2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176, pmps 130

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Linda and Bear Man

Linda and Bear Man

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Yesterday: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5246

The Old Timer in question is me. I think I aged a year in the past 5 days (has it only been that long) since he got the CRF Dx. It shouldn't have come as such a shock, because his numbers have been up there in Renal Insufficiency land for some time, and I, the Queen of Denial, have been ignoring it. The learning curve has been steep, just like back in the early days of his Diabetes diagnosis, and his IBD diagnosis before that. The difference this time has been that, while in the first year of Diabetes we went it alone (we were latecomers to LL), this past week we have had the support and knowledge base of some amazing people. Everyone has been unfailingly supportive, which means the world to me. Jojo stopped in with her observations (I have e-mailed my vet about hyperaldosteronism), Choy-Foong has been working very hard to bring me up to speed, and Carolyn has given me some some insight from her perspective of a Mom to a sick kitty. To those and to everyone else who has offered to ship food and meds, climb mountains, made suggestions, and just sent hugs, thank you.

We have started the phosphate binder. I have my doubts that it can be effective as I am giving it now, twice daily, for a cat who grazes all day long. I am still working to find the best food for him, and his insulin dose has been increased to .75U due to the higher carbs he is eating.

He has had a good appy this morning. He is still the same soft, sweet Bear he was before he got a new label. He has been very patient with me taking away his beloved foods, giving him disgusting food, giving him food that gives him diarrhea, and giving him food that spikes his BG into the 300's. We'll find our way through this, somehow.

Here is my kangaroo man:

047.jpg
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

wishing you all the luck in the world with this, linda.
i think you'll handle it as gracefully as you handle everything else. he's still your little guy and he's still a happy kitty.
and he's blueberry! :)
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

Look at those long back legs! and all that bear hair on the bottom of his feet :-D

I know you'll figure this out, Linda. Hang in there. Bear is a good boy.
BIG HUGS to you both. And to Teddy too.
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

Greetings from A.F.R.I.C.A. (Adoring Fans Rejoice In Cat Appreciation), Linda and Bear! May your learning curve soften soon! Adorable beautiful Bear will, I'm sure, make it all worthwhile - those tufty paws alone are simply unbeezlebar!!! Please give him plenty of extra head-scratches and know that you will always find support and help and understanding, whatever else your Bear-Journey brings :-) Plenty of unclimbed mountains down here.

Jane and Jack
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

It is always good to have alternatives & verifications--That's how we survive here..Such knowledge in these forums, it is unbelieveable.
Bear Man & you & Teddy are survivors, as we all are here--I just Know my Hero Momma Bean wiil find the way to fix her furbabies--HUGS & healing vines as always. You are amazing!
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

We know you have the strength Linda to do what you need to do for both Teddy & Bear Man.
They are loved and cared for and they know it.
I just want to curl up with Bear Man the way hes lying and just give him squishy hugs.
What a delicious picture of him.
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

wishing you all the luck in the world! sincerely meant. I have been through 8 cats with CRF, never easy, but we do the best that we can for them. I know how you feel about aging a year in 5 days. I can so relate to that. I hope things go well for Bear Man.

and as a side note: i nearly fell over when i saw this photo you have posted. He looks so much like my mannie, everything about him. Mannie's avatar does not do him justice. Mannie feels that he has found a kindred spirit, and sends many fuzzy healing vines.
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

What a beautiful Bear Boy.

I saw you had found some EVO. Seemed like a good quality food when I had tried it, maybe a little rich with a higher fat content. Any change of diet can cause LB issues, I hope he adjusts to the new fuds soon.
 
Re: 2/6 Bear Man Old Timer amps 245, +5 176

LInda, I have been watching and reading as others with more experience have been offering insights and advice to you and your Bear Man.

I have no advice, but wanted to send you your more hugs and support from a mama bean who knows what it is like to juggle many overlapping issues with your furry one. Thomas's issues were different, but I know how scary it can be sometimes to try to do what is best, and makes sense medically, and feels right in your heart for your boy. It can be a delicate dance. You've only had this news for 5 days, and look where you are now. It will all settle in soon and you will know what is best for your Bear. He is a brave warrior and a survivor, your little man.

I am in awe of all you do for your sweet boy. His photo is beautiful. He has always had a special place in my heart, your Bear Man.

((((Linda and Bear Man))))

Judith and Thomas (GA)
 
pmps 130, so I dose hopped back down to a fat .5U. He may not need that .75U any more if his carbs have come down a bit, plus I won't be here to watch him this evening.

He had a fantastic afternoon power napping in a sunbeam and sunning his pancreas. I took some pictures. I can't remember the last time I saw him so relaxed and comfortable.
 
(((((((((Linda))))))))) Bear picked you for a reason.

Nothing gives the warm-n-fuzzies like The Bear Man's fuzzy toez.
 
What a wonderful picture of Bear laying so relaxed and happy. Bear don't know that he's got a new label, now does he. ((((Linda and Bear))))) Linda, you are taking such good care of your Bear Man and I'm glad that there are some folks who are able to help you out and give you some good suggestions on how to handle his new dx. I'll be here rooting you, Bear Man,and Teddy on!
 
hey there, just a quick note about food today cause i'm not doing good today. . .
forget the 'renal diet' stuff. feed him what works best for him and what he likes. i know you are trapped between denial and reality, but in his best interest gonna talk reality . . the diet stuff is about trying to prevent further damage to kidneys down on the line. need to think about how much longer his line is and if the renal diet stuff is causing worse diarrhea or he doesn't like it, then hell with it. people have bailed on renal diet for far far far less reasons than diarrhea. hey don't tell anyone but i don't do renal diet for my monster kitty. imho, the stress of trying to feed him separately from his littermates that he has eaten with every meal from the big plate of raw his whole life would drive him, me, and them (cause what the other cat has is always better than what you have and they would try to eat his food, etc) crazy and interfere with monster's QOL. i'm not willing to compromise his QOL for a few extra months of life. kwim?
let's take away the stress of diet out of this equation. sure sprinkle the phos binders on food but if he doesn't like them then forget that. but the food he likes best and works best for his other issues esp. with a bit of phos binders is beyond fine in my book.

okay gotta go. not a good day. :(
 
just wanted to stop by to say hello. i've been following along... reading everyone's suggestions. wish i could offer more than hugs and support. he's lucky to have you, linda. thank you for sharing the picture of bear today. he looks so soft and cuddly. :smile:
 
Hi Linda. Just wanted to stop by. That picture of your baby is so beautiful. I just want to take him and sweep him into my arms and give him a big hug. Wish I could give you a big hug too. You are such a wonderful kitty mommy. I know that whatever you wind up doing will always be what is best for your boys. Your in my thoughts and praysers.
 
Loved the pics of Bear Man in the sunbeam today!

You are the best bean ever. All I have is (((Hugs))) and support for you. Hang in there, we are here, k?
 
HI linda.
love those furry toes of his. :)

Winnie had CRF, as does my civie Wolfie.
We use calcitriol and that seems to really keep things from progressing much.

Wolfie has had it for 6 years or 7 years. He is lucky that it has been a very slow progression form.
and his numbers are pretty darned good considering.
He gets fluids too. Have been considering adding some azodyl, which I am sure CF has shared much with you about ( as she kindly did with me). We have some other stuff going on and didn't want to add too much in at same time.

I hope it isn't something that becomes a symptomatic issue with Bear. My vet always likes to say: treat the cat not the labs. I'm with jojo. If his intestines don't like a certain food, go back to what works and makes him happy.

Best wishes for Bear and you and Teddy too !
 
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