Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA
Member Since 2009
Sometimes (these past 2-3 days), I think we have reached an equilibrium or sorts. The routine of feedings, insulin, pain meds, cleanings, subQ fluids and brushing/cuddling/playing is in place so that is easier on me. I was pretty stressed a week ago. I know I am doing the best I can to care for him now.
Other times, I see little things that let me know things are still changing. He is taking less food at each feeding now - 1-2 Tbs instead of 2-3 Tbs. So I have to do more feedings. Still, his total intake dropped yesterday and today is not looking any better. He acts hungry, looks in the other cats' dishes, smells it, and then walks away. He even acts enthusiastic when I start a feeding, but he gets to "I've had enough" pretty fast.
He IS back to sleeping on my bed after sequestering himself in the closet since last Thursday and a day of staying on the hallway rug. He hadn't been on the bed for a couple of weeks. He even came and got on my lap at the computer a few times yesterday and this morning - also something he had not done for weeks. These are "Jeddie things", so he is more himself than he has been in a few weeks.
He has an appointment with the oncologist on Monday - 10 days earlier than originally planned for. She must be expecting something "different" than she had before - not sure what, but my guess is that she is expecting him to be a lot worse than he was a week ago. He isn't. If anything he is "better". He is getting more calories and more fluids. If the tumor has grown it is by only a small amount. I haven't seen blood in his drool for several days. I just don't think it has gotten smaller. I don't think he is too uncomfortable, but I do think there is some pain and, I hope, the pain meds are helping with that. I am giving them subQ instead of oral, for obvious reasons, but they don't absorb as well there (I am told).
The hardest thing, on a daily basis, is the twice daily ritual of treats that are associated with the PS testing and insulin dosing (and Beau's meds). All the cats participate and look forward to it. Jeddie was always very enthusiastic about the bits of chicken or pieces of kibble and he still wants them! It breaks my heart every time. I am trying to minimize the whole thing but that just confuses the others. I do feed him each time, but it is not the same. He will try to take the piece of chicken from my hand, but it just drops out of his mouth now. So sad. And even sadder is that I always wanted to get a photo of him standing on his back feet, one paw on my thigh and the other reaching for the treat with such a look of pure delight one his face. I thought I had time. He actually did that the other night, but the look is not there, and I want to remember the healthy, fluffy Jeddie face, not the thin, scruffy one. Sigh.
Other times, I see little things that let me know things are still changing. He is taking less food at each feeding now - 1-2 Tbs instead of 2-3 Tbs. So I have to do more feedings. Still, his total intake dropped yesterday and today is not looking any better. He acts hungry, looks in the other cats' dishes, smells it, and then walks away. He even acts enthusiastic when I start a feeding, but he gets to "I've had enough" pretty fast.
He IS back to sleeping on my bed after sequestering himself in the closet since last Thursday and a day of staying on the hallway rug. He hadn't been on the bed for a couple of weeks. He even came and got on my lap at the computer a few times yesterday and this morning - also something he had not done for weeks. These are "Jeddie things", so he is more himself than he has been in a few weeks.
He has an appointment with the oncologist on Monday - 10 days earlier than originally planned for. She must be expecting something "different" than she had before - not sure what, but my guess is that she is expecting him to be a lot worse than he was a week ago. He isn't. If anything he is "better". He is getting more calories and more fluids. If the tumor has grown it is by only a small amount. I haven't seen blood in his drool for several days. I just don't think it has gotten smaller. I don't think he is too uncomfortable, but I do think there is some pain and, I hope, the pain meds are helping with that. I am giving them subQ instead of oral, for obvious reasons, but they don't absorb as well there (I am told).
The hardest thing, on a daily basis, is the twice daily ritual of treats that are associated with the PS testing and insulin dosing (and Beau's meds). All the cats participate and look forward to it. Jeddie was always very enthusiastic about the bits of chicken or pieces of kibble and he still wants them! It breaks my heart every time. I am trying to minimize the whole thing but that just confuses the others. I do feed him each time, but it is not the same. He will try to take the piece of chicken from my hand, but it just drops out of his mouth now. So sad. And even sadder is that I always wanted to get a photo of him standing on his back feet, one paw on my thigh and the other reaching for the treat with such a look of pure delight one his face. I thought I had time. He actually did that the other night, but the look is not there, and I want to remember the healthy, fluffy Jeddie face, not the thin, scruffy one. Sigh.
