Goodbye, Nikki

This is Nikki's daddy - she called me "her man" in her diary entries here. I just wanted to let you all know that Nikki began her journey to the Rainbow Bridge this evening.

She's always hated car rides, and from her plaintive meows, I knew she hated this one too. But when we stopped at the doctor's office for her last visit, I held her in my arms and she actually purred. Mommy and I held her throughout her visit. I can tell you that she was strong and that she did feel our love. We didn't want to let her go - she's been so tough throughout her disease - but we knew she also wanted to visit Karma again. I know Nikki missed her, and now she can run towards her and knock Karma over with a barrel spin again like she used to.

I want to thank all of you kind cats and cat parents out there for looking out for Nikki, and for supporting her through these last few months. Your support meant the world to her, and she told me to tell you all she loves you too. She said she doesn't hurt anymore, and that it's really OK to go. As long as you've got loving parents who cuddle you, feed you, play with you, protect you, and care for you, that's your finest reward being a cat. Nikki loved us very much, and I did too. I'll miss her horribly, but she's always be an important part of my life.

Right now I hope she's playing with the angel kitties who have been so kind to send stars and rosettes. I'm sure they helped show Nikki the way to the bridge, and are right now showing her all of the fields where she can run and play. The milk stream will be her favorite. I hope she doesn't drink the whole thing. Until mommy and I come to join her, I know she'll be happy in the waiting.

My Time is Drawing Near

I can't really deny it much longer. The Rainbow Bridge is calling me.

Over the last couple weeks my breathing has gotten worse. I've had to take Salix (diuretic) more often to try and help reduce the fluid around my lungs.

Last night I lost a huge chunk of fur off the tip of my tail. Mommy saw it on the floor and thought "Hey, that looks like the end of a cat tail". So she picked it up and found me and nearly fainted when she saw my naked tail. A whole inch of the end of my tail has no fur.

When Daddy came home he noticed my breathing was bad again so he asked Mommy to give me another Salix. She noticed my lips and gums are bluish which means I'm not getting enough oxygen. She hugged me and said she was sorry. I jumped down when she started getting teary.

So many kitties have purred hard for me and sent rosettes and stars and purr mail and I have appreciated each and every one.

Been Tagged? Seven things about ME!

Donnie, that adorable white boy, tagged me so I get to play the meme game!

The rules: Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here are 7 things about me:

1. I may have a sweet face but when I hiss I look demonic. This often works in my favor.

2. The only one who is allowed to kiss my face is Daddy.

3. Mommy can be giving me the best face rub in the world but I won't purr until Daddy walks in the room.

4. If you can't find me, I'm probably in Daddy's stoodio.

5. I like to lick the water off the walls in the rain room after my people clean themselves.

6. I've never caught a bird or a mouse. But one time Karma Llasa and I killed a huge grasshopper that got in the house. Then we ate it.

7. I haven't the slightest idea what a "meme" is. MOL

My turn to tag! I tag:

Athena
Charlie Clarence
Teo
Holly Berry
Ashleye
Hazel Lucy
Macaroni

I'm a fighter....

Daddy took me to see Dr. Dana today. Not something I wanted to do but it was a good visit nonetheless.

Dr. Dana says she can't hear my heart murmur. My breathing is better. I'm down 2 pounds but overall she's very impressed with how I'm holding up with this chylothorax.

I heard her say she didn't think I'd last more than a week.

But it's been two months now!

They are going to keep giving me the prednisone and are going to add a dose of my thyroid medication, methimizole. If I barf, I get a quarter of Pepcid AC. If my lungs make it very hard to breathe they'll give me Salix (diuretic). But if I get that bad I probably won't have long.

So many Catsters have sent mail and left treats and rosettes. There are a lot of kitties purring for me and I believe it's helping! I know this condition isn't curable but I intend to live with it as long as I can. I'm scrappy.

I slapped down Mr. Echo the other day. I pooped in my carrier to protest the vet visit. I'm drinking, eating and enjoying time with My Man. There's a lot left to enjoy here.

Well, it's been a long day and I'm sorely in need of a nap.

Some Good News!

The new medication I've been taking has really helped.

I've been eating and drinking and my energy has come back some. I eat little bits at a time but I go back frequently.

This morning I made the leap from the kitchen table to the island because I thought I saw some food. I went and curled up on Daddy in the bed nest and then again later when he was in his chair. It was nice to lick his hand and purr and dream. My best times are spent with My Man.

He's gonna call Dr. Dana next week and see how long I'm supposed to stay on this medication or if I go back on the other stuff. Mommy wonders if I got sick on a different canned food she let us try. It may have been too rich for me and made me puke and have the squirts. We'll see what happens next. I sure hate taking pills though.

It's a small price to pay for really cool moments. I even smacked down a romping Mr. Echo today too. He totally didn't expect it.

As long as I keep having good days like this it's sure worth stickin' around!

Medication change

I haven't been doing well these last few days.

I got the squirts and barfed a bunch Monday. Daddy called Dr. Dana and she's changed my medicine to a quarter Pepcid and prednisone steroid twice a day.

Now I'm drinking, but food isn't very interesting. Monday and Tuesday I didn't eat anything. I had a few nibbles today and I hope it stays down.

I also have the urge to meow loudly now and then too.

Mommy has asked me if I'm ready to go see Karma at the Bridge. That's a question that isn't answered easily. It's been two months since I was diagnosed with chylothorax. Dr. Dana thought I only had a few weeks to live but I've gone past that.

I'm tired, but I don't know if I want to rest at the Bridge quite yet. But I may yet change my mind.

Going downhill?

Last week Daddy went to Disney World on bizniss. Mommy told me "Nikki, I forbid you from getting sicker this week while your man is gone." I missed him so much but I held it together. When he came home and scooped me in his arms I gave out a pitiful remorseful meow...

And so now I'm sicker.

I threw up a bunch yesterday and had the squirts. I don't feel at all like eating and drinking. I did manage to take a few licks of water but mostly I just hung my head over my bowl.

My purrs are ragged, I'm breathing really hard and my heart isn't beating as fast as normal. Plus Mr. Echo has finally caught on that I'm sick and is avoiding me.

I hear my humans have put in a call to Dr. Dana.

A quiet weekend...

I'm having a nice restful weekend which is good because I'm really not in much shape to be running around.

It's getting a little harder to breathe now. I'm still eating and drinking but I like being quiet and alone. Daddy left the office open for me to sleep in and Mommy is keeping Echo amused with a new feather toy so he won't try to amuse himself by chasing me.

My people are here all day and I hear them making noise and cleaning house. When Daddy stops I think I'll go and see if he's in his chair and if he is I'll have some water, check for fresh food and then go cuddle with him. That's when I'm happiest.

The Water Game

First, an update on my health: The chylothorax (fluid around my lungs) is still there and while I'm slowing down a little, I'm not getting lots worse. I'm drinking a lot and peeing a lot too. Daddy can't believe how messy my box is. But it's the meddasin doing it. I've now been living with this condition for over a month.

I must admit I like the attention. I'm getting extra yummy food, like chicken and lobster! The pillow above Mommy's head is all mine and Echo gets yelled at when he chases me. When I don't feel like running I let him jump on me, or I knock the snot out of him. He actually seems to enjoy it.

Because I'm so thirsty I have lots of water around. In the morning I play The Water Game with mommy. When she steps into the rain room to get clean in the morning I refuse to move from in front of the door until she drips water on me. When I was little she once flicked water on me to get me to move so she could close the rain room door and get clean but it didn't work. Cuz when I tasted the warm water I instantly realized I liked it. So now I go with her when it's rain room time so she can drip water on me. Then I lick it off. Sometimes I get soaked but I really don't mind. It's delicious water and almost as good as drinking out of the faucet!

Everykitty is so kind!

If I haven't sent a thank you for the stars and rosettes I'm sorry. I'm a bit behind on that. Each and every one of you is appreciated so much.

As for my progress, I'm hanging in there. I'm slowing down a little though. When Mr. Echo comes up and annoys me I don't always run away from him because it's so hard to catch my breath. So I'm smacking him instead.

I did surprise my humans the other morning. I had been discovered jumping on the countertops and was at the sink drinking water when Mommy picked me up and put me on the table and gave me a full clean bowl of water. But I wanted to drink out of the sink!

So I jumped the 6 feet from the table to the kitchen island and then from the island to the sink. Mommy couldn't believe it. I may be sick, but I'm not dead yet.

Your purrs must be working! I'm not planning on taking my permanent rest at the Bridge quite yet.