Nan's Notes: "Smile When You Say That"

This is a very long post and I'll start by saying that my vet - Dr. Carlye Rose at Memorial 610 Animal Hospital - is a wonderful vet. When Jim, my vet of about 16 years, had to move his clinic to make way for the freeway construction we switched to Memorial 610 and met Dr. Rose. She treats all types of animals but sort of specializes in cats - she's very open and offers honest assessments of your situation and we've been through a few "situations".

She set-up the thyroid treatment for Little at the Gulf Coast Vet Specialists (a 10 day extravaganza where they "nuked" his thyroid and he couldn't come home until he was no longer radioactive) and she coached me through the last months of Big's life. On his last day, she was the third corner of our "triangle hug" as we ushered Big onto the rainbow bridge. She treated the Maine Coon boys through their crazy-kitten related injuries (Elvis "crispy-paw" Brewer, the hematoma on his ribs, etc.) and agreed to take in Ike during the storm.

I say all this because she's been with us through thick and thin and I trust her. So Little hadn't felt well for a week or so and last Tuesday - Groundhog Day - we went to Dr. Rose for his 6 month check-up. I was expecting pretty bad news and got some. He'd had several accidents outside his box in the last week and, sure enough, had another bladder/kidney infection. She explained this is a normal course of events for old people and cats because as the kidneys are less efficient, the environment becomes more conducive for infection. We've been through this off and on for years - nothing new except there is a fantastic new antibiotic shot that lasts for 10 - 14 days and requires no follow-up meds for basic infections.

The new issue for Little is high blood pressure. Good BP for a cat is 124 (they only use the "top number" in cats) and Little's was 200. Not good. They said this high blood pressure was likely causing bad headaches, nausea, and diminished vision. She checked his eyes and said she couldn't see any permanent damage, but time would tell. Damage to other organs can happen with BP of 180. She prescribed BP meds - 1/4 of a tablet that humans take.

I told her that I needed to understand WHY I was going with this treatment ... was I keeping him comfortable or dragging out the inevitable? She said, just like with the SubQ fluids, I was keeping him comfortable on the natural march toward the inevitable. With tears in my eyes, I reminded her that he turned TWENTY TWO years old in January. Without missing a beat, she looked at me (tears in her eyes) and said "smile when you say that ... it's an accomplishment." And she is right.

So off we went. Sad about the new turn of events. Not knowing how Little would respond to the medicine - or IF he would respond. And trying to smile when I think about all the days in 22 years that Little has been a part of our lives. I prayed that God's will - and Little's will - be done. This sounds bad, but I stopped praying "let him live" a few years ago because I thought it was selfish. I'm in it for him at this point - it's between Little and God.

Since this was the anniversary of Ruth's death, Jerry and I decided to head to the east end and eat dinner at the Dinner Bell on Lawndale. Meatloaf, black-eyed peas & fried okra with a piece of Chocolate cream pie in honor of Ruth! We drove around the neighborhoods where Jerry lived as a child. Some of the places were still there and some had been torn down ... interesting evolution of the neighborhoods.

When we got back to the house, Little was sleeping in his heated bed in my office. Looking at him it seemed he already felt better from the antibiotic shot, but the complete lab work wouldn't be ready for several days. First dose of BP meds went well and he ate his late dinner like a champ. Wednesday morning, Jerry said "he's walking better" and it did seem he was staging yet another come-back. I had meetings that day and when I returned to the house I couldn't find him. Mild panic after searching the entire downstairs. Went to the bedroom to change out of my suit and saw him napping comfortably in his bed. Could not believe he had gone up the stairs by himself.

Next two days he continued to improve, but I was waiting on the complete lab work to learn the TRUE condition of his internal working parts. Dr. Rose reported in on Friday morning that she was very pleased with his blood work. Once again, he has defied the odds. Everything normal except he's slightly anemic and there's a slight decrease in kidney function - which we already knew about. God and Little are a strong team!

Here he is drinking from his fountain ... a favorite activity.