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December 30, 2008
Sad Hours
Last night Philomena took a turn for the worse. Her back legs started to give out and she is clearly in some pain. We have an appointment at the vet at 2:20 to see if they can help her or make her more comfortable. Of course if they can't and she's suffering terribly we will have to let her go, but I'd so rather she die peacefully at home if she can do so without suffering. Or maybe she'll rally one more time... this cat has had several near death experiences (she is after all 22!) and has made it through many trials.
She hardly slept at all last night so I petted her most of the night. This morning I've been petting and cuddling her, and as her head drooped and her eyes gradually closed I realized that the cat needs some sleep no matter what, so I came downstairs to prepare dinner in advance, in case I'm either at the vet late or just too sad to cook. The kitty needs her rest, and she was obviously too worried about me (as I've barely stopped crying) to rest.
So I made a dinner and put it away for MR. Eggplant stuffed with asparagus, portabella mushrooms and Walden Farms marinara topped with fat free mozza. A portabella cap topped with garlic, green peppers, Walden Farms marinara and ff mozza. A salad of asparagus, green, red and yellow peppers (we have a lot of left over peppers) and avocado in a chipoltle sauce of cider vinegar, garlic, chili, and chipoltle Tabasco. And a dessert of leftover cranberry sauce (my homemade no-sugar gingery tangerine cranberry sauce) over fat free ricotta topped with hazelnuts, and Walden Farms chocolate sauce. Everything gets oil, flax and olive.
Sounds like a ton of food, doesn't it? No wonder most people can't eat a whole MR meal. It's 621 calories, Zoned perfect -- 30% fat, 30% protein, 40% carb.
Ooooops. I just realized that I forgot his 3 oz of wine. No wonder this meal seemed to have endless available carbs. Oh well, he doesn't like wine that much anyway. I'll make it up to him tomorrow.
For the person who asked about the cauliflower mash without coleslaw dressing: absolutely! I never made it with coleslaw dressing, I just made it with nonfat plain yogurt and cauli. It would also be great with nonfat sour cream. Scallions are a wonderful addition too, and you can even top it with salsa.
Well, I'm going to tiptoe upstairs and check on my kitty princess. I fear that soon she will be my kitty angel, but she's had such a wonderful life that I should take comfort in that and pray that if it's her time, she goes in peace.
Thanks to all for your comments and your prayers.
Posted by april at December 30, 2008 10:37 AM
Comments
April,
I've never written before but I've enjoyed reading you for awhile now. I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you this afternoon. Take care.
Holly
Posted by: Holly at December 30, 2008 10:15 AM
Thank you so much, April! I was the one who asked you about the coleslaw. I am definitely going to try that recipe. I'll let you know how I like it!
I am praying for your kitty... she sounds like such a sweetheart! Best of luck at the yet today. Who knows, she just might have a second wind in her that no one expected.
Posted by: Dommi at December 30, 2008 10:36 AM
April, I'm so sad to hear about Philomena. It doesn't make it any easier knowing she's lived such a full life - losing a pet is so hard!
I am, however, very impressed with her age! The oldest any of my cats lived was 13. Rascal was the most beautiful, smart, loving cat I've ever had. I had her from age 6 to age 19. She became lethargic one weekend and we took her to the vet on Monday morning; he said she had leukemia and had a big tumor in her bladder. She didn't make it home with us.
I wish the best for you no matter the outcome. I do understand how hard it is to lose a beloved pet, but to see them suffer is even harder.
I pray that Philomena can come home free of pain and live the rest of her life surrounded by your love.
Posted by: Steph at December 30, 2008 2:50 PM
How wonderfully lucky she was to have you take her in her advanced years. How wonderfully lucky you were to have her for so long and with so much joy. I don't believe the space left ever goes away. Luckily, you have MR & another lovely 4-legged companion that you have been entrusted to care for. They give us so much. I cannot even read the actual post, it causes me to well up, but I saw the title. I imagine you have put on such a brave face by even bothering to post.
I read you first, when I started researching CR. I still have not jumped in with both feet, but believe it has significant merit. I have watched our own companion animal-- dog-- with intermittent fasting-- and see boundless energy and vigor, albeit she is hungry. Yes, we do it to increase both the quality and quantity of her life, based on all of the research we have done and so I believe the same is true for humans.
Take Care & Much Peace for now.
Posted by: AGS at January 1, 2009 3:29 AM
The Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena
Posted by: Patti Melvin at January 10, 2009 8:48 PM