lily

letting go

tonight

i sat

and stroked the head of our old, diabetic cat

i knew

her end was near

i cried

alone

i prayed

alone

i ran interference for my daughter
she didn't need to see this

so i did it

alone

the heavens above

released with me

phone calls made

daughter is in shock, but on her way over

she needs to say goodbye too

what do my daughter and i have to share now?

another tethering cord has been cut

i am numb

i can only listen to the rain

ten years

twice a day insulin shots

no more

lily is finally at rest

Diabetes in the Family...

Owning a pet means someone to care for who will, for food, return your love. Fairly unconditional. Extremely Pavlovian. Usually that "caring for" is a simple thing. Pets are animals after all, their needs are few and not complex...food, shelter, food, things to play with, food, their own bathroom, food...

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We have two indoor cats. Jack, whose picture is at the bottom of my blog, and Lily, pictured here.

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A few weeks ago I knew one of the cats was sick, but I couldn't figure out who. I was pretty sure it was Jack so I took him into the vet. He had to spend the night there and go through a bunch of testing. The next day I was going to pick him up after I finished at school. When I returned home from school, but before I went to get Jack, I found out who was the sick cat. Lily had left me a small puddle of pee in my entry way...completely unlike either of the cats...and there was blood evident.

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I took Lily into the vet when I went to get Jack. She was checked out and given antibiotics for an infection. I needed to get a urine sample from her and a week later have some blood work done.

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Lily's tests came back positive for diabetes. Her blood glucose was at 387...very, very high although I have read that cats can tolerate a higher level of BG than can humans.

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On Wednesday of this week I took Lily back to the vet and learned how to administer insulin to her. She is now on special food and shots twice a day. I also have to regularly check her glucose level. She's a strong willed, very opinionated animal...a lot like my daughter. Michelle is Lily's owner but not her caregiver. Stress can make BG rise.

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So, a few days into this new routine and I think Lily and I have it down. Testing her BG is not too hard. I bought a home meter and prick her ear. I have been practicing on myself, my husband, my daughter and Jack. My son refuses to be "stuck" by his mother!

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Lily cooperates as much as allowable for her insulin shots. Maybe that will get better over time. What a lucky cat to live in our household!