Thursday, January 21, 2010

Someone Saved My Life Tonight



Cricket saved me.

Hi everyone. For most of this month I have been in a really bad RA flare up. The pain is constant. I went to my doctor last week and had x-rays to see how much joint damage has been done. The Methotrexate I have been on is just not working any more. I will be starting Enbrel along with a half dose of Methotrexate now. It's an injection once a week too.
My doctor called in a prescription for Vicoden for me because my pain was so unmanageable. Vicoden contains an opiate, which I discovered the hard way, I am allergic to.

I took a dose last Thursday so I could feel well enough to make dinner. At first I just felt a bit light headed, which was strange, but normal for that drug. I went upstairs just to lie down for a bit. By the time I reached my room I felt very, very sick to my stomach and the dizziness was overwhelming. I pretty much crashed on the bed and saw black.

Then I felt a rough tongue licking my hand. I opened my eyes to see Cricket staring at me. I closed my eyes as another wave of nausea and dizziness overcame me and the world went black again. But, once again I was roused by a persistantly rough tongue. I opened my eyes and she stopped licking and stared with what looked like concern into my eyes. Every time I closed my eyes Cricket would begin licking my hand and when I opened them she would stop and stare with those big green eyes searching my face. Finally, I was able to keep my eyes open and made myself sit up. I practically crawled off the bed and down the steps and Cricket followed me as if making sure I made it down. Then I was sick and barfing for most of the evening. If I had passed out I could have thrown up and well... choked on it. Plus my breathing had slowed down a bit as I hit the bed. She kept me awake.

Cricket saved me, I'm sure of it. She truly is a wonderful nurse kitty!

Now, I must deal with my pain with over the counter pain meds and hot baths and rest. I hope the Enbrel can start kicking the RA monster's butt soon. Until then, I am learning to take it easier on myself. No big dinners for the family every night, no obsessing over house cleaning.

My hands are throbbing and stiff and my left hip especially is so painfull. I'm tired of feeling so cruddy, but I'm so thankful for my kitties. Having pets really does make one feel better. They are funny, naughty, sweet, purring bundles of love. Never underestimate how much they are tuned into us.

Yes, this gives Cricket a free pass to basically get away with anything. :) Even my husband had to admit that she probably was concerned in her own weird way.

My daughter has made a full recovery and is now going to her college classes, complaining all the way. That's how I know she feels better. She hates adhering to a schedule. ;)

My husband's dad has now gone into Hospice. He is not doing well. He has fallen twice this past week and his heart is in "A Fib". We jump whenever the phone rings now, wondering if it's bad news about him.

I am trying to downplay how hurty I am so my husband doesn't feel any more stress. All in all, it's been a rough month. A long, cold month.

I miss visiting my bloggie friends so much! I haven't forgotten anybody okay?

My kitties and I send you love and purrs. I will try to visit when I get some free moments. I'm going to rest my hands for a bit now.

~Hugs~

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! Cricket is a true hero and guardian angel to you! We are so saddened to hear your RA is being awful as of late and also the news about your Father In Law. We wish nothing but great news for you all and a CURE for you! Our most heartfelt purrayers are headed your way!

Mickey's Musings said...

Gee!!! WE all want to give Cricket a BIG hug for being there for you!!!! We believe that cats are sensitive to humans(probably why they are chosen as familiars ;) )
We will purr very hard for you to feel better soon. Your FIL too. We are happy the teenage girl is better.We hope things settle down soon and you have a long spell of feeling well!!!
Cricket, hope you get lots of treats & cuddles!!!
Purrs Mickey, Georgia Tillie

Sweet Purrfections said...

Cricket is my hero! I just know she knew she had to keep you awake and stay with you until you were safely with someone who could help.

Amy & the house of cats said...

Oh Lorianna, I am so glad Cricket was there! I just can't believe how much you are going through, first the RA pain and now this horrible reaction. We are sending you lots of extra feel better purrs and prayers - maybe it will help to lessen the pain a little bit if we wish extra hard. And please give Cricket some thank you scritches from us - we are sure she is getting lots of them anyway but we would love to throw some in because we are so thankful she was there! And we are so glad that the teenagegirl is better - that is one less thing for you to worry about.

MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...

Oh my precious Lorianna! How wonderful to have such a sweet kitty guardian angel in your little Cricket!! I can hardly believe how hard your life has been these past few months....it seems there is no end to your pain. How I wish I could take some of it from you....how I wish I could take all of it from you. Life is not fair for many wonderful people...I do not understand why and it breaks my heart. Please know how much I care and love you....Hunny Bunny sends her special white kitty purrrrs to you and Misses Peach wishes to curl up in your lap and sleep with her chin on your hands to help heal them and make them free from the terrible pains they are in.
All our love from the cozy cottage....XOXOXO

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

I came from Miss Peach to say hello and what a fabulous kitty you have.. I am sorry to hear of all the trouble you are having and wish with all my heart it eases soon.. Love GJ x

Rosemary B❤️ said...

*sigh* please miss Lorianne, give Cricket a kiss from me. Mom is an olde nurse and she says Vicoden is naaaasty if it does not agree with you.
Rosemary: Do you have something to protect your stomach? like ranitidine? can you take that to protect it from the ibuprofen?

We are praying for you today.
Please feel better soon.
headbonks and love

Peggy's Place said...

Yea Cricket!! We've never met you all before. But we are proud of Cricket taking care of you. And we are sending purrs your way for you to feel better. RA sux.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Cricket is a true hero ans a pretty girl! We hope yo can get some relief soon.

Daisy said...

What a hero Cricket is! I am so proud of her!

I sure hope you are feeling better soon.

Shaggy and Scout said...

Cricket you are a real hero!
It must have been scary to see your mommy like that but you knew you had to keep her awake, and that this wasn't just an ordinary nap she was taking.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

GREAT JOB CRICKET!!!!!!! We hope all gets better in you family soon!!!

Unknown said...

We are holding Cricket up to a furry high standard right now! She is a miracle, lovin' kitty! We know that she was trying' to help you!

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

Yay! What a wonderful girl, Cricket is to be so persistent and make sure that you didn't pass out!

We're sorry that things are going so well generally and send purrs for them to improve.

Charlemagne and Tamar

Mrs Mac said...

Oh dear! I am so sorry to read about your pain. It must be so hard for you. Especially in the hands. Anything else, I find, can be rested up some way. But you need your hands all the time and they're a bit, well, awkward to rest anywhere really, know what I mean!

Boy, Cricket is an absolute hero! My cats have looked after me before, too. They definitely know when you're in trouble.

Either it's psychic, or, maybe we have a different scent when we're ill or stressed... who knows. Little furry wonders!

Take care of yourself...

I am back at mum's for 9 days from tomorrow, and so might not be back online much, but I haven't forgotten you either..

gentle hugs
H

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

We were worried about you! WE sure hope you can find some meds that will help you feel better. Cricket is the best nurse kitty ever. We cats, we can sense when our beans are not well.
Purrs and hugs coming over to you to get well, from all of us!
--JB

Kaz's Cats said...

Misses Peach sent us over. Cricket is a great nurse and definitely one of our heroes. She knew something was wrong, and instinctively did just the right thing. Big purrs and purrayers to you Billie, to your father-in-law, and to Cricket and the rest of your family through these tough times.

{{{hugs}}}

Gypsy & Tasha & Karen (Mum)

Chuchu said...

I'm thankful for what Cricket did for you! You are right, our pets do help out in life more than they know simply just by being there sometimes..
Sorry to hear that you are going through so much pain, I do hope your meds work hell good for you so you can feel better.

Shaggy and Scout said...

Just checking in to ask how you're doing Lorianna.
Hope your pain is improving, or at least not getting worse.
((((hugs))))

Mickey's Musings said...

WE are just dropping by to offer up more purrs for you and your family :)
We hope all is well.
Purrs Mickey, Georgia Tillie

Shaggy and Scout said...

Just stopping by to send more well wishes to you Lorianna.

Everycat said...

Cricket is a wonder cat, a real hero to have kept you safe Lorianna. We are so glad she took such great care of you. We are all sorry you are having such a rough time with the RA and the pain. You really must rest up as much as you can, cleaning can wait, family won't starve! Could our Doctor find you a different formulation of pain medication? Sometimes the semi-synthetic opiates can be hard to tolerate. We hope you feel much better soon. We send Cricket big hero type purrs and some gentle rumbles for you

Luff from

Whicky Wuudler
& Mum

MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...

Dearest Lorianna...not a day goes by that you are not in my best thoughts...I hope and I wish for you a quiet painfree world full of sunshine and Victoria pages to fall into and wrap yourself up in....Praying that you are doing alright...
Love and purrrrs from the crazy cozy cottage

Jans Funny Farm said...

Good for Cricket! We hope your pain is more manageable now. We send purrs and tail wags.

Pip said...

Blessings and helps come in many forms. Cricket is one of those, it seems. Thank you for sharing your story- it must have cost you a good deal to type it in for us!

Good going Cricket!

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Hello dear miss Lorianna
We have been praying for you dear friend.
You have been on our minds and inour hearts.
Please know that we are hoping every day is getting better
love and headbonks

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

We are just stopping by to check on you, Lorianna. Are you ok?
Purrs from all of us,
JB

Mrs Mac said...

Hi!
I have been worrying about you too. I find myself thinking of you lots. I am putting together a wee box to send you. Just a few things I hope will be helpful.
I do hope you are not down.
Physical pain is bad enough but worse if you are bluesy too.
Please know that there are many here who DO care, deeply. You DO make a difference.
Please keep warm and be gentle on yourself.
Hugs, love, tea and cake,
Helena

Sweet Purrfections said...

Just dropping by to check on you. I hope things are okay.

World of Animals, Inc said...

Cricket, you sure are a hero. We are reading this story with amazement for what you did. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Have a wonderful rest of your day and a happy start to the New Year.
World of Animals