Fuzzy Update

(now with pics)

Published on September 3, 2005 By Gene Nash In Life Journals

My worst fear was that I'd bring Fuzzy home and have to take him right back again, like happened earlier in the week.

The doctor called today to say come get him. She said he was totally clear. There were some things I'd have to do for him, but he'd be all right. I had hoped they would keep him one more day to really be sure, but that wasn't to be.

When my mother and I walked into the office to pick him up, the office manager (were those tears in her eyes?) said we needed to go into an examination room and talk to the doctor. That's never a good sign, is it?

Fuzzy had blocked up again before I could get there. They think his bladder has a lot of grit and build up that comes out after they've unclogged and flushed him. For now, they've reinserted his catheter, but he needs an operation in Las Vegas called "Perineal Urethrostomy" that costs $2,000-3,000.

Apparently this is standard procedure in these cases -- three blockages and you're off to the surgeon, young kitty. I wish I'd known that to begin with. Since I figured he'd get blocked at least one more time, had I known that would instantly lead to surgery, I'd have had a jump start on the fundraising.

As it is, I have a whole lot of money to raise, and very little time.

Comments

NightTrainthedark

on Sep 03, 2005

I recently had to put my Cat of 19 nears down. It was a very difficult last 6 months. I can really sympathize with your pain.
You need to just let him go. It might possibly be the hardest thing you will ever do but the pain cdoes change to fond memories with a tear here and there.
I got a new kitten and he has done wonders for the pain. Time is your enemy.

dharmagrl

on Sep 03, 2005

Gene, I can't promise anything, but I'll do what i can to help. I emailed you......

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Sep 03, 2005

Gene, this is proving to be a wonderful money spinning story just like you explained to me in the E-mail.

Jolly good show indeed.

terpfan1980

on Sep 03, 2005

For a second I was a bit confused at LW's reply, but then I got the picture a bit better. /agreed on LW's comment in reply to troll posting.

Sadly, I also have to agree on the end of the story likely being one that is known. It's sad to lose a pet, but there are times when it happens, and it's the best answer for us and the pet. I've had many pets in my life, and been sad about the loss of all. Hamsters, Gerbils, Cats, Dogs, Birds, Fish and others. Losing them (except for perhaps the fish) felt like the loss of a good friend, because that is what they are.

Unfortunately, the amount of money in my life forces me to make decisions some times that I wouldn't want to make. It happened with a bird my family had as a pet recently, who unfortunately died of a respiratory problem after we had spent $$$ getting it checked for a host of problems (it was given to us by the breeder because it was a special needs animal who was born with nerve/brain damage. Very lovable creature, but unable to fly without flipping over constantly and dropping to the floor. She made us promise to love it and care for it, and we did for the years it lived for us). It sucked spending money to have the vet check it out and not really come up with anything better than "this is normal for a bird with these problems" (which is what I had tried to tell my wife before she insisted on taking it to the vet anyway, but she wanted to help make the bird better if it had an illness causing it's problems instead of the nerve/brain damage).

Anyway, I hope whatever happens is something you can make peace with. And if you do lose Fuzzy, I hope you reconsider on the possibility of another cat in the future. Certainly it won't be the same, but you should still have plenty of love to share with a creature that could use it (there are *always* a bunch of cats needing lovable persons to care of them

)

Sir Peter Maxwell

on Sep 03, 2005

This evening I was at the Mayfair Club with the Old Dogs and I've had a bit of a whip-round for your cat old boy. Together we have raised £35 and Lord Rathborne has donated a cigar.

I will send them to you.

Gene Nash

on Sep 03, 2005

I haven't given up hope, yet.

I found this interesting article on the surgery. It appears to be standard procedure in these cases -- two unplugs, then snip-snip. The article actually gave me hope that if I can get him the surgery he'll be okay.

(I'm not usually on optimist, but I guess fox holes can do that to people. Take note, though, this is probably as hopeful as you'll ever catch me.)

Lord Rathborne has donated a cigar.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt Fuzzy to take up smoking at this point, though I doubt his Dr. will let it in the hospital.

shadesofgrey

on Sep 05, 2005

Gene:

That is the surgery that my friend's cat had to have and now he is perfectly healthy.

Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to help you.

Gene Nash

on Sep 06, 2005

That is the surgery that my friend's cat had to have and now he is perfectly healthy.

Thank you for that encouraging info, Shades.

I was talking to a third-party vet for a second opinion. He said the operation is very successful and the only complications usually come from trying to get off cheap by using a non-specialist.

Fortunately, the $2,000 is for a specialist.

The more I hear about the surgery the more I am convinced it will fix him up and he'll be just fine. Now I just have to get the $2,000.

( If only I could find 100 more animal lovers who happen to have an extra $20....

)

P.S. I added a picture of Fuzzy to the article.

KarmaGirl

on Sep 06, 2005

( If only I could find 100 more animal lovers who happen to have an extra $20.... )

Or, 20 that will give you $100

Will the Hospital work out a payment plan for you? If you can get something set up with the surgeons hospital, let us know. I already sent you my "fun" money, but I can donate more after next payday, and could send it to the account at the surgeons.

Maybe if you pointed them to this blog they'd realize the support you have and do you a favor.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and Fuzzy!

shadesofgrey

on Sep 06, 2005

same here.

msladydeath

on Sep 06, 2005

I sent what I could, i'll send more if I can get some to send *pout* Hugs to Fuzzy, I have been there, but that type of specialzation isn't readily available here.

Handy Hank

on Sep 06, 2005

I'm sending a KFC for your kat.

The colonel sends his regards.

Gene Nash

on Sep 07, 2005

Keep your fingers crossed. They are sending Fuzzy home today. I'd hoped they would keep him longer, but I'm asking too much of them.

He needs to stay unblocked till I can get this going.

I don't really have much information right now. Things are going far too slowly for me. The surgeon's secretary said she'd have a full estimate quote for me by Thursday.

The surgeon is based in Southern California, but travels. His part of the bill is supposed to be between $800-$1,000. Then there is the hospital's bill. She's getting an estimate from them.

I don't know about the hospital, but he requires payment up front. They accept some sort of surgical credit thingee called "CareCredit", but I can't even apply for that till I have an estimate.

I've already applied for a couple of loans though, and been turned down because my income is so abysmally low.

I inquired about getting some work at the local TV station, but no response yet. Next I'll try the radio stations, then the newspapers.

I'm putting together a donation web page and a sale for "Internet Marketers." Hopefully, something will hit well enough that my next blog can be "Fuzzy and I are off to Vegas."

KarmaGirl

on Sep 12, 2005

Keep us updated with your donation website and how things are going.

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