OT: Report from Ella (& Gus, with a pic); NEW: survived surgery!!

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA), Dec 1, 2019.

  1. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Hi Everyone,
    First of all, Happy Belated Thanksgiving! We had a great time at a big family gathering: 18 adults, 1 infant, 4 dogs, 2 cats (not Gus, however--he stayed in NYC, where we were spending the week).

    Now, for the report: I finally got an accurate diagnosis on my pneumonia (which has been with me since the summer): aspiration pneumonia caused by a condition in my throat that allows bits of food, etc. to go into the lungs instead of the digestive tract. The only cure is surgery (probably and hopefully orthroscopic), which is now scheduled for Tuesday, 3 December. Good thoughts and vines will be welcome!!!:)

    Gus is getting back his long coat after his shaving in August for bad mats (he lost almost a pound of hair!). Here's a pic taken a few days ago in NYC, where he was bored. We got home on Friday and he immediately ran outside over the crusty snow to climb a tree. What a cat!


    IMG_2881.jpg
     
  2. Jill & Scooter

    Jill & Scooter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2018
    Glad you had a nice Thanksgiving!
    Prayers and vines for smooth surgery and quick recovery! I’m glad someone finally figured out what was going on.
    Gus is a handsome boy, with or without his long hair! Sounds like he was very happy to get home to his trees!
     
  3. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    I’m glad your u have a diagnosis and plan. Here’s to a speedy recovery. :bighug:
     
  4. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery from your surgery. Please let us know how you're doing once you feel up to posting.

    Gus looks very dapper.
     
  5. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    Good luck with the surgery and don't get too worried about it. Seven days after I turned 50 a doctor calmly showed me, while he was eating a sandwich, "Look, there's your brain aneurysm. It's a big one too!" I wondered where the grief councilor was and why my wife hadn't been called. I had coil and stent surgery done with a scope and was walking around the hospital grounds that night because I was so bored. As promised I was home the next morning feeding nine cats and a dog like it never happened.
    I think our Daniel and Gus may have been separated at birth.
    daniel005.JPG
     
  6. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    I'm glad they finally know what is going on. Sending prayers for a successful surgery and recovery. I'm glad you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. Great picture of Gus.
     
  7. Judy and Boomer

    Judy and Boomer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2014
    Sending you lots of vines for a successful and easy surgery/recovery!
     
  8. Olive & Paula

    Olive & Paula Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2015
    Glad you finally have answers and it's fixable. Gus is owning the place.
     
  9. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2016
    You will be right as snow in no time.
     
  10. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    I would agree!
    I hope my "experience" is as good as yours was.
     
  11. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    Oh man, I'm OCD and I fidget. NOT the ideal patient. I've been scoped for other things and I'm always the first one up and out the door.
    We won't discuss hospital food, I thought they wanted patients to get better. :banghead:
     
  12. Linda and Bear Man

    Linda and Bear Man Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Sending good surgery vines, Ella! Wishing you a quick recovery and and here’s to you finally putting all of this behind you now that you have a proper diagnosis.

    I have been enjoying my “Facebook memories” over the last few days (Facebook sends you memories of older posts on anniversary dates) of the Rusty transport. I still have very fond memories of that day.

    Gus is very handsome, indeed. I can’t remember where I last left off updating you on news here. I’m not sure if I mentioned in the summer that I adopted a young cat named Finn. Sadly he and James did not get along and I returned him shortly afterwards to the shelter. Not long after that James became very ill with vestibular ataxia. He has been receiving many treatments, but is permanently disabled now with difficulty with walking and balance. Additionally he has just come down with some respiratory problems and will be seeing his vet (two vets actually, as he also sees his neurologist next week) to look into that. It has been a stressful few months.

    Again, I’m sending all the best for your surgery and quick recovery. My love to Edward and Gus.

    Linda
     
  13. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    I've been meaning for months to e mail you, but . . . So sorry to hear that James is having serious problems. I'll write to you soon. Thanks for the good surgery wishes!
     
    Linda and Bear Man likes this.
  14. Gill & George

    Gill & George Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Sending vines for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

    Gus is a handsome boy.
     
  15. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    Thank goodness for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan! Sending tons of good surgery vines for you. :bighug: I know you’ll ace it. My 97 year old mother just had surgery with a general two days ago, and was up eating dinner hours later when I saw her. Scary, but medicine has come a long way.

    I love Gus’s face, and energy! Racing over the snow to get to trees. :cat: Amazing, hope he finds his way down OK.
     
  16. Pamela & Amethyst

    Pamela & Amethyst Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2016
  17. Tina Marie (GA) and Jan

    Tina Marie (GA) and Jan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2019
    Tons of surgery vines to you Ella -- I am so glad you are finally going to be properly cared for. This surgery is going to fix you up, finally!! I feel bad for how long you've been feeling so weak and down.:bighug::bighug:
    Gus is so huggy squeezable, a precious boy. He should be happy you are going to the repair shop, as long as you get right back home to him:)
     
  18. Dyana

    Dyana Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Perfect surgery vines to you, Ella. :bighug:
     
  19. Sue and Luci

    Sue and Luci Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2017
    Best of luck to you on your upcoming surgery! Just keep in mind, it's probably not the first time they've done that type of surgery. You'll be in and out in no time and feeling better soon after. I just had surgery this last September...after a couple of weeks getting over the anesthesia and eating extra comfort foods I'm feeling like myself again!

    Love the pic of Gus - he looks like he's definitely in charge at your house. :)
     
  20. Christie & Maverick

    Christie & Maverick Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2017
    Heaps of positive thoughts and vines for a short and successful surgery, and quick recovery. Gus sure looks like a little charmer :)
     
  21. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2015
    Ella, wishing you the best result with your surgery on the 3rd. Please keep us updated when you can. In the interim, be kind with yourself during the healing and convalescing.

    Your TG sounds wonderful! And glad Gus was so happy to see you on your return and show off his wilderness skills!
     
  22. Amy&TrixieCat

    Amy&TrixieCat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2011
    Vines and prayers for your procedure, Ella. Gus is so handsome!!
     
  23. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2015
    Beautiful photo of Gus!
    Sending best wishes for a speedy recovery from the surgery.
     
  24. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    He goes down like a squirrel: head first!
     
  25. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Thanks, dear friends, for your support :bighug::bighug::bighug:

    Stay tuned!
     
  26. Ann & Maggie11 (GA)

    Ann & Maggie11 (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2010
    (((Ella))) sending you tons of vines and prayers for a successful surgery. That is a great photo of your beautiful boy. Looking forwarding to hearing from you as soon as you are able.
     
  27. Shoeskitty-GA

    Shoeskitty-GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Sending you vines and good thoughts and prayers today as you have your surgery!
     
  28. Sonia & Leo

    Sonia & Leo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2018
    Ella, we're sending you tons of positive vines and wishes for a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
    What a fluffy cutie pie Gus is!!
     
  29. Judy and Boomer

    Judy and Boomer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2014
    Sending lots of vines and good thoughts your way Ella!
     
  30. LizzieInTexas

    LizzieInTexas Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hope your surgery went well and is a success :bighug:

    Really glad they figured out what was going on.

    Gus is beautiful :cat:
     
  31. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Hi again, everyone.
    Thank you all for the good thoughts and vines. My surgery went well and tomorrow it will have been a week since I had it. I've been on an all-liquid diet since the surgery and am starving for "real" food. Tomorrow's the day (but I have to be careful what and how I eat). Gus was a big help, watching over me, as was my DH (Edward). I have an appointment in early January with the surgeon to evaluate my condition, and in mid January an appointment with the pulmonologist.

    Edward and I have been doing our usual walking every day (to the post office and stores, about 3 miles RT), and I've been working out in the basement on my rowing machine and on the bike I have up on a stationary wind trainer. So I haven't missed much exercise. We had beautiful snow (about 8 inches) until this morning, when rain took it out. The temperature rose from -2 degrees Fahrenheit to +40. Just when we wanted to go snowshoeing.

    Thanks again to everyone for your support and friendship. I see that the Full Cold Moon will be on December 12th. Gus's coat is growing back nicely and he'll be looking forward to the party.

    :bighug::bighug::bighug:s to all and scritches to your kitties,

    Ella
     
  32. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    It's good to see an update. I'm so glad everything went well. Nice of Gus to watch over you.
     
  33. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Thanks Carla. I'm glad, too! Hope you, Furball, and the rest of your fur family are doing well.
     
    carfurby (GA) likes this.
  34. Jill & Scooter

    Jill & Scooter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2018
    Glad your surgery went well and you been able to keep up your exercising! I hope this is the end of health issues for you for a long time. I think you’ve had more than your share lately!
     
  35. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2016
    So glad the surgery went well and real food is in sight. Does "tomorrow" start at midnight?
     
  36. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    What good news! It sounds like. you are on the mend.
     
  37. Shoeskitty-GA

    Shoeskitty-GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Thanks for the update Ella! Sounds like all went well and you are mending fast!
     
  38. Linda and Bear Man

    Linda and Bear Man Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    I’m so glad that everything went well. It sounds like your recovery is going well (as I was sure it would). Sending vines for good rechecks with the doctors. Curious minds want to know: what will your first solid food be?

    Hugs to Edward and Gus.
     
  39. Olive & Paula

    Olive & Paula Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2015
    Glad to hear all went well.
     
  40. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Actually, I cheated and started at dinner tonight!

    Mac and cheese. I cheated and made some tonight in my Instant Pot.
     
  41. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2015
    I’m so glad it all went well.
     
  42. jayla-n-Drevon

    jayla-n-Drevon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2015
  43. Judy and Boomer

    Judy and Boomer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2014
    I'm happy that everything went well Ella! Yay for being able to eat solid foods again!
     
  44. Sonia & Leo

    Sonia & Leo Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2018
    Ella, I'm so happy your surgery went well!! I bet you can't wait to eat some solid food again!! It sounds like you've jumped right back into some good physical exercise, good for you, it's the best way to heal! Keep taking good care of yourself!! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  45. Bellasmom

    Bellasmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2018
    Great update, sending prayers
     
  46. Ann & Maggie11 (GA)

    Ann & Maggie11 (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2010
    Great update, Ella!! Yum on M and cheese, one of my favorites. Take care and scritches to Gus.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  47. Pamela & Amethyst

    Pamela & Amethyst Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2016
  48. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    The only voodoo I do here is turning Mac&Cheese into my gourmet pièce de résistance unless you count life with cats.
    Hospital bad, cats, pasta and snowshoeing good! ;)
    And fire, fire bad...... :oops:
    SNL_Frankenstein01.JPG
     
  49. Susan&Felix(GA)

    Susan&Felix(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2017
    We're so glad that's over now, Auntie Ella, so you can get all better! I'm going to send Gus my secret recipe for mouseroni-n-cheeze so he can make it for you.
    XOXO,
    Felixoxo
     
  50. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    mmm! Mouseroni-n-cheese! Thanks, Chef Felix! Maybe you'll make some for the Full Cold Moon party tomorrow. Sounds like something all the kitties would love. Gus can bring some home for me.
     
    Susan&Felix(GA) likes this.
  51. Susan&Felix(GA)

    Susan&Felix(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2017
    Actually, we're having the full moon party tonight, because the full moon is at 12:12 a.m. and I thought we'd all like to be together at 12:12 on 12/12. You were probably thinking Gus was just off sleeping somewhere, but in fact he's tearing up the dance floor (between tearing up and down trees)! Gigglepurr.
    :cat:
     
  52. Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey

    Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2011
    Ella, so sorry I haven't checked in for a while and missed all this. I'm so glad it's done and you are on the road to recovery. Sending lots of smooth recovery vines for you and scritches for Gus.
     
  53. HWright

    HWright Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2016
    Must be the nfc in him! ❤️
     
  54. HWright

    HWright Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2016
    Ella, I’m so happy with the good news of the diagnosis and successful surgery and recovery. May all continue to be well. And who could be better in post op home care team than your fellas! The healing power of fdmb, love and purrs is just the ticket. Good thing you didn’t have to include liver shake in your liquid menu, lol (or did you?;)!) Sending heaps of love and vines and best wishes for the new year. ❤️
    Sina
     
  55. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Thanks, Sina. Happy New Year to you and DH and all the fur crowd!
    p.s. No, I didn't whip up a liver shake for myself--not yet, anyway.
     
    HWright likes this.
  56. HWright

    HWright Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2016
    :bighug::joyful::bighug:❤️
     
  57. Bronx's dad (GA)

    Bronx's dad (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2016
    Great to hear recovery is going well Ella. Happy New Year!
     

Share This Page