carolyn

Breakfast at Ikea! I bet fern would be down with meetin' ya!

Awwww, Rooster - I think you should be on the front cover! You are quite the eye catcher, in addition to making me smile everytime your photo crosses my path.

Damn Oly! Whats going on?!??!?! Sending you lots of positive vibes and an abundance of :moondance: :moondance: and :pagetop: :pagetop: to keep your spirits up! If you are not healed soon, I WILL send chaps to visit you daily!

CN...smone pleze....intrpret 4 this...me!?

On a sidenote...after all of this with her and the recall, I would definately reconsider how I feed cats in the future (if I choose to get another). Just looking at the ingredients in the treats she likes, the first one is ANIMAL DIGEST. What the hell is that?!?!?!? Grossss! At this point I just figure let her enjoy what she can while she can.

haha! Thanks for the reassurance of a loving owner! Ya, CBS - I have heard about the recall. I fed latte the juice often from one of the brands on the list after the initial kidney failure. I have no doubts the original cause was from the medication. the food could have aggravated it. But who knows? She obviously isnt getting that food now. A lot of people are not feeding wet food at all. Sadly, I have to choose between wet food or starvation for her. On the positive side, she isnt attached to any of the foods on the recall list. She is a friskies fan, all the way! We are at almost 2 weeks since I was last told she should be put to sleep. She has been eating a can of food/day all week, playing, demanding attention, and hunting mice. Im also finding a lot of her 'odd' quarks returning (ie. she LOVES to roll around in my shirts after I take them off. The sweat smell must turn her on. Maybe its the friskies! ). Honestly, I havent seen her looking/acting this normal for a couple months. Being the optimist, Im taking her in for bloodwork next wed. Curious to see what the results will be. Hope everyone elses cats are doing well.

Hey off, thanks for asking. We have been on such a rollercoaster ride. I think the last I wrote, she was back in the hospital with the drug company basically footing the bill. She came home with her blood levels near normal and was doing great. I was told she did well while I was gone on my trip, until the last day. When I returned she wouldnt eat and threw up a few times a day. She spent one entire day sleeping in the closet as well. I took her to the vet last friday for bloodwork and the results showed her kidney functioning decreasing quite a bit. I took her home expecting maybe another couple days out of her. It just seems that unless she is on a continuous IV she cant keep her kidneys functioning well enough. Financially, emotionally, and ethically I cant do that to her anymore. I bought some fresh salmon, tuna, chicken, and shrimp on our way home. She didnt want any of it. I cried a lot on Friday. She came around a bit on Sunday. She started eating a bit more and interested in her usual activities, including being in the same room as me. I shovelled the snow off the balcony for her yesterday because we hit the 50's. One of her favorite things to do is to sit out there and watch the birds or nap in the sun. In fact, I was really hoping to keep her around one more spring so she could do this. Well, She spent all day yesterday and today running in and out, very alert, active, and animated. She is not eating great, but much better than last week. I guess Im thinking maybe a couple weeks at the most? Not that Im putting any dates on her life. Im just trying to be prepared. I think being home again and the nice weather has made a big difference (just like it would in a human). I know I am appreciating being able to spend extra time with her and help her feel as comfortable and loved as possible

NOPE...................JUST ADDING THE TRUTH TO THE MAYHEM THAT THE PEONS WHO POSTED............. whooooa! maybe its just too early in the morning, but not one of your posts makes sensein the last two pages. Its kinda creepy, actually.

Here are two hot climbing girls for ya! Such a rough day!

BINGO!!!! Always try to keep those emotions in check, whether it be anger, frustration, excitement, fear, etc while climbing. Its when you let yourself get carried away with those that you dont think, or become closed to other options - options that may just save both you and your partners' lives. Ive almost always been the complete opposite of you - too cautious, allowing my fear and the 'what ifs' prevent me from pushing myself. I have to constantly check in with myself and often times others (my partners) to make sure I am dealing with reality or MY reality. Deciphering between the two realities, whether it be dealing with no fear or two much fear, is vital in climbing (heck, and life in general). I think one of the best ways to work on that is through honesty, openness, and seeking out mentors you will listen to. Now, to be blunt about something....with the attitude you carry right now, it is going to be very difficult to find mentors who will help you. You will also start finding it more and more difficult to find climbing partners. Eventually the only form of climbing you will be able to take part in is soloing, because no one will feel safe around you. show some respect for your life, as well as others, and stay open to what your mentors, friends, and internet gumbies say.

Jamin, If you fall (even roped) you absolutely CAN die. Testing your limits should scare you. That fear, when understood and managed, is what helps you make the best decision toward safety for yourself and others. Have you looked at any Accidents of North America Mountaineering books? I believe I saw a whole bunch of them for sale on Ebay (or was it on this site?), maybe borrow some. Part of me wants to help make it clear that climbing is dangerous, even when you do everything right. Another part isnt so sure you are ready to hear that. I suppose the fear of not having control, even when you do everything right could be enough to cause recklessness. I hope at some point you are able to respect yourself (and those you climb with) enough to take every precaution possible to stay safe while climbing. Best of Luck to you.

They would never comment on this forum. Spend too much time climbing. thats one of the craziest things ive heard on this site, as they obviously have plenty of time to spend with other aspects of the media.

To reduce speculation, kevbone, would it be reasonable to ask one of your friends who had been rescued to either post what happened on here or send a report to you to post. Im sure most folks would rather hear it from the horses mouth than sit here and 'speculate'. If everything was done "right" (which I dont know - and Im not being sarcastic), then it would be more of a service to share that information with the climbing community. If something happened due to nature or human error, then it would be a service to the community to share that in order to learn. Obviously we can wait until ANAM comes out. But considering the amount of presstime they are willing to participate in, maybe asking them to do this isnt such an innappropriate request.

Latte went back to the vet today. I was armed with information and the way I thought her treatment should go, not just to keep her alive but maintain a high quality of life. I promised her she was going to come home. I ate my words! Coincidentally the vet representative from the drug company called while I was at the vet and talked to my dr. I guess they have seen this enough that they believe it needs to be treated more aggressively than the typical renal failure (which is how my vet treated her). He gave them suggestions and said they would pay for all of her lab work from the time this began until it is resolved. The bad news is that the blood levels they monitor for kidney failure increased slightly. Thankfully, they didnt take a big spike, just a little jump. That is hopeful to me. The recommendation was another 48+hrs on iv fluids. She wasnt too happy about this and neither was I. However, with the drug company paying for lab results over the past month I am able to afford doing this. Without their help, I would have had to bring her home and continue to feel like Im walking on pins and needles while I wait for her to pass. If she requires more than 2.5 days to get her blood levels to the recommended number, I might push the company to have them pay for the remainder of the hospital bills. They say they are offering to pay some of the bills because they want to follow her condition and reaction to treatment. Part of me believes that and is extremely grateful. Another part cant help but wonder if there isnt a lawsuit lingering in the air somewhere and they do this for the few people who contact them as a way to shut them up. Im so fortunate to have a schedule that will allow me to hang out with her most of tomorrow, friday, and saturday. And, right or wrong, Im really glad to have a night "off" of worrying so much about where she is hiding, how much she is eating, why she is crying, etc. My guess is she is just as grateful to have mom leave her alone for a while. And fern, if youre reading this I CANT WAIT FOR CANADA NEXT WEEK! I need to swing my toolz badly!!!!!!

This is not to start a debate or to place blame (trust me Im putting enough of it on myself these days), but the medication my cat was given for her arthritis is what was likely the cause of her kidney failure (even admitted by the drug company by phone today). She had completely normal results 1 month prior to her recent problems. this was also the length of time she was on the medication called metacam. It is not FDA approved for cats, other than a single dosage as a shot after surgery. It causes kidney failure and other life threatening issues. You can google metacam and find a bunch of information on how detrimental and life threatening it can be for cats. It is suppose to be fine for dogs over 10lbs Just a heads up to those with feline friends. And, a warning when giving any type of medication to animals - check it out first!

Yikes!!!!! Even if your belayer passed the test, Im suprised you didnt get hurt considering the grade. Though I dont know the climb, falling on a 5.2 sounds like a good way to hit a ledge, or hit large outcropping of rock. I dont know if that was something you asessed when deciding to take the fall. But, often times the lower the grade the more damaging the fall can be, even if your gear and belayer stay spot on. Just something to think about, in case you didnt know. And if you did,well....as ericb said, "ready...aim...."

I grow the fine herb and give it to her daily.

You beat me to it. I was going to start a Monday Speculation thread today. Taun Taun speculation is better! Happy B-day big boy!!!!!

I guess latte didnt agree with the vets idea of putting her down this weekend! After a long talk with sobo and other friends, along with some research online I feel a bit more hopeful regarding her length of stay in this world. I definately know today was NOT the day to put her down. I hope tomorrow can be just as good,if not better. Its a matter of taking it day by day and treating her as if she is alive(which she is) and not already dead (like the vets seem to view it). I guess the vets thought she would go down quickly in a matter of days. So far,she seems to be doing the opposite. Ive been spoon feeding her for over a week now. Today was the first time she ate completely out of her bowl (with some reminders). I asked for an appetite stimulant. Im not sure how much of that I am actually getting in her. She is not very cooperative in that regards. She can smell it no matter what I mix it with or how I administer it. Anyway, she ate a normal amount for the average cat today, plus all the extra dog food she sneaks. She was also somewhat playful, followed me around the house, hung out by the window interested in the birds, groomed herself regularly, and swatted at the dog often. Pretty much cat things. We did have our tough moments for sure. Overall she has made a dramatic change for the good in the past few days. I know she is not going to get better. With a positive attitude and being a little proactive we may be able to extend her quality of life a bit longer. Whether that be days, weeks, months, or years...Who knows? Definately a great reminder of the importance of living in the moment. Thanks again Sobo! Your story, resources, and encouragement were definately key to my attitude and view of the situation - hopeful rather than hopeless. Due to some popular requests, here are some photos of Latte. hangin' out viscous kitty at play! k, can we stop this shit now? Here's what I think of all these pictures! not feeling very well. She eventually peed on that coat after. Pretty much the position we have spent the last week in.

Agree with Dechristo! Im assuming you had a nut tool. If you have a larger size hex or a small rock you can use to tap on the top of the nut tool, that often helps. Otherwise, be greatful if was a stopper rather than a cam and say goodbye, while wiping the tear from your eye.

My cat came home yesterday, with no improvement on the iv fluids on the final day. The vet said it will be good for her to have a day or two at home. HUH?!?!?! He said would do a house call to put her asleep and that he would be available friday or saturday! I understand if she is not responding to iv fluids that she has gotten as well as she can and she is very close to the end. I just have a hard time believing that today or tomorrow is the day she will be ready to go. This quality of life thing is really nagging at me. As well as the making sure my thoughts around it are best for HER and not ME. She slept most of yesterday with me, once we got home. When I had to leave, she hung out with my roommate. She hasnt eaten much, but showed some interest this morning for sure (and even in the middle of the night). She wants to hang out where ever I am. She is still enjoying laying on my bed watching the birds out the window. She has never enjoyed being petted as much as she is right now. Ive even watched her give herself full 'baths' a couple times in the past 24hrs. though she is not her 'typical' self and obviously not feeling great, I cant believe her quality is so piss poor that I should end her life right now....maybe tomorrow or later today will be different...maybe Monday...maybe a week or two from now. This sucks! I am glad I spent all the time with her that I did at the vet. And I will spend every moment I can with her until the end. And yes, Decristo - we are talking about a CAT. This little one has hung with me through thick and thin for almost half my life. I also believe that compassion toward any living thing is extremely important both for the giver and receiver. Sometimes I wish I could just see her as being disposable. Sure would make this easier. Just not my style, though. Thanks again everyone for the positive thoughts and reminding me that lots of people go through the same thing.

well,we have backtracked. I must be crazy for agreeing to this, but we are going to do 48hrs of IV fluids at the kitty hospital. If this doesnt help or if she goes backwards once at home again,then I will have to do what I dont want to do. Latte and I are just gonna hang out together for the rest of the day. She's sitting in her little bed next to me on the floor. Thankfully I can get wireless in here. Thanks for the positive thoughts - please keep 'em coming!

Well I took my cat home this evening. Her blood tests, though not at a normal level, made a drastic improvement overnight. Her eyes look much brighter, and she has eaten a couple tsp of babyfood, a tsp of cottage cheese, and sat at her foodbowl at home for almost 5min once we got there. I dont think she made a huge dent in it, but its a start. She did play a bit with a string and paced up and down the hall at home. Mostly, she is just laying around. I have to give her iv fluids at home tomorrow. This is gonna suck sticking a needle in her. Yick! I suppose the alternative of leaving her until monday morning might have been worse. Poor thing, has this huge lump on her side where the water sits as it slowly goes through her body. Its gone from her leg, to her side, and is now working its way toward her back. Its like some alien is moving around inside of her! It looks soooo icky and awkward. Its still hard to say which direction she will go. I guess I just need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Thanks for all the good wishes! I will keep ya posted.

My cat hasnt eaten since I got home Tuesday night. I brought her in this morning, thinking she was constipated and they would give her an enima. Sadly, she is having some kidney problems. This could have been caused by the pain medication we started giving her. They are keeping her for the weekend w/an iv in hopes it will flush things out and she will start eating again. If not, then they reccomend euthanasia. This sucks more than I can say. I dont have enough information to agree or disagree with the vets recommendations yet. Either way, Im going to head back over to the hospital and sit with her till they close. Go back in the morning and sit with her till they close.....go back... Just thought I would update ya all on her condition.