Mega Purrs for Lily

We had hoped to get back to blogging for fun but got yet another shocking bit of news.  Our dear sweet Lily, age 9, mother of the white cats, has oral squamous cell carcinoma.  The vet removed a mass under her tongue for the biopsy but since the cancer involves her tongue, more surgery would not be an option.  It would leave her unable to eat.  I know a feeding tube could be used but this would be for the rest of her life - not a a good quality of life as I see it.,

I am treating her with nutritionally and herbal treatments to make her comfortable and help slow the cancer growth.  The vet is looking into chemo or other treatments for this.  I ask for all the purrs, prayers, healing energy you can summon up for our dear girl.  My heart is broken.  I can't lose her!

Happy Heart Day!

It is my (Smidge) turn (at last) to do  a post!  We are very lucky to have all of us here together for another Valentine's Day. It is a very special day at our house - Pop's birthday is today and the beans's 23rd Wedding Anniversary also. 

Callie

Being a cold wintry month, February would not seem like a month for love but all of Pop's family got married this month - his parents married on Feb 14 just like Mom and Pop did.  His younger brother married on Feb 16th and his older brother John who just went to the Bridge married his late first wife on Feb. 26 and his second wife Ann on Feb. 11.  

Georgie

According to Wikipedia....Feb. 14th was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). In Europe, Saint Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart".

Wishing you a day filled with love -  whether it is furry love, romantic love, friend love or just love!  Go. Be. Love!

from http://rumimasnavi.blogspot.com/

Update on Thankful Thursday

Two Spot

Two Spot posting for us today.  Sorry about our long absence.  We have had a rough few weeks.  As you saw in our last post, Pop lost his older brother to cancer.  We are all very sad about that.  Thank you so much for the kind, comforting comments left on our blog and Facebook page.

The Pop got back from being with his family (Mom had to stay with us as there are so many special needs cats now) and came down with a very evil stomach virus which he promptly gave to Mom even tho she was trying very hard NOT to catch it.  They were both sick for days and then very tired and weak after.  We didn't have any cat food in the house so Pop get himself together enough to go get some - only one brand!!! Imagine that? Boy were we upset!  On the upside Mom was able to give Georgie her insulin and test her blood even tho she was sick.  We are glad that is over with!

Georgie birdwatching

Georgie is doing very well - no surgery needed.  Mom changed her from lactulose to Miralax and that is working wonderfully. Georgie is doing "her business" a couple of times a day and all is going well.  Snowball was switched to Miralax too and is doing just dandy!  Yay for Miralax.  Thanks for all your suggestions, comments and comfort during this episode.

Snowdrops

Our weather has been mild with no snow.  Mom is glad as she comes from MA and they are getting slammed up there!  Our snowdrops and crocuses are blooming.

Crocus

We have another health issue - it seems Lily had a bad tooth.  She underwent surgery today and two teeth extracted plus the vet did a biopsy of the inflammation under her tongue to make sure it was not the big C. Lily did well and will be on an antibiotic for the teeth extraction.  We may have to have another auction for this, so stay tuned.  Purr for Lily please - she is a special girl and the Momcat of all the whitesters.  We need her to be well and certainly NOT have that other thing.

Sweet Lily

Come back by for our Valentine celebration - it is our Pop's birthday and the beans anniversary too.  A big day in our house.

Farewell John

We posted this on Facebook but for those of you who are not on there...Our family lost Pop's brother John this weekend.  John has had stage 4 lung cancer  since 2009.  He had been successfully treating it until recently when it went to his brain. 

 Mom had to stay home with us cats but Pop went to Virginia with his brother and family.  He was a big help to them in caring for John.  We missed him but we are glad he went.  John was at home  surrounded by his wife Ann and her wonderful family.  He was in the sun room which is all glassed in, looking out over a snowy wooded scene.  Pop said it was a beautiful day with snow falling.  John slipped away late Friday afternoon, with Ann holding his hand.

In Chile last year.

When Pop called Mom to tell her John had passed - he said he had "crossed the Bridge" which made Mom smile - they definitely have been around cats too long.

Wife Ann to the left and her daughter on right

Uncle John was a runner, a triathlete, a gourmet cook, a wine collector and connoisseur, a lover of travel and a computer whiz.  He helped Mom with her computer if it didn't work right and even encouraged her to try blogging!.  He was kind, generous, caring and because of this had friends the world over.

John and Ann on the couch in the middle of the family!

He met Ann just before his diagnosis.  They married about a year later.  She was with him every step of the way.  John never had kids but Ann had two grown children - a boy and girl who adored John.  He was the father they always wanted.  Ann's extended family embraced John and they enjoyed many outings to the Massachusetts shore with tons of nieces, nephews and their kids. Mom  just wished he had more time to spend with those he loved so much. 

 To live in the hearts of those who love you, is never to die." - Unknown

Pop on left and John on right in Europe

Thankful Thursday with Georgie

 

Mom has been posting on Facebook about my megacolon and constipation issues.  (Sorry we are talking about such icky stuff). I had to go to the vet again on Saturday and Sunday last weekend for enemas and a manual extraction under anesthesia to help me feel better.  I did feel sooo much better - I ran around the house and played with my nip toys.  

I also went for laser acupuncture on Tuesday this week to help me stay unconstipated.  That was a very interesting visit but I didn't mind at all.  I was scared when we got there so I hid in the sick hoping the vet did not see me.

 

In spite of all this I am still straining in the litter box and nothing is coming out...again.  Mom has switched me to Miralax - hoping that that and the acupuncture will help me.  If it doesn't then I may have to have surgery to remove the part of my colon that is not working.  I really hope that it won't come to that.

I love to nap on my back!

Thank you all for purring for me, for giving my Mom so many suggestions from your own experience with this and for keeping us in your thoughts.  You cat bloggers are the superest friends we could ever have!

P.S. Our buddy Orion of Angel Junior, Orion, Sammy and Emily blog is very ill and has to have expensive treatment for his thyroid.  His Mom is putting together an auction on Facebook to help pay his bills.  If you have anything you can donate to her for this - please do.  The auction goes live on Monday Jan 26. Mom has her email address - if you want it then email calcatsndogs AT gmail DOT com for it.