After 3 years....

Sorry I haven't been around the last 6 months or so, but I had a lot of health and RL issues this winter and spring.

Yesterday I shared the sad news of my Minibeast's recent unexpected death, but I do have some good news to share as well. After 3 years (the last two or so on Levemir), Danny's pancreas finally decided to get back on the job full-time on April 18th. He's in great health and doing wonderfully. Those of you who know Danny, know that that is a truly amazing thing.

In April 2007 Danny had recently been dx with diabetes, and barely survived hepatic lipidosis and a refeeding injury only with a long stint of intensive care. We finally got our exhausted boy home (http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31 ... yApr07.jpg), and he realized that tube-breakfast in bed was a good thing. (http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31 ... st4-07.jpg) But just a few weeks later, Danny was right back in the hospital with multi-centric lymphoma. (http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31 ... May-07.jpg) Danny was so sick and weak that no one expected chemo to help, but the first dose of chemo worked miracles. The cancer soon went into remission.

Of course I was still left with the diabetes to treat, and I didn't know how to hometest or exactly what to feed him, and the vet still had him on N. Here's a post from Jun 5, 2007: http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/read.php?8,708931 . Just look at a sample of the wonderful support and information I received during those frightening newbie days. Then on Jun 18, the people on this board literally saved Danny's life. They helped me through initial hypo treatments, and then by pushing me to get him to the ER when he was abnormally refusing to eat. (http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/read.php?8,717251) Turned out he had hypo'd while in ketoacidosis (unusual to say the least) so he was hospitalized yet again. Shortly after that, since I was still having no luck with hometesting, the board hooked me up with a hands-on demo which finally brought me testing success. Hometesting then saved Danny's life several times more, when blind insulin shots would have been extremely dangerous. Of course I couldn't have managed his diabetes well without the critical info from hometesting.

So, I owe you all so much for the three extra years I've had with Danny. (I also owe you for two years (and counting) with Cole. I never would have had the confidence to foster/adopt another diabetic if I had not learned so much here and had a big safety net of advisors and supporters. ) THANKS!

But enough of that. Danny thinks he's waited long enough: http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31/dannylaur/Dannysez.jpg


Other pix:
posterboy http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31/dannylaur/DannyafterBGtest2-5-08.jpg
proof: hometesting doesn't damage ears! http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31/dannylaur/Testing/Dannysear6-6-09.jpg
watching the birds http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31/dannylaur/Danny6-1-10.jpg
Not-sharing his 'nip http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31/dannylaur/Dannynotshare4-10.jpg
Cole http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa31/dannylaur/Cole/Cole5-10.jpg

 

Laur,

That is truly amazing, what an inspiration!

 

Thank you so much for posting! This is amazing and truly inspirational to all of us beans who are dealing with FD. I am so happy that Danny pulled through all of his rough spots - what a strong, miracle kitty!

On a sad note, I am so sorry for the loss of your Minibeast. He sounds like such a fighter and I am sure he was so happy and grateful to have you in his life to help him through.

 

I am so sorry for you loss.
But, on your happy report I congratulate you! :mrgreen: You & Danny have been through an awufl lot...but you made it! Thank you so much for sharing your story....we love to hear success stories and yours certainly is one! Hugs to you all!! :YMHUG:

 

Congrats on the annifursary!

Way to go Danny Boy!

 

I am sorry for the loss of your Minibeast. Congrats on Danny's achievement! Your story is an inspiration, especially to those of us with long term diabetics and cats with other serious health issues. It's great to see one beat the odds! I love seeing the old threads. It's always enjoy seeing the old friends again, and I am always in awe of the consistently good advice to be found here.

 

Congratulations on your fantastic achievement! You and Danny are amazing. What a miracle kitty you have there. I'm sitting here in tears. So happy for you on one hand and so sad for you on the other with your loss of Minibeast. What you do for your kitties is an inspiration for us all.

 

that's awesome news for Danny. :smile: What a guy!

 

Oh my gosh Laur!! What fabulous news!! I remember your struggles well. I could not be happier for you and Danny!!
This is a perfect example of perseverence! You and Danny never gave up and look at him now!! Your post warmed my heart and I have to admit, brought more than a few tears to my eyes.

I am so very sorry for your loss of Minibeast. It is always so very hard to lose one of our furbabies. My heartfelt sympathy (((Laur))). Fly free dear Minibeast...

Congratulations Danny Boy!! Welcome to the Falls!!

 

What a wonderful, inspiring boy you have! Congrats to you and Danny on this wonderful anniversary. I'm sorry about the loss of MiniBeast.

 

I am very sorry for your loss. Minibeast was a beautiful kitty.

Holy Cow! I had to read this like 5 times to understand what you are saying! Danny has beat cancer and now he is OTJ????????
I am so happy for you and him and I am just floored! What an accomplishment! What a guy cat_pet_icon
I can imagine the happiness you are feeling.


I am so happy for you, Danny and Cole.

Thanks for sharing ♥

Caryl, Alex&Jackson

 

I'm so sorry you lost your Minibeast. It's always so hard to let them go.

Danny is a very handsome little man and a miracle at that.

Your story is very inspiring.

 

thanks so much for sharing! I am sorry for the loss of MiniBeast - my sincere sympathies. What a great name. It is nice to read about a kitty that has beat the odds, and what you went through with him. Inspiring.

and HAPPY ANNIFURSARY!

 

Awesome news!! I am so happy for you! Danny hab sum tunaritaz k! s/carly

 

Great news to be off the juice for 3 years :mrgreen: :mrgreen: and I am very sorry for the loss of your minibeast

 

ohmygod_smile sorry I was unclear! Danny hasn't been OTJ for three years -- he just went OTJ after needing insulin for 3 years!

laur