Thankful Thursday

Yesterday, Tanner and I spent the day at the vet school getting his annual Cardiology scans done.

Our appointment time was 9:30 and we were immediately taken into a room.  The technician came in to do a blood pressure check first thing.

Here is Tanner having his BP checked.  He did a great job and wasn't vocal in the least.  His pressure was a bit on the high side though.

Next, we had a 4th year student come in and talk with us, take vitals and do a quick exam.  He was very nice, but a bit too perky for my taste :)  Constantly called Tanner, "Love" or "sweetheart"...I'm thinking he's a boy cat.

Next, Perky student and a resident came it to tell me the game plan for the day and to see if I had questions.  No questions from me, so Tanner should be done in about an hour and a half.  Perfect...I'll be in the cafe.  I brough my laptop this time!

Get a call from them about noon, and they had had some emergencies come in, so Tanner was next on the list.  I grabbed a quick snack and kept working.

About 1:30 he was ready to go...

The doctors were all pleased to see him, and he did really well with his visit.  His original oncology doctor stopped by to see him as well and was happy with what she saw.  He really is a miracle boy!  They said that most cats with lymphoma do not make it as long as he has...I have to think he was all our purrs that have kept him going!

Now, on to the cardio report...

ASSESSMENT: We are thrilled that Tanner is doing well at home! On today’s examination Tanner looked happy and healthy. Based on today’s echocardiogram, Tanner’s heart disease has mildly progressed, characterized by slightly further enlargement of the left atrium. No medication adjustments are recommended currently, and refills of atenolol and clopidogrel were provided. Tanner’s blood pressure measured 220 mmHg upon arrival at the hospital and with repeated measurement was 180 mmHg. These blood pressure values are higher than we would like to see for Tanner; however, based on his temperament, these values may be artificially elevated by stress or excitement in the hospital. We recommend following up with Tanner’s primary care veterinarian to repeat a blood pressure measurement while he is calm and resting to determine whether Tanner should be treated for hypertension with oral medication (amlodipine)

All in all, everyone is pleased with him and we will keep doing what we are already doing.  I'll give his regular vet a call to see if he thinks he needs a BP recheck and go from there.

So today, I am thankful for a good report from the cardiologist.  I am also thankful for you, the faithful readers who have purred and supported my family through all of our challenges!  You have always been there for Tanner!

Thankful Thursday

Today we will focus on the rapidly growing 'littles' Harrison and Flynn.

They are 7 months now and Harrison weighs just over 8 pounds.  In the past couple of weeks he has started to fill out a little bit and doesn't look so fragile.  He is a sweet boy and quick to purr. 

He loves to talk and is the craziest of the two.  His favorite things are eating Cousin Sophie's Florentine canned food,  stealing bags of treats from the pantry, watching his fish and trying to touch him, anything water, watching the birds outside, talking and playing.  

Harrison and Flynn still spend a lot of time hanging out together.  They love to wrestle and chase one another. 

You don't notice it as much in these photos because of the camera angle, but Flynn is a good bit larger than Harrison.  They look so handsome in their collars!

Flynn weighs just over 10 pounds now and is going to be a large cat!  He is a sweetheart and enjoys his snuggle time.  Flynn doesn't know how to walk...he has to run every where he goes!  He is our perpetual black streak. 

Flynn has a funny personality.  Harrison is more slap-stick humor whereas Flynn is more subtle, maybe even sarcastic :) His favorite things include: Eating, pushing his stick toy around, a favorite mouse, running, snuggling on the toilet with you, sniffing your hair, wresting his brothers, and being involved in whatever you are doing.

 

That's a quick update on Harrison and Flynn.  They have been wonderful additions to my family and I am so thankful for them.

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner has big news to share today...it has been TWO YEARS since he was diagnosed with Renal Lymphoma!

Tanner continues to do well, with minor setbacks here and there.  He definitely feels better and is recovering from his pancreatitis.  He gained weight again this week, so his thyroid levels should be back in the normal range.  We will test him in a couple of weeks to make sure. 

This is a proud moment for Tanner and he wanted to look his best!  I am so glad to still have him around and having good quality.  He is a fighter and continues to beat the odds when things are thrown his way.

Here is a quick selfie of me and my favorite orange boy!

This video shows Tanner taking his pills at night...I believe he is getting 4 on this video.  It fluctuates nightly because he doesn't take everything every day.  We are not in our regular spot, so we both look slightly awkward trying to get the pills in, but this was a good place for Auntie to capture it.  Enjoy!

Here is a YouTube link

I want to thank everyone for your healing thoughts and purrs throughout our journey.  We could not have made it without your support and encouragement.

Thankful Thursday

Last weekend the boys had a bit of an adventure as we hosted some kids from Uganda in our home.  They are a part of the Daraja Children's Choir of Africa.  They have been in the US since October and have been traveling around performing at churches and school.  Auntie and I signed up as a host home when they came to our church.

We picked up our kids and chaperones on Friday night...we were blessed with from left to right, Scovia, Sydney, Margaux, and Mable

On Saturday, the kids had school in the morning.  We tried to play putt-putt that afternoon, but it started to rain.  Mable just couldn't stay awake with the rain and a car ride! 

We came home and worked on our homework.  It has been a LONG time since I have done long division!  We persevered and finished all the problems! 

We rewarded ourselves with milkshakes...Mable loved hers! 

Scovia gives it a thumbs up! 

The video of their performance is too large to put on blogger, but here is a link to it on YouTube.  They performed at both morning services and then did a concert that night for our church.  Auntie and I felt like proud moms seeing our girls on stage!

Daraja Video

Tuesday morning, it was time to take the kids back to the church for them to leave.  We were sad to see them go but so thankful for our time together.   

Our whole group...we will never forget you or this experience!  Safe travels as you return to Uganda next month.

I was very proud of Tanner and Oliver too...they loved the kids and did quite well with the changes in routine and extra people.  The kids were not sure what to think of the cats in the house, so they didn't interact with them much.

Secret Paws has Arrived!

 We had a nice surprise last night, as our Secret Paws package arrived!!  We were curious to see who it was from, so mom let us start to open it.  Thank you, Cinco, Manna and Mom Robin from  Playful Kitty for all the wonderful and fun looking goodies!

Oliver inspected the box, as it was a rather large box! 

The packages were numerous and all wrapped in such pretty paper.  Oliver immediately started trying to eat the ribbon, so mom had to take it off :)  

Oliver is wondering why Cousin Georgie is coming over...there are no presents for him!  We will share with everyone boys...no greedy kitties allowed in this house.

Tanner loved that some were marked specifically for him...how clever! 

I caught Tanner back near the presents later in the evening...does he look "caught" to you?

We will open our gifts a few at a time to spread the joy and celebration out.  

Thankful Thursday

Today is a great day to be thankful!  My boys are happy and healthy.  And although it isn't the best of photos, I love being able to get one of them together.  They were trying to decide if they wanted to wash one another or fight...it was cute, so I took a short video as well.

These boys mean the world to me and I love getting to spend time with them.  Tanner's health is stable at the moment and he is enjoying life.  Oliver is a nut and finds joy in everything!

Tanner goes back to the vet school on October 8th for a recheck...purrs would be appreciated!

Here is the video of Tanner and Oliver fighting/washing...Enjoy.  You can also click here to see it on YouTube.

Thankful Thursday - Tanner Celebrates

Today, July 23, 2015 I am incredibly thankful.  Today marks one year since Tanner was diagnosed and started his treatments for Renal Lymphoblastic Lymphoma.

We started the journey with many unknowns and a super cute shaved belly!  This shaved belly would stay with us for the rest of our treatments.  For many months, it was the only outward sign that Tanner was going through anything at all.

As treatment continued, other outward signs began to appear, as the chemo took its toll on his body.  In the photo above his potassium was low, so he was weak in the back legs and wobbly.

This photo shows some bruising from one of his aspirates needed to determine if he was in remission or not.  Thankfully, he was in complete remission at this visit!  This was in January 2015. 

Tanner is a survivor! 

It took a few months of being off treatment for Tanner to truly bounce back medically.  The undercoat of his fur has returned.  The shaved belly is mostly gone.  He has gained back two of the pounds he lost and eats like a champ!  My boy is a blessing and I am thankful for him, all the vets that have helped his through this disease and continue to work with him, and for you our blogging friends.  We could not have made it through this journey without your continued prayers, words of encouragement and support.

Our journey isn't completely over, as Tanner will be monitored for the return of lymphoma for many more months, and hopefully years to come!

I thought it would be neat to look back at our journey and add up Tanner's treatments and procedures.  Since July of last year Tanner has had:

22 Visits to the Vet School in Raleigh

12 Visits to his regular vet

11 Abdominal Ultrasounds

33 pokes for blood work

17 rounds of chemotherapy

3 Aspirates of each the kidney, spleen and liver

2 overnight stays at the vet school

1 Echocardiogram

1 Neurology consult

I'd say that is enough to have earned a HUGE party!!  Let's Celebrate!!!

Grab your party hat!

There's yummy fresh fruit

Spoils of the sea 

CAKE!!

And all sorts of other snacks and treats...

Help yourself to a party favor and stay as long as you want!

Thankful Thursday

Updated: Just heard from the vet...Smokey is not responding to treatment at all.  His numbers have not improved.  He is telling us it is time to go.  Smokey will be crossing the bridge in the morning, at home, in his favorite bed, surrounded by love and family.

 

 

Today, I am thankful for the blogging community and friends!  Thank you all for the support you are showing me and Smokey, (and Tanner) at this time.  Thank you Ann for the wonderful graphic and for spreading the word about Smokey.

 

Smokey is at the vet for day three of fluid therapy...he seems a bit perkier today, is walking/standing better, and is cooperating at the vet's office!  He still does not want to eat much, if at all, on his own.  The vet used a syringe yesterday and fed him 1/4 can of AD food.  I hope if we can support him and get some more food into his system, he will feel better and want to eat on his own.  Eating is something we have struggled with for months though, although not to this extreme!

 

Today, he will have his blood work rechecked, and I hope we will see the numbers going in the right direction.  If not, other decisions may need to be made.  The vet has listed his prognosis as "guarded" at the moment, so we are taking things slow and are thankful for any small improvements we see.

 

I'm not exactly sure all the meds he is getting at the vets office, but this is what I do know:

- Cerenia (nausea)

- Clavamox (antibiotic)

- Something to help bring the phosphorous levels down

- IV fluids

 

A couple of things I am truly thankful for are:

1) Timing - so thankful I did not treat the Hyper-Thyroid at the radiation center earlier this year when we determined he had a problem.  I have had many wonderful months with my Goose!

2) I am thankful we held off on doing the blood work until August, and did not do it at the visit in July...the pet sitter would have been dealing with this problem because I would have been out of the country!

3) Very thankful that Tanner is doing well, and at least for the time being, I am focusing my main attention on one sick boy instead of two.

 

Things happen for a reason, and at the right time!

 

I appreciate all the comments on the last post, and the suggestions many of you made about alternative care options.  I plan to research those suggestions and may be contacting some of you for more information!

 

Thank you all for the continued purrs and prayers!

Thankful Thursday

Wow, has it been over a week since we last wrote?  The mom better be careful before we start looking for a replacement!  AND, this week, she is staying at a house watching three GIRL cats!  The nerve...secretly though, we will be glad when she is back.  Auntie does a good job watching us, but nothing beats a mom!

Smokey Update:  The biopsy came back showing - nothing definitive!  How's that for being vague?  The vet that saw him recommends removing it to have it tested further, but said it could be anything from an infected bug bite to cancer...let's just cover all our bases here!  So, Smokey will be going next Wednesday to see his regular vet and discuss the options and get her opinion.

 

Smokey is thankful it wasn't 100% something bad...we still have hope!

 

Smokey's main need right now is to gain weight...this is hard for older fellas and we are struggling at the moment even to maintain week to week.

Tanner is doing well, and is thankful for all the fresh nip growing in the garden.  We bring some in most weekends for everyone to enjoy.

Ollie is a crazy pants and should be thankful he is cute!  Precious mementos left by Ollie so far include:

1) Ding in the floor from knocking an ornamental apple off the ledge

2) Another ding in the floor from knocking the pear off the other ledge (Ollie does not like fruit!)

3) Hole in the wall from knocking over a dining room chair

4) Set of blinds is crooked because the string on one side was broken and has had to be tied up until it can be replaced

5) scuffs on the wall from knocking the lamp off the table

6) Trying to climb up between the wall mounted cabinets in the kitchen and has pulled a piece of something down from between two of them!

 

Don't let that sleeping baby in the photo fool you...he is a wild man!  I must be getting old, but I don't remember kittens being this destructive!  He is keeping us on our toes, for sure.

Thankful Thursday

The mom here today...

I am thankful for my boys...
I am thankful that they get along with one another and seem to enjoy each others company
I am thankful they are healthy
I am thankful Smokey is gaining weight
I am thankful Tanner is losing some
I am thankful Devon is a controlled eater and can maintain his weight just fine :)
I am thankful for the days off work I had this week to spend time with them

I am hopeful that Tanner's new medicine will help with his inappropriate pottying. 
I am hopeful that Smokey's new allergy shot schedule will keep him itch free this allergy season.

I am thankful for snuggles and playtime
I am thankful for friends

Thankful Thursday

We are thankful for many people today, who have helped to make this card possible. Thanks to Wendy at the LOLSpot for finding his picture on our blog and posting it. The people at Cheezburger saw it and decided it was card worthy.

It was an on again-off again project for them, so we have been waiting and wondering if it would actually happen and now we have confirmation that it will indeed be a card. We received our sample pack the other day and are thrilled with the results! The Christmas Cards will be in stores that carry the line starting late summer/early fall.
Here is a link where you can find out if they will be near you :) Madison Park Group, Cheezburger Network.

I also want to thank Daisy and Sparkle for the advice they gave about whether we should or should not give the photo rights to this company. I'm glad we did it!

There is a byline on the back that says Thx to: Tanner, photo by Suzanne Canipe. They did not want to put the blog address on the card, which is fine with us. We are so happy Tanner's name is mentioned!

If I have left anyone off that helped make this a reality, please accept my apologies and my thanks here!

Thankful Thursday

Smokey is thankful for his self-heating mat...it has a foil liner that helps reflect body heat back to you.

Hopefully we can get back to our Thursday in the Garden posts soon. Right now, our garden is pretty dead looking. We have tried covering the hibiscus with burlap, so we'll see how they do this winter.

Thankful Thursday

Smokey here today and I wanted to share with you some things I am thankful for...

• I am thankful that Fall is here which means cooler weather and fewer allergies. My eyes are looking and feeling fantastic these days! (Not like in the pic above)
• I am thankful for my bouncing ball with the streamers...I love that toy! It is so fun to chase around and chew on.
• I am thankful that my mom is a softie and will give me special treats when I go in the pantry!
• I am thankful I get brushed every morning...my furs are super shiny! (sometimes I'm thankful because that makes Devon jealous)
• I am thankful to live in a home, with plenty of food...there are many people in the world that aren't as lucky as I am. I heard mom mention something called 'sponsoring a child'...I hope no more kitties are coming to live with us though. :)
• I am thankful for my brothers...they provide plenty of entertainment throughout the day for me.
• I am thankful I have out grown some of their antics, and can't believe I was ever that silly.
• I am thankful for our blog readers and friends!
  

Thankful Thursday

Tanner here today and I am thankful for many things...

1) I'm thankful that my cardio visit is over
2) I'm thankful for good results
3) I'm thankful for good happy drugs :)
4) I'm thankful to be back home
5) I'm thankful to have yummy food available again...fasting is no fun, even if I have enough reserves to last a few days :)
6) I'm thankful my brothers didn't hiss at me when I got home

but most importantly....

7) I'm thankful for friends like you, who purred and purred for me yesterday!!

Thank you all...you made a difference!

Mom here - Tanner did really well...he growled a bit at the doctors, but he didn't hiss at anyone, and seemed overall more relaxed. The purrs worked!

Thankful Thursday

Smokey here today and I am thankful for my Scratching posts...
This one is in mom's bedroom...I love it!
This one is in the den...I love to sit here and look out the windows too! There are three of these circles to sit is...I'm on the lowest one right now.

This is the oldest one and it's in the cat play room. I like to sit on this one and look out the window too...on the ground below are the bird feeders so you have a 'birds-eye' view of the action! MOL

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

Tanner here today telling you what I am thankful for in life.

I'm thankful for a mom who remembers that I like to be covered with warm towels and clothes fresh from the dryer. I'm thankful for a sunny window and a high perch.

I'm thankful this post is done. Pleasant dreams everyone.

Tanner

Thankful Thursday

With the small threat of some white stuff tonight, we wanted to remember to be thankful for the promise of Spring. Enjoy these sunny photos today and keep warm!!

I hope we get some of the white stuff tonight...I don't have anything to do this weekend, so it would be a perfect excuse to just hang out with the boys :)