I don't even care if I sound crazy

I don't even care if I sound crazy, but I'm pretty sure Tort Baby either knows his name or knows my voice. I haven't figured out which it is yet, but he definitely responds when he hears me talking or say his name.

Cubba af. 😂😂😂

Cubba af. 😂😂😂

This is another Leon update.

This is another Leon update.

I think our boy is going to be ok.  I say that with the hope in my heart that he continues to get stronger every day and that we get no more awful surprises.

He's moving around more and is far less wobbly than before.  He's still eating on his own - small amounts, but that's ok.  Kira got his treat bag out last night and he was so excited that he didn't wait for her to get one for him; he stuck his head right in and got one for himself.  His face looks far less miserable than it did days ago.  His eyes are starting to look clear and much more alert.  He pays attention to things going on around him now.  He's even gotten on her bed a few times on his own.  The improvements he's making are so welcome.

I cannot believe that just 7 days ago he was basically knocking on death's door.  (This week flew by because we were all scared and worried and sleep-deprived.)  For now he is still on pain medication, but I don't know if that's really necessary.  He is getting two injections per day from Shaun.  He's interested in food and not throwing up so we've saved his last nausea pill for in case we need it.  He's still on eye drops twice per day, which Kira handles well.

The good news is that he'll probably only need shots twice daily for a couple of more days and then we can drop down to daily.  The bad news is that the treatment he's getting lasts for 84 days - yes - eighty-four.  We may be able to switch to pills at some point, but in my experience it's not easier to make a cat swallow a pill than to inject them.  He'll also need to be closely monitored for relapse for another 84 days after his treatment ends so this is nowhere near over with, unfortunately.

We're finally starting to breathe and rest over here.  It is a much-needed change.  I think that for now regarding Leon, no news from me is going to be good news - but do feel free to check on him if any of you wish.  Better yet - message Kira and she'd probably be happy to tell you how wonderful and good and sweet he is and overload you with pictures.  She loves to brag on him and it would probably make her feel very loved.

I guess I'm about to get ready to help with his nightly injection and then get ready for bed.  I love you all.  Goodnight.  ❤

Another Leon Update:

Another Leon Update:

He licked some wet food, took a piece of turkey from Shadow, and tried a bite of tuna.  He also climbed up on the bed to be with Kira, and has head-bonked her at least once when she kissed him.  He also laid on his tummy a few times which is a lot nicer than seeing him splayed out on his side and not moving - which is all he's done up until today.

I still don't know that he won't take an unexpected downturn because this sickness is terrible, but I am feeling much more optimistic about his condition than I have all week.  I am so grateful for his improvement and really hope it continues. I really, truly think we got his not-FDA-approved drugs to him just in the nick of time.

Thank you again to everyone who's thought about us or checked on us.  ❤

LEON DRANK WATER BY HIMSELF!!!

LEON DRANK WATER BY HIMSELF!!!

It was just a few licks, but he did it and sniffed his food. We are so excited! The kids were smiling so hard.

Shaun was sleeping when it happened, but I slapped his shoulder (out of excitement) and told him the news. He smiled and thumbs-upped and hugged me.

I checked his gums and the color is returning. My heart is hopeful. I could cry.

Another Leon update:

Another Leon update:

He's still with us.  After being told on Thursday the he had only days left to live I am honestly pretty shocked he's still here.

Obviously I have no idea what is going on inside his body, but we are seeing small signs that he might be feeling a bit better.  I personally don't think he's out of the woods yet; he's still either very lethargic or very sedated from his pain meds, his gums are pale, he still wobbles when he walks, and he is still not eating or drinking on his own.

HOWEVER, he still urinates in his litter box.  Kira said that he was a little less wobbly today.  He's begun looking at her face again and responding with a meow when she speaks to him.  He is swallowing better when we syringe feed him; actually, he's doing well enough with that that the kids are now doing that on their own and me and Shaun are basically on medication duty.  That is still a "''round the clock" type of deal, but it's a lot easier.  He has shown interest in water a couple of times, though he hasn't drank any on his own yet.

All in all, I am feeling CAUTIOUSLY optimistic that he might survive this.  At what cost to his future health - I do not know, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.  For now we're just taking it day by day and still doing the best we can.

I really appreciate the outpouring of love and support from everyone.  I am so sorry for not responding to individual messages and comments yet, but I'm in battery-saver mode at the moment.  We slept with the windows open the night before last and I got hit with a smoke+pollen combo yesterday morning that had me almost out of commission yesterday.  The air is clear now and I'm functional, but I'm saving my batteries for the family at the moment.  Shaun was the one who was up all night last night with the kids and the kitty because allergy meds put me down so I'm officially tagged in while he catches up on some rest.

Anyway, love to you all.  I hope you are doing well.  ❤

I would like to thank everyone...

I would like to thank everyone who's messaged us and responded to my last post.  When I have the energy I will definitely respond to everyone individually, but right now we're all running low on energy and using what energy we do have to care for Leon.

On Thursday we were told that Leon had only days to live.  From then he received nutrients via an NG tube and hydration via IV until we brought him home from the vet yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.  We received the "experimental" drugs for him yesterday and started him on them as soon as we got him home.  He's also on a painkiller and anti-nausea meds and eye drops as well as needing to be fed by syringe every hour or so because he isn't eating or drinking on his own.  Needless to say - it's a lot to do and we are all working around the clock.

The kids have alarms set for all of his medications.  Shaun and I are helping with the medicating and the feedings because the kids aren't as used to doing this type of stuff as we are.  To be frank, the kids look like shit.  Shadow is delirious from lack of sleep.  They are catching naps between alarms and not taking care of themselves despite me urging them to.  I've never seen them so stressed and it breaks my heart, but me and Shaun are supporting them and helping.  We just know that there is no pouring from an empty cup and are taking a little bit better care of ourselves than they are.  I have to out of necessity because I've been close to migraine territory for 2 days and I can't help anyone if I let myself get to that point.

I can't yet say if I think Leon will be ok.  His pain meds keep him pretty sedated so I can't tell how he really feels.  I'm still scared for him and don't know if any of this is actually helping him.  One thing I will say is that he seems to be swallowing better than before so that is improvement.  He's still getting up to pee in his box.  Other than that he's not moving much (hopefully because he is sedated).  I'm happy to take any improvement I can get, but I also know (sadly from experience - not with FIP specifically, but through fostering, rehab, and my pets) that things can look up and still not work out.

We are all very stressed, but glad to have him home.  Kira wanted to leave him at the vet on fluids and NG tube for nutrients while taking his new meds (which I thought was an excellent idea), but they wouldn't administer his not-FDA-approved drugs to him, nor allow us to do it while he was there.  Since this medication was our only shot at actually saving his life we chose to bring him home and do as much as we could ourselves.

Kira is still very optimistic and I think she is in denial about the very real possibility that Leon may not be with us much longer, but I am glad he made it home, at least.  I don't think she'd have been ok with him passing away at the vet without her there.  I think that him being home and all of us doing our literal best for him gives her something to do besides just worry about him, although she's still doing plenty of that, too.

Kira had a therapy appointment on Friday and I really thought she'd try to skip it, but she didn't.  I was grateful.  Her therapist scheduled her twice this upcoming week and also gave her some emergency numbers to call in case the worst happens and she can't deal.  I am grateful for that, as well.

I don't have anything else to report.  I'll update with Leon's status when it changes - for better or worse.  We're all hoping for better.  Until then if I'm quiet on here or slow to respond to messages then you all know that it's because I'm using my energy to take care of myself and my family - Gramson included, obviously.  Thank you all for the love and support.  ❤