Twilight and I have finally put it together and now we know what makes the Can Opener leave us alone (suddenly) for the whole.flipping.day twice every year. And we are grounding the Can Opener.
They call it Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas.
I think this time the excuse was “Christmas.” Twilight noticed that when the Critter’s parents’ car pops up (without the Critters)- it usually means the Can Opener is going to disappear for the day and we’re going to be stuck watching cat tv and that means I’m not going to have my warm snuggly lap or the Can Opener to feed me treats and cover me up with my blankie- and Twilight will be smashing into the tv all day trying to get mice from inside the screen until she’s dizzier and dumber than normal.
Of course, the Can Opener doesn’t ask our permission first- she just feeds us (our ‘last meal’) – then flies out the door and comes home forever later smelling like C.A.T.
NOT like me and Twilight!
Last night she got home really late- (we were almost starved to death by then- I could see the BOTTOM of my bowl)! She also came home loaded down with presents and food- but it was all the kind of stuff she says we can’t eat. Nice thing to do to two starving cats who are moments from starving to death, huh?
And this is is why….
Serafina…. the Critters’ heart stealer.
Abby- Serafina’s co-conspirator!
Our cheating human calls them her grand-kitties.
Wait- What did you say, my head still hurts from all that mouse hunting yesterday- what does she call them???
That’s right- she calls them her GRAND-KITTIES! HOW INSULTING! We’re way grander, aren’t we Twilight? Well, anyway, I am…. and here’s proof!
I looked in her phone when she fell asleep last night and saw THIS! Serafina- (and the biggest Critter). Serafina was in full on STEAL HEARTS mode! Outrageous!And these two were helping Serafina and Abby steal hearts! No wonder Mom got home so late!The tiniest Critter made her stay for dinner (pasta she made with her Play Doh pasta maker).
No wonder Mom said we can’t eat what she brought home. She can’t either.
Okay, Sushi- give it a rest for now. I’m still recovering from all those head slams at the tv.
The last time I posted, I had hardly published what I had written when my sister called again, crying, and saying -“it’s happening again!” I dropped everything and went to her house immediately, and this time I knew it wasn’t going to just pass on its own.
I had been taking care of her when these things happened, but this time I could see how hard her heart was pounding from the front door. I pulled up the heart monitor on her Apple watch and knew we needed to call 9-1-1.
Within minutes this was confirmed as EMTs loaded her into the ambulance and whisked her off to the hospital. I plunged into action, to take care of the mess left behind in the house, and to take care of Sheba and Smokey until she got home from the hospital.
That didn’t happen until a week later, and things looked scary. The doctors had said she’d had a massive heart attack and had got there just in time.
It has always hurt me to see how painful and afraid she was, so I spent a lot of time praying for her healing and safe return. I’m so relieved that now, over a month later, she is doing better than she was before those sudden attacks started happening. It turns out those “attacks” weren’t from a pinched nerve, or stress and anxiety- they were mini heart attacks!
Because of being sent back and forth and languishing so long in the ER waiting for care the first two times she went, she had decided she wasn’t going to bother going to ER again. She was just going to ‘wait them out.’
Every time she’d had an attack, I’d known this was a possibility- but the doctors were saying otherwise, and she is not able to just sit in a chair in a waiting room for over 8 hours (to only end up going home in tears from pain with no diagnosis). Every time this happened I would ask the Lord to give me wisdom for each situation and to protect and preserve her until she got a correct diagnosis. I’m so thankful He did.
While she was in the hospital, I was looking after her house and taking care of Sheba and Smokey, and the realization hit me that this Christmas was going to be my first since my husband passed and that I could have very easily lost my sister and best friend if she had decided to ‘wait out’ this attack also.
With also watching my grand-daughters, helping them with school, and the usual responsibilities, my blog had to fall by the wayside because I simply felt too overwhelmed with everything else. There were times I sat down at the computer to begin a post, but my brain refused to co-operate. I simply couldn’t think of where to start- being so preoccupied with everything else that my mind just got stuck.
It took me weeks to realize when I finally went to the Lord and asked Him “What’s wrong with me!?” and He showed me, that I hadn’t been taking care of my own needs. Still grieving the sudden loss of my husband last January, it occurred to me that I had neglected calling my grief counselor, I hadn’t gone to church (because of the pain of the IT band issue)- I hadn’t been getting enough sleep, I hadn’t taken time for the things that I enjoy because I felt I couldn’t afford to take the time, and I had neglected my normal workouts for the same reason (which didn’t help my IT band issue).
Without realizing it I was experiencing a sort of “Brain fog” that happens sometimes in grief. I learned this by emailing my grief counselor who informed me of ways that grief changes your brain. Thank God these changes are reversible.
This Christmas and all the activities surrounding the festivities became a lot easier for me once I realized after praying what was happening to me.
I’ve learned to give the grief and the things it brings with it to the Lord and to take the time I need to heal. He tenderly and beautifully healed and protected my sister who is now doing better than ever before and is doing all she can to protect her health- He also beautifully and tenderly keeps and guides me and I’m grateful for all He’s done. Instead of focusing on who has been lost, This Christmas is about all that has been saved.
Merry Christmas Everyone! Twilight and Sushi will be back tomorrow!
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.
That noisy thing is getting all the attention now.
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…
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!
I know you’re busy, Human. But it’s raining and I’m BORED!There’s not even a Christmas tree to knock over!
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!
Psycho Sheba gets locked out of her house and then pushes her way in our door and hunts for our treats!This is how I feel when the Critters are here all day.
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….
And that reminds me of how special she makes me feel and how lucky I am not to be a stray anymore.
Maybe I’ll stop making her feel guilty… for now.
She gets mad at our human when she’s not allowed to eat our treats and growls and hisses at her- then gets escorted out.The Can Opener has been playing games with the tiny Critter too.
Sometimes I think our Human is so busy taking care of everyone else that she forgets to take care of herself too.
Then I remember the new bed she bought me that I still haven’t used. Because I like hers best.
Time to help these poor humans get the Christmas tree set up JUST RIGHT!
People don’t realize how hard we cats have to work to “help” the humans get it right! No matter what we do to correct their mistakes they always come around and undo our contributions.
Photo by Ann Nekr (Pexels)Me in my cozy brand new box!
It’s MINE and you can’t have it, Sushi!
The Can Opener opened a present from her neighbor last night and as soon as she put the box down, I fell in love with it and climbed right in to take a nap- but Sushi saw it too, and tried to take it from me. frrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrddddddddd7oiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii – (She just walked across the keyboard to try and stop me from telling on her- I’m lucky the keyboard still works)!
I told her right away to back off from MY box! I saw it first, and I claimed it! Well, Mom was watching, so she pretended to say, “Okay, Twilight”- and she acted really sweet, and came and gently licked my ear, and groomed me…for about 30 seconds.
Then, she heard the Can Opener say, “Oh Look! That’s so cute!”
And then, the Battle for the Box began! It went something like this….
She flattened my precious BOX! So, when the Can Opener saw that she was just trying to take my box, she told Sushi she can’t do that. I didn’t think that was going to help anything, but Sushi actually seemed to understand what she said! And she hung her head and got out and just laid down next to the box! And she hasn’t bothered me about it again!
It must be my siamese martial arts finally kicking in….I WON!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!
With all the preparations for Christmas, I think we could use some comic relief!Even Santa take Selfies! Mol! 😹I gotta say,… he has a point!
We hope you enjoyed this little comic break- we’ve been so busy helping the Can Opener finish her Christmas gift shopping and sewing and everything else to get ready for Christmas-(and helping her get over her tooth problem)- we will be posting regularly again as soon as possible!
How to Train your Humans 