8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 PMBG 134

Yesterday

Hmmmmm....crazy pancreas in da house - look at that 106 point insulin-free drop!!! I just don't know. I'm not liking Trix's "PS" trend lately, yet I also don't know if I should restart insulin since Mr P kicks it into gear and usually sends her to the lagoon after she eats. I'm afraid of her plummeting TOO much if she has insulin to boost Mr P's work, but at the same time, I don't want her BGs to be running too high. Usually she'll give me a high "PS" on days she poops...after the poop, she drops those PSs down a bit. But now we've had 3 high PSs in a row, with some others scattered in before these three, too. I haven't noticed any Trixie nuggets in the LB, but that doesn't mean they aren't there...DH scoops, and the other kitties are very enthusiastic about digging and surely she must be pooping at some point. I do trail her to the LB when I can, but she can be pretty stealthy when it comes to poopins :lol: !

Despite these numbers, she SEEMS to be feeling good and like herself...her appy is strong (although I still hold the plate...but she wants to eat and eats well), she's not drinking or peeing excessively, no barfing or spit up as long as I don't mess with her Pepcid and Cerenia doses, she is feisty and snuggly and "herself"...she doesn't seem "off" to me. She is due for BW and a BP check, but between my schedule, our vet's schedule, and Trix's med schedule (which restricts the time of day she can go - it has to be 6ish hours after her BP meds), I'm not able to get her in until Aug 30.

She's such an odd situation...any thoughts about how I should proceed? Should I grab more tests than I do to get a feel for what she's up to? Since her pancreas really likes food, I'd like to be able to feed her a late "cycle" snack, but 99% of the time I'm usually either at work or sleeping at the +8/+9 timeframe, and she never took to her timed feeder before she had weird eating habits....now, with her not wanting to eat without me holding a plate, I'm positive the timed feeder won't work. I do feed her frequent small meals as much as possible - throughout the morning until I leave for work, and throughout the evening until turn in for the night. In the morning that means her breakfasts are spread out from 5:15am until 10:00am, and in the evening, her dinners are spread out from 5:15pm until around 11:30pm or so, depending on how late I can make myself stay awake. I'm even more sleep deprived now than I was when she was on the juice...

Argh.

Still no word on Dad's port installation. He's getting very frustrated, to put it mildly - as are the rest of his "support team". I think today, he and my Mom are going to really MAKE things happen there...the lack of response and returned phone calls is causing major stress. I know the doctors and nurses are desensitized to this stuff, but the patients and their families aren't...we start feeling panicked when we know the diagnosis and course of treatment, but can't get action from the professionals. I know it will fall into place, but we need it to happen NOW. So stressful...

Sending prayers out to my LL family...have a great day, everyone. And thanks for your thoughts/feedback/suggestions on Trix!

Amy

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Hmmmm. That is a tough one. However, her pancrease kicks in and takes care of it. We will see what others say, but I would be hesitant to start her back up on insulin since she is adjusting on her own down to green. She is definitely a special case. Great to hear that she is feeling good and having fun.

More vines for your dad. I hope he gets the port soon so they can move on with the treatment plan. ((((HUGS))))

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

I just spotted Trixie nuggets in the LB...it will be interesting to see what her PS is tonight! Maybe she's been a little constipated these past few days and that's why we've had a trend of higher "PSs"....

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Her BGs are peculiar. How about some more tests later in the day, when you can?

I hope your Dad's treatment starts today. Hugs to you and your family.

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Amy --

Is Trix getting a snack late in the cycle -- like at +8 or +9? If not, I'd see about adding in a little bit of food since it seems like that brings her numbers down. I'd also make sure she hasn't found a way to sneak contraband overnight. (I swear, some of these kitties have a "secret" stash of donuts just in case their need a few carbs.)

As for your dad, health care providers aren't desensitized. They forget that the order has been put in because they are operating under the assumption that because the doctor ordered it, the procedure has been scheduled or completed. I'd let your dad's doctor's nurse know that you're being jerked around.

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Morning Amy

I too would be very hesitant to starting insulin, as Mr P is in the house, the numbers are good, despite the higher than desired PS number. They are all below renal threshold... I am with Sienne, in that I think a +8/9 snack would lower the PS number. I know with your scheduling etc that that may be difficult. Maybe try this on days you are off?

I think too I'd start being a bit of a pest when it comes to your dad's stuff, and start calling, letting them know that you are not being cared for in a timely manner. Things fall through cracks all the time, get overlooked, etc. Just let them know how you feel. I know how frustrating this all must be, waiting is not easy. Hugs to all there, and I hope things get scheduled today.

Have a great day today. I hope all goes well.

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

I mentioned Trix's +8/+9 situation in the first post....the bulk of the time, I can't pull it off because I'm at work or asleep and a timed feeder doesn't work for her. I can do it maybe once or twice a week during the day, on my days off (if I'm home...right now, I'm spending most of my days off with my parents at various appointments.)

I'd be impressed if she could find the contraband, since it's stored in an upper cabinet behind the closed door of the laundry room :lol: !! DH and I keep all of our human fuds behind closed doors, too.

My Dad (and my Mom) has made many phone calls about the port...to the hospital, to his doctor's office, to the number the hospital directed him to. No one is returning his calls (not even the nurse at the oncologist's office), and no one even picks up at the number the hospital directed him to. They supposedly started the process last Monday, but haven't heard Boo since. They are probably going to make some 'in person" appearances today to see if that will change things...

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Hi Amy! I'm sorry that you're seeing some high BGs, but awesome that Trixie is pulling it down to green :mrgreen: . Hopefully everyone will give you thoughts that will help you out deciding, I'd be scared to introduce insulin too with the pancreas working and fuds special needs for the bowl holding/no autofeeder working :? . I'm SO happy that she is feeling so great and that you found some nuggets

I hope your parents can get some results today, sometimes in person is the way to go. I'm sorry it's such a stressful time for all of you with that on top of it :sad: . You all are in my thoughts :YMHUG: .

I'm sending all sorts of vines your way! Anti-stress, feel good, appy, whatever you and Trix and your family needs. Hugs!

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Hi Amy -

I figured as much on the =8/9 feed ting. I had the same problem, never was home at that time, and well Mannie was a no go for the most part with the auto feeder. I can so relate.

Bummer on the lack of response from all the Drs etc. How frustrating! Guess it is time for some in person appearances. Good luck!

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Hi Amy, amazing how Trixie girl always brings herself down to a nice green at the +3! Good detctive work on spotting those Trixie "nuggets" and with her PS numbers.
Paws crossed and vines your parents have success today with a date for the port procedure. Good for them making an "in person" visit.

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

I'm glad your parents are going to make some in person visits to get the show going. Docs and staff forget how each patient needs to be kept informed, sometimes the minute you leave the office. :roll:

I wonder if these normals are normal for Trixie before diabetes. I have lots of in the vet office tests for Max and he was around your pre-shot numbers. I hope the experienced people will weigh in but from a novice it seems wrong to give insulin if the pancreas is working. I'd be so worried of a hypo. JMHO.

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Have you seen how Trixie reacts to the timed feeder? Does she just ignore it, or does she check it out? If she checks it out, how about maybe sprinkling something she really likes (even a "low carb" piece of kibble) on the food in it to attract her? Just a shot in the dark. I do understand your dilemma. That's all I got. :-|

Sending vines and prayers for your DF and I hope they get the ball rolling today!

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas. I am definitely iffy on starting juice when she drops so much totally on her own, but her "PS" numbers make me nailbite_smile ....so at the same time I'm iffy about juice because of the drops but I was/a beginning to wonder if she needs a drop or two because of the "PSs" that seem to be inching up a bit. It's such an odd dilema....

Trix totally ignored the timed feeder. I tried it a few years ago when she was first diagnosed; back then she LOVED to eat an was always scrounging for fuds. I figured she would quickly put 2 x 2 together - that the sound of the feeder (it was LOUD) meant noms. I tried "training" her by showing her the process....sound, open, fuds. She'd eat the fuds during her training times, because she was right there when it opened. But she never "found it" when I tried using it with regular fuds while I was at work or during the night. I thought for sure she'd be all over it, but she wasn't. Now, she needs me to be with her for most of her eatings so I am sure she'll never venture to the feeder on her own when I'm not around. I do leave plates out for her during the day....they rarely get touched, and when they do get eaten, I don't know who it is who is eating it anyway. I need a kitty-cam....

Re: 8/18 Trixie AMBG 197 "+3" 91 - Thoughts??

I'm glad Trixie is still bringing her numbers down on her own. I'd be cautious about starting insulin right now too. I'm glad you saw a nugget in the lb.

I hope your dad can get somewhere on the port today. Sending more prayers.

That's better, Trix. So, either the poop did it (I usually can predict pending poop by her BGs these days :roll: :lol: ...but usually it's just one high reading, not a couple in a row), or she read her condo and saw I was starting to develop a bit of an itchy trigger finger with the juice....

Dad's port is going in tomorrow.....finally progress.

Did your parents have to go in person to get results? I hope not.

They didn't have to go in person...they made one last phone call attempt, and that did the trick. More than likely, the scheduling just worked it's way through the system, but what a long and stressful wait, considering no one was keeping us informed about anything...even a LITTLE bit of info would have helped relieve some stress.

Good!!
Liz

Whew! So great to see Trixie respond with a nicer PMBG tonight. It means she's not trending up.

Great news on the port installation being scheduled for tomorrow!

Hi Amy,
I think Trix should stay off the juice,too. Trixie feels good, her pancreas is certainly working, so maybe her unusual numbers are OK for her.

So glad that your dad will get his port tomorrow and wishing him good results.

Hugs, scritches,

Ella & Rusty

Hey Amy! Sending more good energy your Dad's way!
I agree on the holding off on insulin. Trix is just doing so great on her own. That sneaky poop may have been the beastie dragging those #s up. Unfortunately, no one tests a 'normal' kitty on a schedule like we do for FD...so perhaps these wee hikes are also normal.
Sending hugs and thoughts your way always.