Yesterday's fun Vet called with an update this morning. The blood transfusion seems to have gotten her out of danger. Red blood cells are up to 27 from below 11 yesterday; they were hoping for around 15 and I think normal is 30-35%. Reticulocytes are over 300,000 and they seemed pretty happy about that. Electrolytes are holding steady except for sodium and chloride, but he said that's because of the diuretic they're using to help get the fluid out of her lungs. They did an X-ray this morning and there's still a little left, but a lot better than yesterday. She's still in the oxygen pen, but they should start weaning her off soon if everything continues to improve. BG is still high, so they're upping her to 2u. We haven't been on that high of a dose since she was first diagnosed, so hopefully it's just due to all of the stress. We discussed using a continuous glucose monitor so that's something we might try since she's still at the hospital and has accepted being poked and prodded. Might not be so easy once she's home. And since she's still not eating on her own, a hypo event would be really difficult to deal with. Catching it early would be necessary. IF the red blood cell count stays up and they get the rest of the fluid out of her lungs, this should be it. Really hoping we can have her home Friday. I'm going to ask for an updated bill. Pray for our bank account (have to laugh. better than crying)
I'm glad the transfusion has helped. I hope she will continue to improve and can go home soon. Sending prayers.
Yeah on success with the transfusion ! Here’s prayer for her to be home soon . And prayers for your bank account. While I was reading your post all I could think of was how costly this must be.
I think it’s amazing what you’re doing for Luna and while I’m sure it’s costly, I’m also sure it’s worth it.
Dan, I hope this is truly it and Luna can come home this Friday! Great idea about the continuous monitor. Sending tons of healing vines to Luna and a million green vines to your bank account!
Dan, you and your family have truly been through it. I’m so happy to hear this update, things keep looking up! I hope you’re able to have sweet Luna home for the weekend, thinking of yas often and sending positive thoughts, healing vibes and vetty vines
Outstanding news that the transfusion worked More prayers & healing energy being sent your way! At this point, and after all Luna has been through, she may not even think twice about a CGM being attached to her. I will pray for that so that you get a break! You’ve got top people involved who know how to really work with them so that should make it easier . I wish there was an emotional hardship discount because your bill would be $0!
Prayers for all of you Dan - I am so happy our sweet little Luna continues to improve. I was also thinking about the costs - I've jokingly called Tina my million dollar kitty, but you REALLY have one
Luna looked good. She's still getting oxygen, but they're going to wean her off today and see how she does. As long as that goes well, it's all going to come down to the next blood test tomorrow morning. If her red blood cell count and electrolytes hold around where they are now and nothing else pops up, she'll be discharged tomorrow or Friday. Still has a feeding tube and not eating on her own, but maybe some good sleep at home and less stress will help.
I feel a WORLD Luna discharge party about to happen ❤️!! Continued prayers & healing energy being sent your way in hopes of a discharge tomorrow or Friday!
Oh Dan, my heart dropped when I saw yesterday's post. But wow, what a great little girl you have. Sorry that I might have missed it, but I assume she still has a feeding tube, and is she coming home with it? I hope so, because that would be a great comfort. The steadfast support and overwhelming love that you and your wife have for Luna has stolen a little piece of my heart. I am going to be so happy when you can get her back home to you. I picture a day long slumber party of the whole family doing a cuddle fest! When our first diabetic boy, Brady, was home after a serious (non-diabetes related) health scare, we took our mattress off of the frame and just put it right on the floor so we could do exactly that. He was still pretty weak, but this way he could get to us and we didn't have to worry about him falling off either. Our thoughts are with you always!
Wow Luna really is a fighter shes been thru way more than salem im praying for luna and your family if they let you let her know your there i thats when salem turned around for the best when he saw us , next morning he was eating ! Im wishing good things ! Bless you i know you are tired
So happy that your little princess will go back home tomorrow or Friday! I wouldn't like to see the bill but I'm sure Luna approves it!
Wow, your Luna has been through so much, and both of you too. Good job at hanging in there and keeping her going. Re your bank account, it has been on my mind also. In 2017 we spent over $30K on our kitties' illnesses, takes a while to recover from a hit like that, loaded up two Care Credit cards, but with so much owed the payments were like another mortgage to get them paid off before their exhorbitant interest rates kick in. If you don't already have one, a home equity line of credit can be helpful. Ideally, the ER center where she is would work out payments, but haven't heard of that from any of them. Where we go, when one of our babies is hospitalized I can pretty much count on $1000 per day. . . None of that will matter once you have your little darling home. Fingers xx'd for her release in the next day or two.
Luna, you and your wife have been through the ringer. Luna is a lucky girl to have such dedicated parents. Glad the transfusion went well! Prayers and vines that Luna is home tomorrow or Friday!
When you start trying yo get her to eat on her own try meat only baby food (no corn starch or garlic/onion), get a few cans of a/d food (rx only from vet) and Tiki mousse. My Gizmo was hospitalized 3x's with pancreatitis but recovery after and getting him to eat was a real chore. I also free fed and had several food and water bowls within close proximity to where he would lay. You may want to ask for Mirtz which is an appetite enhancer to have on hand. I am so happy Luna responded to the transfusion and fingers, toes and paws crossed she is home by Friday. Y'all are doing an amazing job.
Thanks for the idea, we're actually going to do this when Luna comes home. We have a finished basement that's quiet, carpeted, and warm. We're going to setup everything she needs and camp out a couple of nights. We can keep her contained to one area, but she has room to get up and move around if she wants.
Our doctors have been working with a nutritionist since Luna's feeding tube was put in. They're sending us home with a plan for if she eats on her own, if she eats only a little bit, or if everything has to go through the feeding tube. We've been trying everything at the hospital; baby food, boiled chicken, 4 or 5 different types of cat food, even some dry kibble. She has been drinking water on her own, so I'm not sure what her problem with food is. Hoping being home gets her eating
That $1000 a day is about right. They quoted a lot less, but Luna was a little bit more complicated than most patients. We still haven't settled down anywhere, so we're lucky enough to have some money squirreled away for when we eventually buy a house. We told Luna now she doesn't get the heated floors she wants. The money is tough, but I knew it was worth it when I was crying in front of a bunch of strangers.
Awwww....I'm so glad to hear Luna has improved and I hope she gets to come home soon. It's obvious that you and your wife have a great love for Luna! I'm sure she'll repay that debt to you with many years of love and headbutts... Sending vines and hugs to all of you!
