More From Nurse Ratched...

 The boy and I had a week...He got constipated   and needed an enema this morning. After seven days of this his drinking and eating were compromised and then a herpetic eye infection popped up because his immunity is so low with everything else going on in his body.

In addition to stage three chronic kidney disease, he has high blood pressure, a heart murmur and cardiac issues due to a compromised vascular system in his chest, painful osteoarthritis in his back legs, needs assistance to poop in the form of drugs and who now needs eye drops, an appetite stimulant and anti-nausea pills.

This is what kidney disease can do. He still seeks company and food but has gone from chatty to so quiet I think he is a different animal.

Anticipatory grief has set in for me and I will be calling the hospice vet soon. His own vet says, "Not just yet."

I am tired and he may be too.

It has been five years since I have been at this point and until this week, the passage of time had dulled the memories of Jacob at this stage and the pain of his last days...  

Both Exhausted...

 Lukas was discharged late morning yesterday and sent home with an anti-nausea med and an increased dosage of Amlodipine which controls high blood pressure. His high BP is due to the increasing and incurable chronic kidney disease which comes with a wealth of complications and only ends in kidney failure. There is NO Recovery here for him. Symptom management is largely down to me.

His appetite is reduced and he is becoming a picky eater, another side effect of this disease process. He is also tired and sleeping more, less active and although happy to see me and still affectionate, he prefers the solitary comfort of his favorite chair to sharing a bed with me, another very recent change.

I am struggling with when and how to say goodbye. During his
awake time, he is giving me lots of purrs. headbutts and slow blinks, all forms of extreme love and trust from a feline friend. His vet wants him to have bagged subcutaneous fluids twice weekly which I cannot do alone. That issue has yet to be resolved.

We are both tired. Thanks for your interest and expressions of care and support. All are appreciated.

Lukas Hospitalized

 My darling boy has taken a turn for the worse and been hospitalized while being given meds and awaiting more extensive blood work. His kidney function has gotten much worse in the last month and he spent the entire day yesterday sleeping or without any animation. He did not eat and only drank a bit of water and used the box once in twelve or more hours.

Prelims at the vet have shown a marked decrease in weight and he was lethargic. After being there for most of the day, he is alert and responsive but more labs are being done. His blood pressure was high so his medication will be increased and he will be given fluids and food. He will be released once all the labs are completed. How long he has is anyone's guess at this point.

This was quite sudden and even his vet is shocked.

More to come... 

Worried. Exhausted and Mad...

 Things are dire in this condominium complex...for a variety of reasons I cannot share. I wish I could sell but because of the situation which effects everyone I am stuck until there is legal resolution.

I've been researching and I am tired.

Have a good day!