Health Update

THANKS FROM OUR FIGHTER

Tuesday Doozy of a Snoozy

Dear Friends,

I have returned today to say thanks on behalf of Mom, Dad and myself for all your kind words, love, purrs, prayers and suggestions as we deal with my CKD.

In the past few months many of you have asked if I am getting a phosphorous binder. Yes. I have been since I was diagnosed. Mom, however, is changing to a different one as she recently read that I should not take one with magnesium. The one I have been taking does contain magnesium, so I’ll be starting on one without as soon as it arrives.

Mom has also ordered the Astro’s Oil. Dezi’s and Raena’s Mom, Audra, suggested. After reading about it, Mom has decided to give it a try.

Though my numbers are really quite bad, I haven’t been displaying the symptoms of CKD. I do not have bad breath, and I have not been throwing up. And though I was looking down in my selfie photo, I do not have a droopy head. I do not play like I used to, I whine a lot for attention and treats. I also sleep more. In my defense, it has been too stinking HOT to want to do anything else.

The photos I am sharing today are ones of me having a couple of snoozies in my dad’s lap. He is a great comfort to me when I am getting my fluids and medicines, and I am gravitating to him more and more.

Once again, please accept my sincere thanks for all your kindness and love. I’ll be keeping you posted on how I am doing.

In the meantime, please join us tomorrow for the fifth birthdays of Astrid and Lisbeth.

Purrs and paw-pats, Fiona the Feisty Fighter

August 16, 2016 by Janet Blue Doozy of a Snoozy Health Kitty Written Blog Prayers 23

WEIGHT UP & NUMBERS DOWN

Good news, right?

Yesterday was my recheck with Dr. Neel. The first was my weigh-in by Tamika, my favorite vet tech.

I weighed seven pounds seven and one-half ounces. I gained an ounce and a half. Mom was doing a happy dance with that news. I was down to six pounds in January. Dr. Neel would like me to weigh at least eight pounds. I am going to try really hard to get there. I don’t want to disappoint her. I say, “Bring on the treats!”

My BUN is the best it has been since my diagnosis. It is down to 84. Granted that is still off the charts but compared to the 157 where I started, it’s meowvolous!

My phosphorus had jumped up some because I was spitting out more Maalox than I was ingesting. Dr. Neel said to stop giving it to me ’cause it was stressing me out too much. But last month when my phosphorus level had gone up even more, she said I had to go back on the yucky stuff. Mom and Dad decided to try tablets instead of liquid. The tablets are huge! They cut them in quarters and wrap them in bacon pill paste. I can’t say I love this delivery method, but my phosphorus level came down an entire point since last month. My creatinine came down a smidge. Unfortunately I am now an itty bit anemic.

But overall I had a very good report and do not have to see Dr. Neel for two months unless Mom and Dad detect a change of any sort. All my treatment will remain the same. I am tolerating it much better. Here’s a photo of me from a couple of weeks ago getting my subQ fluids. I was so calm Mom was able to step back and snap this photo.

When I do get upset and start to shake or cry, Mom tries to sing “Soft Kitty” to me. It may make her feel better, but it just grates on my nerves and eardrums. She thinks it’s soothing. I think it’s torture.

So that’s my report. Though, I continue to improve, I still can use any purrs and/or prayers you can spare. Thanks.

Last Day to Enter Our Current Giveaway

Last week Mom reviewed the heartwarming book, The True Tails of Baker and Taylor, by Jan Louch with Lisa Rogak. This story about two Scottish Fold library cats from Nevada is beautifully written, and the book includes several pages of photos. It is a book you won’t want to miss reading. For our friends residing in the U.S., we have one book to give away. Leave a comment here prior to 5 p.m. E.T. today for the opportunity to win. Winner will be selected using Random.org. and announced tomorrow.

Purrs and paw-pats, Fiona

May 12, 2016 by Janet Blue Health Kitty Written Blog Thankful Thursday Veterinarian 35

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.