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Archive through February 28, 2004

The TVClubHouse: Archives: 2004 January - Arpil: Cats (ARCHIVE): Archive through February 28, 2004 users admin

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Ruiner
Member

08-31-2003

Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 1:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
awww shucks...thanx everyone for your help with this...

I'll try to do better when posting pics in the future....

Sending bunches of to all who helped.

Rosie - Johnny knows he's a handsome lad...

Lobster
Member

04-13-2001

Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 2:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
These two have been completely out of control lately. A time out in the corner is just what they need!!

thunandlight

Ruiner
Member

08-31-2003

Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 2:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lobster - ROFL!!!

Weinermr - I/we haven't heard anything about Medley. Is she okay? Is she doing any better? Been thinking a lot about you guys recently...

Hoping everything is okay...

Weinermr
Member

08-18-2001

Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 4:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ruiner,

Medley is doing very well. She still has a small bit of congestion from her cold, she lost some weight which we hope she will gain back, and she is still a bit weak. But she is eating and drinking on her own, her bathroom habits are normal, she is off antibiotics, and her behavior is getting pretty close to what it was before she caught her cold.

A big thank you to you, and to everyone else for asking about her, for praying for her, and for caring.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 8:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Your news is good news on Medley! I'm happy to hear it.

Ruiner
Member

08-31-2003

Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 11:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Weinermr! I'm so thrilled to hear that. Yay for Medley! Tell her to keep up the good work!!

I once brought Johnny Cat into the clinic for an ultrasound. He was only there one day...the day we had a couple of cats in with uri's, (upper respiratory infections). Well John came home sneezing and snuffling. We let him wait it out. He was still eating okay just sneezing his little brains out. Most of these things are viral so drugs wouldn't have helped at that point. If it would of went past that week then he would have been on abs!

btw, Johnny is on a regular regimen of subQ fluids and steroids and on occasion eye meds. Seems to keep him going. But boy do I worry about every little thing with him.

In 2 weeks he has his 6 month check up - hoping all his lab work comes back in an acceptable range...hoping...hoping...hoping....

ETA: have a safe trip...



Clutterfree
Member

10-24-2003

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 5:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Note: This is long, so don’t feel obliged to read it all. I have highlighted some important parts in bold, and put stars around for those with email programs that don’t read HTML.

IN MEMORIUM: CYPRESS-MICHAEL JOHNSON with love

October 1989-February 14, 2004 (adopted February 1995)

I first became aware that something was drastically wrong with Cypress on Tuesday January 13th, although I now know that problems probably went back at least to last summer. Lesson learned: extensive blood tests may show everything OK, but if in doubt, go for an ultrasound!

Since learning the sad truth about Cypress (lymphoma; large inoperable tumors) I put my life on hold especially in the past 2 weeks, cancelling both business appointments and a trip to my father’s, as well as a day trip to NYC. I was willing to continue doing that if there was really any reasonable degree of hope for a positive prognosis. In fact, I already had in mind cancelling a NY photographer who was coming in this past week for picture-taking of my business. But the struggle over pills and/or syringe fluid injections 2 to 3 times a day was beginning to take its toll on both of us. He was always the one cat I had prayed I would never have to pill. And I never had to before, because I could always mix pulverized pills in his food, since he ate like a horse. But now he was hardly eating at all, and in fact had dropped a pound in the past week. His backside was now concave rather than convex.

An animal communicator friend had drawn my attention back to the SIZE of his tumors—two of them, each the size of a pack of playing cards, one in the stomach outflow and one in the intestine.

The vet said that he was losing oxygen to various vital organs, including brain, and that he was anemic.

***I had a moment of clarity on Friday when I thought clearly and distinctly "What am I keeping him alive for?". This was after I had taken him outside in my arms, and the birds nearby did not even register with him—and birds used to be one of his major delights in life. He staggered around the kitchen, and had difficulty settling in one place, not registering pain yet, but definitely discomfort.***

He rallied a little Friday night the 13th, and drew himself out of his stupor to have a last meal of fresh cooked chicken with me (where that came from, I don’t know, the vet said that the Prednisone we had just started up again, would not have had time to take affect). Midnight Friday, I still had hope, because he was still eating, but my 5 AM check on him brought another story. He looked miserable, wouldn’t eat a bite, at some point had soiled himself, was staggering and panting trying to make it to the litter box and back, worn out and weak and "out of it" a lot of the time, vomitting small amounts of saliva. I called the vet; I thought maybe she would suggest some emergency measure to get him up and running, but she wanted to wait til afternoon. And try as I might, I couldn’t find a single assistant to help me pill him Saturday or stay with him Sunday while I went to my Dad’s. All my supports disappeared when I needed them most, and maybe it was meant to be. I asked the vet what would be the most positive prognosis if we could bring him round…and she said maximum life span one year, and more likely 6 months….and it seemed like it would be a long struggle to bring him back to anything approaching normal even if we could. I finally couldn’t bear to add to his distress by pilling him even one more time; he hated it so. I had only until 2 PM to make a decision….I had to leave by then to get to the vet’s in Guilford by 3 PM. She had agreed to stay past their 3 PM closing time to help me out. I took Cypress down with the idea that if he gave him even ONE signal that this was the wrong move, we would be out of there immediately. But he never did. He seemed ready to go, and glided peacefully and without a murmur except for that quiet purr into a "better place". Would that we could all go so peacefully.

====================

***I think that I made a lot of "the right" (or at least "good") moves in moving through Cypress' illness. I surprised myself with my strength in being able to take him to the vets for the last time on my own on Saturday, and think that maybe that was the way it was meant to be. I had tried calls in 4 different directions to have someone take me for the one hour trip going and the hour trip back. I think maybe Cypress and I needed to be alone together so I could be sure that it was OUR decision, with water not muddied by other input at that point in time.***

My vet was WONDERFUL, SUPPORTIVE and stayed overtime to help us through the process. They even offered me a bottle of water as I was leaving. That bottle sits on my kitchen counter for the moment as a reminder of their very solid support.

They are keeping the body for me for now so that I can bury him in the springtime with a ceremony in the family pet cemetery; they VOLUNTEERED to do that.

***My feeling after it was over was RELIEF, which again signals me that this was the right decision. He was purring, albeit weakly, up until the very end. I was stroking him with his favorite brush in his favorite place and had my finger on his throat. It was a good "good-bye", although a very sad one.***

=================

***Thank you to everyone who has helped.*** To all who have sent their thoughts, prayers and wishes. To the 2 online groups, the lymphoma/cats group and the Clubhouse/cats group. To my wonderful vet Dr. Ackles and all her office staff. To the staff at Monson MA and Dr. Dorsie Kovacs. To Theresa, who talked to me on the phone from Missouri in the middle of the night when Cypress had one of his crises. To Sharyn, who shared and supported, and empathized with the recent loss of her cat Rufus. To my animal communicator Nedda Wittels, who helped draw my attention to some important points, as did vet tech Ruiner—thanks, Linda.

To Debbie, who sent me the book on cats and cancer, with section on euthanasia.

To my other cat Maggie, who was patient with me, even though I ignored her to some extent in my attempts to keep up with Cypress’ needs. She may have lacked attention, but she sure got lots of food—all the goodies that Cypress wouldn’t eat; now she’s getting lots of attention but she’s a little annoyed with me as I get her back on track with diet! She has been comforting me by snuggling up next to me every night.

========================

I WILL MISS..............

I will miss his greeting me at the back door every time I returned, and pawing at the back window when he saw a bird or wanted an "outing".

I will miss his recently spreading out on my chest at night and kneading with long paws--and claws--extended!

His conversational meows from the playpen when I worked in the FRONT yard.

His climbing on the back of the sofa and peering out the window from under the blinds.

His always knowing when I was paying him attention, even when I talked to him, and purring in response.

His traveling with me in the car, even to visit the Last Post cat retirement home in western CT on one Christmas Day.

His loud meows and equally loud purrs—what a repertoire!

His quiet determined assertiveness….the kitchen counters are mine!

His ability to taking a running leap and scale to the very tops of the kitchen cabinets, defying gravity!

His leaps to the top of the fridge to steal food!

And his breaking into my basement before I adopted him….and I never found out how for YEARS!

Begging to be brushed under the chin with his favorite brush, and then going into ecstasy! (He always knew which drawer the brush was in, and would paw at it endlessly!)

When he was first adopted off the streets, his absolute craving for the fresh water bowl, much more than for food. And how he used to dive off the bed when someone entered the room, figuring you have to be alert for danger even when you sleep. I cured him of that flight response. He ended by often snuggling up by my side in bed—but still was startled when Maggie would want to sleep ‘fur-to-fur’; he never could understand that and looked shocked when it happened.

How he surprised me twice during his last illness by making it all the way up two flights of stairs to jump into bed with me.



Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 7:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That was lovely! How lucky you and Cypress were to find each other.

Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 8:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Beth, I'm so sorry for your loss. You wrote a beautiful tribute to Cypress, and I'm glad you shared it with us. Take care.

Ruiner
Member

08-31-2003

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 8:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Beth - beautiful tribute to Cypress! I'm holding back tears. I'm relieved that you felt it was the right decision at the right time.

I'll email you soon...

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 8:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What a truly lovely memorial for Cypress. I hope he's running and jumping, meowing and purring, and chattering at birds forever more, in that place on the other side of the rainbow.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 8:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What a wonderful tribute to Cypress! He is on the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you and thanking you for giving him such a wonderful life.

Beth, my heart goes out to you, your in my thoughts and prayers

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 11:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Beth, thank you so much for sharing that tribute with us. Cypress was very special, and its clear the two of you were meant to be together. As you watched over him in life, I know he is now your own personal angel watching over you now.

Djgirl
Member

07-17-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 11:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Beth, thank you for sharing that beautiful tribute to your wonderful friend with all of us.

Mygetaway
Member

08-23-2000

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 1:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dear Beth.. I haven't been able to read the whole thing because even though it is so heartwarming, it is also so sad, and I feel so bad for your loss. I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you and Cypress.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 4:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
dearest beth, thank you so much for sharing your story with us, your tvch friends. you are in our hearts and our prayers. that was the most beautiful tribute for a dear friend that i've ever seen. i know the loss is a very tragic one, and he will always have a place in your heart. thank you for letting him have a place in ours as well.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 10:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Beth, I hadn't been to this thread in ages, but I had been keeping you and Cypress in my heart and thoughts since you first said he was sick and posted his adorable picture.. I'm so sorry.. what a wonderful thing you did for him, which he deserved..

I just came to post a silly cat picture but it must have been sent to me because I needed to come and read about Cypres..

Anyway.. look at this HUGE CAT.. (I hope the picture isn't as big as the cat or it won't post).

h

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That cat is huge! And I thought mine were big!

Ktbb
Member

08-10-2003

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 7:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Beth, I'm so sorry to hear about Cypress, but I loved reading the things that made him so special. I know that he is safe and at peace and is waiting at the rainbow bridge for you.

Kaili
Member

08-31-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 7:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
wow!!!! I didn't know they even got that big!

Nancy
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 8:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
roo

My roo--10 years old....

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 10:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh good lord, Seamonkey. I hope that was a miniature person holding that cat.

Nice close-up, Nancy. Roo is cute. AND friendly!

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 1:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sea! where did ya find that cat!? LOL..he is beautiful and BIG!

Glad to hear Medley is better!

Max
Member

08-12-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 1:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm betting that big cat picture is doctored. It's a good job of it, but I've seen similar ones before that were done by Photoshop gurus. :-)

Beth, BIG hugs to you!! I know Cypress had a great mom and is still with you in spirit.

Nancy, cute pic! Don't ya just love that half-and-half face? :-)

Here's a new shot of Ellie relaxing. :-)
Ellie-cat

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 9:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ellie is adorable! I am going to get my dd to show me how to put our babies pictures on.