Thomas.: seanan

Thomas.

The night before New Year's Eve, Thomas stopped eating or drinking. He was listless, and had no interest in being snuggled or engaging in favorite activities, like playing with the water. The morning of New Year's Eve, we called around until we found an open vet who could see him right away. They diagnosed him with constipation and a mild obstruction, gave him laxatives and anti-nausea drugs, and sent him home.

He got worse.

New Year's Day, we went to a vet closer to home, where he received an enema, more anti-nausea medication, and a second examination. By this point, he had lost quite a bit of weight, and was visibly unwell. Still, he rallied after treatment, and was sent home.

He got worse.

Yesterday, we were finally referred to the emergency vet, where an ultrasound revealed a mass obstructing his small intestine. Surgery happened that night. There was no necrosis, and the mass (a congealed, compressed hairball) was successfully removed. He ran a fever for some time afterward, but this responded well to antibiotics, and went down. He was not sent home.

Thomas is currently hospitalized for recovery. His digestive system is not working properly; he has not had any food in four days, although he is able to receive subcutaneous fluids. He is not out of the woods. The woods are dark and deep and full of wolves, and I am so scared, and he is so sick. My baby boy is so sick. I don't have children: I have my cats. They are the world to me, and I am so afraid right now. So please. If I am quiet, if I am slow, if I am a little off from what you expect, be kind to me.

I am waiting for the sky to fall.

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Misti Wolanski

January 4 2017, 16:16:02 UTC 5 months ago

New comment

[HUG] May your kitty recover quickly and well.

guendolen_sama

January 4 2017, 16:32:09 UTC 5 months ago

Oh no, poor little thing! I'm so very sorry, and I send him all the best wishes for a recovery. Our pets are our babies; I know what it feels like. We just wish we could magically fix all their problems. Since we can't, I honestly and sincerely send my hopes that time and good care will do so.

sirriamnis

January 4 2017, 16:50:16 UTC 5 months ago

Hugs. Much sympathy to you. I have been in your shoes. It is hard and it sucks. Treat yourself gently.

January 4 2017, 16:52:11 UTC 5 months ago

_dante_sparda_

January 4 2017, 16:52:16 UTC 5 months ago

May the strength of your love see him safely through the dark places you must walk together, dearest Seanan. Though she is not my goddess, I beseech Bast to deliver him sound and healthy and whole to your arms.

debmats

January 4 2017, 16:54:32 UTC 5 months ago

Sending healing wishes for Thomas' quick recovery.

January 4 2017, 16:54:37 UTC 5 months ago

mneme

January 4 2017, 17:04:40 UTC 5 months ago

I'm so sorry one of your cats is sick, and I hope for his speedy recovery.

ebenbrooks

January 4 2017, 17:25:42 UTC 5 months ago

I hear you and feel you. My Sammie-girl is in the hospital right now, too. Pancreatitis, among other things, and I'm scared and sad and waiting for all of the shoes to drop.

We love you, Seanan.

loree

January 4 2017, 17:28:42 UTC 5 months ago

Not gonna lie, I sobbed in relief when I read the part about no necrosis on your Patreon update. I sincerely hope this is the worst that the shambling corpse of 2016 has in store for your family, and that everything improves from here.

cryptaknight

January 4 2017, 17:31:24 UTC 5 months ago

I'm so sorry poor Thomas is not well, and that you are going through this! My Maine Coon is getting elderly, and I worry all the time about something happening. I'll keep you and Thomas in my thoughts- positive energy heading your way.

January 4 2017, 17:31:42 UTC 5 months ago

evcelt

January 4 2017, 17:34:17 UTC 5 months ago

I understand and sympathize. We went through the same sort of thing with our beloved Molly many years ago. The hope I can offer is this: she recovered and lived out a full and happy lifespan. May the same happen with Thomas.

Beautiful Bast giving Life,
Hail Bast, in visible form,
Casting light into the darkness,
I have come before you,
The path is opened,
The earth is at peace.

Bast, Great Goddess, grant Life-Health-Prosperity to Your child Thomas, we beseech You.

multi_facets

January 4 2017, 17:35:36 UTC 5 months ago

(hugs) Hang in there, Ms. McGuire. We're all pulling for Thomas and you.

lietya

January 4 2017, 17:39:26 UTC 5 months ago

I am so, so sorry. I've been following this on Twitter, and it's the first thing I check every time, although my account is locked and you wouldn't see any replies there. (We lost two cats three weeks apart this November, so I viscerally recall that panic.)

It's not uncommon for anesthesia and/or pain meds to slow or stop the digestive system, and cats whose metabolism has dropped to near zero because of illness can go without eating for a fairly long time. Plus he's being very closely monitored, so the risks of not eating are reduced significantly. He still very well might be fine, after scaring the crap out of you.

Fingers crossed. If the universe owes me any cat karma after what happened to ours, I'm sending to to Thomas. He's just a baby yet, and he's a strong boy.

January 4 2017, 17:44:21 UTC 5 months ago

(I should have added that both of ours were 13 years old and had had serious health issues for years. Not at all comparable to Thomas.)

5 months ago

badgermirlacca

January 4 2017, 17:51:45 UTC 5 months ago

Another of those for whom there are no children but the ones with fur. I offer what comfort I can, and send best thoughts to you and Thomas both.

epiphyta

January 4 2017, 18:27:44 UTC 5 months ago

All three of my cats passed within a six month period last year, the last in November; I wish such grief far from you, kindness and skill to the hands of his healers, and strength to Thomas.

Best wishes

Lee Barlow

January 4 2017, 19:09:57 UTC 5 months ago

All of us who have had pets get really sick know what you are feeling and are here to support you. Been there done that.

January 4 2017, 19:10:26 UTC 5 months ago

cantseemee

January 4 2017, 19:24:41 UTC 5 months ago

I'm crying for you, I feel you. Good thoughts for Thomas and the hopes that he recovers fully.

Rachel Carmichael

January 4 2017, 19:50:01 UTC 5 months ago

All the love and prayers for Thomas. Speaking as a veterinary technician who has worked as an ICU tech in an emergency hospital, he is in the best possible place right now for him to recover. Experienced eyes on him 24 hours a day, doctors available to immediately do whatever is needed. Still you worry, because that's what moms do. Gentle hugs for you if you can accept them and know that an ardent reader is thinking of you and Thomas throughout this

lillian13

January 4 2017, 19:59:54 UTC 5 months ago

All my love to you!

I've asked a friend who is an actual, true, dyed-in-the-wool priestess of Bast to put in a word for Thomas.

I hope he comes home soon and is available for cuddles and loving!

secret_woman

January 4 2017, 21:38:51 UTC 5 months ago

I'm so sorry about Thomas! I hope that he pulls through. I completely understand fur babies being like our children. Even after having kids, my fur babies are my children too. We never want anything to happen to them! Please keep us updated!