Greetings from Tuffy n Friends

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Tuffy n Friends

Member Since 2014
Hello Everyone,

Since Barbara passed we have her beautiful Main Coon, Tuffy. Tuffy is getting used to us and we are getting more accustomed to her routine. Dave and I have never cared for a cat with FD so there have been many questions. Perhaps the most confusing is that after arriving she started throwing numbers in the lower range. In fact, the last time I spoke to Barb she said "Lower her dose by .5, she'll be high tomorrow but don't worry." But she wasn't high. I believe Barbara was following a protocol you call "tight regulation," so perhaps this is just a relocation adjustment.

Tuffy is doing very well, she lives in my home office and has company almost all day. She made friends with my old dog Bravo. She really is a regal kitty. She enjoys sitting and looking out the window to survey "her kingdom." She enjoys a good "play" but not so much that it musses her hair. Dave stays with her at night, so she is rarely unsupervised for very long. Lucky kitty!

Unfortunately Barb's wishes for her other kitties didn't work out as she planned. Dave and I heard that three were bound for a shelter last weekend and intervened. They are lovely cats; they're named Waif, Bandit and Tar Baby. We are fostering them now, and they are adjusting.

We still have a lot to figure out. If anyone has any advice on best places to buy diabetic supplies we are all ears ^.^
~Nada and Dave
 
Greetings Nada and Dave. It's so great to hear a Tuffy report - many people who knew Barb will be pleased to hear from you. The details of the Tight Regulation Protocol are located on our Lantus - Tight Regulation Forum. There are a lot of starred Sticky Notes on the top of the forum with useful information. That forum has a lot of traffic and I'm sure you'll be welcome to stop in there if you have any questions.

I buy a lot of my diabetes supplies at http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/. They have some pretty good prices.

It's so sweet of you to foster Barb's other kitties until other homes can be found.
 
It's great to hear that Tuffy's doing well - you're angels to take her in - not to mention the rest of the family!

I hope you'll post in the Tight Regulation support group that Wendy gave you the link for. We'd be happy to teach you how to apply the protocol to Tuffy.

thanks for being in touch. We all miss Barbara!

julie
 
Welcome Nada and Dave and welcome home, Tuffy :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

First, thank you so much for giving Tuffy a loving home. The last time I spoke with Barb, I know it was a huge weight of her shoulders that Tuffy would be so loved and cared for. It brought tears to my eyes when I read that some of other Barb's babies were bound for a shelter. Bless you both a million times over for not letting that happen. It would have broken Barb's heart. You are truly angels. o:-) o:-) o:-)

I also hope you will post over in the Lantus ISG. We normally have spreadsheets for our kitties and that is the best way we can help you on Tuffy's dosing. If you look to the right of the page under my Gracie's photo, you will see a box with "PM" in it. That's for "private message". If you click on it, it will then let you send me a PM and I can get some info and then set the spreadsheet up for you all in no time at all....literally minutes.

I also get most of my supplies at ADW at the link Wendy gave you. I'm not sure what kind meter you are using but I use a Relion Micro from Walmart and I buy my strips on ebay. I make sure they don't expire any time soon, I look for only top rated sellers and free shipping. And, of course, I make sure the price is less than at Walmart :-D

We're so glad you all are here.
 
((((Nada & Dave))))

I echo Marje's note. When I last exchanged messages with Barb she was so relieved that Tuffy would be with people who could fall in love with this exceptional kitty. That you both had the generosity of spirit to insure Barb's other kitties (I know about Waif, Barb didn't talk about the others as much with me) would be cared for would mean the world to her. All I can conclude is that your hearts are as big as Barb's. You are very special people.

Please let us know how we can help. There is a ton of information about Lantus and its use on the Lantus board in the starred, sticky notes at the top of the board. I wouldn't be surprised if Barb pointed you to this information should you feel the need.

Like Marje, I get most of my supplies from ADW. I use a Bayer Contour meter and get my strips from Amazon. If you check Amazon prices, especially if you have auto-delivery, often they are competitive or beat the prices of other distributors, including ADW. I found a huge savings on buying cases of cat food on Amazon compared with PetFood Direct. (It's an even better deal if you have an Amazon Prime membership -- no shipping costs.) I will say that I have found some surprisingly good prices for strips on EBay but, it's hit or miss.

Everyone here on FDMB and on the Lantus board (affectionately known as "Lantus Land") is extremely generous with their time and information. Barb meant a great deal to many of us -- she was a constant source of support and information -- and I, for one, adored her stories of Tuffy's antics. You and Tuffy have an extended family in Lantus Land. Please visit often!
 
Thanks you for the tips and links. We're going to buy our first Lantus pen today at Target. Really looking forward to having all this figured out!!
~N&D
 
welcome to FDMB. I have always had a huge soft spot for Tuffy. Barb always blamed my Lucy for giving Tuffy "drama lessons" in the diabetes department. Some of our diva kitties just like to create their own rules as they go along.

The changes in her life may be causing Tuffy's insulin needs to change. I know she has always been sensitive to things that other cats might not even notice.

Thank you for stepping in to help the other kitties. I know it must be tough to suddenly have 4 extra cats. I wonder if there may be someone here who can help out.

You must be wonderful people if Barb trusted you with Tuffy. Welcome!
 
Hi Nada and Dave,
I don't have any specific advice for you, just lots of gratitude for your taking in Tuffy and Barbara's other cats. I didn't know her in person, but she was always so supportive to me here on FDMB over the years. I know that she is happy right now knowing that Tuffy and the others are cared for and loved. Thank you so much, and thank you for keeping us updated as well.
Linda
 
Hi Nada, and Dave too!

Welcome to our group. It was great to find that there is a Tuffy condo! I am elated that she is doing well. Barbara was so happy that you will be caring for her. I think all of us here have such a huge soft spot for Tuffy.

I am glad that you were able to intervene on behalf of Tar Baby, Bandit and Waif, especially Waif. I was so worried about him, Barbara was too. Her gentle giant she called him. I had spoken with Barb on many occasions about the others, she will be so so pleased that you intervened. A shelter would be unthinkable to her. I can remember many a night talking with her about the kitties in the event of.... Thanks you for being the generous kind hearted people that you are and fostering the others.

I too got all my diabetic supplies through ADW. They seemed to have the best prices. I got the Lantus through my local pharmacy, but know that other places do better on pricing.

Wishing you much luck as you learn the ins and outs of FD. Please let us know if we can help with anything.
 
Hi Nada and Dave,
We here are so grateful that you are giving Tuffy such a good home and now also taking in Waif, Bandit, and Tar Baby. Barbara often mentioned Waif in her e mails and sent me pictures of him. You guys are wonderful!

We'll be following Tuffy's condos now that you are on FDMB. We are all here to support each other. Welcome!

Ella & Rusty
 
Welcome Nada and Dave, you must be having to alter your clothes so they fit with your angels wings for taking in Tuffy and especially for rescuing Barbara's other kitties. In treating a kitty with FD, we have found a new family here and hope you will too. The experience here is exceptional and everyone is here for the kitties. It is a special place and Barbara was a big part of this special place. We miss her so very much. We too get our meters and strips from ADW, some of our food from PetFoodDirect and some from Amazon. The relion meter and strips from ADW are the same as one of the Walmart meters, which is handy if strips don't come in time and there is a WalMart nearby. We use the monojet syringes and there are many others to choose from which I am sure you will read about. Thank you for letting us know how Tuffy and friends are doing.
 
Welcome Nada and Dave.

I too talked to Barbara many times and she was always worried about what to do with her cats should anything happen. I am so glad you were able to take them for her. Thank you very very much! I'm glad Tuffy is settling in, and I hope the others are too.

I used to get my test strips from EBay and my syringes from WalMart, and now I just get them all from ADW.

Please keep us updated, because a lot of people from the Lantus TR forum felt very close to Barbara and Tuffy, and gladly welcome you into our family.
 
Let's us know how we can help. Barb was a big part of this community and tuffy is part of our furry family. We are here if you need us..
 
Thank you all again for the warm welcome. The tips and information here are invaluable. Tuffy is doing well. Libby was right; her life change is definitely making her insulin needs change. She was at 4.5 when he arrived and is now at 3.25 and giving me low numbers. Dave stayed up with her last night because her BGs were 55 at +6, which is about 3 AM for us. It was up over 120 within two hours.

I keep all her numbers recorded with pen and paper so far. It was a system that was supposed to work for a week or two at most. I like it, because I work on a computer all day, but I can see it might become cumbersome. So much stuff to work out still!

All in all Tuffy seems very happy here, she likes my big dog more than any of the other cats. And she has no interest in her old friends at all. She does get friendly with my grey boy but he has a rep for playing rough, so they need a chaperone!

Barbs other kitties are doing nicely. Waif is adjusted and wonderful to be around; I'm sure he is a handsome prince that some wicked-witch turned into a cat! Tar Baby is really curious and loves to pose on pillows like a dignified cat. Bandit is finally adjusting - and with time, more confidence will return.

Thanks again for all the time, support and good advice here. Barb told me everything I needed to know, and I can't tell you how many times since I've I wished I had been a better listener, but I never thought...

Well see you soon in Lantus Land :)
 
I was just reading a post from april 2013 when Michelle was giving a tribute to her kitty, Mannie, who had just passed away. In it, I see a quote from Barbara and thought i'd pass it on to you.

thought you might want to see it:http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=93766

May I Go

Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.
Click to expand...

if you need any help with dosing for Tuffy, please post over on the Lantus TR ISG forum. We'll be looking for you at some point. thanks again for taking care of Barbara's little ones.
 
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