Phoebe's Rebound pt. 19

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So one year ago today I discovered this forum out of desperation and despair.

I had awoke to Phoebe not acting like Phoebe. She wouldn't eat or drink. My normal vet was closed for the Holiday weekend so I took Phoebe to the emergency vet.

They told me Phoebe was DKA and basically her body was shutting down. I didn't have the $2,000 they needed to start treatment immediately. I only had $700. Which was enough for an IV and shot for her appetite on Saturday and Monday.

Luckily I found this page on Saturday and caring/loving people like Sharon and Carol helped me as well as others that incredibly horrific 4th Of July weekend! I knew nothing about testing for ketones or glucose until last year! I was blind with ignorance to the complexity of diabetes.

Tuesday morning I awoke from my 2 hour sleep if I did even sleep to Phoebe not doing well. I started with the syringe feedings that I had started Saturday. It wasn't going well. I stsrted praying with Phoebe and I asked God to please save her for me! I took her outside in the 5a.m. morning mist and hugged and petted her under the big oak tree. I told her too plesse stay and don't leave me! Bobo and I needed her here as her pupils were dilating and pulsing as her life seemed to be flickering in and out.

I came back in and got on the forum here. I can't remember if it was Sharon or Carol but they told me to reach out to D.C.I.N. and see if they would help pay Phoebe's vet cost? I messaged them and told them the dire straits I was in. This was around 5:30 a.m. At around 6:30 a.m. I loaded Phoebe up in my car and took her to my vet not knowing what they would do or how'd I pay for any of it? As I waited for the vet to open at 7a.m. some of the employees started trickling in. They saw that I was extremely upset as I sat in my car with Phoebe and asked me what was wrong? I could barely get words out of my mouth as tears streamed down my face. They saw how bad Phoebe looked! They rushed us in and unlocked the vet.

I waited for Dr. DeCarlo to return to tell me what we had to do. After 20 minutes awaiting for her which seemed like hours. She had told me what the verdict was which I already knew Phoebe was DKA. She told me there wasn't much time and that we needed to get started on her immediately!

The doctor told me how much it would cost. $3,000 was the minimum. She asked me if I had it anyway to pay for that? I told her no. As I told her no I got a message on my phone. As I read the message from D.C.I.N. with a shiver running down my spine telling me not to worry about the bill! They had read my message and everything would be covered!

I never believed in miracles but do now. Tears were running down my face as well as Dr. DeCarlo as I read to her the message that I'd received! She couldn't believe the blessing we'd just received!

The Doctor informed me that Phoebe wasn't out of the woods yet. It'd be a tough climb. To make a long story short. Phoebe spent 5 days in the ER and finally came home!

And with all of what I'd just said I owe this forum and others a tremendous amount of gratitude and thanks for helping us a year ago and the continued help today. Phoebe and I love ❤ you all for the 2nd chance you've given us!

P.S. Sorry if I rambled
 
Thanks for sharing your story! I can't even imagine how scary that must have been, but what a blessing DCIN has been, and Phoebe's recovery and good health are testimony to your love and care for her.
 
I'm not one to get choked up but that made it happen! That is an amazing story, Eric :bighug:. Here's to a better 4th of July weekend! Head bumps and nose kisses for Phoebe! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Phoebe exactly one year later. Doing what she likes occasionally. Grass! Hahaha! Pictures taken just now.
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Yong said:
I'm not one to get choked up but that made it happen! That is an amazing story, Eric :bighug:. Here's to a better 4th of July weekend! Head bumps and nose kisses for Phoebe! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Thank you Yong. I got emotional reliving that as I put it down into words.
 
Djamila said:
Thanks for sharing your story! I can't even imagine how scary that must have been, but what a blessing DCIN has been, and Phoebe's recovery and good health are testimony to your love and care for her.
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Thank you so much Djamila! You've helped me so much. Your words still echo in my mind. When you told that I'm still acting like Prozinc is Vetsulin. Those words helped!
 
ERIC! How dare you make me cry like that??? No seriously, I've got tears in my eyes right now, but what a beautiful story! The way that message came through RIGHT when you had to decide what to do just gave me a chill!

I'm so grateful that things worked out for you and that Phoebe is still here a year later alive and well! You've been through so much and have been such a great cat dad through it all...what a lucky kitty Phoebe is (and so was Bobo!) to have you! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
What a beautiful story Eric! I'm so glad sweet Phoebe is doing so well. It's all because of the love and great care you've given her. I'm so glad you found this site and DCIN, they are a great organization. Give Phoebe lots of hugs, kisses and chin scritches from her Auntie Sharon!:bighug:
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Auntie Carol says Happy 4th, Phoebe. We are all so happy it worked out the way it has, and you both are doing so well. Getting her on wet food is equally amazing.
It seems longer than 1 year, doesn't it?
 
Eric, you're usually a man of few words here at FDMB ;) but you told Phoebe's story SO well. Yes, I'm teary-eyed too. It was such good timing that you came to FDMB and then contacted DCIN. The Universe spoke and it was good. :bighug:
 
Rachel said:
ERIC! How dare you make me cry like that??? No seriously, I've got tears in my eyes right now, but what a beautiful story! The way that message came through RIGHT when you had to decide what to do just gave me a chill!

I'm so grateful that things worked out for you and that Phoebe is still here a year later alive and well! You've been through so much and have been such a great cat dad through it all...what a lucky kitty Phoebe is (and so was Bobo!) to have you! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Thank you Rachel! I'm so lucky that Phoebe wandered into mine and Bobo's life when she did!
 
Sharon14 said:
What a beautiful story Eric! I'm so glad sweet Phoebe is doing so well. It's all because of the love and great care you've given her. I'm so glad you found this site and DCIN, they are a great organization. Give Phoebe lots of hugs, kisses and chin scritches from her Auntie Sharon!:bighug:
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Awwww....thank you Auntie Sharon! Phoebe and I send our ❤ and 1000 thank you for helping us from day one! Glad I found this site a year ago today or no telling how things could've turned out. But I don't want to think about that! Phoebe's here and super healthy!!!
 
Carol & Murphy said:
Auntie Carol says Happy 4th, Phoebe. We are all so happy it worked out the way it has, and you both are doing so well. Getting her on wet food is equally amazing.
It seems longer than 1 year, doesn't it?
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Thank you Auntie Carol! Yes it seems like more than a year! Talk about a tumultuous year!?! Lows, highs, lows, and highs again! Phoebe finally kicked her dry food habit and loves nothing but wet! I've gotten friends who's cat's weren't diabetic too make the switch as well! It's the best thing for them. Thanks again Carol for talking me through everything a year ago. You and Sharon told me too give her food with the syringe and get a glucose meter immediately! You and others made it possible for Phoebe to survive too July 5th and for an actual miracle to occur. I'm eternally grateful and thankful for everyone compassion and kindness on here! ❤
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Eric, you're usually a man of few words here at FDMB ;) but you told Phoebe's story SO well. Yes, I'm teary-eyed too. It was such good timing that you came to FDMB and then contacted DCIN. The Universe spoke and it was good. :bighug:
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Thank you Kris! Hahaha I'm definitely not a man of few words! Just a man of few hours at times hahaha! When I work all day I come home and tend to Phoebe's needs first then mine ie.yard work, laundry, cooking, dishes, Phoebe and Daddy playtime hahaha! Believe me Kris I'm a talker!
 
maybe the 1 year anniversary is time to take stock - I know it has been discussed before, but I'm just putting in a plug to consider switching to a depot insulin (Lantus/Levemir) Murphy had a similar profile on Prozinc, wild swings He still is not regulated by any means, but the wild swings are gone, in large part
 
Carol & Murphy said:
maybe the 1 year anniversary is time to take stock - I know it has been discussed before, but I'm just putting in a plug to consider switching to a depot insulin (Lantus/Levemir) Murphy had a similar profile on Prozinc, wild swings He still is not regulated by any means, but the wild swings are gone, in large part
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I can say the same for Teasel. One of the L insulins is worth considering, Eric.
 
Eric can correct me if I'm wrong but I think sometimes his newer job puts him and Phoebe on 11/13 or even 10/14 schedules. That can be more difficult with the L insulins, correct?
 
Thank everyone for all the questions you've all raised with insulin and Phoebe. I'll have to consult all of you and way my options before I switch. Not sure what I should do at this moment?
 
EricH. said:
Thank everyone for all the questions you've all raised with insulin and Phoebe. I'll have to consult all of you and way my options before I switch. Not sure what I should do at this moment?
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Eric, I suggest you read the yellow info stickies on the Lantus forum to learn more about it. Your work schedule might make it hard to stick to 12/12 dosing but having a good idea of how Lantus works is a good starting point.
 
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