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Last week was one of incredible highs and incredible lows. Let's start with the highs, shall we?
I got accepted to law school! Plus, they're giving me a scholarship! Fifty percent tuition for all 3 years, as long as I maintain a certain GPA. Woo hoo! I'm so excited and can't wait to get started.
Unfortunately school doesn't start until August. Philosophically, I am against wishing one's life away, even though it's an activity I participate in regularly (I can't wait until Friday etc...). But in this case I feel justified in saying, can it just be August already? I've essentially checked out of my job in my head. I've spent the last few days trying to work out how I can afford to quit my job N-O-W. I mean, I have access to enough money that would get me through the next 4 months, but the responsible thing to do would be to keep working until the very last minute. But... 4 months worth of relaxing and doing a whole lot of nothing sounds so freaking good.
Anyway, not to toot my own horn (toot toot), but I'm pretty dang proud of myself. Getting into law school is an accomplishment all it's own, one I was up until recently, never sure I could accomplish. Again, can it just be August already?
On to the incredible low... Some of you may know from my Facebook page that Earl has been sick for a while now. Back in February, I had to rush him to the emergency vet and it turned out he had a urinary tract blockage not uncommon in male cats. A week in the hospital and 4 thousand dollars later I brought him home.
Bringing Earl home was a challenge in and of itself. Meredith was not happy to have him back. He smelled like the vet as far as she was concerned, there was a lot of hissing and spitting. But after about a week it was like they had never been separated.
Well, it's been 4 weeks since we brought Earl home from the hospital and he hasn't gotten any better. I've had him at the emergency vet and my regular vet several times over the last 4 weeks and nothing has worked. I have become really good at giving a cat a pill. (The secret? Sit on 'em.)
Last Thursday it started to become really clear we were nearing the end of the road. Friday morning I took Earl in to the vet and we decided it was time to let him go. My sweet boy was put to sleep Friday, March 26th.
Meredith and I miss our boy so much. I just can't believe that he's not here with us. When I've had some time and space from the whole thing, I'll put together a post about all the awesome things about Earl. Suffice it to say, I absolutely will miss him to pieces. And he was the coolest cat ever. (Sorry, Meredith, but it's the truth.)
Some days are better than others. Today was not such a good day. I found myself sitting at my desk at work crying. So I came home and took a nap with Meredith.
I was hesitant to sit down and write this post. A.) because it's been so long since I last wrote and B.) because I just didn't know what to say. I guess I was hoping for some catharsis. And I'll just say it again...
I miss my boy.
Just got off the phone with the Dr. ZBM's office. No weird fungal infection for Meredith! Almost all the tests came back normal. She may have crystals in her bladder, which could mean a change in diet, but so far, she's ok.
I say "so far" because she's still ambulating (new word I learned from Dr. ZBM) abnormally. It got really bad Wednesday night/Thursday morning. But right now? She's playing like a kitten with a crumpled up receipt in the bathroom.
Dr. ZBM recommends a neurology consult. Who knew they had kitty neurologists, but they do.
Meredith and I both thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers. Keep 'em coming.
My poor little baby girl is sick. It all started Friday night. Every few minutes Meredith's back legs would just sort of give out on her. She'd try backing up, or turn around in a circle and then just flop over. I thought it was kind of weird, but thought I'd wait and see how she did in the morning. But by Saturday morning she wasn't any better.
I took her in to the vet on Saturday and of course she didn't do it once while we were there. He said to just keep an eye on her over the weekend and if it got worse or didn't get any better to bring her back in.
Well, Sunday was the worst. She kept just sort of falling over. And the look on her face when it happens is just heartbreaking. She just looks terrified.
By Monday morning I was a wreck, worried sick about my baby girl. I called the vet as soon as I got to work to set up an appointment for Tuesday. I spent most of the morning in tears. The just not knowing is the worst.
So, I brought her in to the vet this morning. Let me tell you, I now understand why some people become vets rather than doctors. Dr. ZBM (Zero Bedside Manner- who's name I can't remember and who I'm sure is a very nice person, I mean she takes care of animals, but seriously, she has very limited people skills. I kept trying to make jokes about Earl having the place to himself for the morning and throwing a party. Nothing.) poked and prodded a very unhappy Meredith. It was decided that bloodwork and x-rays were in order and I'd have to leave Mer there for an hour or so.
Dr. ZBM called me almost exactly an hour later saying something had shown up on Meredith's x-ray. A spot on her spine that looks like it could be a fungal infection; cryptococcosis, which is spread by inhaling spores from pigeon poop. (Yet another reason to hate pigeons. Stupid rats with wings.) Unfortunately for me, Dr. ZBM is one of those doctors who doesn't like to speculate. Because I am a worrier, I live for speculation. I find that if I go down the road and make myself aware of any potential diasters I'm not so surprised when the disasters actually happen. This is probably not the most healthy way to be, and likely causes me unnecessary worry, but it is who I am. I am a worrier.
Anyway, Dr. ZBM was unwilling and/or unable to answer any questions until she has a radiologist look at the x-rays and gets the results on Meredith's bloodwork.
So now we get to wait. Hopefully, we will have some answers by the end of the week. Please say a little kitty prayer for sweet Meredith.
P.S. This was such a crappy day. I left my wallet at the vet's office and I got a parking ticket. Tomorrow will be a better day, right?
Meredith (left) is camera shy. I had to corner her in the bathroom to take this picture. Earl (right) giving his best "bish, please" look.
About a year and a half ago, two little fuzz balls came into my life. Indulge me my crazy-cat-lady tendencies, and let me tell you a little bit about Meredith and Earl.
Mearl, as I've taken to calling them collectively (it's their celeb couple nickname), were essentially strays. A friend of M's, found them behind her house, two litters and a couple of mama kitties. I don't know how she managed to do it, but somehow she trapped them all and took them into her home, determined to find homes for them. I had only planned on getting one (Earl), but then M's friend tugged at my heartstrings by telling me that Meredith would miss her brother very much, and didn't I want two?
My life has not been the same since. They bring both joy and frustration daily.
Earl (named for Earl Grey tea, of course) has a BIG personality. He is crazy. And persistent. And probably the smartest cat I've ever met. Last night I put one of his favorite toys in the closet because it makes too much noise when I'm trying to sleep. He saw me put it in there and hours later managed to get the closet door open to get to the toy.
He loves to climb into the refrigerator, and I'm not talking just poking his head in to see what's going on. Oh no. He climbs in. No door shall be closed to Earl.
Meredith (I didn't name her, M's friend did, I guess I was just too lazy to change it) is my sweet little girl. She is shy around other people, to the point where she refuses to come out if others come into the house. Which is a shame because she's so sweet and talented too. Meredith's favorite thing in the whole world is to play fetch. If you tell her to go get her ball she'll go get it, bring it to you and sit and wait patiently for you to throw it for her. Then she'll bring it back again. She can also catch the ball in her paws. I know! I didn't teach her any of this either.
OK, next time we will be back to adventures in dating and more fun stuff. (J gets back to town tomorrow and we're supposed to go out on Monday!) I just had to give a little shout out to the fuzz balls in my life who while they drive me crazy, also keep me sane.
P.S. Why is it so freaking hard to post photos? Am I just blog-retarded? I promise I will get better. Although, I think the only photos I would ever post would be of Mearl. So, perhaps you don't want me to get better. What is sadder than a 36 year old single woman posting photos of her cats on her blog (at 7:30 on a Saturday night, no less)? "Oh look, here's Earl sleeping. Oh, and look, there's Meredith giving me the stink eye!" If I start knitting them sweaters, please plan an intervention.
