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Aug. 12th, 2021 07:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsThe last couple of days have been a lot.
To sum up briefly before I cut for details, my FiLs funeral went well, and yesterday Milo had to have his leg amputated. He's fine and home but like I said, a lot.
I think the only way to do this is to go by time, just to show how stressful it got on Tuesday.
So, last I posted we were going to get a phone call from the main vet at the PDSA at 9 am. That didn't happen.
At ten I phoned Simply Cats -- our usual private vet -- and asked if they'd heard something, they hadn't and I knew we had to get moving as we needed to pick up the individual roses we were going to lie on my FiL's coffin.
10 am -- started to drive to the florist and finally, the PDSA vet rang. She said they wouldn't be able to fix Milo's leg fracture but could only do an amputation, but considering his age needed to think was that the kindest thing to do. Keeping in mind this was over loudspeaker and James was driving this was a hammer blow. She hung up, James parked up and we just sat in a layby for about ten minutes, stunned all over again. And I have to admit, more tears were shed by both.
10:15, I phoned Simply Cats and have never heard the receptionist so angry. Not in a shouting way, in a coldly furious way as she put me on hold for a few minutes, came back and said, leave things with her. Lucie the vet was going to contact the PDSA personally to see what the hell they were thinking.
10:30. Picked up the roses and drove home to get changed into funeral outfits.
11:00. Simply Cats phoned, the PDSA weren't budging but SC had been in touch with the orthopaedic vet surgery they work with to ask if they'd be willing to operate on Milo at a reduced cost because at this point we'd used up 70% of his insurance allowance -- he's allowed up to £1000 a year which we'd stupidly thought would be enough. They were waiting for that vet to phone back.
12.00. SC phoned, the orthopaedic vet was willing to do it at a much-reduced price of £1000, but needed a third when Milo was admitted, the remainder a couple of days after. We had enough for the first -- in part due to an amazing person who gave me breathing space a few days ago, I won't say names as I don't know if they want to be identified, just know it was a bright spot in what's been a terrible week. And started planning how to get the rest, short term loans, hitting up family, hell, James was ready to start a crowdfunding page.
Not that we could plan properly as we had an hour and a half before having to be in the funeral car and still had to drive to Sunderland.
12:30. Got to my in-law's house and at that point were still talking about how to get the rest of the money while comforting my MiL etc.
1:00. The funeral director came to the house. It turns out my FiL's service needed to be delayed a little as his body had leaked and marked the coffin so it needed to be changed last minute. Thankfully the funeral directors in the area must be in contact with each other as they found out the next service was only a commitment that would take ten minutes so there was a bit of time to spare.
1:45. We got in the funeral car and I turned off my phone.
No timings from now on but the funeral went well. The celebrant did a fantastic service about Ted, the songs were great, we all walked up and put roses on his coffin and it was as nice as funerals ever could be. One negative, one of my MiL's and FiL's friends hadn't turned her phone off. It rang once. Then again. Then again and this time the woman actually answered, saying, 'I can't talk, I'm at a funeral' just at the quiet moment as the curtains were closing in from of the coffin. And surely you'd turn off your phone if it rings? Once may be a mistake, but three times?
My brother and sister came, we met up with a few people and then went out to eat, just the immediate family.
When we got to the restaurant I turned on my phoned and had multiple messages from Simply Cats.
It turned out the orthopaedic vets only had a slot to operate on Milo on Thursday, or that very afternoon. Lucie the vet wasn't happy with a Thursday slot as he'd already been stuck in a cage with a broken leg for three days at that point, and we needed to make a decision about the afternoon slot, and have the money, at the exact time we were in the funeral.
So the first message was explaining about the slots. The second saying Lucie couldn't allow a Thursday slot due to Milo's welfare needs. The third that time was now up, we'd missed the slot that day and Milo was booked in for a leg amputation at 9 am at the PDSA the next day.
So yeah, that was Tuesday.
After the meal we went home knowing Milo was still being well cared for at Simply Cats, Corey helped me do a few heavy jobs in the house and then we all pretty much flopped.
Yesterday we left Corey sleeping and went to pick up Milo at 8:30. The receptionist made me feel better as she said she thought we were making the right decision about the amputation, something Lucie the vet couldn't say as she had to be professional, saying pros and cons when we'd talked about it. It also helped Milo looked fine apart from his gammy leg. He certainly wasn't flat and listless like Freesia and Tinker had been when we had to make the decision to let them go. They were ready, Milo wasn't.
She also said that it was the first time ever the orthopaedic vets had agreed to do a reduced cost op and our story must have touched them. And that the whole vet surgery had been caught up in getting Milo the op to fix his leg, to the extent if the orthopaedic vet had agreed to do it for free two staff members were willing to drive him there personally that afternoon.
But it didn't happen and while I hate he's lost his leg, he's doing okay and I think we made the right decision.
I was surprised we could take him home yesterday but we picked him up at 5 and he was home and in his cage by six. He also made an escape, hobbled around the back of the couch and into the litter tray and attempted to jump on the couch, so he certainly hasn't lost his spirit.
It'll take him a little while to get used to life on three legs, but he'll get there and as frustrating as communication was with the PDSA they did look after him well.
In conclusion, these last few days have sucked, but they're over now, so onwards and upwards for us all.
To sum up briefly before I cut for details, my FiLs funeral went well, and yesterday Milo had to have his leg amputated. He's fine and home but like I said, a lot.
I think the only way to do this is to go by time, just to show how stressful it got on Tuesday.
So, last I posted we were going to get a phone call from the main vet at the PDSA at 9 am. That didn't happen.
At ten I phoned Simply Cats -- our usual private vet -- and asked if they'd heard something, they hadn't and I knew we had to get moving as we needed to pick up the individual roses we were going to lie on my FiL's coffin.
10 am -- started to drive to the florist and finally, the PDSA vet rang. She said they wouldn't be able to fix Milo's leg fracture but could only do an amputation, but considering his age needed to think was that the kindest thing to do. Keeping in mind this was over loudspeaker and James was driving this was a hammer blow. She hung up, James parked up and we just sat in a layby for about ten minutes, stunned all over again. And I have to admit, more tears were shed by both.
10:15, I phoned Simply Cats and have never heard the receptionist so angry. Not in a shouting way, in a coldly furious way as she put me on hold for a few minutes, came back and said, leave things with her. Lucie the vet was going to contact the PDSA personally to see what the hell they were thinking.
10:30. Picked up the roses and drove home to get changed into funeral outfits.
11:00. Simply Cats phoned, the PDSA weren't budging but SC had been in touch with the orthopaedic vet surgery they work with to ask if they'd be willing to operate on Milo at a reduced cost because at this point we'd used up 70% of his insurance allowance -- he's allowed up to £1000 a year which we'd stupidly thought would be enough. They were waiting for that vet to phone back.
12.00. SC phoned, the orthopaedic vet was willing to do it at a much-reduced price of £1000, but needed a third when Milo was admitted, the remainder a couple of days after. We had enough for the first -- in part due to an amazing person who gave me breathing space a few days ago, I won't say names as I don't know if they want to be identified, just know it was a bright spot in what's been a terrible week. And started planning how to get the rest, short term loans, hitting up family, hell, James was ready to start a crowdfunding page.
Not that we could plan properly as we had an hour and a half before having to be in the funeral car and still had to drive to Sunderland.
12:30. Got to my in-law's house and at that point were still talking about how to get the rest of the money while comforting my MiL etc.
1:00. The funeral director came to the house. It turns out my FiL's service needed to be delayed a little as his body had leaked and marked the coffin so it needed to be changed last minute. Thankfully the funeral directors in the area must be in contact with each other as they found out the next service was only a commitment that would take ten minutes so there was a bit of time to spare.
1:45. We got in the funeral car and I turned off my phone.
No timings from now on but the funeral went well. The celebrant did a fantastic service about Ted, the songs were great, we all walked up and put roses on his coffin and it was as nice as funerals ever could be. One negative, one of my MiL's and FiL's friends hadn't turned her phone off. It rang once. Then again. Then again and this time the woman actually answered, saying, 'I can't talk, I'm at a funeral' just at the quiet moment as the curtains were closing in from of the coffin. And surely you'd turn off your phone if it rings? Once may be a mistake, but three times?
My brother and sister came, we met up with a few people and then went out to eat, just the immediate family.
When we got to the restaurant I turned on my phoned and had multiple messages from Simply Cats.
It turned out the orthopaedic vets only had a slot to operate on Milo on Thursday, or that very afternoon. Lucie the vet wasn't happy with a Thursday slot as he'd already been stuck in a cage with a broken leg for three days at that point, and we needed to make a decision about the afternoon slot, and have the money, at the exact time we were in the funeral.
So the first message was explaining about the slots. The second saying Lucie couldn't allow a Thursday slot due to Milo's welfare needs. The third that time was now up, we'd missed the slot that day and Milo was booked in for a leg amputation at 9 am at the PDSA the next day.
So yeah, that was Tuesday.
After the meal we went home knowing Milo was still being well cared for at Simply Cats, Corey helped me do a few heavy jobs in the house and then we all pretty much flopped.
Yesterday we left Corey sleeping and went to pick up Milo at 8:30. The receptionist made me feel better as she said she thought we were making the right decision about the amputation, something Lucie the vet couldn't say as she had to be professional, saying pros and cons when we'd talked about it. It also helped Milo looked fine apart from his gammy leg. He certainly wasn't flat and listless like Freesia and Tinker had been when we had to make the decision to let them go. They were ready, Milo wasn't.
She also said that it was the first time ever the orthopaedic vets had agreed to do a reduced cost op and our story must have touched them. And that the whole vet surgery had been caught up in getting Milo the op to fix his leg, to the extent if the orthopaedic vet had agreed to do it for free two staff members were willing to drive him there personally that afternoon.
But it didn't happen and while I hate he's lost his leg, he's doing okay and I think we made the right decision.
I was surprised we could take him home yesterday but we picked him up at 5 and he was home and in his cage by six. He also made an escape, hobbled around the back of the couch and into the litter tray and attempted to jump on the couch, so he certainly hasn't lost his spirit.
It'll take him a little while to get used to life on three legs, but he'll get there and as frustrating as communication was with the PDSA they did look after him well.
In conclusion, these last few days have sucked, but they're over now, so onwards and upwards for us all.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-12 07:12 am (UTC)*hugs you and James*
I can't do much, but if you do a crowdfunding thing, definitely let me know - or just let me now your PayPal addy, and I'll send you a little bit now
no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 03:12 pm (UTC)Thank you.
It means the world that you offered, thank you. My Paypal is turps33@gmail.com but please, don't think I expect or need you to send anything, especially as you've had unexpected costs yourself this month.
You know, if anyone ever says online friends aren't real friends I could point them at this post and just say, you're wrong.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-14 02:03 am (UTC)I agree, online friends ARE 'real friends'
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Date: 2021-08-14 02:18 pm (UTC)I just sent you an email, hopefully to the right address. I lost all my contacts when my computer was wiped, and I'm sure it's no surprise to say, when I looked up your name at the web gmail site, which I use as storage, there were rather a few results!
no subject
Date: 2021-08-12 08:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 03:08 pm (UTC)All the hugs have been taken, and one passed on to Milo.
♥
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Date: 2021-08-12 06:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 03:07 pm (UTC)Thank you.
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Date: 2021-08-12 06:32 pm (UTC)Poor Milo, he sounds like he’s doing well though and hopefully he heals up ok *hugs him too*
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Date: 2021-08-13 03:05 pm (UTC)Yeah, he's getting better all the time. It's amazing to think it's only been two days since he had to lose the leg.
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Date: 2021-08-12 07:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 03:01 pm (UTC)But, it's in the past now, thank goodness.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 03:07 am (UTC)I'm so sorry you had to go through all that -- especially that idiot telling you that amputation wasn't "kind". (I assume they thought you should put him down.)
Years ago, I found a feral kitten who had a rear leg literally hanging by a piece of tissue. I took him to the vet -- he was surprisingly calm -- and told them to amputate the leg and treat him. When he was ready to be released, he needed continuing care, which I couldn't provide. (At work all day, meds had to be administered 4 x a day.)
I told them to keep taking care of him, find him a good home, I'd pay the bills till he was adopted. One of the techs had fallen in love with him and happily adopted him. Several weeks later, I was at the vet again and the tech told me that the kitten had settled into their home without any problem, that he was very energetic and active, able to run and jump with the other animals.
All this to say, I bet Milo will be acting like he doesn't even notice a missing leg within a week; animals are surprisingly adaptable. I'm glad you were able to save him. Good luck.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 03:00 pm (UTC)I love your story about the feral kitten. I've been lurking on a forum for three-legged animals and they all agree with you, animals are very adaptable and most go on to cope very well on three legs.
I love that you paid for that kitten to be saved. There should be more people like you in the world.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 06:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 02:56 pm (UTC)I still can't believe someone answered a call in the service. But what can you do, some people have no awareness at all.
I'm so glad Milo is home. He's been well taken care of at the vets but that's not the same as him being home where we can see and love him.
Thank you again ♥
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Date: 2021-08-13 06:27 am (UTC)Let me know your PayPal or bank details and I can send a bit towards the op.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-13 02:34 pm (UTC)I wasn't even sure if I should say yes, but thinking about it, I'm not too proud to take some help, and it will help. So thank you so much ♥
My Paypal is the same as my email, turps33@gmail.com
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Date: 2021-08-14 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-14 03:40 pm (UTC)♥
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Date: 2021-08-15 09:21 pm (UTC)A good funeral is a surprising relief to the heart, I find. Though I would have liked to smack that silly woman with the phone!
*hugs*
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Date: 2021-08-16 06:15 am (UTC)Apart from that stupid woman, the funeral went well, and my MiL had a laugh at the changing of the coffin. Saying that my FiL always said he'd be late for his own funeral.
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Date: 2021-08-16 12:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-16 06:12 am (UTC)Thank you ♥