Happy New Year
Monthly Archives: December 2021
Home For Christmas
Home for Christmas Then back to ER
The Can Opener finally is able to update you all – but there has been so much happening since our last post, and so many details that she just can’t cover it all in the next hour. So we decided to help her come up with a short version in hopes that we can relieve her a little.
The tumor is huge. And inoperable. There are spots on the liver too. And an ulcer. There has been bleeding when he goes to the bathroom that has been hard to control. He has had over 5 blood transfusions since the 18th of December, and there is a blood shortage.
In the last 2 weeks he has gained 20 lbs (bloating) in fluid. He has difficulty breathing. And had to be put on a diet of baby food and other easy to eat food. The tumor is pressing on his diaphragm, and the opening from the tummy into the small intestine.
The last time he had a transfusion was Dec.23- That’s when they also told him there is a blood shortage. Then they took him off blood thinners, did surgery to put in a port for chemotherapy (after Christmas), and also put a filter in his major artery to catch any possible blood clots that could happen while he was at home for Christmas.
A day before this, the Doctor called the Can Opener while he was in recovery from the proceedure for the chemo port, and told her he needed her to get the family together and decide whether there was going to be a DNR order- this completely caught our Can Opener off guard because they had up until that point, sounded very optimistic about the chemo. They had told her the day before that “fortunately this cancer responds well to chemo…” so she was feeling hopeful and encouraged. Then to suddenly get this call was traumatizing. She asked the Doctor, “if it were you in his place, (regarding the chemo)- what would you do?– What are his chances?” She can’t remember exactly how he said it, but the main idea was, not good.
So she called the family and broke the news to them and the Critters. They all decided because it is HIS wish to fight and to have the chemo so he can live and see the Critters grow up and be at their weddings, that he DOES NOT want a DNR. All of us are supporting his decision. But that doesn’t make it easy. Christmas eve morning he was sent home to spend Christmas with the family –
His hemoglobin levels are low. His body isn’t retaining nutrients from his food. They gave him iron by IV then sent him home Christmas Eve morning (the birthday of their youngest daughter)-
When he was released, the Doctors said to send him back to the hospital if he got worse, had symptoms of another blood clot, (more) breathing problems or any bleeding. And even if those things didn’t happen, they wanted him at a different hospital on Monday to start chemo as early as possible.
Christmas night his leg started hurting again (same leg they had removed the blood clot from and inserted a stent)… once again it was swollen, and so painful he didn’t want it touched. He was in pain from that and his belly and struggling to breathe. Yesterday, (Monday) the pain was worse and he was limping and the Can Opener called 911. Once again he was on his way to ER. Only at a bigger hospital where they could also start the chemo.
He was admitted, a chest xray was ordered, he was put on oxygen, and an ultrasound was taken of his heart. The xray showed his lungs were filling with fluid. No results on the untrasound of his heart yet, he is getting iron by IV again, and they have confirmed he does have a new blood clot in the same leg.
They are trying to stop the bleeding, and that has to happen before they can take care of the clot or start chemo.
We will post again as soon as the Can Opener can handle it. She hasn’t even had time to think or process anything yet.
Prayers are needed for the whole family and especially for the doctors and nurses that are working so hard to help him. They need wisdom to know the best course of treatment for him and strength to get through their day. They are working short of staff and are doing the best they can and are making a huge difference. We love and appreciate all in the medical field for all they do.
Full update coming soon
Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma
Our humans are in the fight of their lives- but God is so good to them in it all. They are strong and Sushi and I are making sure they stay that way.
Their strength is from The Lord-not their own. So that’s good- because those two Can Openers wouldn’t have a chance otherwise!
Our Can Opener has almost forgotten its Christmas! The family was called in and she hasn’t had even time to think since all this started.
She asked me and Sushi to update you all and to thank you for not giving up on our blog- all of you are also her source of strength. Sushi doesn’t do anything but sleep and hiss when we walk to close to her tail, so I decided I’d better do it.
She also said she hopes none of you are also going through anything like this- and that you all have a purrfect Christmas!
We’ll be back!! We love and appreciate every one of you! 🎄
The Grinch is at it again
Biopsy Results due today (=) Sleepless night
Don’t give up on us!
A CT scan yesterday revealed something new
The discovery on last Wednesday night was a huge blood clot. The Backup Can Opener was rushed to the hospital and the blood clot was taken care of in time. But many others were also found. They had to be taken care of too.
They discovered another problem besides the extra (old) clots. A hernia they didn’t know about. The clots had made him anemic because they weren’t allowing the blood to go where it needed to go. The other clots and hernia were putting pressure on the main artery in his stomach.
Then yesterday they did a CT scan. It revealed an even worse problem. It’s not looking good.
Waiting for biopsy results. Human needs me to love on her a lot. She’s bouncing back and forth to the hospital and is barely eating. And not getting much sleep. She hasn’t been able to finish the Christmas gifts she was making for the Critters- because she can’t concentrate. Please pray for our family because I’m a cat and that’s not my department. My department is cuddles and purrs.
She’s about to take off again. Don’t give up on us. We’ll be back.
Sushi (the Cuddle Queen) -and Twilight (The smartest one).
Wednesday Emergency
Ambulance trip for the Backup Can Opener
On Wednesday our Can Opener didn’t have the Critters, so she went next door to spend the day with her sister who was having a rough morning. The Backup Can Opener was having some new pain in his leg, but otherwise was feeling better.
She spent most of the day there until she got a text from him that made her drop everything and go home. 20 minutes later 5 strange people with blue hands and thingies hanging around their necks came in asking questions as I sat in the bedroom window watching… and they wrote everything down and the next thing I knew- They took him away in a wierd car with flashing lights!
Our Can Opener wanted to ride with him in that thing she calls an Ambulance- but they wouldn’t let her. They said if she went with him the hospital wouldn’t let her stay!
She was not happy…. and I wasn’t either! Why were they taking him away? But, I was glad they didn’t take her – because she’s the One that buys our food and treats and babies us and dispenses the Redi Whip..
But still… We don’t like that he’s not here. And we want them to bring him BACK!
So our Can Opener has been spending a lot of time at the hospital or doing other things (like constantly updating the Critters’ parents and friends, and talking to Doctors)- to get through it and we don’t like it.
More later….(there’s a SQUIRREL I HAVE TO GET)!
That dang Sewing Machine!
And it’s all to make “Christmas Presents!”
Up until now, if the Can Opener stayed up late on a week night, it was either to type for me or Sushi on our blog, or to play with me. All weekend though, and this week- it’s not for playing. It’s for sewing and designing patterns and toys for the Critters for Christmas. And for other surprises meant for someone who doesn’t have four legs. How rude!
Acutally, I don’t mean to be jealous— wait. Yes I do. I mean, of course I do. I’m a CAT. As long as everything goes my way, I’m completely flexible.
But this is getting ridiculous.
Between that, and the continual pouring rain and cold (and high winds)– I am getting very little playtime – and staying inside without playtime is rough on a cat. Especially with the squirrels, ducks and birds taunting me from outside the window. The Can Opener takes short breaks to play with me for a while- but for some reason, she never lets me grab her patterns and pins and bat them around. And when I come and lay on them, she immediately stops sewing and does something else! I’m just trying to “help” her!
I did manage to swipe her measuring tape, though!!!
Next I’m going for the ribbons and yarn…. she won’t miss a few spools…
Caturday Cat Careers
It’s hard to be a Motivator with my heavy napping schedule.
But somehow, between listening to the human whine, uh- “tell me her troubles,”- and reminding her of exactly how often I should be fed – (Every time someone goes into the kitchen) – combined with my heavy napping schedule and keeping an eye on what Psycho Cat next door is doing, I still have managed to help quite a few intelligent cats like myself find new careers for themselves.
Today, I’d like for you to meet some of them:
For help starting your own lucrative cat career call Sushi at 1.800.Dont.Disturb.Me.
She hit me with the golf ball
Twilight is SO WEIRD!
Tomorrow is the Can Opener’s birthday and she was so busy today, that Twilight decided to get her attention and make her play. She had been making some Christmas gifts for the little Critters and it was raining, and too cold for Twilight to go out.
Then Mom -(aka. The Can Opener)- decided to take a break. So she got a cup of coffee and sat on the couch to brush and groom me before she got all wrapped up in her projects. I love it when she grooms me, because she puts me on her lap, tends to my eyes, checks for itchy areas, brushes & cuddles me, then feeds me treats.
When she was done, I climbed down from the couch to stretch out in the rug for a nice, long nap. And that’s when it happened.
That little Albino Flea had decided to kick the golfball to the Can Opener before she had the chance to get up and go back to work, and I just happend to be laying in the rug between her and the Can Opener, so the next thing I knew,…
I’M TELLING SANTA AND YOU WON’T GET ANY PRESENTS!
Holiday Busy-ness!
No time to think!
There have been back-to-back birthdays to prepare for, (including her own this week)- Critters to teach, referee, and entertain, hubby not feeling well, Psycho Sheba (cat) next door trying to take over our house, Christmas gifts to make (and wrap)- baking, planning, and cleaning.
Then there’s Sushi and cute little me. The schedule has changed, routine has changed, and everything else on earth has changed. No wonder the Can Opener rarely takes time to play with me!
BUT she did yesterday! She knows I love paper bags, and sparkly, shiny things and ribbons and bows and GOLF BALLS – and BOXES!
I had so much fun- I was sure that when I kicked the golfball to her on her yoga mat today as she was getting ready for her workout- (not yoga)- that she was going to tell me she couldn’t play with me yet. But she DIDN’T!
And right when I start to think she has forgotten to take care of herself, she starts to work out. Great. I’d rather play. But she tells me that she can’t afford to not work out with all the stress in her life and I try my best to give her the look to make her feel guilty….
Maybe I’ll stop making her feel guilty… for now.
Sometimes I think our Human is so busy taking care of everyone else that she forgets to take care of herself too.
How to Train your Humans 