CKD

FAREWELL FIONA

Sunday Selfies: Week #121

The past few days have been very difficult with too many losses, sadness and tears. It is with a heavy heart that I add to it.

Rest In Peace

March 18, 2010 – December 1, 2016

My beautiful sisfur, Fiona, got her angel wings at 9:55 p.m. on Thursday, December 1. I held back telling everyone, as Kitties Blue didn’t want to spoil Sammy’s Come Fly With Me adventure or the tribute post we had planned for him.

After 11 months of treatment for CKD, Fiona was very frail and weak. She spent her last day snuggling and cuddling with Mom and Dad and went to her new life lying on Mom’s chest.

When we posted the poem for Fiona on Thursday, many of you surmised that her time with us was coming to an end and indeed it was. We just didn’t expect it to be that day. If you missed that poem, entitled, “You,” it is now on our sidebar.

I am not going to write anymore about my sisfur today. Mom has promised me that over the next several weeks (or months) I will be able to tell you stories about Fiona and share additional photos. However, I do have two photos I want to share here. The first photo is from Fiona’s and my Gotcha Day on May 8, 2010. The second photo was taken on her last day with us.

After so many days of sadness and turmoil, Mom has decided not to decorate for Christmas. We think it would cheer her up, but she says her heart just isn’t in it. We are all pretty perturbed. One of our favorite pastimes during the holidays is to watch the electric meter dial spin around, like a ballerina in a production of The Nutcracker, when the lights are turned on. She has, however, promised to hang all our stockings from the mantel so Santa Paws knows where to find us. And we will have a Christmas card. In fact, it features Fiona in a gorgeous graphic Nellie‘s mom, Barb, created for us. Mom promises to share that very soon.

I do want to share this lovely card/badge Sammy‘s mom, Pam, made. It was so kind and generous of her. We love it, and we know Fiona would as well.

We are super thankful that Sammy and Fiona could go to the Bridge together. It’s always nice to have a friend to hold your paw when you begin a new adventure.

Mom and Dad are so thankful they were able to take Fiona to the Blessing of the Animals a couple of weeks ago. And they, as well as all the Kitties Blue and I appreciate all the support, purrs and prayers and best wishes you have sent Fiona over the past 11 months. We know each and every one of those extended her life.

Now it’s time to hop. We hope lots and lots of you will join us. The link is below as is the code if you’d like to include the hop on your Sunday Selfies post. If you don’t post on Sundays, you are still welcome to join the hop. And it remains open each week through Thursday.

Thank you for stopping in today. We love all our blogging friends.

Purrs and paw-pats, Giulietta

POEM OF LOVE FOR FIONA

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

I love you, Fiona.

So if you haven’t figured it out, Fiona is failing. She will not return to see Dr. Neel unless a crisis occurs. Her BUN was 180 and her phosphorous 20 on Tuesday. But the worst news was that she’d lost an entire pound. She now weighs only 4.9 pounds. I won’t give up hope that she might rally, but it doesn’t seem likely.

Dr. Neel and I were crying as Dad Tom and I left the vet on Tuesday. Fiona is beloved by everyone at our veterinary hospital.

Thank you everyone for all the purrs, prayers, POTP and well wishes you have sent to Fiona during the past eleven months. I know that has given her the courage and strength to soldier on. She may be tiny, but that hasn’t stopped her from fighting.

We are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop as well as Sammy’s Thoroughly Poetic Thursday. Today’s prompt letter was “Y.”

Tomorrow we will be participating in Come Fly with Me for Sammy and in honor of Easy who unexpectedly received his wings yesterday.

As you know, Sammy is the host of the ever popular Tuesday Teaser. But instead of Sammy trying to tease us, everyone who wants to participate needs to select someplace in their city, state, country they think Sammy might like to visit. Just include a photo of the location with a description and add your link to the hop at Dory’s Backyard.

The badge above gives you all the info you need. And, if you want to post prior to Friday, the link is already open HERE.

If you have not had the opportunity to stop be Easy’s blog and leave your condolences, the link is above.

December 1, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Poetry Prayers Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 53

A SISTER SUNPUDDLE CUDDLE

Tuesday Doozy of a Snoozy

It so warmed my heart when Dad Tom showed me this photo he’d taken of Giulietta and Fiona a couple of days ago. The temps were a bit warmer and the girls found a sunpuddle to have a cuddle together on the deck above the catio. As stated in previous posts, these once inseparable sisters have not been spending much time together since Fiona became ill. I did, however, find them snuggled together on the hall rug a short time ago.

I apologize for the blurriness of the photo. It was taken through a window so as not to disturb the ladies.

Tomorrow is Fiona’s vet appointment. She hasn’t had the best week (another reason I was happy to see her with Giulietta). I will be quite surprised if she’s maintained her weight this week.

She’ll give you an update later in the week.

Come Fly With Me

Have you heard about the fun blog hop taking place this Friday, December 2, to honor our pal, Sammy (onespoiledcat)? If not check out the information below.

The badge above gives you all the info you need. And, if you want to post prior to Friday, the link is already open HERE.

And don’t forget to send Sammy some extra purrs and prayers. His health issues and age are catching up with him, and he needs all the POTP we can muster to give him a happy Christmas and 17th birthday on January 1.

We love you Sammy!

November 29, 2016 by Janet Blue Doozy of a Snoozy Health Prayers 20

DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!

Wordy Wednesday

We are breaking our silence today to send out a special news bulletin!

Fiona visited Dr. Neel yesterday to have her PCV (packed cell volume) and weight checked.

If you don’t recall, Fiona had an injection last week with medication (Darbepoetin Alfa) provided by Mom Ellen (15AndMeowing) to help her anemia. Her PCV last week was 17. Her current PCV is 22.5. Thus, the happy dance!

She also maintained her weight of 5.9 pounds. We hate that her weight is so low, but pleased it didn’t drop additionally this week.

She’ll return to see Dr. Neel again next Tuesday for another PCV check and possible injection. We’ll let you know how that goes.

Please keep Fiona in your prayers. And please, please add our best pal, Sammy (onespoiledcat), to your prayers and send him some POTP. He spent Tuesday night in the hospital getting IV fluids and some other treatments. Sammy has hyperthyroidism and kidney problems. We love him so much. We know many of you do as well so hope you’ll share.

Please feel free to use our graphic on your blog.

Tomorrow will be an extra special Thanksgiving post. We know everyone will be busy with family, but please drop in if you can find a few minutes.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

November 23, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Kitty Written Blog Prayers Wordless Wednesday 39

BEAUTIFUL BOBBLEHEAD & FILL-INS

Today is the Friday Fill-Ins blog hop, but before Mom shows you her completions, I am here to report on my Tuesday appointment with Dr. Neel.

First was the weigh-in. Bad news on that front. I lost more than one pound this past month and am now well under six pounds. MOUSES!

A girl’s got to keep a sense of humor. Right?

Anyhoo, after the weigh-in, Dr. Neel came in and she, Mom and Dad talked. They decided to do minimum blood work. Mom said that the “bad” numbers just make her upset, and no matter what my numbers were, my treatment and meds would not change. So I just got my BUN and PCV (packed cell volume) done. My BUN is down to 110. That is down 48 points from last month when I had my highest number. Happy dance for me; though, that number is not a true representation of how my CKD is progressing.

My PCV had dropped four points to 17. That means my anemia is worse. But thanks to Mom Ellen (15 And Meowing), I have started on a new medication to help lessen my anemia. Ellen had this medicine for Spooky, but he was never able to use it, so she gifted it to me. Dr. Neel didn’t want to use it before now as some side effects are possible, and she didn’t want to compromise my tenuous grasp on stability. I had my first injection yesterday. So far all is well. I will get an injection each week for three more weeks.

Unless I experience any significant change in my condition between now and mid-December, I’ll wait until then to give you another update. That doesn’t mean you won’t see me on the blog. It just means I won’t be boring you with talk of my health.

Thank you everyone for your purrs and prayers. Mom, Dad and I know how powerful these are, and I believe that all I’ve received have definitely extended my life. If you have a few more to spare, I will gladly accept them and be super appreciative.

Purrs and paw-pats, Fiona with a huge thank you to Mom Ellen

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week 28

Fiona was kind enough to allow me to share this post with her so I could complete Ellen’s and Annie’s (McGuffy’s Reader) fill-ins for this week’s blog hop. You can join and/or find other participants on Annie’s blog.

1. One Thanksgiving tradition I have is making pumpkin pie from my Grandma Shirley’s recipe. Every year I pull out the recipe card she wrote for me more than 40 years ago.

2. Black Friday: Just say, “NO!” I have posted about this previously. If you’d like to read those posts, you can do so here and here.

3. The best part about Thanksgiving Day is remembering Thanksgiving as a child when we always had 20 plus people at our house for dinner. Also stuffing and pumpkin pie.

4. One Thanksgiving Dad Tom and I spent the day on a Greyhound bus returning home after our car broke down on the way out of state for dinner with relatives.

The best part of this Thanksgiving will be that Fiona is still here to share it with us 11 months after being diagnosed with CKD.

November 18, 2016 by Janet Blue Fiona Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Health Kitty Written Blog Prayers 28

BLESSING FOR FIONA

Sunday Selfies: Week # 118

Today is a very special Sunday Selfies post. I am sharing selfies that my dad helped me take yesterday. They were snapped in the car right after we returned home from The Blessing of the Animals. Sponsored by our veterinarian, Vinton Veterinary Hospital, it took place outside at the Vinton (Virginia) War Memorial. And I was the only Kitty Blue who attended. In fact, I was the only kitty who attended. Before I tell you more, here are my two selfies.

A couple of days ago, Mom got an e-mail from the vet with info about this event. Some of our kitty friends, like Allie, Ellie and Raz and their predecessors (Friends Furever), go to a Blessing of the Animals every year. It is not an event, however, that is held very often in our area. Because of this, neither I nor my fursibs had ever attended one. Mom would have liked to take all of us, but that would have been overwhelming.

With my health continuing to fail, Mom knew she didn’t want to miss the opportunity for me to attend. So I was packed up into the Sleepypod and away we went. When we arrived, Mom and Dad transferred me to the WackyPaws pet sling that Mom Emily and Sampson (Kitty Cat Chronicles) gifted to Astrid. I’d never been in it before, so my humans didn’t know how accepting I’d be. They were pleasantly surprised.

It was a cool but brightly sunny day, and we were outside for about 45 minutes. I remained totally calm the entire time, even when Dr Neel’s dog was whining and barking at me. I recognized so many faces and voices from the vet’s office, so nothing scared me. Sometimes I pulled my head completely inside the sling and hunkered down. That’s due to the sun being in my eyes. I was never frightened.

There was a group blessing, and I got an individual blessing.

On Tuesday I have my monthly CKD check. I have not been eating as much as I should so my weight will probably be down again. Mom says she’s not going to make me have a complete blood panel as my numbers really aren’t important anymore. I will continue on my medications and five-day-per-week subQ fluids as long as I am happy, not in any pain and still enjoying lap time and sun puddles on the catio.

I’d be happy to continue to receive your purrs, prayers and POTP, however, if you don’t mind.

So this is our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. It would make me so happy if you would join me here and invite your friends as well. Last week, we had our smallest turnout since January 2015. My fursibs and I have our paws crossed that this is not a trend. We so love having our current friends join us each week, and we love making new friends.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below as is the code to add the hop to your blog post. If you do this, would you be so kind as to link back to The Cat on My Head and/or display our badge. Thank you!

Purrs and paw-pats, Fiona

November 13, 2016 by Janet Blue Blessing of the Animals Health Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 48

DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT

Fiona and Giulietta’s Vet Visit

I’d like to apologize to Mom Ellen (15AndMeowing) and Mom Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) for not pawticipating in Friendly Fill-Ins his week. Mom is allowing Giulietta and me to write this post about our visit yesterday to Dr. Neel. That’s right, Giulietta had to come with me. She wasn’t happy, but it was nice to have the company. We were able to serenade the humans with some nice duets on the way there and home.

But enough of this preamble. I know you are all waiting for my report. In a nutshell…it stinks! Mom mentioned in a post a few days ago that she thought I was puny. She was right.

Though not good, my BUN had gone down a bit last month. I was not so fortunate this time. It has jumped up 29 points to 158. That’s the highest since my diagnosis last December when it was 157. Though, I have been eating the K/D kibble and getting my phosphorus binder, my phosphorous jumped way up as well. And I lost a half of a pound. All-in-all, not a good report.

I believe that I am probably on the downhill slide and losing the battle against the CKD. Nonetheless, I am happy (except for having to get subQ fluids five days per week and taking yucky medications), not in any pain and love being doted on by Mom and Dad.

Dr. Neel is quite surprised and pleased that I haven’t gotten my wings yet. She says that most kitties with numbers as high as mine were at diagnosis only survive a few months. Mom is praying that I can make it through the upcoming holidays. I am going to give it my best effort.

Before I turn this post over to Giulietta, here is our photo from the exam room. We were totally chill for the entire hour we were there. I am not too sure why we were ignoring each other.

Anyhoo…I sure could use some purrs, prayers and POTP if you don’t mind.

Thanks, purrs and paw-pats, Fiona

Wow that girl can go on and on. But please do send some good thoughts her way. I love her very much and will be terribly lonely when she leaves us.

So, I had to see Dr. Neel today as I have been having litter box issues again. I’ve also developed hyperesthesia and licked off some of my booty furs. Mom thought both issues were probably stress-related since my sis is sick. She had inspected me for fleas and flea dirt to rule that out as a reason. She couldn’t find any. When I went to the back at the vet to have my pedicure and a bit of lady-scaping in my nether regions, Dr. Neel found a flea. She brought me back to the exam room and turned me over. Mom saw a flea on my tummy. (When Fiona and I got home, we all had Advantage applied.) We’re hoping that will take care of most of my issues.

For me the worst part of the visit was the weigh-in. Like any lady, I refuse to tell my weight. I have, however, gained two pounds since April. I swear I don’t eat too much. It’s just that I eat calming food, and it has a tendency to make us kitties gain weight. I am now being put on a diet. Mom and Dad will be phasing in a new food that is supposed to have calming effects as well as be lower in calories.

I also need to get more exercise. I have never been interested in playing. I’ll pawticipate in a play session for a couple of minutes, but I am more of a spectator. Mom has ordered me a harness, and it looks like I’ll be taking walks once I get accustomed to it. Pffft! I’m not fat, I’m just a bit zoftig and super floofy.

So that’s my tale of woe. Not so bad when I think about my sis.

Thanks for visiting us. Please pray for my sisfur.

Purrs and paw-pats, Giulietta

October 14, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Prayers 46

DEMAND FOR EQUAL TIME

Sunday Selfies: Week #112

It was no surprise after yesterday’s post that a certain kitty cornered me and demanded equal time on the blog. Here’s that kitty in the selfie she snapped to share with you.

Did you guess that your host was going to be Fiona?

If you look closely, you will see water droplets on her chin. Her CKD causes her to drink lots and lots of water, and she often looks like this.

She asked me to let you know that she is doing pretty well. We think she has gained weight since she agreed to eat the k/d formula kibble. We won’t find out util her next vet visit in a couple of weeks.

Fiona and I hope you enjoy her autumn selfie, and that you decide to join her with a selfie of your own. The link to join the hop is below as is the code to add the hop to your selfie post. We have only one request: Please add our badge and/or The Cat on My Head to your post.

The kitties and I would like to thank our regular hoppers and everyone who has ever entered our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. Have an easy Sunday.

October 2, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Sunday Selfies 49

ODE TO DR. NEEL BY FIONA

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

Today I have asked to write the poem for Sammy’s Thoroughly Poetic Thursday. Our prompt letter for the week is “N,” which is why I volunteered. I wanted to write a poem about our vet, Dr. Kathryn Neel from Vinton Veterinary Hospital. She is compassionate and empathetic and a really great doctor. If I have to go to the veterinarian every month, I am HAPPY she’s the one taking care of me.

Ode to Dr. Neel

Today was another trip to see Dr. Neel,
But nobody asked how that made me feel.
Though I always poop on the way in the PTU;
Today, as payback, I peed on Mom too!

I wet her pants & butterfly, rainbow, unicorn cat,
And she was totally not happy about that.
But she loves me so much, she didn’t get mad,
As she knows I didn’t do it to be bad.

First came the weigh-in with my paws crossed
That I’d gained some weight instead of lost.
I feared that I might end up singing the blues,
But I’ve gained five ounces…super great news!

Dr. Neel was as gentle as she always is
When she took me back for my bloodwork quiz.
Some numbers moved in the right direction;
Though, I am far from reaching purrfection.

My BUN came down from 135 to 129.
Even a small improvement is a very good sign.
My phosphorous level was also some better:
Four points down brought us all great pleasure.

I’m not quite as anemic as I was before…
More good news that made my spirits soar.
All my numbers continue to be way too high,
But I feel pretty good and so won’t cry.

It’s important to have a vet who truly cares,
And with your human information shares.
Our vet is AAHA accredited, cat friendly as well.
In fact Vinton Vet & Dr. Neel are totally swell!

If I have to be dragged to these monthly checks,
I’m glad that I have Dr. Kathy Neel as my vet.
I know she’ll always take the best care of me
As she monitors and treats my CKD.

I don’t want to sugar coat how I am doing. My numbers suck, and I still refuse to eat the kidney diet. A normal BUN is 10 to 30 mg/dl. So 129 is really lousy. But this is the second month in a row that I have gained weight, and I really do feel good. I’m spoiled rotten, and I take advantage of Mom and Dad as much as possible. If I want something, I whine, and I always get it. Trust me, all of us would rather I wasn’t sick, but I don’t mind having my every whim and wish granted.

My next appointment is in a month. I’ll report back then. Thanks for all your continued purrs and prayers. Mom, Dad and I really appreciate your support.

Purrs, paw-pats and thanks, Fiona

September 15, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Kitty Written Blog Poetry Prayers Thoroughly Poetic Thursday Veterinarian 26

RESTING UP BEFORE TODAY’S VET VISIT

Wordless Wednesday

September 14, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Veterinarian Wordless Wednesday 30

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.