Poor, Poor Pitiful Me

I know that I’ve been strangely silent of late.  I’m still at home recovering.  I went to see both my surgeon and infectious disease doctor last week.  The surgeon found another area, near the first, that caused him concern.  He excised more skin and there was additional drainage from that area.  I go back to see him this Wednesday.  The infectious disease doctor doesn’t seem as concerned.  At my urging, he continued my IV antibiotics for another week, then is switching me to oral antibiotics.  He didn’t change the IV antibiotic even though the first area is still draining and a new area has cropped up.  I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, but it seems logical to me that the current IV antibiotic not only hasn’t cleared up the infection, but also hasn’t stopped it from spreading.  Hopefully the results of the culture sent out by my surgeon will result in trying a different antibiotic.  

PICC line for IV antibiotics - not me in picture

I had planned to put up a post following the massive tornado strike in Moore, OK early last week.  It’s written (mostly), but I just lost my motivation.  The focus is on the plight of animals in all types of disasters.  Following the unexpected minor surgery last Wednesday, I was in a lot of pain and, frankly, feeling sorry for myself and down in the dumps.  Yes, I can be ridiculously self-centered and pissy.  I really don’t make a good patient, maybe because I’m an impatient person and I despise being held back by infirmities.  

I haven’t felt like watching my favorite “political” programs on MSNBC or even Jon Stewart’s show.  The crap going on both on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures across the country is so overwhelmingly horrible that it is demoralizing, at least for me.  The firm grip that major corporations and uber-wealthy activists (yes, Koch Brothers, I’m talking about you) is unbelievably maddening.  Often times it leaves me feeling hopeless, which is much easier to accomplish in my doom and gloom mindset.  Instead, I’ve spent much of my time napping, playing Cat Herder – an online game, or watching television.  On the television front there is some good news.  Both The Glades and Longmire are premiering tomorrow night.  Major Crimes on TNT will be back on later in June (bad news, these shows conflict with each other).  In the fall, ABC has picked up the Joss & Jed Whedon/Melissa Tancheroen show, The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – WHOO HOO!  There is the problem that it’s opposite one of my favorites – NCIS.  Love me some Mark Harmon.  

I will make a shout out to the incredible women of Sky Dancing.  I have been getting my political fix from them.  With their amazing posts, a couple of times each day, I am able to keep up with not only the rancid news of the day, but amazing stuff happening as well.  Sky Dancing has been my lifeline to the real world through the eyes of like-minded bloggers and readers.  Thanks to one and all there for giving me a modicum of sanity in this insane world.  And, of course, my darling kitties and crazy dog, Maggie, have kept me smiling…..except when Maggie insists on barking at absolutely nothing.  

Going On Hiatus

I am about to leave for the hospital.  I have no idea how long I will be in.

Talk to you when I return.

DECEMBER, 2009 – JANUARY 9, 2013

       The last couple of years have been a bit difficult for me.

1. DECEMBER, 2009 – Caleb has tumor removed from his intestine
2. JANUARY 1, 2010      – went into hospital due to a cat bite on my foot
3. FEBRUARY 25, 2010 – Clark euthanized (11 years old)
4. MARCH 19, 2010 – Charlotte euthanized (9 years old)
5. JULY 30, 2010 – Cammie euthanized (15 years old)
6. AUGUST – SEPTEMBER, 2010 – me back in hospital for 5 surgeries, including a skin graft
7. DECEMBER 10, 2010 – Chase found dead (7 years old)
8. FEBRUARY 12, 2011 – Chaz euthanized (12 years old)
9. MARCH 11, 2011 – Colin euthanized (rescued from the street 1998 – adult cat)
10. APRIL 22, 2011  - Caleb euthanized (15 years old DOG)
11. MAY 21, 2011 – Cagney rescued from the street
12. JUNE 14, 2011 – Charlie euthanized (12 years old)
13. JUNE 24, 2011 – Cissy euthanized (16 years old)
14. NOVEMBER 11, 2011 – Claudia euthanized (rescued from Animal Services 2005 – older cat)
15. NOVEMBER 28, 2011 – Campbell has all teeth removed
16. DECEMBER 12, 2011 – Colt euthanized (8 years old)
17. JANUARY 12, 2012 – Courtney euthanized (13 years old)
18. FEBRUARY 16, 2012 – Cordelia euthanized (14 years old DOG)
19. FEBRUARY, 2012 – Cashew (kitten) + Contessa (about 1 year old) rescued from street
20. JUNE 29, 2012 - Chandler euthanized (13 years old)
21. AUGUST 2, 2012 – Crockett had all his teeth removed
22. JANUARY 9, 2013 – Cassandra having surgery to remove all of her teeth

Prior to having to put so many of these cats and dogs to sleep, there were extensive veterinary bills for treatment in an effort to save or, at least, prolong their lives.  It's not just about "pocketbook" issues but also the emotional distress that goes along with dealing with watching so many cherished loved ones die.  

While I know that most, if not all, of these animals would have died long before had I not brought them into my home, my life and my heart, it stills takes a toll.  My own health struggles helped erode my coping skills as well.  These were choices which I made and, therefore, are mine alone to bear.  

My apologies to friends if I've been more short tempered or less communicative in the past couple of years.  It's not always easy to exude sunshine and roses through personal trials and tribulations.  

Hyperthyroidism in Cats – My Experience So Far

Recently a sister blogger posted that one of the family cats was suffering from a saddle thrombosis, which is a blood clot.  I decided to learn more about this so I, of course, Googled it.  What I found was enlightening and frightening.  Here’s the site that I went to:  http://www.web-dvm.net/saddlethrombus.html

Several years ago I lost 3 cats to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).  First there was Cyd, a CARE cat that I had bailed out of animal services.  She succumbed within days of showing any symptoms of illness and died at the vet’s office because of a blood clot.  It was because of her that I decided to find out more about the saddle thrombosis, since I suspected that was what killed her.  Cyril, another bailed out CARE cat was next.  My regular vet was out of town for a holiday weekend and I feared Cyril would risk a painful death at home, so I chose to euthanize him.  Next was China, who again got sick suddenly.  I took her to the emergency clinic and the pain med injection ended up killing her.  She died in my arms as I was waiting for my vet to come into the office to see her.  I requested a necropsy and he determined that she, too, had HCM.  Losing so many to the same disease caused me great concern, but I wasn’t able to find any causation online. 

In the last year I have had two cats, Claudia and Colt, diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.  Again, I couldn’t find a cause – something I was doing wrong – to help me prevent this in my other cats.  When Claudia went blind, the vet who treated her insisted it was unrelated.  I found out online that blindness is a common side effect of hyperthyroidism as was the plaintive wailing she would make from time to time. 

Hyperthyroidism can only be diagnosed through a blood test.  Blood work generally costs between $70 and $120.00 per test per cat.  Testing all of my cats would run into thousands of dollars.  By comparison, medication is relatively inexpensive.  

The article referenced above says that hyperthyroidism can lead to cardiac problems, which can lead to HCM, which can lead to a saddle thrombosis.  By that time, it’s too late to help your cat.  Not a single one of my vets (and there have been 3 now) ever told me any of this.  Two of those vets are cat specialists.  Wouldn’t it be logical, especially since I now have (or had) two cats with hyperthyroidism, to provide me with pertinent information about spotting it, what to look for, what other conditions might develop?  This only reinforces my disregard for the veterinary profession in general.  From the same site, here is more information about hyperthyroidism: http://www.web-dvm.net/hyperthyroidism.html.  And here's another link: http://www.fabcats.org/owners/hyperthyroidism/info.html.  And one final link:  http://www.2ndchance.info/hyperthyroid.htm

The Web has been of great use to me in helping me diagnose and treat my cats over the years.  I hope all my cat loving friends out there will, at the least, augment their knowledge through the internet.  The more we know, the better care we can take of our cats and dogs.

A year later

I've been home from the major hospital stay for nearly a year.  The follow-up, post hospital, has been a very bumpy ride.  Chase, Chaz, Colin, Charlie, Cissy & Caleb - gone, but not forgotten.  My half sized right breast finally completely healed, after a very painful skin graft & 13 derma grafts.  Of course, the aftermath is a scarred, nasty looking thing - but I'm the only one that has to look at it, so it really doesn't matter. 

The worst part is that the extended change of routine has left me unable & unwilling to get back on the treadmill of life.  I'm still in first gear, with little to no motivation to even attempt second gear.  I'm feeling my age.  I've come face to face with my own mortality.  Things just look different from this new perspective.  And, I'm flatout tired all of the time.  Fewer things carry much importance.  It's a struggle to get going in the morning.  I don't look forward to a heck of a lot.  I've restricted my life even more and prefer to stay home than go anywhere or do anything.  I'm not sad, just tired and not motivated.  Que sera, sera.  I guess Doris Day was right. 

Claudia's hyperthyroidism seems to be under control.  That's good, but she has blood in her urine and antibiotics haven't helped.  Colt has been losing weight, so he went to the vet this week.  He has hyperthyroidism as well, just not as bad as Claudia's was to begin with.  He also has an eosinophilic granuloma on the inside of his upper left lip.  Steroid shot & thyroid medicine for him. 

Oh, and I tore up my dishwasher months ago.  My washer & dryer work when they feel like it & I need 4 new tires for the CRV.  And, it would be a big help if I could just win the lottery.  If anyone reading this is psychic, please send me the winning lottery numbers.  I'm more than willing to share the jackpot with you. 

With any luck, I'll get back on track and work through this living in slow motion condition.  I wonder if this is what PTSD feels like.  After all, for nearly 2 years I've dealt with an unbelievable amount of personal tragedy.  In addition to 2 hospitalizations in a single year, the loss of 8 cats and 1 dog since February, 2010 has been devastating.  The brightest spot in all of this:  Cagney (the Hell on Wheels kitten).  Rarely does a day go by that she doesn't make me smile and/or laugh.  This kitten, who surely would have died had I not managed to get her trapped when I did, has a personality the size of the state of Alaska.  She's fearless, funny, acrobatic and delightful.  Life is new to her and she reminds me that life can be interesting and fun.  For the time being I'll remain an observer, witnessing it through her eyes. 

The rest of the story

Dear Readers,

Remember last September when I recounted my misadventures in hospitalization, surgeries, hyperbaric treatments and pain?  As more and more of my right breast disappeared with each progressive surgery, I worried that I had the dreaded FLESH-EATING BACTERIA.  Through the full course of my treatment I contracted practically every bacterial infection known, some of them more than once.  I was under the impression, source forgotten, that it was MRSA that was the medical term for the flesh-eating bacteria (and in some cases it is).  MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.  Now, I knew from my college days that staph aureus is one of the most common bacterium known – it’s almost always present nearly everywhere.  Normally it’s relatively harmless.  When the culture results were finally reported, I think it came back as a strain of Streptococcus.  Little did I know at the time….

The biggest concerns that the nurses and doctors had for my recovery were due to the fact that I’m diabetic and a smoker.  Neither of those is conducive for healing.  Fortunately, my blood sugar levels remained quite low, under 100, nearly each time they were checked.  I was on the “patch” while in the hospital for 23 days, so that helped as well. 

The nurses and doctors assured me that I didn’t have MRSA while I was in the hospital.  My surgeon told me that the reason for the multiple surgeries was that I had necrotizing fasciitis.  His delivery was cool, calm and collected.  No problem, we’ll just cut off more skin and tissue and I will live happily ever after.  Nothing to worry about.  After 4 surgeries and what would result in half of my right breast being sliced off, I was sent home.

Following my release, my hyperbaric treatments continued daily for several months.  In between I contracted more infections, one of which was MRSA.  A co-worker’s husband is a nurse and he told her to assure me that MRSA was nothing to worry about.  Knowing it was staph aureus coupled with his reassurance, I didn’t worry and after several more rounds of various and sundry antibiotics, the MRSA was gone.  I think it was around October that the infections were gone, and I got the rollicking opportunity for a skin graft.  I’ve detailed just how not fun that was in an earlier blog post, so I won’t bore you with more details.  The graft took on about 60% of the wound, leaving a decent size open area yet to heal.  I had about 12 derma grafts to promote skin growth.  Derma grafts are pieces of skin grown in a lab…..grown from the foreskin of some anonymous penis.  Those grafts were working until, once again, I contracted another infection.  That was cleared up with more antibiotics and the wound was allowed to heal on its own.  Finally, after just over 10 months, there is a good chance that my final appointment with the wound care staff will be this coming Wednesday.  It looks, to me, as if the skin has finally covered the entire wound.  All is nearly right with the world, or is it?

So USA is running promos for their show Royal Pains and in one spot the doctor says something like, “I’m sure it’s NOT necrotizing fasciitis.”  Well, after hearing that spot several times, I decided to Google necrotizing fasciitis.  Guess what I found?  DRUM ROLL, please.  Necrotizing fasciitis is none other than………. FLESH-EATING BACTERIA, and the culprit is Streptococcus pyogenes.  I read on and discovered that, left untreated, about 70% of people who contract this DIE!  Those who survive have lost appendages or limbs, depending upon the location of the infection.  Guess I was lucky it was my breast.  After all I just look lop-sided in my shirts.  No one checks out the breasts of a 61 year woman, so for all intents and purposes, it’s not noticeable.  Only the occasional curious cat sees my half eaten breast if they decide to check out what I’m doing in the shower.  They just think I’m weird for standing under running water. 

If I’m able to get copies of my medical records and ya’ll have really strong stomachs, I’ll share the wonderful photos of the deterioration and recovery of the “wound.”  I got a slide show about 2 weeks ago and it brought back all those painful memories.  I hadn’t seen just how bad it was in the early stages.  From its worst to where I am today is an amazing transformation.  If I believed in them, I would count my blessings.  

If you're interested in more info on necrotizing fasciitis, check out these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrotizing_fasciitis and http://www.nnff.org/