Jazzy and Waggles

Yesterday was Waggles’ cancer treatment follow-up appointment.  I will tell you how that went in just a moment.  But first - Jazzy . . . .      (drumroll) . . . .   SHE STARTED EATING ON HER OWN AGAIN!!  Oh, the relief.  This little sweetheart never should have lived to begin with.  When she stopped eating over the weekend, I feared that we could be facing another life-threatening situation.  When we were at the vet on Monday, Dr. S said that is exactly what we were facing.  She said to keep force-feeding.   No matter the treatment for the current condition, it would be the not eating that would end her life the quickest due to her young age and level of fragility.  We came home with two new medications and started those immediately.  We kept force-feeding.  She hated it, and we only got about 2cc into her at a time.  Meds again Monday night, and Tuesday morning.  Then in the afternoon yesterday, she went to her bowl to try a bite on her own.  This is a bigger ordeal for Jazzy than it is for the average kitty.  I may have mentioned this before, but Jazzy is missing part of her tongue.  The horrible ulcers in her mouth (when she came to us) were followed by necrosis.  A portion of the tissue on one side of her tongue was so severely damaged that it died and eventually fell away.  Jazzy has had to work harder at eating as a result.  But she keeps at it and manages to consume enough (it just takes a little longer).  I was in the upstairs bathroom with her when she walked over to her food bowl.  She sat in front of it and just stared.  But then I saw her try a bite.  I was holding my breath as she took first one, then a second, bite.  I could have broken into a disco dance if the music and lighting had just been right.  Throughout the rest of the day and all the way until bedtime, I kept checking on Jazzy to see if there was any more progress in the eating department.  And she continued to take a few bites here and there.  Just before I went to bed, I was standing at the bathroom sink, and Jazzy came over to play with my toes.  Let’s hope this is her last big challenge health-wise. 

Waggles.  Dr. K said yesterday in the examining room what a fantastic patient Waggles has been through all of this.  She is right.  I cannot begin to fully describe what an amazing dog Waggles is.  I’ve tried to share enough of her personality with you to give some insight into who she is.  But you just can’t fully appreciate this sweetie if you don’t know her.  I wish each and every one of you could hang out with her for a while.  There is a presence about Waggles.  She is solid.  I don’t know how else to describe it.  It’s like there is a determination in her.  And I guess there is - she has certainly survived a great deal in her nine years.  On the way to the vet yesterday, Younger Daughter was with me, and we were remembering all of the things Waggles has survived.  We think she has used up about six of her nine lives.  Without a doubt, she decided a long time ago that the cats in her world had the right idea.  Why should dogs have one life to live when cats get nine?  So she set out to prove that dogs can get away with those nine lives, too.

Dr. K is really happy with Waggles’ progress.  The huge hole in her face is healing.  I remember I asked Dr. K last week (on the phone) if we could ever expect this gaping hole to fill in.  Dr. K said without a doubt that it would close up.  It was hard to imagine.  At its worst, the hole was so large it was getting dangerously close to one of Waggles’ eyes.  And there were two spots in this crater where you could touch the skull.  Now - there is only a hole about the size of a half dollar.  We are pleased with how well Waggles is healing.  There are still issues, however.  There is still rattled breathing.  There is still some blockage somewhere.  And the roof of Waggles’ mouth reveals that there is still potentially something going on there.  So here’s the plan.  Dr. K will see Waggles again in two weeks.  By that time, she believes the hole in her face will be completely healed over.  She will check her breathing and soft palate at that time.  If there are no glaring complications, we will continue with the oral medication.  If there is evidence of lingering tumor tissue, Dr. K will inject the drug into the soft palate one more time.  She has assured me this will be a simple treatment - with nothing like the aftermath of treatment #2.

I would show you a picture of Waggles, but there is no way for you to get a feel for the progress without having seen her at her worst.  And of course, I certainly wasn’t taking pictures of her in her direst condition.  One of the receptionists at the clinic yesterday was making over how  improved Waggles looked.  He said - I hope you got before and after pictures.  I did not.  I don’t think I want to remember how terrible Waggles looked or how much she suffered during the worst of her days.

Cheri, big thanks to you and your friends for the healing energy you have been sending to Waggles.  In your words,  I contacted my healers and updated them about Waggles. They are "surrounding waggles in a blanket of love and light".     There is no doubt that Waggles’ progress has been bolstered by what you and your friends have given her.  THANK YOU. 

We still don’t have any concrete predictions as to what will happen next.  In my adult life, I have tried and tried to learn to live one day at a time (a challenge for me in this lifetime).  Waggles is giving me yet another opportunity to learn this great lesson. 

If things continue to look up around here, I hope to launch into my August Winnie celebration plans over the next few days.  (Jan, YES - BRICKS, but I’ve got another giant wish, too.)  I can hardly wait to get you involved.  Many of you went through Winnie’s ordeal with me.  And many of you know what wonderful things have carried her name ever since.  I’m hoping for a massive celebration that will honor that little soul on a grand scale! 

Comments

[Goldie Goodwin]

Great news all around! It's exciting to hear the good emerge out of bad.

[Connie]

so happy to hear about Jazzy. I have actually done that disco dance when a sick kitten eats for the first time, so I know so well what you are going through. I am curious though if there was ever an official diagnosis of anything and what meds she is on... not that you need to share, but I love learning from other people's experiences

So glad to hear Winnie is doing well. I have taken pictures of sick kitties at their worst and even years later have the hardest time looking at those photos. But I do find it helpful to help me remember what we went through. My memory tends to be a little rose colored and I forget the worst of things... not that that is a bad thing.

More prayers that Winnie continues to do well and you have lots of wonderful quality time together.

[Random Felines]

YEAH for Jazzy....fingers crossed she continues to eat and gets better every day.

And purrs to you and Waggles....

[Abby]

Super big halleuiahs for Jazzy and Waggles!
We will still send healing purrs and purrayers their ways, but we believe that proverbial corner has been turned!
Love and purrs
Abby and Mom Debra

[Lorelei Schryver]

I'm way behind on things, but I wanted to say you, your family, and all the fuzzbabies are in my thoughts. Y'all rock my socks off.

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

This is great news today and I prayed for Jazzy and Waggles to make it one day at a time. When I have one more day with a sick or ancient pet it is my blessing- They do so much more for me than I ever do for them. When I took in Arthur during the ice storm his front leg from the bend down was so infected it looked as if it would never get well. He lost a part of a toe - so he can not climb because his foot is kind of stiff so he is an inside cat. Things that look so very bad can heal so much better than we humans think. Arthur is now madly in love with Drew Pooh my black 84 lb lab mix- Arthur doesn't know he is a boy or that he is not a dog. He licks Drew in the face and lays under that giant head and every where Drew lays down Arther is right there. Nature is such a great and entertaining thing and all furry creatures are such a joy. Prayers for dear Waggles and sweet Jazzy to get well and be with you a long time - Ginny & The Fur Family -

[Andrea & the Celestial Kitties]

Wonderful Amazing Fantastic news!! I know it's not over, but things are looking up! I agree with Abby, a corner has been turned. We're still praying here that things will continue in this direction toward full recovery.
Also praying and hoping you get many adoptions from Winnie's Wish and that the cathouse becomes empty!
People, make Chrystal's month, adopt one of her wonderul kitties and make wishes come true! you will never regret it as her cats are the most special wonderful kitties ever! Doesn't matter where you live, kitties can get to you!
Bless you Chrystal, praying for peace and rest and no more sick babies for you!

[Amy & The House of Cats]

Hi Chrystal! Wow it is a good news day - it is so good to hear that Jazzy at on her own, and so good to hear that Waggles is healing and hopefully that next vet visit will come with good news. We are all purring and praying for them and all of you and your current crop of cats and dogs - we hope that there will be more good news for a long time.

[DB]

Great to hear Waggles and Jazzy are doing well. If you get a chance, could we pretty please get an update on the ferals and remaining Fantastic Fifteen? Especially my faves, Luna and Golden!! I'd love to hear more about Halo, also. Did she ever get less scared?

Keep up the good work!

[Pam and the Califurrrrrnia5]

I am so excited to hear the better news about Waggles & Jazzy. How important each little step in the right direction is!!!

I can't believe it's almost been a year since Winnie ran off to the Bridge. So much has happened and I feel so honored to have been able to ride along with you on this amazing journey!

[Lee County Clowder]

Way to go, Jazzy. eat! Eat EAT! We want to see you as a fat little kitteh in a month or so.

Purrrayers that Waggles keeps on improving.

[Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom)]

What wonderful news about dear little Jazzy! I'm doing a happy dance too! And I am so relieved that Waggles is holding on and healing ~ we all of us know that this might be just buying quality time, but Waggles deserves all the love and quality time she can get. Milo and Alfie are sending healing purrs and I send love by the bucket load.

Looking forward to celebrating beloved Winnie's life.