turps | (no subject)

The vet phoned earlier and Milo's blood tests were fine, he still has minor kidney disease and his liver levels are a little off but nothing else serious at all. She thinks he may have had a gut infection or gum infection with him eating much more after the antibiotics, which is now getting better. As he is better, it's a case of finishing the tablets and going back if he does get ill again. He obviously does still have the hard growths she could feel and he can have a scan at a later date to investigate. But, as she said, it could be his kidneys working harder despite being abnormal or it could be tumours, but as he's well right now there's no point in finding out atm as they couldn't do anything whatever they find. So, as good news as possible I guess.

My MiL's hospital appointment went okay too. She needs a heart value replacement but previously the surgeons at Newcastle told her she'd need to lose half her body weight before she could have the op. While the doctor yesterday only said she had to lose some weight so I suppose that's a step in the right direction. She's happy not having it tbh and going on as she is.

The hospital phoned and James is on the afternoon list for tomorrow which is a bit of a pain as we would have preferred morning. But, the taxi is booked and we've stocked up on anything needed for the next week. I'm going for the hope for the best, prepare for the worst approach so we've more than enough easy to eat food and drink, the cats have food and litter and if need be we won't have to leave the house until he's ready to do so.

The litter trays are changed, and everything is cleaned, I'm going to change the bedding later. I have water and my book ready for tomorrow. It's two of my nephews' birthdays and also Kayleigh's this next week so presents and cards have been bought and written. If I could bottle this nervous energy my house would be spotless always.

But man, it was a pain to find cat litter yesterday. All the usual places were out of stock of the wood pellets and in the end, it cost me £15 for a 30l bag which is just ridiculous. That's nearly double what I'm used to paying. The woman in the shop said her boss realised there was going to be a shortage and had stocked up with pallets of the stuff months ago and it had been flying off the shelves. Apparently, he also took the chance to put the price way up, too.

And to show it hasn't all been medical stuff around here, two days ago we went to see Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and it was fabulous. Such a lovely, feel-good film. It was just what we needed to see.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

topaz119

I’m glad you got to have a little break at the movies b/c I know how much effort it takes to get ready for the medical stuff!

Sending good thoughts that James has an easy recovery, ❤️‍🩹

From:

turps

I needed that break, we both did. Honestly, I'll be glad when it's this time two days time. I'd say tomorrow but I suspect we'll be in the thick of things then.

Thank you ♥

From:

lilysea

And to show it hasn't all been medical stuff around here, two days ago we went to see Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and it was fabulous. Such a lovely, feel-good film. It was just what we needed to see.

Have you seen Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) ?

https://youtu.be/XeGeCEHPU-o

From:

turps

I haven't seen that, but I've looked it up and can watch on Prime so have made a mental note to do that over the weekend because it looks great and is something I'd enjoy.

Thanks for sharing!

From:

rikes

Fingers crossed that everything goes well tomorrow!

From:

turps

Thank you!

From:

dine

I'm glad things are look decent and there are no big new health concerns for Milo!

I'll be thinking of you guys during James' recover! good you got so much ready in advance, so there's less stress later

I remember loving the book (and at least the first sequel), so was thinking I might like to see Mrs Harris Goes to Paris . it's good to know you enjoyed it!

From:

turps

Thank you!

Yeah, I was caught a little on the hop last time with his bad recovery, though of course having no kitchen at all at the time didn't help.

I had no idea Mrs Haris Goes to Paris was a book until you said, I've just looked them up and I think I need to find a copy to read.

From:

spikedluv

I'm glad that Milo is doing as well as can be expected.

That surgery sounds like it would be a big deal. I understand your m-i-l's ambivalence.

I hope that tomorrow goes smoothly and that James has a quick recovery. *hugs you both* *or high fives if they're more appreciated g*

I had to switch kitty litter a while back because they stopped carrying the kind my aunt had used (and so I kept using for continuity). I like this one better for hiding the smell (and it lasts a week instead of three days), but it's clay-ish so a pain to clean the pan. It still looks dirty even after I've wiped it out.

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie!

From:

turps

I suspect with Milo it's a case of keeping an eye on him now, treating any minor ailments, but realising if anything serious goes on he's far too old for treatment. But, he is doing well right now so that's good.

Yeah, it would be a big surgery. Sadly, her mobility is so bad I can't see her losing the weight to ever get it. So she's content to just stay as she is and be monitored.

Thank you, and hugs are always appreciated around these parts.

I've tried clay litter before but the cats used to leave dusty clay footprints all over the hard flooring. So yeah, I can understand that difficulty in cleaning.

From:

quiet1

Is something like TAVR an option? It’s a way of doing a valve replacement that is less invasive but here in the US not everywhere does it so many places won’t mention it at all. But my mom had it done and it worked well for her so I wanted to mention it in case you need to ask about it specifically. :)

From:

turps

Is something like TAVR an option?

I'd never actually heard of TAVR but Googled and it seems it is done in some places here. I need to look into it more, and then pass the info on to my SiL who my MiL lives with but it's good to know there are options because the way the doctor last week spoke, it was to lose weight and have the valve replacement or nothing at all.

I'm glad it worked for your mom, and thanks for the pointer.

From:

quiet1

Fingers crossed it might be an option that could be done sooner. I remember how my mom was before she had it and she would have had a HORRIBLE time trying to lose weight in a healthy way because it was so hard to be active. You'd basically just have to cut way back on calories exclusively and dramatically depriving your body of nutrition to the point of losing half your body weight seems like a really bad way to prepare your body to recover from surgery. Sometimes doctors seem to make no logical sense. :(

From:

turlough

Yeah, with such an elderly cat as Milo is now "as good as possible" is probably what you have to be content with. As long as he seems happy and is eating and drinking as usual everything is fine! *sends him lots of good vibes*

Heart issues are always worrying but I can see why she would be happy to stay the way she is. *sends her too many good vibes*

At least you got some use out of your nervous energy!

That looks like a lovely movie!

From:

turps

As long as he seems happy and is eating and drinking as usual everything is fine!

Yeah, that's the point that I'm at. He is doing well right now and the way he's eating should have put some weight back on. For the age he is I think he's doing well.

My MiL is content to just be monitored in terms of her heart, and I can't really blame her for that. The operation would be a big one and as her mobility is so bad it's not as if she does much to stress her heart. Though of course, if she could have the op her mobility would be better so it's a bit of a vicious circle.

The movie was great. So many pretty dresses and just so gentle and nice.

From:

wenchpixie

If I could bottle this nervous energy my house would be spotless always At least you got some advantage out of the worry, it's been QUITE the month for you <3

As long as Milo is generally happy in and of himself, that's the main thing, really, and it sounds like he's being very well taken care of <3 <3

I've been keeping James (and you!) in my thoughts through this month as all this goes on.

From:

turps

At least you got some advantage out of the worry, it's been QUITE the month for you <3

I can't lie, I'm glad that it's over. But you're right, it was an advantage to have that nervous energy. My house is still looking very tidy and pulled together right now.

Milo is plodding on nicely. He's such an old cat that I keep an eye on him that he doesn't seem in pain and when he does we'll have to make decisions. But right now he seems to have got past this bug and is happy sleeping, eating, hopping around, and poking me in the eye *g*

You're lovely saying so, thank you. It always helps me so much to talk on here about things going on, and I'm grateful to the people who read, listen and comment ♥

From:

frausorge

I'm glad to hear the comparatively good news for Milo. I hope his appetite stays strong.

I'm too late to wish James well for the op itself but I will still applaud you for all your efforts preparing to make his recovery.

That sucks about the price gouging. Sometimes people can just be so greedy.

And that movie looks lovely! I think I read the book years and years ago and the trailer looks like a really lovingly done adaptation.

From:

turps

Milo's appetite is still really healthy which suggests there was something underlying that made him not eat. So, I guess he's got more time in him after all.

That sucks about the price gouging. Sometimes people can just be so greedy.

Yeah, I can understand putting up the price a little but doubling it is ridiculous. And it's not like I can go elsewhere as there's a serious shortage of wood pellets everywhere.

The movie was fantastic, especially the visuals and dresses. I never knew it was based on a book until Dine mentioned it, and intend to look that up because I think it would be a nice read.