Smokey's Cancer Scare

We've had the cancer card hit our house several times already - Pita in her leg, Rollie in her throat/behind her eye, Jasper in his stomach. So we know it's not an easy road that ends with euthanasia and broken hearts. The cost of testing, vet appointments, and just giving them the best quality of life for their last days is astronomical.

Smokey's very swollen check - that progessively got worse each day.

So when Smokey stopped eating dry food and truly only wanted wet/soft food, we had to determine whether this was due to old age, an issue with teeth, or something else. A few weeks after she stopped eating hard food, her chin and cheek swelled up—immediately we thought infection or tumor/cancer. Infection would be the most ideal, easiest thing to deal with. We headed to the vet where they poked and prodded, took x-rays, and reviewed them. From how badly she was swollen and whatever mess was going on, it looked like it was a mass and cancer. Such a hard blow—cancer AGAIN. Every time we have gotten a cancer diagnosis, I question what we are doing wrong, how is it we've had that many cancer diagnoses. This time around was no different. I stood there ugly crying in front of the vet and vet tech and said how I felt. The vet had the absolute best answer. "You've given them a life where they were able to live long and healthy lives, cared for in the best way possible. Extending their life, long past the average age." If we let them go outside, left them outside, and didn't get regular vet care, they would have lived a much shorter life. THIS was eye-opening and so true.

We discussed options for care, ultimately deciding to prioritize her quality of life by letting her live her best days at home and making an appointment when we feel those days are over. She received a shot of pain medication and an antibiotic to hold us over while I waited to hear back from a specialist. We went home, and the next 24 hours were a mess. She swelled up more, and then out of nowhere, the infection ruptured. Smokey is Siamese, so she is a white/grey colored cat. Now she's got blood-stained fur down her chest, and no amount of cleaning could get it out.

Once that happened, she's back to normal (or as normal as a senior cat of 17+ years can be). Eating her dry food, demanding wet food because she knows we will cave and give it to her. Her only sign of old age is a slight bit of dementia—getting on the counters, sleeping on top of the stove, climbing on the printer or other random things that she never did and we never allow. She gets a pass because she is the old lady cat.

This entire cancer scare took one of my lives (and I only get one!) She has 8 more to go....I'm not sure I can handle another scare like that anytime soon.

With a happy heart - we love that smokey is still around demanding attention, to be held, sleeping in bed like a little human, under the blankets head on the pillow and getting extra wet food.

Til our tails cross again,

Mel

Second comeback....

Blog post Mondays are returning! (hopefully...) It's been over two months since my last post, which wasn't planned. I kept thinking about writing, added it to my "to-do" list, and repeatedly told myself that I needed to do it. Yet, it kept getting deprioritized and never actually happened. Then, a few weeks ago, I finally sat down and wrote what might have been one of my best posts. I was just about to check the spelling, punctuation, and all the details. One wrong click, and the entire post vanished. Words like astounded, cursing, mad, perplexed, and frustrated don't fully capture how I felt. Apparently, auto-save only works when a title is entered—how did I not know that? So I turned off my computer and let it go. I couldn't gather my thoughts enough to rewrite what I had created. So here's to a second attempt at getting back on track.

2025 is behind us, and most people are glad about it. As for me, I'm already tired of 2026. Even though we're only two months in, I'm eager for a reset or a fresh beginning. How could this be possible? It seems like 2025 ended with a lot of unresolved issues that have carried over into 2026. Is this unexpected? No, but somehow, I'm both surprised and thoroughly frustrated by it. Curious about why I want a do-over? Keep reading!

On the list:

Medical issues

Cats & Kittens

Smokey's little scare

Job BS

and more!

The cats, kittens and Smokey will all have their own post - as I truly want to keep my posts short and sweet.

Let's begin with the amusing aspect of aging—medical issues. In 2024/25, I underwent physical therapy three times due to a shoulder problem, which they attributed to poor posture. It turns out my posture isn't the best, but I hadn't realized how much it could impact other parts of the body. During PT, my left forefinger would sometimes become numb, leading them to suspect an issue in my neck. Consequently, I underwent a very costly test in 2024—an EMG on both sides of my upper body.

The results didn't reveal anything surprising; they merely confirmed what we already knew: early stages of carpal tunnel in both wrists and perhaps a hint of arthritis. There was nothing that explained the finger numbness. Insurance was reluctant to approve that test and an MRI at the year's end. It wasn't a major concern since the numbness wasn't constant. Fast forward to late 2025, and my finger has been numb continuously for over three months. I finally had the MRI—quite the experience. The instructions were to lie still for over 20 minutes, which was challenging for someone who fidgets a lot. The MRI revealed two bulging discs in my cervical spine, specifically in sections C3 to C7.

The suggested treatment was a cortisone injection in my neck. It seemed straightforward, but I struggle to stay still even for blood tests. So, I decided to go under sedation to get the injection. Although there was a 50/50 chance of success, I was optimistic. However, it didn't help. Now, I have a second cortisone shot planned and a consultation with a surgeon. The surgeon recommends trying the second shot and returning to Physical Therapy, as he believes surgery isn't necessary at this point.

I'm back at physical therapy and thrilled that I'm not experiencing relief yet. The second cortisone injection has been postponed and will probably be canceled—since, even with insurance, my copay exceeded $2,000. I'll wait until my deductible is met. Considering I've visited my primary care physician, two specialists, had an x-ray, and undergone a full blood panel, I assume the deductible will be met soon.

That's just one aspect of the medical situation. In 2025, my blood work showed concerning results—elevated liver levels and a high white blood cell count. So, I went for a liver ultrasound and discovered it's best to have it done early in the morning. No food or drink for 6 hours beforehand! By 1:30, I was extremely thirsty and hungry. The diagnosis came back: Fatty Liver Disease. What?! I was shocked to receive the same diagnosis as my beloved cat Jasper. What does this mean? A total diet overhaul, including losing 7-10% of my current weight! I already know that changing my diet will be the most challenging part.

In January, I met with a dietitian who assured me that this is a manageable situation and that I'm already making progress with the few changes I've implemented. Her words were reassuring. Even though I mentioned that I veered off my diet during the holidays, she said it's okay and encouraged me to simply get back on track, make small adjustments, and it will all contribute positively. Although the diet change is challenging, I'm discovering some good healthy options, and over time, I won't crave the unhealthy foods that used to dominate my diet. My struggle with the diet continues as I work to get back on track.

In the meantime, I'm seeking some workout or walking companions! If you're also interested in getting fitter, reach out to me, either in person or virtually (phone walks with my best friend Sharon have been fantastic!).

The next post will have updates on the feline part of my household.

Till our tails cross again,

Mel

Clara's Rainbow Bridge

Having a house full of cats (or any pets), as we know, can have its ups and downs. We always cherish the ups of being a pet owner. The unconditional love we get from our pets at the end of a rough day is all we need to feel like all is right. Clara was exceptional in that department. The love she had for us and how she showed it was enough to annoy Gene, enough for me to cuddle her more! She loved to give "facials" - they may have been rough, but they also managed to erase some stress!

A little background on Clara - she was Jasper's litter sister. Both were bottle-fed as they were found in a dumpster with no mom in sight. Early on, Clara was diagnosed with some neurological issues (a head shake that eventually went away) and a life expectancy of 3 years or so. She was always a little off with her mannerisms, interactions with the other cats, and occasionally got lost in a room. But we loved her nonetheless. She didn't deal with any BS from the other cats - never hesitating to hiss or throw down a few paw hits.

While she loved both Gene and me, she clearly loved one of us more. When "mom" shows up after work, she would get overexcited, ready to give a facial and hunker down for some cuddling. As much as she loved me, she never hesitated to give me a smackdown for trying to brush her or cut her nails. She was diagnosed with diabetes last year - no big deal, we are well-versed in diabetes in cats now. But she decided she was over getting her medicine each morning, and so when we tested her again, her sugars were in an "okay" range to stop the medicine fight. Yes, it's absolutely insane that a cat manages to dictate what they will put up with. Otherwise, she is as healthy as a 17-year-old cat can be.

Fast forward - we see she's lost some weight, but not enough to be overly concerned. At

some point, she decides that she is going to ruffle the feathers in the cat lounging areas. Clara was solely a 1st-floor cat - all her comforts and needs taken care of. Which is fine - Vera (who clearly loves her father more than me) dominates the 2nd floor, where she has all her comforts and needs taken care of. Clara decides she's taking over the second floor - 90% of the time, pushing Vera to be downstairs now.

The last week or so, Clara decided her time to cross the rainbow bridge was coming. She slowed down, becoming lethargic, weak, and not interested in food or water. The weakness led to muscle loss, which she didn't have a great amount of to start with. (She was truly the lazy cat - much preferring snoozing to anything else). When she walked down the stairs, her back legs must have given out, and she tumbled/slid down the last few steps. She managed to shake that off and get back upstairs to Gene's office, where she lay in front of the water bowl, not drinking. No interest in food.

I came home from one of my pet sitting jobs to check up on her and said, "I feel like it's her time. She has decided it's time; her will to keep living is gone." Crying the entire time and hurting that we are at the start of the rainbow bridge, I know for sure this is her saying it's

time when I'm able to trim all of her nails and she doesn't fight. When I sit down, she doesn't give me a facial. The next morning, we head to the vet's office. I've braced myself for the worst outcome. Dr. B does the exam and says exactly what I said: that Clara has decided it's her time. It still breaks my heart to hear it, even though I knew that's what was happening.

Clara crossed the rainbow bridge today (October 28, 2023) to join her siblings: Jasper, Peppermint, Rollie, Rudy, Pita. While our hearts are breaking at yet another rainbow bridge crossing, we are trying to find peace & solace in knowing she went on her terms with no pain or suffering.

Till our tails cross,

Melanie

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