Long time no see!!!

[Susan and the girls]

I haven't posted here in a LONG while (years??) but I still see names of owners I recognize from 2004-2005, when I last communicated with you.

I think about this website a lot, but haven't been able to remember my username until just now! (I can't believe I ever forgot it either.... but it took about 20 tries before I got the right one! HA!)

For those of you who remember me (Lily's Story, about my kitty who was abused by someone I trusted), I still have Belle. I also still have Scarlett & Daisy, whom I got several months before Lily passed away.

Belle is almost 13. She has been on Science Diet for senior kitties for several years because we had some concerns with kidney values, but her kidneys are GREAT.

Recently, she began losing weight, and I took her in last week for a checkup to find that she'd lost more weight than I realized. I just hadn't realized she'd lost over 4 pounds in a few months! Bloodwork revealed hyperthyroidism.... off the charts. My vet recommended 131 I (Radioactive Iodine), and we're going tomorrow to the University Vet Clinic (affiliated with the state university in a neighboring town) where they'll do more bloodwork and set us up for the treatment.

We have three children now (almost 6, just turned 4, and just turned 1), so she will have to stay three weeks at the clinic (until she is no longer radioactive!). It will be hard to be separated from her, but this is best for her. She has been with me through thick and thin, and she deserves every chance to live a full life.

If you would, please say a prayer for Belle. My children have been praying that her body will be healed and won't need the treatment. Wouldn't that be great for the bloodwork (that they do tomorrow) to show that everything is normal? That would be a welcome piece of information for sure!!

Traci, Tina & crew, and all you other long time posters -- HEY! I hope you're all doing very well. I have thought of you many times over the last few years!!!

Oh -and I'm sorry if I put this in the wrong thread..... I'm kinda "new" to this all over again!!!

[Traci]

Hi Susan! Wow, it HAS been awhile

Of course I'm keeping Belle in my thoughts and prayers for a successful treatment and recovery, you are very fortunate to have a radioiodine clinic in your area. You might be able to visit Belle much earlier than the 3-week time frame, usually it is 2-3 weeks, but DO stay in touch with the vets and instruct them to keep you informed and when you can visit.

You've chosen the most effective treatment approach with raidioiodine, as opposed to meds or surgery. Here's sending many healing thoughts Belle's way! Please keep us updated!

[Susan and the girls]

Hey Traci! Thanks for the prayers. I will be so glad to have this over!

Well, Miss Belle is officially a patient. The "exam & bloodwork" I had for her today turned out to be an admission! I figured there would be a wait.

When I left her there this morning, they told me they'd call me back with the results of her bloodwork to verify her thyroid levels. They called me back many hours later to let me know that it was over 15, the highest level their lab registered. (They're letting it keep "figuring" though, to get a closer idea of what it truly is.)

The concern was that the hyperthyroidism is masking any kidney issues, since she's had kidney issues in the past. The doctor there could only palpate one kidney during his exam. He wonders if the levels we had several years ago when her numbers were high were a result of the other kidney shutting down. Apparently, the kidney that's working is doing just fine. We'll see after the treatment if there is kidney disease. He's a little concerned about her liver values, too, since they're just a little above average.

Turns out I don't have to leave her there three weeks, either. He explained that the levels of radioactivity will decrease each day after the initial shot, and that by the time she's there 5-7 days, the level will be low enough that I can take her home, provided I can keep her away from the other cats and the kids. I plan to keep her in the master bathroom with her own food, litterbox, etc. (I was relieved to know that I could bring her home safely!!)

I'm just a little uneasy about her absence. Even though she's not the "meet you at the door" kind of kitty, she has her special spot that she naps in -- and not seeing her there this afternoon & evening is a little unsettling. Her food bowl is empty, and it just seems really spooky. I'll be so glad to have her home.

The vet student assigned to her is a "cat person" so I'm glad for that!! I told her the cliff notes version of my Lily experience -- and how that just being there at the Vet School brought back awful memories.... and asked her to PLEASE take care of my precious Belle. She promised to call me at least twice per day -- and promised she'd go in a check on her as many times as they'd let her (safely). I'm sure that suiting up for a visit to the radioactive cats is a chore!!

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the prayers!

Susan

Oh - Traci - I send you a message - did you get it? Apparently, because the system won't let me change my signature, it has also kinda blocked me from some of the areas of the site. (It says I used offensive language or something like that..... I didn't realize "Alyssa Kate" was offensive. --That's my 13 month old's name I was trying to add to my signature! LOL)

[Traci]

I got your message and I had a heck of a time trying to find whatever censored word was there, but I did some tinkering and I think it's fixed now. I'm so sorry for all the hassle!!

Btw, you're already joined up to the "Groups" and should be able to access it now, we only have one group and that is the "Other Room". You should be able to access it once you're logged in. Let me know if you can't access it for some reason, and if you're in fact able to view all of the forums - remember, you have to be logged in to see ALL of them:

Help For Cats
Canine Centric
Debbie's Cloud
PrayerBook for Cats and Dogs
Kevin's Room
The Other Room
Support and Announcements