculous... we expected Jerrys blood test results back today.. and haven't heard yet.. nail biting.. sit here hoping and dreaming that it'll be this "oh.. those last like 8 ultrasounds you had were a big mistake.. turns out he has the flu!".. and dreading that some other random organ is on it's way out..

a blood test.

it would be nice if the world was like television, huh?

 

[Kathy and Kitty]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

((((((Caryl)))))) I second so many of the things said here. When you think about Alex's raw deal, remember that he is really very lucky. He has the most devoted mama bean, who loves him to pieces. He gets super care -- without that, he might not be here now. He is fed, safe and warm, the Big Three for kitties. You make every day he has a good one, and in the overall scheme of the world, that's pretty good.

Some people who have been very ill talk about a blessing they got from their illness -- the awareness of mortality, and an enhanced sense of life that results from it. I know when Kitty was ill, I became more aware of just wanting to love him more every minute.

None of us knows when it will end. Your sweet boy could be with you a long time, and you will treasure every minute, instead of letting them go by unnoticed.

But for now... of course it hurts. So sending many more hugs, and healing thoughts.

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

((((((Caryl)))))) I second so many of the things said here. When you think about Alex's raw deal, remember that he is really very lucky. He has the most devoted mama bean, who loves him to pieces. He gets super care -- without that, he might not be here now. He is fed, safe and warm, the Big Three for kitties. You make every day he has a good one, and in the overall scheme of the world, that's pretty good.

Some people who have been very ill talk about a blessing they got from their illness -- the awareness of mortality, and an enhanced sense of life that results from it. I know when Kitty was ill, I became more aware of just wanting to love him more every minute.

None of us knows when it will end. Your sweet boy could be with you a long time, and you will treasure every minute, instead of letting them go by unnoticed.

But for now... of course it hurts. So sending many more hugs, and healing thoughts.

he's not having a good one today...he's having some kind f reaction to one of his new meds I think and the reason this finally became clear to me is because i left a can of food out by mistake and he didn't even try to get to it...and he is hungry. I just posted on health to see if anyone has jhad this problem. He seems dizzy and lethargic and spaced out and thirsty

 

[Libby and Lucy]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

((((Caryl)))) I read your post earlier, but wanted to wait to reply until I had a little time to write something good. You and I are in this together, my civvie Mickey got this dx a few weeks ago. I didn't ask that question because I decided that it wouldn't make any difference in how I treat him. Try not to worry too much about that, you just don't know. Alex has already proven that he's full of fight, so try to just follow his lead. I know what you mean, it's hard to look at Mickey and think that I might not have him that long. But then I try to put it out of my mind because he acts exactly the same as he did 3 weeks ago before the dx. Mickey's heart is enlarged and he does have some fluid in his lungs (not a lot). He's an Enalapril. Unlike your vet, mine seems to think the Enalapril alone might hold him for a year or even two years before we have to add more meds. We'll see what happens, obviously I'll watch him closely and get him checked again in a few months.

Alex is strong, you're strong, you just need a little time to figure out how you're going to deal with this, the same as you did when you found out he had diabetes (and look how well you're doing with that!). I sound like I'm not sympathetic, but that's only because I've had a few weeks to come to grips. You may have noticed I haven't been on the board as much the last couple of weeks. It's because I've been distracted by worrying about Mickey, and I'm just getting back to a point where I feel like I can be here and be helpful. You'll get there too.

 

[Caryl & Sebastian & Alex (GA)]

Re: 4/16 Alex AMPS 307

((((Caryl)))) I read your post earlier, but wanted to wait to reply until I had a little time to write something good. You and I are in this together, my civvie Mickey got this dx a few weeks ago. I didn't ask that question because I decided that it wouldn't make any difference in how I treat him. Try not to worry too much about that, you just don't know. Alex has already proven that he's full of fight, so try to just follow his lead. I know what you mean, it's hard to look at Mickey and think that I might not have him that long. But then I try to put it out of my mind because he acts exactly the same as he did 3 weeks ago before the dx. Mickey's heart is enlarged and he does have some fluid in his lungs (not a lot). He's an Enalapril. Unlike your vet, mine seems to think the Enalapril alone might hold him for a year or even two years before we have to add more meds. We'll see what happens, obviously I'll watch him closely and get him checked again in a few months.

Alex is strong, you're strong, you just need a little time to figure out how you're going to deal with this, the same as you did when you found out he had diabetes (and look how well you're doing with that!). I sound like I'm not sympathetic, but that's only because I've had a few weeks to come to grips. You may have noticed I haven't been on the board as much the last couple of weeks. It's because I've been distracted by worrying about Mickey, and I'm just getting back to a point where I feel like I can be here and be helpful. You'll get there too.

((((Libby))))

Thank you & I'm very sorry to hear about Mickey too. Alex is on the other med to slow his heartbeat down. The fast heartbeat is a result of hyper-t which I'm sure Mickey doesn't have. Alex never had a free T4 which he is going to in about 2 weeks. Maybe with more adjustment to his tapezole his heartbeat will slow down more. He didn't have a very good reaction to Atenelol today but I hear he was given a rather large dose He's okay now though.

Oh Libby, I was so much better off when i didn't know anything. That was the case with my last cat. I was told the bad news and that there was no way of knowing how long he had. There was no internet, so i knew nothing about the possibility of blood clots or any such thing. I just knew that Chance had heart disease and I was going to a wonderful vet who put him on heart medicine and he was going to be tested and watched and as the days and months and even years went by Cardizem became a way of life for us and his heart condition actually never got any worse. I knew nothing so I didn't look for anything. I always say "the internet giveth, and the internet taketh away". In this case lots of information and no peace of mind. Just tons of scary options. Who needs that? Maybe this is why docs have to be so brutal and so blunt and give worse case scenarios. Every article you read is different with a different prognosis. It just plain sucks. I was talking to Hillary before and you're right...Alex and Mickey are no different than they were probably 2 or 3 months ago...who knows how long really that they both have had this? But once the have been "diagnosed", I mean officially, then they are different. That's when the clock starts ticking? I just don't buy that. Today alone I have read more statements in more places from pet owners that were told their pets had 1, 2, 5 months to live and it's 1,2,5 years later and they're still here....that seems so unfair to mar quality time like that. Not for them tfor us. Sometimes i just wish that doctors would doctor and shut up. No offense to any docs out there.

I never thought this sounded at all unsympathetic Libby. Just the opposite. You alluded to the fact that something was wrong with Mickey the other night.i don't pry, just like i don't write about what is too painful for me until I have rationalized it in my own mind. That way no one else can undo what I've already set in my head. I've been through this before. Albeit not with a kitty with the problems that Alex has but still, I've been through it. Only difference is I didn't have to take a bullet the day I found out as well. And I had no one to talk to about it except my vet. And she didn't put a number on my cat's days. That made a HUGE difference. I have to find a way to REALLY forget that other doc's voice and translate my original experience with this disease to Alex. It was a much more productive way of dealing with it. I can always be there for Alex and Jackson but i can't help myself or anyone else until I can really believe that I don't believe in numbers. Does that make any sense?



xoC