It happened.

CRF finally took my precious girl away from me.

I will miss her SO much. I feel like a boulder just landed on top of me and I was put through a meat grinder. I don't quite know what to feel. I guess that means I'm numb. It hurts and my precious sweetheart is gone.

I love you girl. You will ALWAYS be in my heart.
Rest in Piece.

For December 11, 12 and 13 2008

This was my trip to SD with Patience. It was very slow, that's for sure. Patience took her sub-Q fluids and meds very well for the most part. She was a bit squirmy, but she's getting better. She feels far more comfortable than she has in a long time. When I finally got to my destination, I went straight for bed and Patience did what she hasn't done in a couple years: she slept with me under the covers! I love her so much, she is an amazing cat. Today she did her best overall with her fluids and meds. She swallowed the pills and didn't spit them out and she didn't squirm as much as she has in the past when I did her fluids. However, she didn't eat as much today.

On December 10, 2008

From my friend:

"Mary reports that Patience was quite sprightly today. She certainly made every attempt to get my dinner and Mary's dinner and especially Rose's dinner -- especially after Rose spilled her milk all over the place.

"I procured 2 more cans of the prescription cat food, and 2 extra needles for the subcutaneous fluids. That ought to last through the journey home and until you can take her to your own veterinarian for further evaluation."

I can't wait to bring her home and spend time with her myself. My friend has been such a great help. I get to see her tomorrow!!!

On December 9, 2008

From my friend:

"Patience finished off another can of cat food today. I shall have to get more tomorrow, to be sure there's enough for the trip to SD.

"Bonnie was in the bedroom today when Patience walked in. Bonnie gave her the most horrible hiss -- which Patience met with a steely gaze -- and bolted out of the room. Later, Patience boldly stole Rose's pizza, and Rose and the babysitter (14-year-old Clio) chased her around the house to get it back. She is definitely an underfoot kind of cat, though. Clyde is getting more and more used to her, and has touched noses with her a few times. Patience sometimes sleeps in Bonnie and Clyde's favorite cubbyholes, and they leave her alone. Patience also likes to sleep places B & C never would, such as the top of the sofa."

On December 8, 2008

From my friend:

"Patience had another quiet day. She and Rose played with a ping-pong ball for a few minutes, though she mostly just ran away from Rose (so did Clyde). She was constantly begging for food from our dinner plates -- never mind a full plate of her own food in the kitchen. But after we'd finished, she did finish off her own food.

"I trust you've noticed Patience's habit of perching on narrow things? She perched on my knee last night, and fell asleep on the back of the couch today.

"She came running to the door to greet me when I got home from work. She's a very sweet kitty, and we'll miss her when you take her back home.

"Bonnie has chosen to spend most (or all) of her time outside. Her choice."

From what my friend has said, it seems as if Patience is doing better since she is showing some of her old habits she had before she got sicker. I'm really glad she was playing today. I'm really looking forward to bringing her home with me.

On December 7, 2008

From my friend:

"She's eaten about a quarter-can of the special food so far. While we were away at Dickens Fair, she broke into a bag of Bonnie and Clyde's food, but I don't think she ate much because we fed her just before we left.

"She's taken to sleeping on a chair under the table, I think largely to get away from Rose. Rose just loves her, and loves to pick her up by her abdomen, which is why Patience avoids her. Patience has consistently used the litterbox, which is a considerably better than Rose has had the past few days. She's not terribly active, but neither does she seem to be unhappy. Tonight she went into Rose's room to help put her to sleep, but thought better of it when Rose picked her up by the tummy again. Rose played with her with a ribbon for a little bit.

"Mary has given her the IV and the pills. Patience is really good at spitting out the pills, but Mary is persistent.

"Overall, she seems content, and has had no trouble with Bonnie or Clyde. Rose, on the other hand, likes to chase her, and we've told her she cannot do that."

Update Recieved Dec 7, 2008 about Dec 6, 2008

From my friend about Patience:

"She's a very mellow and sweet cat. She investigated the whole house, and tried to greet Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie has mostly made herself scarce, and Clyde is clearly fascinated and terrified of her. She's tried to make nice with him, but he mostly runs away.

"Patience keeps to herself, sleeps on the couch, and investigates things. She's so far not tried to go out through the cat door, but I'm sure she's seen Bonnie and Clyde doing it.

"Rose is quite smitten with her, and keeps trying to hug her. Patience growls at her, and Rose claims that Patience once scratched her (physical evidence was scanty). Rose is sometimes not good with cats, trying to pick them up by their abdomens, stepping gently on their tails, hugging them too tight. Bonnie and Clyde usually run away, but Patience has too much patience with Rose. I'm trying to teach Rose to let go when Patience growls at her.

"The fluids and pills were a little rougher than when the nurse did it, but we succeeded. My wife was a great help. Mary held her while I dropped the pills in. The vet had kindly quartered the pills for us ahead of time.

"She's eaten perhaps a quarter of a can of cat food. I have taken to cutting it up into very small bits, which she eats hungrily. Mary had left her some larger bits, which she did not eat. So we'll be feeding her small bits from now on.

"Oh, she also stole a part of Rose's burrito, which I'd cut into quarter-inch slices. Rose cried, but there was plenty more where that came from. I scolded Patience, but not too severely -- I figure a 3-year-old ought to be able to defend her food from a cat."

December 6, 2008

Her BUN was at 235 yesterday. She was on IV fluids all day. Today she's at a friends house because I can't keep her on my college campus. I'll be taking her down to my hometown on Thursday and spending as much time as I can with her. She's gotten her meds (Pepcid and Ordox) and 100 ml of fluids for the first time today and she spent the night with a space heater.