Making preparations and arrangements

Originally Posted by dlestarjette

I have to take the Fentanyl patch off today that's been delivering his pain medication. I'm actually a little apprehensive about that, because even though he's feeling better, I don't want him to suddenly be in pain.

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Yikes! I made a mistake! The patch was supposed to come off yesterday! I tried the washcloth thing, but I'm not sure whether it helped or not. It probably hurt like taking off a Band-Aid. I wonder if the medicine ran out and he's been doing fine with it, or if he's going to start feeling a little blah?

He has sticky glue on his butt, too.

UPDATE! (and it's a great one today!!!)

The surgeon just called us with Simon's pathology report, and the tumors are


BENIGN!!!


Kyle came home last night from being gone for a few days, and Simon was excited to see him--got out of his little bed and jumped up on our bed. He also got up there this morning, I think with the intention of getting me up to feed him.

We gave him a pain pill last night, but I'm not sure if he really needed it or not. We just don't want him to be uncomfortable, so we thought it couldn't hurt.

OK, officially, I'm taking a break from the Internet today, but I wanted to let everyone know the great news!!! Thank you all for all the wonderful healing vibes and prayers for Simon. They absolutely paid off, and I cannot thank you enough!!!

That is just wonderful news! And doesn't it feel good to have your little one feeling good enough to wake you up to feed him!!! Best wishes for a long happy time to come with your Simon.

That's wonderful news.
I'm so happy and I hope you and Kyle have many many more years with Simon.

Oh, I am so happy for you all!!!!!

I've just read this thread -- I am so happy to hear Simon is ok! What a wonderful, incredible blessing!!!!!! and to you all!

As to the original topic, I understand your gut feeling to address it.... my cat has HCM. We've been warned by the vet that he's had people lose their cats to it very young. She's 6 now, and I just pray so hard that we have another good 10 years with her. (I'm tearing up as I write this, it's hard to think about.) But we don't know that, and, as I understand it, death can be quite sudden. We want her with us always, so we'll probably cremate and keep her ashes. I have a friend who wants her pets' ashes to be buried with her....I wonder if that would be possible? That sounds good to me....!

I am also considering LifeGem if we're able to afford it. She is a princess and it would be a fitting memorial for royalty -- which she is in our hearts and she *certainly* knows it herself.

I hope it's not a descision that we'll have to make for a good long time.

Again, I am soooo happy to hear that Simon is ok!!!!!

Hello everyone!

Thanks for all the great messages! I had to work last night, and I didn't even sit down at the computer when I got home.

Simon's doing even better today. We turned him over this morning to look at his incision, and there were two big lumpy spots on his tummy. Called the vet, and the tech said they were probably nothing really to worry about, but to keep an eye on them.

I think Simon actually wanted me to rub his tummy today, but I think we're going to wait for tummy rubbing until his sutures are out in about five or six days.

I can't write too much at the moment--I'm trying to run out the door, but I'm waiting on Mr. Slow Butt (a.k.a. Kyle) to hurry up.

ADVICE, PLEASE!

We had a look at Simon's tummy earlier, and there seems to be some swelling right around the large bruises from his surgery. We called the vet, and was told that it's probably nothing to worry about, but to keep an eye on it.

Then Simon threw up a little while ago--very clear and liquidy--so I called the vet back to see if the vomiting and the swelling were related, and she said probably not. The throwing up is probably not anything urgent, but again to keep an eye on him.

Otherwise, he's fine. After he threw up, Simon got something to eat and some water, then went back and got into his bed for a nap, as though nothing happened.

I just wanted to throw this out there to see what others thought. I'm including a picture of the swelling, too. (I'll hit enter a few times, in case anyone's squeemish!)















What do you think?

hmm... I don't know, like the vet said though.. probably just keep a close eye on it. That's alot for the poor little baby to go thru and sometimes it can take a while to heal; looking worse before it looks better. My male persian had ear surgery over 3 weeks ago and I keep thinking it should be healed by now, but the area/tissue still looks very tender to me. Just keep your baby comfortable... sending prayers your way

Are those the spots they cut the tumors from? If so, I would say that the bruising (bleeding) is fairly normal. However, if those areas are tender to the touch or hot, he should be seen by the vet.

(I am not a vet, nor do I play one on TV, )

If it is a while till the staples come out, i personally would nip him to the vet to be on the safe side - mine always does a check up after 3 days, then stitches out at 10 (unless they dont look ready). I have just read this whole thread, I am so pleased they were benign and he is doign well. Good on you for considering things in advance though, I personally can't get my head round cremation for cats, so I dont do anything. It isn't a nice place to be in though, one of my fosters has CRF, so just a matter of time with her.

Just running out the door to work, but Kyle thinks his stomach does feel a little warm. We're going to take him to the vet this afternoon just to be on the safe side.

I'll post later about what we find out. He's doing great otherwise--graced us with his presence on the couch last night for the first time since the surgery.

UPDATE

Well, we just got back from seeing our vet--the surgeon is at a different hospital--and Simon is A-OK. In fact, the doctor said that the difference between the last time she saw him almost two weeks ago and today is amazing. His incision looks really good, he's no longer dehydrated, and she could tell that just looks like he feels a lot better than he did.

The slight swelling we noticed was, in fact, seroma fluid, which she drained. Apparently, this can be caused from, well, not too much activity, but activity in general following surgery. The vet drained it, and gave Simon a very stylish Spring compression bandage to wear for the weekend:




I actually think the bandage is a good idea, and I bet it probably feels pretty good to Simon.

The staples come out on the sixth, and he has a follow-up visit with the surgeon on the twelfth. Poor Simon! He was just so upset about getting back in his carrier today, which I think is completely understandable.

Well, I'm gonna go take a nap! I'm worn out!

That bandage is just too cute! Maybe since it wasn't too traumatizing he won't mind so much on the 6th.

Aww, glad there was nothing too serious and the vet is happy with him.

Hi everyone,

I'm SO SORRY for the lack of updates about Simon. The entire month of May has been a whirlwind, and I can't believe it's almost June already.

Simon is still doing great! In fact, I think he feels better than he has in a couple of years!

Yesterday, the windows were up since it was so nice outside, and when I walked into the living room, there was Simon on the windowsill. I didn't put him there, Kyle didn't put him there, and I know Gryffin didn't put him there, which can only mean he got up there by himself. I don't remember the last time he did that.

This whole experience has been a wild roller-coaster ride, and I am truly humbled on so many levels. First, that so many of you would think of us, send us you kind words and vibes, and having said a prayer or two for Simon is so wonderful, and there's nothing, I think, that I can say or do to repay that. So, I'll pay it forward when the time comes.

I have never personally been a very spiritual person, and, frankly, I tended only to pray when I needed something. At best, I was agnostic about spiritual matters. This time was different, and God really came though for our family, especially Simon. I've completely changed my outlook in this area, and I've been exploring different ideas and directions for my own spiritual path going forward. I'm still not completely sure what I believe or think, but I do know now that there is so much more out there in the universe than we mere human beings can comprehend or even imagine. I am completely in awe by that.

I couldn't have gotten through this without all of your kindness and support, so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I've just now seen this thread and read through the whole thing. Firstly, you and Kyle deserve many thanks for taking such wonderful care of your cats. I am unable to see the pictures due to firewalls (I'm at work), but will look when I get home. It's wonderful that Simon is doing so well.

TCS vibes and prayers really do work and the folks here are genuine, caring and loving, especially when it comes to felines.

Please don't be a stranger - keep those updates and pictures coming.

ETA: I'm at home now and saw your pictures. What handsome fellas you have.

I am glad Simon is doing so well.