[

Current Mood

|

crushed

]

 Brussels, Belgium
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=166915&id=710678081&l=cc739bb8f1 

   Now the  bad news.  Isis ended up going to the vet, and they took blood, etc.  Her kidneys have gotten significantly worse, increased phosphate, low red blood count.  Her minor tooth problem is not why she isn't eating, and she's no longer a candiate for anesthesia at this point.  All I can do is make her comfy.  I'm trying to make good decisions for comfort and quality of life, but it's hard as she can't talk to me.  She had a seizure Mon night, which really scared me, and resulted in little sleep for me. I've been told by several, including her vet, that she will tell me 'when she's done'.   We're not quite there, but I can tell she is heading that way.   Her vet said that it would be nice if she could just curl up, fall asleep and go that way, but it doesn't always happened that way.  She talked more about symptoms to watch for, and said I was doing all I could to make her comfy.  So, for now, she's just hanging out on a heating pad in my closet.   
     My other darling, Wednesday, had a UTI when we came home.  It doesn't appear to be resolved and she had to go into the vet today for a while.  I'm feeling really tired and run over.  I officially hate all of this.  I am fortunate to have so many LJ and non LJ friends think good thoughts and give kind words, and I really appreciate it.  Michael continues to be wonderful through all of this.

[

Current Mood

|

melancholy

]

 Amsterdam

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=165089&id=710678081&l=83996565b5 

     On Thur, Isis was having blood in her urine, amongst another not pretty symptom.  Her vet was off.  I didn't want to have to drop her off at the vet all day to get a UA.  Other vet agreed to treat for a UTI and give antibiotics, but, there could be other reasons she is having this problem that is not due to infection, but due to her disease progression.  She also has some nice kitty morphine, which appears to make her comfy, and a little high.  I ended up taking her in to the vet yesterday, as her primary I think wanted to see her.  She's lost a lot of weight, which I knew, but it was difficult to see it in numbers.  Isis has a little tooth problem, but it's not the only problem.  If her lab values are the same, they can extract the tooth, but if she's not a candiate for anesthesia, they'll just leave it alone.  Being on pain meds and antibiotics is a bonus for this as well.  She's sorta doing OK for the moment, but still functioning at a much lower level.  She did manage to get up on the bed and claw my face-- which is a normal thing she hasn't done much of lately.   Michael has been super supportive and helpful.  Despite not liking cats, I think he's grown a soft spot for Isis.  (Wednesday, not so much)   I also appreciate  mrsloane , who offered to donate a kidney to Isis.  This is really hard.

[

Current Mood

|

sad

]

    I know this may be a duplicate for some folks, but, if you are interested, here are what made it for the Paris pictures.  Michael did all the captioning, then discovered it didn't take, and he had to re-do them all.  After that exercise, he was done for the day.  More pics from the other cities we visited to come.  It was an amazing vacation. 
    After a flight snafu, we more or less were robbed of a day, but we still saw all we wanted to.  I have no stories of Parisians being rude, even with my less than stellar pronounciation.  Also, just like in America, my feet are too small there as well.   We met up with Michael's good friend Matt who has lived there for a while, as well as his other friend from his fencing academy (also Matt) to help him celebrate his 40th BDay, in a rummery.   Sorry Notre Dame, you have the most iconic gargoyle, but the cathedral in Milan has your gargoyles way out numbered.  Versaille.... I can see where all the money went.  You see the palace, then an extra fee not on the museum pass.  The grounds are insanely big, and they rent golf carts if you want to use them.  I also saw 2 of my favorite statues at the Louvre, 'Cupid's Kiss'--not exact name, and 'Winged Victory'.   You are kept so far away from the Mona Lisa, you care barely appreciate it, but you can take flash pictures of it--?  The artworks are amazing, and so is the building itself.  Of course, good food and wine.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=163726&id=710678081&l=741d9ee010

     Isis unfortunately lost weight whilst I was gone, and I could feel her weight loss with the 1st pet,  despite her good cat sitter.  She's acting OK, but definitely not her normal, or her normal activity level.  I don't know if she's trying to scare me again,  if she's mad I was gone, or just her kidney failure progression, or a combination of these things.  It was a guess she had 1 year to live, last year this time.  We're giving her fluids everyday now, something I thought I wouldn't do.  We're going out of town for TDay, and I'm now wishing we weren't doing this. (too late, family plans and plane tickets bought)  I've consulted with the vet, and apparently we're doing all the right things to keep her comfortable.  Wednesday also had another bladder infection when I came home.  Having geriatric cats is hard, and becoming expensive.   I'm kind of a mess right now, and being very unproductive with my day off today.  Thanx to Michael and friends for your support!

[

Current Mood

|

grateful

]

*Ginger Martinis at the Triple Door.  Michael, myself, domichan, and another went last Thur night to see The Squirrel Nut Zippers, and had a lovely time.

*Going to a 'Rock Star Party', pulling out club clothing in the closet, and Michael/myself having 'the best outfits'. (his work friends)

*Loser's Lunch, and all the attendees yesterday.  I had not seen kaosqueen and mrsloane  in a while.

*mrsloane for thinking of me, and buying a gift he thought I would like.  I always appreciate his thoughtfulness.

* Isis, my almost 16yo cat.  She is arthritic, and on the decline with kidney failure.  Our friend came over with her black lab/greyhound mix dog.  My girls were still outside when she let her dog out of the truck.  I came into the house to let the cats in and get our friend some water.  Not only did Isis hold her ground on the back deck by making her best Halloween cat impression, taking several swipes at the large canine, she actually started to chase the dog off the deck, down the stairs, and continuing her persuit into the yard, until we could stop her/remove someone from the scene.  She is truly bad-ass, despite all her body is going through.

*Receiving flowers for no particular reason.  
     I will stop now, as I'm getting too sappy.  I hope you all had a good weekend as well!

[

Current Mood

|

refreshed

]

   I know that this is last minute, it's a school night, and there are other things scheduled on this evening...  That being said, it's my BDay, and I want to do something that evening as I have the next day off.   So, if you would like to come out and have a beverage or 3 with me, at 7:30pm, we will at will be at Sun Liquor 607 Summit Ave E, Seattle, (206) 860-1130.  If you can swing it, great!  If not, no worries!
    Michael and I just returned from roughly, Port Townsend where we camped with his fencing Academy, the lovely Ms. Jill, and  other Ren Faire folk.  I survived senting up giant pavillion tents with only light from our headlights, stinging nettles, musquitos,  and the port-o-potty of Doom.  I am now happily showered and hydrated.