Pig's Fantabulous Journey!

Discussion in 'Acromegaly / IAA / Cushings Cats' started by LuvinThisPig, May 5, 2018.

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  1. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Okay... So there is not much for the first day. We are still working this whole thing out.. Lol. But, this is the link for Pig's YouTube Channel and we will upload nightly or by phone during the day! There will be more tonight! Hopefully this helps a bit... I am trying to get how we packed, the things we brought and that sort of thing! Big huge thanks to @JeffJ for Traveling with Diabetic Kitties! A life saver for sure!
     
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  2. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    Jul 7, 2016
    Great job! Theresa and I just watched both of Pig's videos. We love Pig waving in the first vid. He's doing great. What an adventure. Before you know it, Pig will be treated and on the road to Acromegaly recovery.

    Thanks for the kudos. This brings back joyful memories for me. It was October 2016 for Leo. Here is a hello from Little Dude and Leo for you.
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Awww! Thank you both! They are so, so pretty! None of this would be possible without the prior experience, such as Wendy and yourself, found on this board! Best place ever!
     
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  4. Phoebes (GA)

    Phoebes (GA) Well-Known Member

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    So I just subscribe and that's it? Puter illerate.
     
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  5. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    It will also be nice to see pictures or videos of the WSU exterior and lobby area. The CSU teaching facility was huge, and it had nice landscaping outside, as well as a clean and spacious interior.
     
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  6. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Me too! I think so! It should flag or notify you whenever a new video is uploaded!
     
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  7. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Oh yes! This was the intention for sure! I am very, very interested in finding out what it is like. I am hoping they will allow me to go inside the procedure room beforehand..
     
  8. Beenie (GA)

    Beenie (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 3, 2017
    Looking forward to the next installment! So exciting
    image-2-800x445.jpg
     
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  9. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    We had a spot of trouble with the WiFi at the hotel, but it should be done soon! Its funny because we were a little pressed for time yesterday morning and I was trying to do Pigs shot / test / medicine and film the kits as I went... By the last one the panic is real and its audible in my voice.. :woot::p
     
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  10. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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  11. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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  12. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

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    I surmise from JeffJ comments, that Pig is going to WSU for medical reasons. Would you, or someone, tell me what is going to happen p!ease? Not trying to be nosy, just have been following and now I'm a little worried.
     
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  13. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Oh.. I suppose that would be a good thing to explain instead of assuming everyone knows what is going on! Thank you! Pig is a high dose Acromegalic kitty. He has a functional adenoma (benign tumor) on his Pituitary Gland. This is what shoots out the IGF-1 that causes him to have such a massive insulin need. He gets 45uL BID, which is down by 14u from 59u. We are going to WSU for a special treatment called Stereotactic Radio Therapy in the hopes that it can basically nullify the tumor, thus reducing his insulin needs and waylaying the ancillary side effects of the excessive growth hormone. He is regulated and in really good health considering the Acro. I have a harder time managing the Manx syndrome and megacolon over the Acro!! I am nervous and worried, but Pig is strong and he is healthy, all things considered!! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  14. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for your response. Oh my dear, of course you are a bit nervous and worried, but this is a tremendous opportunity to treat that darling little black cat. I am crossing all that can be crossed, beseeching all powers that be and all kind spirits that the therapy will be successful. Idjit says so too.:cat:
     
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  15. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    She is making a 2.5 - 3.0 day journey from Oklahoma to Pullman WA for the radiation therapy. Previously @Wendy&Neko and Leo (my kitteh) went to CSU in Ft.Collins, Colorado for the same treatment. The SRT (radiation) blasts the tumor cells and puts them into neutral. With luck, Pig's acromegaly will recede and his insulin demand will drop a lot. The same SRT treatment for Leo was very successful - down to 4.5 units/dose from 18.0 units/dose.

    Go Pig Go!
     
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  16. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Aww! Pig says thank you Idjit! The kits must stick together! However, you are so very right. We are blessed to have this opportunity and I could not be more appreciative! I have had a tremendous amount of help along the way to make this happen, both on the board and off. Pig is a VERY special guy and a very blessed one at that! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  17. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

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    How miraculous! I am so glad to hear the treatment helped Leo. So hopeful for Pig. They are all so precious to us.
     
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  18. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    New videos have been uploaded. The CT Scan results should be up soon!
     
  19. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

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    Good morning, woke up with you and Pig in mind. Breathe, relax, this is out of your hands, you have cared for and brought Pig this far. You both are incredible. It's a beautiful, good day.
     
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  20. Beenie (GA)

    Beenie (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 3, 2017
    I watched day 3 and day 4 last night...too sleepy to post then:rolleyes:

    Thank you sooo much for sharing this journey with all of us! Loved hearing Pig is a purrfect candidate :p

    I have to find your carrier! I looked on Amazon and didn’t see it. It seemed pretty big in the car but then there you were carrying it into the building. Awesome!

    So excited for you two! I’m sure Tail can’t wait to see you both:cat:

    Looking forward to the next upload!!!
     
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  21. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you so much... Yes, I am over the moon nervous, but Pig is so totally chill.. I pull strength from him and this board. I simply could not do this alone! You guys are all so very amazing!
     
  22. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you guys for following along! I really hope that it helps someone be able to do this, even if it is to know it is possible...

    The carrier link is right HERE --- Best carrier ever!

    Yes.. My brother sent me video of Tail and he was just purring and preening away. His ear looked fantastic, so maybe when we get home the boys will all be in good working order!
     
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  23. Beenie (GA)

    Beenie (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for the link!!!!

    So glad to hear Tail is doing so well and his ear is on the mend!!!
     
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  24. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    Okay.. So the video from today is up and running. I will update this thread with a summary of what when on @WSU along with the cost break-down in a bit. I am still very worn out and so is Pig. I think we are just going to do the resting thing for a bit. However, he is still doing fantastic if not a bit tired. His appetite is ravenous and the insulin is starting to do the trick. He still has a bit of a chest rattle and if that does not clear b4 tomorrow I will call WSU to see if we need to be concerned.
     
  25. Beenie (GA)

    Beenie (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 3, 2017
    :woot:So cool to see the inside of the radiation room. The bite mold is pretty cool. DH had radiation to the brain and they made a mold of his head. Interesting that they do the mouth for kitties:cat:

    Sounds like everything went according to plan and it appears that the staff at WSU are only a call or email away with any questions you have. You're right the questions always pop in your head when you're not with a nurse or doctor:rolleyes:

    When do you guys head back? Not sure if you're staying an extra day before you take off.

    :bighug:
     
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  26. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    Yes! They were wonderful, really! I do not think we could have asked for better.

    I felt it important to give him a day of rest. He had a huge trip here and a massive ordeal, so a day of nothing but healing sleep was in order. We will head back early tomorrow morning. We should have about 3 days on the road and then we will be home again, home again, jiggady jig... Then it will be about resuming normalcy and recovery time. :):):bighug::bighug:
     
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  27. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

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    Apr 3, 2018
    Good and safe journey back home. I would like to say thanks to your driver for safely transporting precious cargo, including himself. Many miles there and back.
     
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  28. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    Aww! Thank you! Yes, he has been a tremendous help in all of this! We are blessed to have family friends that care as much about our pets as they do our family. This whole trip has revolved around him and we could not be more blessed to have such amazing friends.. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  29. Beenie (GA)

    Beenie (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 3, 2017
    Agree 110%;)
    Hope you all have a restful night.
    Safe journey home. Can’t wait for Pig to see Tail :cat:
     
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  30. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Oh yes! It will be interesting how they react to each other for sure!
     
  31. Bodinator

    Bodinator Member

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    May 16, 2017
    Woo hoo, go Pig! Safe return home! Bodie got SRT in October 2017. It was at Medvet in Chicago so no road trip. It looks like fun (and work!) though!
    Bodie has gone from strength to strength and is doing much better now, six months out.
     
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  32. Pamela & Amethyst

    Pamela & Amethyst Well-Known Member

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  33. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Oh my!! This is wonderful news and gives us such heart! I love to hear the success stories!
     
  34. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    Okay... We have uploaded some audio of our visit to WSU. There are a several parts missing because I forgot to record everything in the hubbub... :oops::oops::oops: Our trip home is also there, but admittedly shorter than the trip there and the procedure. I am working out the kinks with my scanner and the my summary of everything should be up!!
     
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  35. Olive & Paula

    Olive & Paula Well-Known Member

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    I've watch up to day 4. Will catch up. I love the stroller option of the carrier. Have to keep it in mind when my stroller needs to be replaced.
     
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  36. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
    Oh yes! That is a fabulous option for that carrier! And it is not much more over the cost of the carrier itself... I thought Tail might like it because he is too scaredy to walk a leash... But, I am afraid he is not much of a cat-like cat... He is more of a pampered ball of dough. :p
     
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  37. Olive & Paula

    Olive & Paula Well-Known Member

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    I originally got my stroller because Smokey was to big and I couldn't manage the size carrier he needed. My back was out and sciatica in full force when he had weekly appts and vet parking lot is long on a major highway. Couldn't risk a leash, he was to sick to walk the distance and I couldn't carry him. It was the only 3-1 available at the time that could hold his weight and fully enclosed.
     
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