Tuesday, February 11, 2014

All Grace, My Amazing Grace

Gracie started her journey on Sunday January 26th. Her breathing was abnormal and I took her to the ER for treatment. They had to drain fluid out of her lungs to allow her to breath. The next day I picked her up from her overnight stay and took her straight to her regular Vet. She spent the day there and came home that night January 27th. Over the next few days she did well gaining back some of the 1.3 pounds she lost in a 24 hr period. She was not fond of taking her medications but there was no question that she was going to have to take them so she tolerated it very reluctantly. On Tuesday February 4th, things took a very sudden and dramatic turn for the worse. She had to have an ultrasound. That was my understanding, instead she had an echocardiogram, which the Specialty vet techs told me was an ultrasound of the heart. OK. We were there over 5 hours. I was given some grim news about Gracie, including the fact that she possibly had lymphoma. She had two lymph nodes that were causing her chest to fill with fluid. The Vet suggested we drain that fluid to make her feel better as it had collapsed one of her lobes. So that was done. By the time I got Gracie back home that night she had an episode and I seriously thought we were losing her, we rushed her back over to our regular Vet who had late hours on Tuesday. Now I believe it was the stress of the day at the Oncology Vet and everything Gracie had to endure that caused her to go into a tailspin. She has not recovered from that episode and each day has been one of a wild roller coaster ride. She was given an appetite stimulant that did stimulate her appetite but caused her to have some unpleasant side effects, it was just hard on her. If only I had had a crystal ball, I would never have done the ultrasound and just kept her going in the direction she was going in and remained comfortable, but I didn't and couldn't have known what would happen. Although, I am filled with dread about the Oncology Vet. I know too I cannot unchange what has happened, so I have to let it go. I was trying to do what was best for Gracie and actually get a diagnosis for what was ailing her. We still don't know for certain although the best summation is lymphoma. Today at 3pm Gracie is going for another xray and evaluation. I will not speculate. That is all I know. So I leave you with many of the photographs I have taken of her over the past few weeks. Including the ones I took this morning of her sitting with me while I had my coffee. Please know I only publish photos that show her in her best light. I know you cannot see what these past few weeks have done to her, and I think that is for the best. She is still a beautiful tabby girl and I always want her to remain that way.

















33 comments:

  1. Thank you for the update. I am sorry you're going through all of this. I hope you can take comfort in that cats live in the "now." Enjoy every moment you have with her.

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  2. I think Rene said it well - we think about the past and the future but Gracie is just in the present - all you can do is be in the now with her. Sending love and light to you both. We have all been thru this more or less and know what you are going thru.

    Cats of wildcat woods

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  3. That is so true. We are so sorry that both of you are doing through all this. We just send many purrs and prayers that they can figure out something to help her feel a little better. Our thoughts and prayers are sure with you.

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  4. She is still and always will be a beauty.

    I completely understand wanting to know what the illness is. I didn't have to have the last scope done on Junior, but if there was a chance he had something treatable I had to do it. I was hoping it was IBD, but that was not the case. I would have save myself $500+ if I had skipped that step, but my heart wouldn't let me. I don't regret it.

    Sending prayers for all of you.

    Meowm Rhonda

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  5. We know how tough it can be, and we think your Grace is a most beautiful girl. Love, hugs and purrs to you both from all of us.

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  6. We understand that this is a very challenging time for the both of you. We hope the 3pm appointment will give you a better insight as to what might be ailing Gracie and how to treat it.

    Sending you lots of gentle headbumps and comforting purrs. xoxo

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  7. We can not live life in hindsight. We do the best we can with the knowledge we have at the time. We are purring hard for Gracie and for you. We know that she is just glad that you are her mom and that you are doing what you can for her and loving her through all of this.

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  8. Many hugs and purrs and purrayers to sweet Gracie. And to you for loving and caring for her so much!

    Luf, Us and Maw

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  9. gracie....ewe all ways will be a beautiful gurl...all ways...N tell yur mom if her had KNOT known, her wood be just az concerned ...we continue ta send de blessings oh St Francis yur way; N all sew tell yur mom her IZ doin her best ~~~~~XXXXXXX

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  10. I am in tears. I am thinking of her and of you.

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  11. Whatever happens, we know you will act for Gracie's Highest Good. Don't second guess yourself, as you wrote, you don't have a crystal ball. If I had done things differently, would Annie have lived longer? Yeah, probably. Could I know that at the time? Absolutely not.

    I'm sending both Gracie and you universal Light, and the boys are sending healing, comforting purrs.

    Peace and Blessings.

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  12. I am sending lots of purrs to both you and Gracie. I love the photos. She will always be a beauty.

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  13. Gracie is such a good looking little gal. The one with her hanging her paws over is so cute.
    We are all purring and praying hard to get her back to feeling better and to support you at this time!
    Much love from all of us
    Dad Pete Timmy and Family

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  14. We continue to send purrs to you and Gracie... The pictures are lovely.

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  15. I love all of them but my favorites are of her legs stretched out and the profile (2nd from last).
    Lots of hugs to Gracie who is full of grace.
    Madi your bfff

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  16. Gracie does look great in all these photos. Mom posted yesterday asking for prayers for Gracie and others. Hope the next vet visit does not cause her the kind of stress the last one did and that you find some treatment for her that helps. Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  17. Your photos of Gracie are beautiful. Gracie will always be a beautiful cat. We are sending loud purrs and many hugs to you all.

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  18. Don't blame yourself for your decisions. I can tell you from my own experience that a condition I thought I'd caused with a treatment I'd approved was not the case. They hold on and hold on and compensate and we don't even realize it, and she would have gone into the tailspin even without the incident. Fluid in the chest is painful, invites deep infections and damages the organs, removing it was the right thing to do. Just be with Gracie where she is right now, and be good to yourself because she needs you.

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  19. Beautiful Gracie pictures!
    We keep sending our strongest purrs and prayers for a good recovery.

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  20. Gracie is a beauty and these are beautiful pictures of her. Sending Gracie and you all our love, purrs and prayers.

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  21. Thank you for the update on Gracie! You can only make decisions based on the information you are given by the vet! She is in good hands. Sending hugs to you and purrs and much love. Austin and Caro xx

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  22. You can't beat yourself up - you're doing the best you can for your girl. Big hugs for you and purrs for Gracie!

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  23. Hugs and purrs for you and Gracie.

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  24. Hoping for an update after her appt this aft....Continued purrs and universal Light.

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  25. Gracie est magnifique et le sera toujours, pensées pour vous.
    Laurence

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  26. We are walking this journey with you, one small paw-step at a time. Purrs and loving thoughts for you and Grace from all of us.

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  27. Katnip Lounge said it very well. We're all following along this journey with you, with purrs and hugs for Gracie and you.

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  28. Purrs and hugs to you and Gracie...

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  29. Beautiful pictures of dear Gracie.
    We purr you get some answers today that will let you know what you are dealing with and the options you have.
    Gracie knows you love her and that is what matters to her.She is not worried about tomorrow.
    Yup, we are on this journey with you and send love,purrs and hugs also.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure,JJ
    and Angels Tiger and Tillie

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  30. this is all just so unfair. I just don't know how much one person is expected to take. Keeping you and Gracie in our thoughts and prayers. I wish I had beautiful words as many others do, just know our prayers are heartfelt and our hearts are just hurting. xoxo

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  31. I know what you have gone through. I would not have taken a picture of Bode before he died because of the ravages of the mites. He, even then, remained by beautiful blue eyed Bode. We do what we think is best and hope for the best. Sometimes it just doesn't happen the way that we want it . Sending all my love to you.

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  32. Gracie is such a lovely tabby girl...hold her close, smell her fur, hold her paws and just love her...you are doing everything just right. Purrs and paw hugs, Savannah and Mom Linda

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