Monday, October 6, 2008

Billie


My heart is heavy with worry and sadness. Billie is sick. She has several issues. Her kidneys are not functioning properly, she has arthritis in her hips and she has lost some weight. A small tumor was also found on her back. I felt it when she was on my lap last week. The Vet says her immune system and age and small size do not make it easy for her. She has never been the healthiest of kitties and it is thought that she came from a mother that had just been over bred, perhaps even some in breeding. We are in a wait and see and make her comfortable mode now. My husband is concerned about how much it would cost treatment wise. The vet says the tumor looks like a very common benign one and offered to biopsy. She said we could decide what we want to do and to let her know. She knows my husband doesn't want to put a lot of money down after just paying for Toeshee and before that Cody.
Billie is sleeping a lot and will eat a little at a time if I bring it to her. I think Wednesday was her last good day before she started going under the sofa to sleep. She lets me pet her and purrs and in the evenings will come to sit by me on the sofa. The arthritis explains why she has been extra testy with me when I brush her. The Vet does not think it would be a good idea to sedate her to shave her. Maybe if we can get her weight up. It's hard to tell with cats just how much discomfort they are in. She seems content, just irritable and tired. She is on special diet and we have to make sure she is drinking enough water. If she stops eating and drinking we will have to do "sub q".
I have been through this before with Tookie.

I have not been sleeping well and worry has sent me into an RA flare. So, husband says, no more cats. They just cause me heartbreak and the stress is not good for me. I know he means well. He never had pets that he bonded with as a child. He likes my cats, but they are not "kids" like they are to me.
When he was a little boy his dog was hit by a car. His father, "put her out of her misery" by shooting her. They lived in the country and I guess that's how they handled things like that. I'm glad my husband realizes that that's just awful and would never do that!

So, here we are, Billie and me taking one day at a time, watching and waiting and wishing life wasn't so cruel. I am figuring out how to save some pennies just in case she needs the fluids and hopefully the tumor truly is benign.

I have not been blog visiting much, but maybe during the week I can pop by.
I'm saving my tears for when I am by myself. If Billie is ready to go I know, like Tookie, she will let me know. I am just so tired of saying goodbye...

28 comments:

Daisy said...

Oh no. I am so very sad to know that Billie is sick. I hope that the special food will perk her up and she can regain some strength. I am sending my best healing and comforting purrs.

Sweet Purrfections said...

Oh no! Mom's eyes are filling with water as she is reading this. I do hope the special food helps her to gain some weight in order to gain strength. I am sending special purrayers and Mom is sending prayers for both Billie and you.

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

We are sending lots of purrs for sweet Billie and you.
Love,
Missy Blue Eyes
KC
Faith Boomerang
Sol
Smokey
BJ
and Mommie ML

Us4 Cats said...

When ever I read of a kitty who is ill my heart just cries for them. It must be awful for them not being able to voice to us what is wrong and where it hurts .
I am wearing a sad face as I write this as I just was looking at Billies photos and my what a beauty and a sense of love that radiates from this kitty!
Give Billie lots a hugs. Keep us updated. Hopefully in time things will improve and Billie will be back to gaining weight and playing.

((hugs)) sweet Billie.

-wlk

Kellykat said...

This is terrible news. My whole family will be purring their loudest to try and make things get better for Billie. We are very happy to know that she has such a wonderful and caring family to be with her while she is ill.
-Scotchy (Stryder & Sugar too!)

The Cat Realm said...

Oh we are so sorry to hear this! We are purring and purring and purring very very very much for Billie and you!

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

We'z so sad dat Billie is not feeling well. We hope she can put on some wayte and feel better. We'll be purring and purraying fur her...and fur yoo.

Kimo and Sabi said...

Purrrrrs . . . one day at a time.

Renae & Count Chocula said...

our hearts ache for you. there is nothing harder than loving someone special and not being able to fix them. We will pray and purr for you all.

Rocky, Angie & S'more said...

Oh dear, we hope little Billie feels better soon! Angie is on a special food for her kidneys and she does very well with it - maybe once Billie starts eating a little more she will feel lots better!!

{{{Big Hugs}}}
Rocky, Angie, S'More and our Mom,
Karen

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

I came back to check on Billie and noticed where you mentioned funds for Billie's care.
We can arrange a raffle to help with that... just let us know.
Sending lots of prayers for you and Billie...
ML

Kaz's Cats said...

We're sorry that Billie is not feeling well. We're sending our best purrs and purrayers to her and to Billie and her family.

Purrs and headbumps,

Gypsy & Tasha

Tiki, Kirby, and StanLee said...

Purrs for Billie. We are purring that she starts eating better and that the lump is benign. Fatty lipomas are very common, so we hope that is what it is. Purrrrrrrrrrr

Maggie May said...

We are purring and purraying for Billie!!
~Maggie May and The Creek Cats~

Mickey's Musings said...

I am so sorry to hear about Billie. I hope she will be able to feel better and with your help I bet she can. I will send her by biggest purrs to help her too!!
Purrs Mickey

The Island Cats said...

We are sorry Billie is sick. We are purraying for Billie and for you too!!!

Wally, Ernie & Zoey

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

We were all sorry to hear that Billie is not feeling well. We have not visited before and are very sorry it is not under better circumstances. ... Momma says she understands how your Momma feels, we are her babies too. We will purr and send our healing vibes your way and hope that you improve Billie...

purrs
Abby,Boo,Ping,Jinx and Gracie

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

We will purr and purr for Billie and for you!

Pattyskypants said...

Billie, hope u start feeling better soon. xxoo Bhu

Tiger Lily said...

Oh we hope Billie feels better soon.

Please tell your husband we agree that it is very hard on us when our beasties are sick. It is more than worth the pain, though, because of the love we share with them. I believe that the heartaches we experience in a situation like this are really our hearts expanding so we can love even more.

Jemima, Zeke, Sushi, Tiger Lily and Ruckus send their prrrrrrrrrrrrs and tail wags to you and to Billie.

Rebecca (the Mom)

Whimpurr said...

We are new around here but truly want to send purrs and gentle get-well wishes for your dear Billie!

Mr. Hendrix said...

puuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrssssssssssssss


we are so sorry Billie is sick. We will keep you both in our purrs and prayers.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We are purring for her to get better.

MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...

Oh sweet little Billie,my tiny heart aches for you not feeling so good right now. The cat who came before me, Miss Minka was so very much like you. A tiny little bundle of fur. She was mommies all in all and went to the bridge at 18 years old. I do not want you to go away yet, your mommy loves and needs you. Please get better again real soon and sooth your mommies worried heart.
I am sleeping in the box mommy made for me on top of the cold box in the kitchen. It is safe and cozy up there and that makes her so happy to know I am not outside anymore. It is getting chilly now...
Like ML said, we can help with funds for the vet if needed. Mommy need to have an auction soon to pay for Buddy and Hunny Bunny's ectomies. The kittens were fixed for free by POPP!
All my love, Miss Peach

Forty Paws said...

We are sending healing purrs to Billie. This is very hard to endure and we send you strength.

Luf, Us

Us4 Cats said...

checking in for any update.

hugs.



-wlk

Moki The Wobbly Cat said...

Sorry to here that Billie is so sick. If you need to feel free to email me at questions@savemoki.com One of our cats Sissy has a rather large unop. tumor and we thought we where going to lose her awhile back, however we managed to pull her through with lots of love, care and force feeding.