Today we are joining Brian’s Home in their Thankful Thursday blog hop.
It should be easy to figure out what to feel thankful for this year – Sheba is still with us, almost 2 years after her original cancer diagnosis, which we did not expect and certainly didn’t dare to hope for.
The last couple of weeks have been a little tough and stressful though. Not only did we have extra stuff going on not pet related, we had the visit with Luke to the vet, and at the same time started to realize that our cat Samantha was probably going blind.
Along with that, one of Sheba’s smaller lumps on her side started bleeding, and she had an upset stomach, throwing up one night and then not wanting to eat the next day. Thankfully, her stomach issues passed within 24 hours and she was back to eating again. We kept the lump clean and as dry as possible, and just watched for infection. Thank goodness after a few days, it started drying up and scabbing over.
Two vet visits for Samantha later, and we know a couple of things: she has lost most of her eyesight (at best she can probably see shadows), and it is due to hypertension. I will give you the condensed version for today, and I will write a more detailed post after her next vet appointment (next week) when we know just a bit more.
She has started blood pressure medication along with an increase in the meds for her hyperthyroidism. She is on the high normal level for that condition, and since it can be a contributing factor to the hypertension, hopefully both will help. The bad news is that she will never recover her eyesight. But treating her should stop it from worsening, and also prevent other health issues that can arise from high blood pressure. The good news is that Sam is getting around fairly well! As I wrote the other day (10 Things I Love About Samantha), Sam is a tough girl and a fighter!
She seems to know her regular routes to her food and water, and also to her kitty litter. She does spend more time on the futon, because I think she feels secure there. But she still lies on top of it at times, and in her favorite scratcher box/bed.
It could be hard to figure out what to be grateful for this year, considering some of the things we’ve been dealing with lately: Not just Sheba and Sam’s issues, but Cricket’s arthritis and Luke’s fear issues. Yet, on the other hand, the fact that we have the love of every one of these pets, and the Dadz and I have each other, family, and friends (online inclusive), makes it easy.
We have vets we trust to help us with these issues, we have jobs and money to pay the bills, and we have a beautiful new home in the country with wonderful and exciting possibilities.
Today we have dinner with my family at my brother’s, and tomorrow I head off on my two day shopping trip with my sisters and girlfriends. I’m thankful for the much needed girl time! (I’ll be taking the long weekend off from the blog, but we’ll be back on Monday.)
Most of all we have love, and that truly is all you need to get you through the tough times.
What are you feeling thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend?
I’m sorry to hear about Sam’s eyesight, but I know that she’s with the very best people to help her learn to navigate her new normal!
Thank you so much for that, Beth. For a bit I thought Sam wasn’t getting around as well, but lately she seems to be doing better. Plus she’s venturing out more too, instead of sticking to the same spot; so that tells me she is starting to feel more confident.
Also, she had her blood pressure re-check this week, and she’s right where she should be now. So the meds are working – yay!
Sorry I had missed this. Those of us with pets definitely have reason to be thankful.
Wow and I thought a quake and losing a window made my week full, you had it so much harder! I am glad Sam is doing OK. I used to think ‘blind cat’ oh no BUT having encountered Homer the Blind Cat and, since then, others, I have learned blindness is not the end – it’s just different.
Dash was partially sighted and we could never move the furniture.
Happy Thankful Thursday. We are late catching up (as usual) but love seeing you!
I am just thankful that Sam is seeming to adjust well. She knows right how to get to her food and her kitty litter. She spends most of her time in my office, so now I have to be more diligent about keeping things in their place! She’s always been a quiet girl anyway.
We had a crazy weekend and I don’t think I made it by to visit everyone. Thank you for stopping by and we hope you had a wonderful weekend.
So sorry you have so much to deal with but at least you can also appreciate all you have. Hope things work out!
Oh my, my heart goes out to you. That is A LOT to deal with at once. Sending purrs and prayers and positive energy. I agree with The Island Cats, animals are amazingly resilient, but I know it has to be causing you sadness ((((hugs))))
We’ve had our share of troubles this year as well, but we keep forging ahead somehow. We are all still here and together and for that we are thankful. Many folks are much worse off than we are which is something to be thankful for. Sick pets are hard to overlook, though. They really drag down the humans. Hope everyone can hold steady at your house.
Considering what just happened with Easy, and all the losses others (including your Katie) have had this year, I feel even more grateful than ever. Even though we have our struggles, at least Samantha and Sheba are still with us for now.
Hubby and I are thankful that both Shadow and Ducky are healthy – neither one of us could handle either of them being seriously ill right now – and that we are both relatively healthy (me more so, but his issues are not bad). We are also thankful that we were able to pay off the mortgage on our house while we were both still working. It relieves at least some of the financial burden of being fully retired. And last but certainly not least, we are thankful for our love for each other; and the love of our pups, and for our families, and all our friends – as you said online inclusive. As The Beatles said: “All You Need Is Love”
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙂 Healing Pawkisses all around and Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 <3 <3 <3
It’s always something, isn’t it?? We’re sorry to hear about Sam’s eyesight. But we know most animals adapt to losing their sight. We hope that is true for Sam. In spite of everything, it’s good that you can still see so much to be thankful for. We hope you are having a very Happy Thanksgiving. Purrs….
Happy Thanksgiving dear friends… Purring fur your and your furbabies.
-Katie Kat and Katie Kitty Too
Wishing you an abundance of happiness today and always!
Happy Turkey Day!
Sorry to hear you guys have been having a ruff time…we’re finally getting back into the swing of blogging and are trying to get caught up with some of our favorite furfriends (like you guys!).
Wags and kisses to everyone including Samantha, hooray you can stop the progression!
Big hugs!
We posted what we are thankful for on our blog, we’d love it if you checked it out!
It does sounds as if you have much for which to be thankful even with the health issues of the furbabies. One of our dogs was blind for many years, and she adapted quite well as long as we didn’t move things around in the house. Robin (Playful Kitty) wrote an excellent post about hypertension in cats on her blog a few days ago. Wishing you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
I am sorry that you are having to deal with health issues but I know you are blessed to have such unconditional love from your four legged babies. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy your shopping spree. We are so thankful for your friendship. ♥
Happy Thanksgiving
Lily & Edward
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving friends. That is something about Sam’s vision. My dad’s cat also had hypertension but I had no idea blindness could result. Kind of scary.
I agree with you… that was a haunted years somehow and even the brightes summer days got some dark clouds… but I’m grateful that we are still together… A Happy Thanksgiving to you and a bIG hug to Sam and lots of POTP
Kitties never let a little thing like vision stop them and we are glad Sam is doing some better now. Of course we’re so happy that Sheba is doing good, she’s a special gal. Hey Luke, you’re special too pal, remain calm. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us and thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Poor Sam, they do great with vision lost when it’s a gradual change. Hope the medication works and helps her blood pressure. Have a great turkey day, I’m thanksful for my family friends and furry ones