10/14 Grandpa AMPS 74 (AT meter), +2 69, +5 98, PMPS 113, +3 119

Yesterday

He's dropping lower than we're used to. He's eating well, thank goodness. Still having diarrhea.

 

Hope he comes up a bit for you.
Glad he's eating well.
Scritches for GP

 

Beck, have you tried SEB with him for diarrhea? Also baby food meat helps my guys . Hugs and prayers to Grandpa, Trixie and all your house ❤️

 

Fingers crossed for a good day for Grandpa

 

I hadn't, but after reading your comment I gave some SEB to him and to Trixie. Thanks for the reminder.

 

Hugs and prayers for all of you

 

Thanks all. I'm still reeling a bit from all the stress yesterday. I finally showered and climbed into bed last night only to test Grandpa and saw he was very close to the AT action number so I went into hypo prevention mode. When I was updating his spreadsheet, I had a Facebook message on my phone from an employee at my vet office asking if she could be honest with me. I wasn't sure where it was going, but certainly didn't expect this

It just couldn't have come at a worse time. I have been doing the best I can for him and everyone here. I just can't get this one out of my head today.

 

Wow! I find that really inappropriate. I'm sorry that person sent you those messages.

 

Turn round on the spot at least 20 times until you are dizzy and fling that out of your head right now missus. That were me I would be steaming bluddy well mad.
Incredibly inappropriate and unprofessional AND any such discussions should be between just you , your vet and Grandpa.

That person does not live with Grandpa or you . That person is also not a mind reader.

Here is something that @Jill & Alex (GA) posted to me on a very hard day last May & which I found soothing at the time. I found it levelled my thinking away from the emotional. It was somehow calming. It might be for you also.

Here is the link - Knowing when.

BTW - You are great with Grandpa. Don't let anyone blind your eyes to this. Go talk to him and see what he says.

 

Thanks. Normally I shrug this kind of stuff off and I will. Just bad timing after a rough week with my dog. My vet was pleasantly shocked yesterday to see that Grandpa was much less jaundiced than he had been. He is eating everything in sight, and his numbers are great. Unfortunately she discovered peritonitis which is a complication we really don't need, but at no time has she suggested letting him go. Just the opposite. She says he is amazing.

The person who sent the message just had her cat put down earlier this week. She planned it a week ahead and set up the appt. Everyone is different, but when I say goodbye it is because there are no other options and life is too uncomfortable to go another day. Grandpa was just taking walks in the woods last weekend and stealing my lunches this week. That doesn't qualify as suffering to me.

 

Has anyone told you lately how fantastic you are? Thank you for that. I really needed it.

 

Sadly, I think the person who sent this probably feels guilty over her own decision not to keep fighting for her kitty like you are doing for Grandpa. I've been on this forum for just a short time, and I have marveled at all you do for Grandpa and the life you are giving him.

Exactly. You know Grandpa so well that when he is ready, he will let you know, and you will do whatever he needs because you love him so much. Follow your heart.

 

I don’t comment often, but I always read about Grandpas adventures. His pictures always make me smile and he looks very happy to me. You are doing a great job, and when that sad time comes you will know it and he will leave this world with dignity and so much love

 

What Sharon said - you will know when it is time

 

That didn't occur to me. She had cried earlier that day while I hugged her and expressed my sympathy over her cat. Thank you for that insight.

 

You're welcome. Sounds like she meant well, but in this case, she is so wrong.
Through our daily interactions on this forum, we can plainly see your strong bond with Super Grandpa and Trixie.
I'm so sorry you are having to endure through such a difficult time. You are in our prayers, and hopefully we will all be able to enjoy more of Grandpa's future adventures through your camera lens.

 

Glad Grandpa is doing well today.

Everyone has a different approach to their pets health and end of life care. Every case is different. You do care and are doing what is best for Grandpa as you see it. That is all that matters.

 

Sending prayers.

 

I can’t believe she sent you that message! I think you do a fantastic job with Grandpa! In all the great pics you post he looks happy and interested in things. I know he has some bad days, but I don’t think he’s ready yet. You will know when it’s time and you know Grandpa best. You obviously love him and do what’s best for him.

 

Beck , I am speechless( and that doesn’t often happen). Regardless the reason this person may have it was TOTALLY wrong for her to send those words to you . You are one of the most caring , loving , giving people I’ve ever been blessed to know . You HAVE BEEN, ARE and WILL always do what is best for precious Grandpa .... do not doubt or question yourself . ❤️ If a smidgen of what she said was true your vet would have said them, not some tech . Sending all the hugs and prayers I have to you, for you to be able to dismiss these untrue words and clear them from your mind. Refuse them Beck, they are a lie !!!

 

Oh no she/he didn’t!!! That is absolutely inappropriate & wrong! I mean come on; did this person see Grandpa camping & enjoying the outdoors last week? It just really angers me that this person did this!!! Do not let this get you down... you & only you know your cat... period. I do not post much on this forum but I love keeping up with Grandpas adventures & a lot of that is because of YOU! You make the best level headed decisions for your guy & doing a fantastic job. Big & know that we are all pulling for you & your sweet kit! Baby Girl Kitty agrees!

 

I just love you guys. I almost didn't share her words, but something told me you'd understand.

 

Something has happened tonight that we just don't understand. It could be good or it could be bad, but it's odd. Grandpa has been jaundiced since June. On bad days, his ears and gums are highlighter yellow. When he feels good, they are dry mustard color. This started about the time he was diagnosed as diabetic.

Lately his numbers have been getting lower despite only giving him drops of insulin. Yesterday the vet remarked that his ears were less yellow. I thought she was just seeing him when he wasn't having a pancreatic flare. But just now I went to test his sugar and the yellow is gone. I called my roommate into the room to make sure I wasn't seeing things and she even got out a lighted magnifying glass. His gums are pink for the first time in months and his inner ears aren't yellow. His glucose is 119.

I'm not reading anything into this. He is battling peritonitis, so we have serious stuff going on, but this is odd.

 

Piling on more healing , strengthening prayers to our Super Grandpa !!! ❤️ Amazing !!

 

Piling more on top! You've got this Super Grandpa!!

 

Hope he's telling you he's feeling "in the pink"! So sorry and distressed to read those messages; he may be sick, but he sure seems full of vitality and a capacity for pleasure--and dignity. More love and vines for Grandpa (and Trixie).

 

That says more about her and nothing about you and your bond with our sweet grandpa. stay true to you. You will know when the right time is.

 

This had me bawling. Thank you.

 

Is it? Back to the vet and quack you go.

I would direct you to this out of interest. Not a cat and not the same circumstance but certainly worth a thought.

 

Stobbit you Angela woman.
I wear the eyes of broken glass too often ATM. Do not start me orf agains.

 

Interesting, but his severe jaundice that he has had for awhile seems to have gone away. This says jaundice is a symptom of peritonitis. We are giving him Baytril for the peritonitis and he had a Convenia shot.

 

I am just getting caught up and have to say, I am so sorry that the vet employee sent that message to you. And I think I would have a private conversation with the vet and tell them what her message said and how it upset you.

When Bubba was DX with cancer in his eye it was one month after his diabetes DX so it was a very stressful time for us for sure. My sister and DH's aunt both gave me their unsolicited advice that I should make the "right decision and PTS" That was 3 years ago this October 29th.

You will know when his quality of life is to that point. No one knows him better than you do. Listen to your heart and to Grandpa. He will tell you.

 

That message was beyond inappropriate - stunningly so. Your vet's comments are what you need to concentrate on, along with what YOU see and know about how Grandpa is feeling. You are doing all the right things for that sweet kitty. Never doubt that for a moment.

I hope Trixie is feeling better.

 

Sharing was the right thing to do. You needed to see this from your friends here.

 

I know. Interesting innit.

Anyway. Morning to you Beck .
Hope the esteemed Mister Grandpa is happy enough and that your dog Trixie has eaten something/anything for you.

 

Beck, did the SEB help Grandpa’s diarrhea ? Praying and hoping so ❤️ Have had you all on my heart extra today ❤️

 

I agree, this IS inappropriate. Frosty is in way worse shape than Grandpa, and I asked my vet what she would do for her own cat, and she did say she would put him down , but she did not say anything like this. In fact, she gave me alternative options to keep him going and keep trying. We both felt that this was not the right thing to do, but the bottom line is, people need to keep their emotions out of this. This is our decision, and to be honest with you, Grandpa’s maintained his quality of life. All this just started a few days ago. It’s OK to try to treat it and see if he responds, which is what you are doing. It’s totally none of her business. People should ONLY offer advice when it is asked for. Unsolicited advice is like a mental swirlie (my sister says that, who is the queen of unsolicited advice, LOL.) But even she has been supportive by just agreeing with my decision and not putting in her own two cents. (People CAN learn)

I am sorry you have to deal with this. I am sure that you will figure out the right course of action. Only you know grandpa well enough to make this decision. **** everyone else.

 

Ana. Once you have rested from the days and weeks to come I do hope you will come back to this board.
It can be very tough to be here, I won't pretend otherwise, but you are a wonderful person to know and so I hope you will not be forever a stranger.

M
x

 

And more on top of that

 

I agree that message is very inappropriate. I second the suggestion of showing it to the vet. That would at least stop it from being said to someone else. Doesn't sound like your vet would agree with it being done either...

You and Grandpa are walking this path together - no one else. Their thoughts and decisions don't matter.

HUGS and hugs,

 

Don't know if this will help, or if you may have already tried it, but Florastor REALLY has helped my Cookie with her diarrhea.
Literally turned mud pies into formed stool.

Hang in there; do NOT second guess yourself.
That was a poor decision on that person's part to send you that text, but they are in a poor space to be making good judgment.
Listen to your gut; you have the insight necessary to make the decisions for Grandpa that you need to make.
He trusts you; don't allow anyone's negativity to screw with his trust in you.
You've got this!!!

XOXO, J.