I have experience with the health hypervigilance. Our Will died suddenly with cardiomyopathy. Like you wrote...he was fine until he wasn't. The husband wanted to adopt again and now we have a pair of brothers. I drive myself nuts sometimes reading things into situations that aren't there. And...
I don't know if it's an As Seen on TV but it was in that section of Walgreens: the brush thingum that straightens your hair as you brush. I know it's a knock off on the really expensive one. I'm tempted
Do you have time and energy for a kitten?
These older cats get overlooked in the shelters which is a shame. Does your shelter have a cat room? If they do you and mum could go into it and see who comes to you.
Excellent idea about volunteering. We foster dogs and when Will the cat died in October we were fostering our lovable little clown Gilbert and he helped tremendously with our sorrow.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Almost exactly how it happened with our Wills. Young cat seemingly healthy and within one week from dx he was gone. In hindsight we realize there were subtle signs: sleeping an awful lot for a young cat, little to no interest in toys, vomiting. Had several vet check...