Week Update

Things have been a roller coaster around here this week. Since my last post (Sunday) Sealy cat spent 3 and half days at the Vet school. We finally found out after countless tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and an ECG, she has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and the cause is most likely genetic. It's a fancy way of saying heart failure. Her heart muscle is increasing in size putting pressure on her chambers to adequately pump her blood. Due to being sick for so long untreated (probably for more than a year- she had a bad spell last year that we never were able to diagnose but was probably due to this) she has suffered a lot of damage and has now started to develop Congestive Heart failure as a secondary condition. She is amazing because she is still alive and fighting, though weak. I took her home to continue to treat her here vs paying the vet school. I figured she would be happier and more comfortable too. At this time the vets are unsure what her prognosis will be. She has improved slightly since coming home as she is drinking on her own but I am giving her Subcutaneous fluids, 2 medications daily and syringe feeding her food to stimulate her appetite and give her calories. It really could be days to years at this point. We are just striving to get through each day and hoping each one is better than the last. We realize there will come a point where we no longer can remedy the situation and what were doing will not prolong her life anymore but I am going to give her the fighting chance she deserves.

Upon all this life goes on in our house in different ways. Obviously we are still trying to do things as normally as possible. We had a lot of help/company this week which was great. My sister, my parents and Nate's mom all stepped in to help. Also our babysitter is wonderful and understanding not to mention flexible for all the chaos. Without everyone I would not have been able to keep up with some of the little stuff to keep us running smoothly here so SHOUT OUT to you all. As for Finley man. He is doing awesome. The weather is so hot here the only choices for him are to stay in the AC and play or to go in his baby pool outside. Well he LOVES his baby pool. Grandma Patti and Grandma Erika and Grandpa Bill all took him swimming in his baby pool this week while I cleaned up, ran errands and tended to a sick kitty. I don't think Mr. Finley is suffering in any of this? So many people giving so much attention and fun!! He has also began to walk so well he now carries things to me or the dogs or even Cooper. Nate laughed that it wasn't good enough to just take it easy and master walking, you have to carry things now too? That's our little strong willed boy (hmmm? I wonder where he gets his perseverance from?). He has been pretty happy and super well behaved this week. Although his top teeth are coming in so he's been a bit fussy going to bed at night but ultimately sleeps through the night pretty well. I think he knows we have a mission to tend to our Sealy cat, after all, he loves her too. He figured being on good behavior for mom would be how he could help out.
Nate is doing well too despite all the crisis at home. I talk to him daily and he has been as involved in decision making of Sealy's treatment and course of care as he can be. It's been a roller coaster for him too but he knows I've got it and he doesn't need to worry or be distracted. We have had sad and happy moments all week and ultimately we all just wish we could be together, especially for these tough times. I know he misses Finley and I, but he misses the pets too and at the end of the day we are all a family and every member counts.
I have some videos and pics of Mr. Finley from the week. Hope to get those up soon!!