Monday, June 9, 2008

7 pm (PST) Update

Dear Friends,
Tyler's mom speaking:
I am overwhelmed by the beautiful comments you have all left on Ty's blog. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that you all have brought a miracle to our doorstep. I came home from work to find an almost peppy Kali. She got up out of her bed and greeted me. Something she hadn't done for the past three days.  I took her to the new vet and I fell in love with this person. She was so compassionate. She told me all of our options and let me decide. She did say that Kali seemed to have too much spunk today to be helped to the Bridge. She recommended having blood work done and X-rays taken. She wanted to find out if Kali could enjoy more life if we managed her care with medicine. 

The blood work results will come in tomorrow. The x-rays showed some concerns with her heart. She had heard an irregular heart beat and the film showed that her heart was over to the right. Also their might be fluid in her lungs. A radiologist will be in the office on Wednesday to give more feedback. The vet thinks that Kali may be suffering from hyperthyroidism which may be the cause of her heart problems. We'll know more once the blood work comes back. For now I'm suppose to put her on Pepsid AC and then she gave me 2 perscriptions, Reglan to prevent her from vomiting and Lasix for her heart. She wasn't dehydrated so she was able to drink water without spitting that up. I'm to feed her in ver small amounts to see if she can keep  that down too.

Forgive me for calling wolf and saying that she was most likely going to the Bridge today. I honestly thought she would. I wasn't trying to be over dramatic. I plead ignorance. With her age, I assumed that any troubles would be too serious to try to fix. I'm grateful for being wrong.

 But it looks like we have bought her a little bit more time. I am so surprised. With her poor heart and possible fluid in the lungs I'm not sure how much time has been bought. The vet gave me the option of having an ultrasound of her heart and possibly an EKG, although she thinks my girl might be too fiesty to sit still long enough for the EKG. The more I think about it, the more I think that she's too old to go to such extreme measures to try to save. 

I asked the doctor to just make sure that Kali isn't suffering. If she isn't suffering, I'll spend every extra day with her that I can. It's such a huge responsibility to decide what's best for her.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your loving thoughts. We are so lucky to have you all as our friends. We are in your debt. Headbumps and purrs,
Lynn

38 comments:

PB 'n J said...

We believe in Miracles - we're purring for Kali!

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrr,
Pearl, Bert and Jake

The Meezers or Billy said...

Mom Lynn, we doesn't think you called wolf at all or were over dramatic or anything like that. Mommy wented through this twice wif Norton and then wif Trixie, so she knows how confusing things can be from not only one day to the next but sometimes from one hour to the next. we are so very glad that you will have more time with Kali!! we knows that you will cherish every moment you have with her.

Turkey Cats said...

We went throught some of the same stuff with our sister, Rita. Please give Kali a big hug for us.

Reggie and Abby "fashion queen"

Colby and Cheddar said...

We pulled Mom over to the computer to tell you this herself:

I have thyroid problems, and was hospitalized (last November) for fluid in my lungs. Surprisingly, they gave me Pepcid AC, too, and it helped with the the inflammation! I felt awful for a while but I got better and now I'm on thyroid medication.

Kali is definitely feeling poorly if she is anything like us Moms, but if she has the same problems, she might also be treatable. I hope it all works out okay!

{{{{hugs}}}} Colby and Cheddar send purrs your way, too.

Jans Funny Farm said...

Oh, you weren't crying wolf. You were facing the obvious for that moment. Jan has been through this too. Things can change very suddenly and we're glad you are able to have more time with Kali.

We're glad you can check into what can be done to help Kali have quality of life. And we understand that at her age you don't want to go to heroic measures to hold onto her. You want what is best for her.

Have a snuggly night with Kali. You both need it.

purrs and tail wags

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We are so glad that you had better news than you expected!!! YEAH!

It is hard to know and it is always best to check in with a veterinarian--sometimes there are things that a fixable no matter how old a cat is and they can live a good life for a bit longer.

We daily wonder if tomorrow will be the day for Georgia. She constantly surprises us with the joy that she greats each day and the enthusiasm with which she eats.

Boots, Ozzie and Brenda said...

We are wishing Kali all the best and hope that she feels better soon and for a long time yet!!

Ninja & Brenda

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

I never think 19 years is too long :) I believe there have more and more time spend together~!!

You also have my purrs and prayers here, count me in.

I think something or somewhere point you to the new vet, it's a very lovely guide~~

Big big hug to you, and Kali~ And all your babies~~
Michico

Smeagol and Strider, Mystery (Sunnin' at the Bridge) and Gizmo too! said...

We're glad that you have more time with Kali, and we don't think you were bein' over dramatic either.
We'll keep purrin' and purrayin' our furry hardest.

Victor Tabbycat said...

What good mews! Don't feel bad bout finkin the worst - it will happen eventually an yur preparin yurself. You and Kali haf NOW an that's what's most importantest. Hugs and purrs!

Artsy Catsy said...

Mom Lynn, my mom says don't worry a minute about anyone thinking you were crying wolf - we all know that wasn't the case. Our Callie is almost 19 and every time she even sniffles, our mom panics! We're just so happy to hear that you and Kali have more time together and that she's feeling better! And we'll all keep purring & purraying for even bigger miracles!

Rocky
& all of us at Artsy Catsy

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Wow, da new vet sounds super...we don't think yoo were crying wolf or anything like dat. When dey is older kitties, just like Artsy Catsy's mom, we panic at effurything. And rightly so. We is glad Kali is feeling a little better but we'z gonna keep purraying!

MaoMao said...

Your new vet sounds wonderful. And oh, we Ballicai are so relieved that Kali might well have more precious time to spend with you, her beloved family. That is the best news we have heard all day. We will purr and purr for precious Kali, and we're sending hugs to her and to your whole sweet family.

A heart full of love and hope from the Ballicai and the Ballicus Mom.

Tara said...

Oh such good news! I rushed over once a heard to give you my purrs, and now I see they aren't needed as much! Head butts to you!

Tara

Motor Home Cats said...

Woohoo. We are so glad that the new vet was able to help Kali, and that you will all be able to spend more time with her. We will still be purring for you that what ever time you all have left together is the most wonderful because you have been given the gift of it.

Tiki, Tavi, Cody, Camie and our mom Tara (not the cat)

The Furry Fighter said...

this is such good news...and noone would accuse you of 'calling wolf'. when a kitty is ill they can deteriorate very quickly and the Bridge seems the most likely outcome...it's happened a few times to us lately. thankfully there are some brilliant vets out there who are knowledgable and will really do whatever they can to help and get the right outcome x

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

KC said...
YAY. We hoped and purred and purrayed this noo vet would do just this.
Bear went thru this same fing. We's wented ahead an had tha ultrasound and EKG and got about three more months wif hers. So it was worth it.
Finally she wuz so sick they had to force feed her. They wanted to do that effurryday. Mommie ML realized Bear hated that and she knowed right then it was time to let her go.
But we's still had a bunch of extra weeks wif her and we made each day count.
Whether you haf one more day or a years' worth, it will never be enough. For sure. But you will do whatever is right for sweet Kali.
And it may be treatable wif drugs. We cats like miracles and we's can purr up a miracle effurry once in a while, too.
Love and Purrs,
KC

Donny and Marie and Casey said...

I'm so happy that Kali is better...we wish we could have been there to purr for her yesterday. But it's ok, we will continue to purr for her recovery and for good options to live long and happy!!

~Donny, Marie, Casey

Karen Jo said...

I am so glad that you will have more time with precious Kali.

The Misadventures Of Me said...

Miracles happen and we knows that one first hand with our Jake!

We will purr hard for Kali so that she gets betters!!!

MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...

Dearest Kali! I know you will decide when your time to go will be. You ahve such a loving home and your bean loves you so much. You have spent a lifetime by her side. We are so glad you are a bit stronger and more active right now! Purrrrayer do help so very much. I remember how they saved my life when I almost had to go to the bridge last autumn.
Very soft sweet hugs to you dear and to your family...Love Miss Peach

Poppy Q said...

Kali that is good news for you and your mom. I am glad the new vet is nice and kind.

We know that your mom will look after you and give you lots of smooches.

Purrs and smooches
Poppy Q

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Lynn
I am so delighted to learn this morning that Kali is doing so much better and that you have found a compassionate Vet to work with. I know what you mean about some of the people in the office of the Vet's. We have a similiar problem here. We will all continue to do our purrs for Kali, but for now things look great.

Purrs
Mom Debra
Abby
Boo
Ping
Jinx
and Gracie

Anonymous said...

We're glad to hear the encouraging news and are purring for Kali to keep getting better. Take care of yourself, too... all her ups and downs must have you a nervous wreck.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

We are sorry we weren't around yesterday to leave a comment on Kali. We are very glad that she isn't going to the Bridge yet! We are purring and praying hard for her. (Our mom suffers from hypothyroidism - the opposite problem from hyperthyroidism - and although thyroid problems can be serious, they are also fairly easy to treat).

Meowers from Missouri said...

amen!!

hugs & kisses from

the meower fambly--beans & woofie included

Mickey's Musings said...

Oh what happy news!!! Kali will be here for a bit and you found a great Vet!!!!!
I'm sure Kali will let you know when she is ready. Your new Vet will help make her time comfy so you can enjoy her company. It is so remarkable for a 19 year old cat. This is a happy day indeed!!!!
Mickey's Mom

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That's wonderful news that you got a miracle. We're both very happy furr all of you.Don't worry, we don't think you wuz crying wolf. When us kitties are ill, Beans always seem to panic. They should know by now that we can often purr up a miracle.

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

That is just THE best news! She's a Miracle Kitty! Lilly's heart was on the right side too! But Lilly was ready and Kali isn't yet. Please don't apologise! We kitties like to keep our Mommas on their toesies! Humongous purrs and {{{HUGS}}} to you and purrayes that she keeps up this newfound energy!

Laila and Peggy

LZ said...

Purrs are amazing! It must be hard being a mom and having to make these decisions- you are doing a wonderful job! As long as Kali is happy that's all that matters and we know you'll take the best care of her.

Latte

Beau said...

Praise God for the good news!! I do believe at the time it appeared Kali was going to the Bridge, but I also believe prayer is a powerful force and that it DOES change things positively. I believe God heard all our prayers and answered them! We will continue to pray Kali gets even better and still has some good years! Our thoughts and prayers are always with you!!

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Purrs for Kali. We hope the medicine helps and she feels better soon.

Daisy said...

I am so pleased to learn that Kali may have some more time with you. My big sister Pixie takes Lasix (along with other medicines) for her heart. It has helped her feel a lot better and get the fluid out of her lungs. But it will make Kali drink and go potty a lot, so be prepared for that.

Mr. Hendrix said...

we believe in Miracles! we don't think you called wolf at all! Kali was ill and you know your kitty better than anyone. we can't purr and pray for miracles if we don't know they are needed!
please keep us posted on sweet Kali and we'll keep purring and praying for her. we are very glad you found a VET you love. that makes such a difference.

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

Oh we are So HAPPY that Kali didn't hafta go to tha Bridge yesterday. Yoo didn't do nuffin bad tho Mom Lynn. Sumtimes yoo just don't knows. Yall just enjoy efurry day yall got togefur. Dat's the impawtant part. And we'll keep purrin for Kali :)
Purrrrrrrrrs,
Alla Us

Mr. Echo said...

My sisfur Nikki had hyperthyroidism. She got it when she was 12 and my peeple had the same concerns about age as yoo. Think of kitty like a car engine and havin too much thyroid makes the engine rev reely high all the time...it wares out the parts. Nikki had a hart murmur cuz of it but after beein on meddicayshun it went away. A yeer later tho she got chylothorax and milky fluid filled up the void around her lungs and she koodint breeth. Lasik helped for a while.

I hope Kali can perk up and spend more time with you. When Nikki got the chylothorax the vet sed she only had a few weeks but she made it four months. It wuzint until she wuz starting to struggle that thay helped her cross the Bridge.

Enjoy all the days yoo can! We'll purr for ya!

Millie said...

That's wonderful news! Enjoy her and keep her comfortable, sounds like a great plan for an elder kitty.

Mom and I are sending purrs & hugs!

Anonymous said...

We're so happy to hear that there are treatments for her, and we purrray that they will work and she will be with you for lots more time. Purrrrrrs and love from all of us!