The Chicken Little approach

Gallery

Posted on by

I am a confirmed hypochondriac. I confirmed myself because that’s what hypochondriacs do. I am constantly checking for symptoms and I can usually find some. Matching it up with the correct illness gets trickier. I long for the day when your annual health check-up is some sort of all-inclusive scan that picks up everything. Like Sandals resort for the sick. You don’t worry about bits and pieces because it’s all included. It would be great if the medical center had a Tiki bar too!

I’m pretty laid back about dying. I’ll be dead so it doesn’t matter. However, I get very excited when someone I care about me isn’t quite right (and I’m not talking in the head!). I don’t want to be hanging around by myself.

There are a lot of folks who fit in that group along with some very fine critters. I still miss Jake who left for the big catnip patch in the sky five years ago. These days I’m working with Mollie and getting her blood glucose (bg) numbers somewhere in the neighborhood next to normal. I’d be happy if she was in the same country as normal.

BG is a funny thing. Too high and they damage your organs. Too low and you’re on the train to the catnip patch. Put a hypochondriac in charge and it’s a case of wildly fluctuating moods (for the human, not the cat who like me is not concerned about dying).

I’ve been down this road before with Jake but he was easier. I don’t remember too many crazy times with him. It’s only been a week with Mollie and I’m on the Crazy Train with Ozzie.

When someone you love is sick, it’s a roller coaster ride. Focus and concentration are lost. I haven’t been able to read a book. I’ll read three pages, jump up and google something new I thought of. Quarantine doesn’t help either. The techniques I use to soothe myself include fondling (but not necessarily buying) shoes and clothes. Maybe an extra Starbucks trip for something foofy. Meeting friends for lunch helps too. Right now I’m in this alone with the beloved husband and three other cats who are wondering why they are not getting attention. Gracie needed a love fest at 4:30 a.m. Sheesh!

 

 

 

87 thoughts on “The Chicken Little approach”

  2. Yes, you are right. We all need a spot of happiness right now
    Not able to read much : books or blogs
    Was spending time just sitting on the patio – but 90F temps and bugs have ruined that.
    And RC Cat decided to lose her appetite for a couple of days – which makes me worry..and oc course she wanted to sneak in and eat the (expensive dry salmon sled dog food) and I think we boycotting her own food to get even. Bribed her with some greenness I’d held back and told her she couldn’t have more until she ate her wet food first ( which she chose herself HAHA and loves normally…at these prices she should…)
    This county is slowly opening ( we peaked with just a few deaths first week of April) and the beaches are open now – so the neighborhood is back to normal foot traffic. Why are people going to do with their kids this summer? What a mess.
    Hang in there – your vet sounds smart and coffee runs will get back to normal soon hopefully -even if life is never the same

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Mollie had a bad evening after a nice afternoon. Roller coaster ride. Vet wants her off dry food. How do you tell an old sick cat that she can’t have her favorite. I can’t. We have had a lot more deaths than you. Part of our state is relaxing restrictions but not the broad area where I live. Hopefully we will recognize parts of the new normal. Enough parts to be soothing.

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • Sometimes I use a couple of dry favs as treats or stick a piece on top of the wet food?. “Cold turkey”( or warm turkey even HA HA)/change is just too hard…but then if you have a really stubborn cat that will starve to prove she will not eat that healthy stuff…sigh. Their mental health is important, too.
        We peaked here about April 8 – but with all the sudden crowding, there’s bound to be a return? (will take some time to reevaluate supplies just in case)
        I. Do .Not. Like. This. New. Normal.
        Not sleeping well even if able to manage days…maybe building a pond would help – our house hunting is on hold – and we’re reevaluating what kind of area we need to be safe and get supplies if this darn stuff doesn’t leave. (Insert frownie face here)
        Yeah, maybe a pond and a bubbly fountain – I could dig by hand! That should take a while HAHA
        Take care and hugs to Mollie

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓

        • I should try that. I do it for Morgan to get her to eat wet and it works. One problem when you adopt rescues is that they already have their bad eating habits. Gracie would rather starve than eat anything but her one brand, one flavor cat food. If they ever discontinue, she’s gonna die. Our house hunting is on hold just as we saw a house that might work. Worried about selling ours. The only thing worse than having a house with too much work is having 2 houses. Dig a pond. That’s better than the gym!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓

  3. Focus and concentration seem to have dropped as precipitously as the Dow Jones lately. It’s weird too because I wasn’t a gad-about before restrictions were put in place, but now that I ‘can’t’ go anywhere, I have no ability to efficiently utilize the time. Let me know when that Tiki bar gets installed at the medical center. Continued good luck with getting the proper levels for Miss Mollie. It’s hard to watch pets be sick, especially when it’s yours. 😺

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  6. Perhaps when the weather gets better, Mollie can sit in the sun in the window or if your outside furniture you’ve mentioned they like to lay on is out and that will make a big difference. She’s likely still not feeling herself from the last trip to the vet solo without Mom. Perhaps, since she doesn’t understand why you didn’t accompany her like you usually would, it has caused more anxiety than normal, plus you’re administering meds. Hopefully the meds and treatment help stabilize her soon and I hope your Friday post shows perkier happy cats with their perkier human.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • My Friday post was perkier! On a good day she will seek out the sun spots. Two nights she even came downstairs for a short visit. Yesterday (Thursday) wasn’t a good day for her. Her blood numbers were good but she wasn’t eating and slept all day in her hidey hole. Fingers crossed for today. May get a new med from the doc to help with nausea.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  8. This really is a time to connect with what’s most important … and trust me, what other people are doing or saying they are doing is not it.
    Each day brings something for us to explore in a whole new way.
    We had to go to our emergency vet for our eldest dog. She’s doing okay on meds, but it has turned our routine upside down. Thank goodness we are here to do that.
    There is always something to be grateful for… that goes beyond our habits, expectations and desires.
    This is a time to live life fully in a whole new way. … and learn to accept the frustrations, fears and aggregations of not feeling in control. 💕💛💕

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • I can relate to an upside down routine. Fortunately I’m retired so I’m very flexible. For the last week I was up at 6 a.m. for testing the blood. Dinnertime is moved around but really does that matter when there is no schedule? There is much to be grateful about but every once in a while it’s human to slump. As long as the pity party doesn’t last too long, in it’s own way, it’s therapeutic.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  9. Awh! I understand, be kind to yourself, as others have said, your feelings are normal! Doesn’t mean you are normal, but your feelings are. 🙂 I hope the best for Mollie and take advantage of those love fest times, though I hope they can be at a more reasonable time for your sake!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  10. You’re experiencing what many caretakers experience. You’re working your tail off to help out your sweet Mollie and not getting any relief with some time out of the house like Starbucks or chatting with an empathetic friend. This lockdown doesn’t help matters. Are you able to get out for a walk at all? When I went to the park (my post from this week), even though I missed Max, I felt relieved to get out. I hope you can find something that can give you a break from the stress, and that Mollie’s sugar balances asap. Hugs.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • I can walk when the weather cooperates. Unfortunately that’s been another part of this. Right now it is very windy with a long duration storm coming on. I did read your post. I love that you write about him in different ways. It never really goes away and it’s always nice to acknowledge it. Mollie’s sugar has been better today but she doesn’t feel good in some other way. She went to nap in her hidey hole so no one would pester her. That’s what she does when she doesn’t feel good.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  11. I can relate to how you feel about Mollie and looking for more information on the computer. I had that these past few years with each of my cats that had diabetes, kidney disease and cancer. I just couldn’t relax, but of course it’s worse now for you with being in quarantine too. Keeping you and Mollie in my thoughts.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  12. It’s always 4 AM for the kitty love fest. It can never be 7 PM, when you’re in the recliner and need a warm lap.

    My dog is being evaluated for surgery next week. Favoring one leg and it’s possibly a partial ACL tear. Which means we go to an unfamiliar vet. I can’t concentrate, either. UGH.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • I hate new vets and new places. Not only am I nervous but the cats are too. They can pick it up from me but I’m sure they can recognize strange people and different smells. Good luck with your pup. Dogs are so much easier about these things and so much easier to trick into taking meds.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  13. I’m obsessed with our cats’ health. I clean the litter boxes several times a day, each time conducting an analysis. I can now give William a pill without a piller so I put him back on Denamarin instead of having to go to the vet and getting a recommendation of Denamarin. It’s a safe drug and really helps the liver.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  15. Going for a ride with you. Adi, my day cat, is anemic. Losing weight. 15 years old. Just had another surgery, third time, boil between his private and poo part.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  16. I can understand Kate, especially as you’ve been through this before.
    As you know Maggie hasn’t been well lately, and on a couple of occasions I thought she might be visiting Rainbow Bridge to see how the land lay. It would be nice if she did go on her own terms though I’m in no hurry for that to happen just yet….. but you do think about it when they get older. She’s the oldest dog I’ve had in my adult life, the others hitting 10 or just off (Barney would have been 10 in the June but died in March), so for me this is new territory and I don’t think I’m handling it very well. We’re both nervous wrecks and she’s picking up on that which doesn’t help! The saga of the poo reads like something in the Reader’s Digest! Ho hum, Her bored Squeakiness is hinting for a walk.
    Hang in there. Hugs to you and Mollie (and Sasha, Gracie and Morgan)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  18. Sounds like your normal vet has the right idea ~ a lower dose may be just the ticket.

    As for the rest, I read a fabulous article that we should not expect ourselves to accomplish anything in the midst of a pandemic. We get a Free Pass. Do, or do not, that is the deal!

    Hang tough!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  19. You are normal, but you write much better than a normal person. For the record, I haven’t matched your reading during lockdown. I haven’t read a single book, although I did read a few pages of the magazine put out by our electricity cooperative. I got as far as searching for an e-book at the library. The ones I wanted to read have a six-month waiting list. Yes, that’s half a year. How long do they think I’m going to live???

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  21. Hi, Kate – I am so sorry that you are going through this. Sending you and Mollie (and all others in your household) my warm thoughts and virtual hugs.
    PS – I needed to look up foofy. To my surprise, it was actually in the dictionary. I thought that you had made it up.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  22. I am thankful for you and Mollie that your regular vet has you trying a different approach that is improving numbers… read this in your comment to derrycats. I can’t concentrate on anything and I am exhausted trying to keep my brain busy in a positive way. On a bright note, Cottonelle TP is back on the shelves fully stocked at our Publix!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • We are grateful for small things. Yesterday was the grocery shopping and our usual store was almost completely out of meat. Today we tried another store we sometimes go to and were able to get some. Nope, we didn’t hoard a bunch. We don’t really go through a lot of meat. We will be good for quite a while although we couldn’t get any steaks. We may have to get a few of those if we see them.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  23. I don’t have pets and I swear I am not a hypochondriac but my physical therapist husband might disagree as I constantly beg him to check my various aches and pains.

    Read your comment about January being least fav month at Ally Bean. I totally agree. My birthday is Dec 30th. By then, no one has the energy or bothers to remember, and oh the weather.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • I have a few friends who were born on Dec. 25th or very close to it. They say it’s not a great time for a birthday. We need to celebrate our half birthday instead! Summer is better for partying.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  24. Very relatable, how you are feeling. Been through this with sick humans and animals. My sister was recently diagnosed with cancer and is facing surgery shortly. And it is the midst of a pandemic. And I am making a cross-country move in 4 weeks. I have so many balls in the air, I know I am going to drop some. I find keeping a notebook and jotting thoughts and tasks down helpful in keeping me focused and lessening some anxiety. Also remembering to take mental and physical breaks. You are no good to your loved ones if there is no gas in the tank. Wishing you strength,

    Deb

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  25. Hi Kate, I can relate to so much of what you have to say. I too am a worrywart when it comes to things that I have no control over and that encompasses a lot of things these days. It resonates with me that you are also having difficulty concentrating to read books. I have all the time in the world to read right now but getting myself to focus is something else entirely. It seems that when I am fretting about something, my brain cannot handle the letting go and immersing oneself that book-reading requires. You are not crazy…..unless be both are……stop it Dr. Google – I didn’t ask you! I hope Molly (and all the other kitties) are o.k. and that life will feel more normal soon….if we can remember what normal was.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks. It is a crazy train. I know all the “letting go” exercises but in the moment they don’t always work for me. Sometimes I need to fret to get past it. Deep breaths. Perhaps I will try to read today. They are predicting rain all afternoon.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  26. I have all of the confidence in the world in you, Kate. There couldn’t be anyone better to take care of Mollie. You’ll get through it, just try and stay off of Google. Maybe search Lands End instead. Searching symptoms whether for humans or animals, can send a person spiraling into a depressing rabbit hole.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • She dropped 700 points in 6 hours the other day. Freaked me out as she was under 50. I was finally able to talk to my own vet who has a different approach and I’m trying that. We are starting lower (I suspected she was getting too much as the number would drop so dramatically I couldn’t give her a shot, then they would sail up sky high). She’s had 4 shots on the new dose and the last 2 tests have been respectable. Overall, I was not impressed with the specialist. They want me to test her urine. She’s a cat! She doesn’t pee on every blade of grass like a dog does. I did catch her once in the past week and it was fine. I’m weaning her off of dry completely (slowly) and want to introduce a Fancy Feast flavor with less carbs. It’s a full time job.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  28. I’m sorry for you in your situation. I can see how all the variables are stacked against you in an unfair way, but that doesn’t make it any easier to take. I’ve lost my focus on reading, too. That seems to be a common reaction to our quarantined reality. Hugs to all, human and feline.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

Don't be shy, I'd love to hear what you're thinking!