I need my friends...
By paula27661
@paula27661 (15811)
Australia
September 10, 2009 10:35pm CST
I have seen the power of prayer and positive thoughts here on the Lot and I am going to ask anyone who cares to for some healing and prayers for my thirteen year old cat Friday who is very sick at present.
My poor boy has been through the wars this year; first diagnosed with a heart murmur, FLUTD, liver infection and now a potentially very serious situation.
I took Friday to the vet because he was vomiting on an almost daily basis and here the tests began. The investigations were interrupted by a case of FLUTD but once that was sorted we were back on track trying to find out why he throws up so much.
Trial medications, blood test and an ultra-sound have already cost me almost five hundred dollars which I had to borrow so when the radiologist asked for an extra $175 to do a biopsy I was obliged to refuse. They found swollen lymph nodes and thickening in the intestines which could result in one of two things Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which can be managed but not cured or very worst case scenario Lymphoma which is deadly. Only a biopsy can confirm but I chose to expect the worst and hope for the best figuring that if he has cancer I will know very soon.
It is a worry because Friday has not responded to anti-inflammatory injections so far although we have changed his diet and put him on a course of antibiotics.
I won’t bore anyone with anymore details; it is a waiting game for us now to see how Friday will be. I love him a lot and I feel devastated because I have prepared myself for the possibility of losing him but I am trying to stay strong and continue to care for him as best I can; all I need is a few prayers and I welcome any advice if any of you have experienced anything like this with your pet.
Will you pray for Friday? Have you ever lost a pet? How did you cope? Any advice for me?
8 people like this
12 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Sep 09
oh Paula I'm so sorry to hear about Friday and his not getting better...I had wondered what had happened to him since you had posted a discussion about his before ...and how can I NOT pray for him since you know what an animal lover I am. Friday looks so much like my Pyewacket they could be twins. So yes of course you have my prayers.
I've had kitties since I was five years old Paula...and yes, have lost a furbaby many, many times and it's never easy especially when one is trying everything possible.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Sep 09
PS--here are some links for you about Lymphoma http://felinelymphomacaregivers.org/
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Sep 09
PSS again...I have a holistic book on remedies for cats..I'll see if I find anything about either condition, not just the lymphoma--just give me a bit...since I have your private email I can scan any info I get and send it to you
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Sep 09
Thanks for the link Pye I've saved it and I'm going to have a read of it later tonight. I have a glimmer of hope that it may not be cancer but it is a possibility I have to be prepared for. I changed his prescription food to another kind and started antibiotics yesterday. He ate today which was good and has not vomited since Tuesday night which is also good but he has gone four days without vomiting before and then it started again so we shall see...
I couldn't afford the biopsy and quite frankly I rather not know straight away, I am going to enjoy my time with him and keep hoping, what can I do? My husband doesn't know how to help, he offered to buy me a kitten to keep me occupied and although I would love a new cat I’d rather focus on Friday and Rosie too of course who luckily is a very healthy girl.
If the worst happens we’ll get a kitten to ease the pain for my daughter who is devastated. To make things worse my friend had to put her 14 year old dog to sleep yesterday. We’ve been a mess here for the last few days…Pets bring us so much love and joy and this is the down side of loving them, I guess but I will always have animals in my life.
Thanks for your help and prayers, Pye...
1 person likes this
@pandayu (18)
• China
12 Sep 09
Dear, don't worry, with your love, your friends will follow you forever no matter where they are and you are. Although i never have a pet, I understand the feeling cultivated between human beings and animals; and i absolutely believe there is something beautiful and sincere between human and animals. So what i can say to you is "don't worry and never give up your love and she will feel it with her heart".
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Sep 09
Thank you pandayu they are really nice words. I will always love Friday no matter what his outcome and I know he loves me in his proud feline way and that will never change. Thanks for a lovely response!
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
11 Sep 09
Dear paula,
I am sorry for the pain you are at present dear.I am not a petlover at all but I can understand how it would be.I know how you would have loved your dear cat for the past years and from your description of the diagnosis, I can see the pain and sadness in your mind.I pray for you.I do not know what else to say.The moment I opened my comp now, I went to my mail and once I saw the notification I logged in straight here.Your daughter would feel worse ;so ,I pray for you to be peaceful and courageous for her sake.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Sep 09
Thanks kalav! I adore animals and I am one of those people who treat them as if they were people in fact I often refer to them as 'people with fur'. (LOL) Friday is my baby and he was very good therapy while I was fighting infertility and I know he loves me. He ate his food today and I am hoping... But all the while I am prepared for the worst, I have to be... Thanks for the kind words kalav...
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Sep 09
I know, we have to cope with what is beyond our control. I am hoping for him and only time will tell... Thanks for stopping by Dawn, I appreciate it. Thanks for the prayers and hugs back to you!
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
11 Sep 09
hi, paula , I deeply feel sorry for your cats no matter you do all you could, to make he feel better he got a lot of complications. He need a miracles now and pouring of thousand prayers from fellow mylotters could deeply help to what you feel. i praying for his fastest recovery and not wait for Friday, when i could do it today..My hugs and prayer goes to you and to your beloved cat..
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Sep 09
Thank you neelianoscet. A miracle is exactly what he needs and prayers go a long way; thank you for yours I appreciate it. I am trying to create as many wishes for his recovery as I can...You never do know...Thanks for being here...
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Sep 09
Thanks rajiib, I appreciate the good wishes. I pray that he will improve; he means a lot to me...
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
16 Sep 09
A friend in need is a friend indeed! I'm here for you Paula!! You have my prayers for Friday and I do so hope he gets better! Only God knows when it's his time and will take him when the time comes and no medicine will stop that. However, God also heals so I will pray for God's will and maybe it be quick and easy on sweet Friday!
Yes, we've lost several pets and no it doesn't get any easier. But it will never stop us from getting another one because there's so many in dire need of loving homes. We've lost 6 cats and 2 dogs so far.
My best advice is to take one day at a time. Time will heal your wounds if and when he passes. The pain never goes away but time makes it easier to deal with it. Trust me on that.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
16 Sep 09
Thanks Cats, those are nice words! Friday is still with us. Today he is doing better because yesterday he had another steroid injection; unfortunately the effects don't last too long! He has been eating which is a good sign although not as much as he used to but that's okay because he is getting old now too.
We still don't know if it is cancer; the fact that he has responded to the latest injection, although it is very early days, gives me hope that it is IBD. Time will tell, fingers crossed. Thank you for your prayers Cats, I appreciate you being here!
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
12 Sep 09
I will definitely pray for Friday. I can only imagine how you must have felt. He vomited on a daily basis? That tugged my heart; how can a cat go through all this, it must be really painful for Friday to go through all this. So when will the result be? For now, it's nothing but your prayer that will make him pull through which I'm sure you have done countless times. Be strong for him, he needs you and I'm sure he knows you are very sad and worrying about him. He would want you to be strong for him, if he could only speak, he'll say those words.
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
13 Sep 09
I don't know if you believe this or not, but I believe in the after-life and that pets/animals whom we have cared for will come and seek us and help us, to be reunited with us. If the worst happens, like you said, knowing that Friday won't be suffering any longer and that he's in a very special place, with no pain will keep you strong. I'm glad he's feeling alright as of recent. And I wish him longevity, nevertheless. You have a big heart, Paula. Especially in a time where cruelty to animals are at large..
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
13 Sep 09
Thanks for that zed, it is nice to look at it like that. Friday is eating at the moment and that is good because the first signs of decline is when they stop eating. He's not himself and he was sick again yesterday but so far so good. I believe in the after life also and it is such a comfort to know that we will see our departed loved one again in a better place.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Sep 09
Thank you zed, I think he does realize my concern by the way he looks at me sometimes; I know it sounds silly but we have a connection; I have four pets and Friday is my oldest and the one I am closest to because when I had fertility problems he was my 'baby' and very good therapy for me. I will keep praying for him and hoping for the best while preparing myself for the worst, if you know what I mean. The important thing is that he doesn't suffer, he is doing okay presently...Thanks for the kind response I really appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
12 Sep 09
hi paula of course I willpray for you and Friday , for Friday
to get well as quickly as he can and for you to be able to'
handle whatever may happen but hope our prayers will help'Friday
to get well speedily. I know prayer power works as i have seen'
mylotters pray and it seems to really help. I lost my pet dog Rin tintin when i was only 8 and it hurt so much as she was shot because the idiot next farm over thought she was bothering his sheep which she was not. I did not want another dog for a number of years, I was so hurt my parents tried to make me think my dog had just run off, but I knew she wou ldnt do that, she loved me.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
13 Sep 09
That is so sad Hatley. Animals do love us in the purest way. Have a read of zed_k4's response, it is a lovely way to look at loss. Friday is doing okay at the moment, he threw up again yesterday, first time in four days but he is eating and the vet said while he is eating he is not suffering and can keep on going so the longer we carry on like this the less chance of him having cancer. Long way to go though...
I am sorry about Rin tintin, I'm sure you missed her for many years but believe you will see her again, I like to think that one day I will catch up with my lost loved ones again. Thanks for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it.
@ekimflow (121)
• United States
12 Sep 09
so sorry to hear that your little friend is ill.they become a big part of our lives that we can never really replace.some of the things they do make you think that their human only with fur.i will pray for him and hope he makes a full recovery.it is always hard to lose them but you must remember that you gave him a good life and if you keep them in your memories then they're never really gone.all my best wishes for both of you.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Sep 09
Thank you ekimflow. Friday has been with me a long time and I know he is irreplaceable. I hope he makes it and I am praying with all my heart that he does not suffer. We are enjoying every minute with him although we are prepared for the worst scenario and in that case we will get another cat to keep our minds occupied but no one will ever take my boy Friday's place. Thanks for responding, I really appreciate the good wishes. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
11 Sep 09
hi paula, what a sad day this is for friday.she will be in my prayers, i can say that the cat is very old but you're lucky to have her. probably it's in the age that's why she got sick, i hope all would do well for her@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Sep 09
Friday is getting quite old, hence all the health problems. I have been lucky that he has been healthy for so many years, it's a shame pets can't live longer! Thanks LetranKnight for being here!
@Gautam269059 (43)
• India
11 Sep 09
i am sorry for what you are going through.i also love pets & felt very bad when i lost one.it seems that u have lost a very good friend of your life. i can never forget him.i will pray to god that you have not to go through it.your pet will be very fine soon just keep faith on god.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Sep 09
Thank you Gautam, I will keep your words in mind when I feel sad. I am trying hard to stay positive and enjoy him as much as I can. Time will tell, thanks for responding, appreciate it!
