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Post by BetsyMarie on Apr 4, 2021 9:19:29 GMT -5
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Ernie is my first ever pet - my dad is deathly allergic to everything so we never had pets as a family. I'd appreciate any advice you have about making decisions. I guess the best practical advice I'd give is educate yourself by reading as much as possible about the disease, the good, bad, and ugly. Then you can ask the vet questions about treatments he suggests. Then you can decide which to pursue, or not. You do have a choice. Are the suggested treatments effective, costs, etc. Since dealing with beloved, ill pets is extremely emotional and we want to make them feel better at all costs, there are some vets who will run up bills into the thousands... This likely won't happen, and treatment could be simple and effective....but be aware of it. I hope all turns out well for Ernie and you. I'm sorry if this advice is too stark. Hard times.
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Post by phoenixcat on Apr 4, 2021 10:26:34 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about Ernie the cat. Prayers for both of you. We've had A LOT of cats. Unfortunately animals are not like people - regular cancer treatments are considered successful with additional months of life as opposed to years. Those treatments are expensive and in our experience don't provide a significant quality of life. I'm not saying our answer is for everyone but we stopped treating for cancer many years ago. We essentially provide "hospice" for any of our cats that have that diagnosis. Keep them as comfortable and pain free for as long as we can. We took a cat with tongue cancer to both a regular vet and to a pet acupuncturist. He had the unique designation of being the longest living cat with tongue cancer that either one ever treated. This was just comfort care - not cancer treatment. The one blessing is that cats don't know. They live in the moment and for now - the moments are good. And, when it becomes time to make that decision - our criteria is (once again this is just us) - can they take in nourishment and eliminate, can they give and receive love, can they rest comfortably without labored breathing, etc. As long as they can do all of that - we let them continue on for as long as they are able. I'm so sorry you are faced with this - it is an extremely hard decision and I've been in your shoes too many times. It is such a hard truth that our times with our four legged family members are much much shorter than we would like even if they live their full natural span. Educating yourself on your options is important and there is no exactly right answer. You have to do what is best for you and your pet. Once again - this has been our experience - I can't say whether it is right for everyone. Holding you tightly in my heart. Prayers PC
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Post by BetsyMarie on Apr 4, 2021 10:59:48 GMT -5
phoenixcat. What a thoughtful answer. Your philosophy and mine are the same.
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Post by erniethecat on Apr 4, 2021 11:04:49 GMT -5
Thank you Betsy Marie and Phoenixcat. I am grateful for all your advice. You're right - he's eating, drinking, cuddling when he wants to and going out into the yard. He's only sad because I am. I'm leaning on not doing chemo, but ask me in 5 minutes and I'll have decided differently :-)
To do
7. Go to Lowes and buy bluebonnets to plant 8. Plant 9. Call with friend
1. Look at email 2. Look at Customer Service 3. Start work list for tomorrow 4. Call mum & dad 5. Send note to travel agent 6. Take laundry out of the dryer
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Post by BetsyMarie on Apr 4, 2021 11:09:19 GMT -5
erniethecat So glad he seems to be feeling good. That is IMO the most important criterion on which to make decisions. Don't forget to take good care of yourself too. done: -laundry tasks -scooped litter boxes -did first 'trash' pass on 4 dresser drawers in bedroom 3. Not too bad. todo: -declutter: second pass/organizing drawers in bedroom 3 -fill jars with dry cocoa portions -laundry
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 4, 2021 12:35:20 GMT -5
erniethecat Very sorry about Ernie. I've had to make a decision on this only once. My dog had a tumor removed surgically. Chemo was never brought up. I do think we waited several days too long for euthanasia (someone in the family wanted to be there but was busy with work ). I agree with the others that the pet's quality of life is paramount. Started a load of towels. Made bed, had meds. Made my list according to joyinvirginia's challenge thread: takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/thread/33105/january-april-2021. Today's to-do list is sponsored by Second Thoughts on Yesterday. Work on Table Session #1: separate papers by action required. Work on Table Session #2. Work on Table Session #3. Work on Table Session #4. Shower and dress. PUPA 5 minutes.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Apr 4, 2021 12:52:33 GMT -5
done: -made soda mix and put in bottles -weighed dry cocoa portions, and put everything away! -laundry task
Todo: -laundry task -declutter: sort stuff in top drawer of dresser in back room -water in front
Such a pretty day here!
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Post by LoneStarSassy on Apr 4, 2021 13:11:45 GMT -5
-Did lots of morning meditating. -Got out of bed. -Posted blog update. -Brush my teeth. -Complete a load of laundry. -Sweep the kitchen floor.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Apr 4, 2021 13:56:07 GMT -5
Hi, LoneStarSassy , welcome to the board. Done: -hacked out big weed with a pick near front faucet -watered in front -caught up with next door neighbors. Nice people. todo: -declutter - sort contents of top dresser drawer in back room -laundry -look through small batch of old papers for recycle or 'easy to shred' from back room. But first, a nice rest to watch the birds just outside the window.
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 4, 2021 14:00:57 GMT -5
Hello, everyone! erniethecat This is going to sound weird, but my first reaction to your comment was They're not worth going to all that trouble! So that's my gut reaction, and I'm sure it's true. Wow. I do think I wouldn't be very sad if they were moldy, because it would make deciding so much easier. I think all the photos have been pulled. If I started with what I actually want to keep, it would be samples of my children's drawings and writing, and maybe a few financial papers. Clearly my approach needs a realignment with purpose, and that needs to start with determining purpose. Thank you for your triggering-in-a-good-way comment. The word museums was especially provoking! Transferred towels to dryer. Had lunch in the sunshine while listening to birdsong. PUPA 5 minutes. Work on Table Session #1: separate papers by action required. Work on Table Session #2. Work on Table Session #3. Work on Table Session #4. Shower and dress.
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Post by erniethecat on Apr 4, 2021 14:17:47 GMT -5
goldenthreads - so glad to have helped! Sometimes it just takes the right question to allow you to have a gut reaction and find the answer you didn't know you had. I'm glad I stumbled on the right question. I cleaned up the front yard and planted some flowers. I don't know if they'll grow but for now it looks a bit better. Now back to computer work. 1. Clean up desktop 2. Send email 1 3. Create new spreadsheet
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Post by oust on Apr 4, 2021 14:25:14 GMT -5
64 degrees means car day. I shampooed the 2 dirty seats Emptied the car and filled a 13 gallon trash bag. I work out of the car Cleaning homes, so its been 6 months since I did the trunk.
Ate lunch and had a soda. Sitting in the passenger seat, watching youtube.
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 4, 2021 16:14:12 GMT -5
Paper accumulation prevention: The papers on my table are fairly recent. For things that would have been scribblings supposedly leading to action, I think I need to stop with the scraps, and have a single spiral notebook by my chair, and then actually do the things written therein! I will start writing dates on the entries only if prodding becomes necessary. Found a steno pad, put it on end table, wrote SMALL ACTION ITEMS on the cover. Decorated it with a flower, a smiley face, and a squiggle. Nothing intimidating will dare live inside. Did a timed reading on the book club book while outside drinking coffee in the sun. Started dishes soaking. Work on Table Session #1: separate papers by action required. Work on Table Session #2. Work on Table Session #3. Work on Table Session #4. Shower and dress. Pay two bills. Put away towels. Wash dishes.
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Post by razy on Apr 4, 2021 17:29:58 GMT -5
Morning Witsers Great to see this month off to a good start, well done everyone Breakfast Wasted quite a lot of time doing nothing constructive Considered what I'm going to do today Walk with G and buy milk and maybe fruit Plant more seedlings Plant seeds
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Post by BetsyMarie on Apr 4, 2021 17:49:55 GMT -5
I've been working in bedroom 3 and getting good things done -cleared another section of floor -vacuumed cleared floor -cleaned and organized 3 of 4 dresser drawers. The 4th is not pristine, but OK. -found damaged ceramic cat, and glued it's ear back on. I do like it or i wouldnt have bothered.
todo -water in back -plant some seeds -hang damp laundry
But first, a long rest with a tall, wet, cold soda. I really deserve it.
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