Can I get some words

I have one cat which I adopted from the human society when she was a kitten and now she is 16 years old. I care for the cat but the last two years have been difficult. She pukes up hairballs anywhere between 3-5 a week she stopped eating her dry cat food 2 years ago and went to wet and recently she just sits outside my bedroom door and meows for food. At times when I am awake she meows for hours but she has food and water already and doesnt need more. The last two days she seems to be having trouble getting hairballs up. At times I feel tempted to put her down and I am starting to question if she's suffering. I have spent over $600 in vet bills for blood work and tests only to have her start puking up hairballs a week later. She has been diagnosed with the early stages of kidney disease and the vet didnt suggest putting her down. I am trying to do whats best for the cat but at times I am growing frustrated. I think some may call me selfish for typing this next part but I can't take vacations anymore I cant even leave the house for more than two days. She hates car rides and she cries the whole time plus how can I leave her at someone's house knowing she is going to puke up hairballs. I don't know who to call to watch her if iI go on vacation. She eats and drinks and uses the litter box and at times she seems healthy but the vomiting and the meowing are taking a toll on me I cant sleep. I am sure no one here will recommend putting her down and I probably won't I am just frustrated and stressed.

I can understand it's frustrating when your cat lets you know something isn't right, and you can't figure out what the problem is.  If only they could speak!   You mentioned you'd spent over $600 in vet bills for blood work and tests - did the vet x-ray or perform an ultrasound of your old girl's stomach?  I'd want to have the ultrasound done but if your vet already did it, it sounds like he thinks your cat is in pretty good shape for being 16.    In other words, talking about euthanizing her is premature at this point.

About the meowing - when cats get older, some of them lose their hearing.  They meow in the dark because they are disoriented but you can help this by leaving night lights on around the house.   If she's meowing because she's hungry, you might try feeding her smaller meals more frequently than she is getting now. You might also try a different kind of wet food than she's currently eating.   

What are you doing for the hairballs?  Daily brushing will help reduce the number she gets.  The following article will give you more information on prevention.  
[article="29660"]How To Treat And Prevent Hairballs In Cats  [/article]
In terms of vacations, you might consider having a pet sitter come to your house once or twice daily to feed and water her and make sure she's doing okay.  In your own home, you don't need to worry about her throwing up hairballs on someone else's floor.

 I totally understand you are frustrated and stressed right now. Going without sleep will do that.  Keep her outside your room and//or use earplugs or a white noise machine.  It is important that you get your rest but do try to be patient with her.  You've had 16 loving years together.   

Margd said:

About the meowing - when cats get older, some of them lose their hearing.  They meow in the dark because they are disoriented but you can help this by leaving night lights on around the house.  

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I never knew that.

My current female kitty began a screeching meow a few years back. She's going on 17 next month, and my first kitty started this behavior around the same time. It's aging--they forget where they are and can't hear as well. Just speak to her comfortingly and she will be ok.

NExt, the excess vomitting may not be because of hair, but dehydration. Cats with kidney issues need rehydration/fluids regularly You can learn to do at home via IV/subq. I did this for my first kitty. Also, if kitty gets nauseated, you can give her pepcid ac ----please check with your vet before attempting any of these. B12 will also help with nausea.

Hope this helps.

There is an amazing cat food (Wet and hard) that helps reduce the progress of kidney disease. I highly recommend it.

I completely understand as well as I had a cat with some of the same issues plus incontinence. It is very frustrating. I haven't read the article referenced above, but one thing I would recommend is laxatone if all tests are normal. Besides brushing her, which is a great idea, laxatone helps the hairballs pass through the stomach into her bowels and out in her stool. As for the meowing, my boy had that too. He became senile. What helped him was my calling out, "Tino! It's ok. Mommy's here!" He would then come find me and become content. I know you sleep without your cat, but this could help during the day.