Last night, quite late, a doctor  called about the electrocardiogram study done today. She was NOT one of the doctors present during the exam. She is the cover doctor and she was interpreting the results for me. (I had called the hospital several times asking for information). She said the notes show that it was a technically difficult study to do because of several issues- #1 being his weight (316 pds according to the chart) and the fatty tissue between the heart blocking the view.  and #2 the heart was apparently beating with more beats then it actually should.( She said this is called an arrhythmia)The function of his heart is at 40-45% when it should be about 70% when you look at his age, lifestyle, weight etc.,  The right side of his heart was hard to view but the pericardium appeared to be normal.

She said in layman’s terms the notes indicate the heart does not look completely normal- the heart’s function is “mildly decreased.” There will be other specialists looking at the images she said in a day or two and the data and I might get more definitive information from them. The notes did say that this is something they believe he has had for quite awhile and it just didn’t get noticed or show itself until now. I wonder if the stress of losing his leg triggered it? I asked her, but she said that is something you need to ask the day team about because they are familiar with the case and she is not.

That’s all I know for now- one more thing- the nature of this disease is that sometimes when the lungs are full and the heart is struggling to keep up- there is some carbon monoxide that gets released into the brain. This can cause the person to become somewhat in a fugue state of mind. Saying things that are happening (that really are not) but because they fully believe that it is happening, they are unwilling to accept the fact that it hasn’t or didn’t happen. Not like a hallucination I was told, more like just a trick of the mind. The gas has to go somewhere and the only path open for it is into the brain. So I guess he’s a huffer now without wanting to be. 🙂

On the cat front- Slater the little grey boy that was living under my kitchen cupboards is going to a new home this weekend! He has turned out to be a delightful, funny little boy and his favorite trick is to climb up on the top of the refrigerator and try to swipe at me when I go in to the fridge for something. He doesn’t have his claws out- I think he is playing with my hair.

Gidget is the new kit on the block and I wish I could post pictures of her. She is beautiful a long hair-dilute calico who appeared out of nowhere, let me scoop her up and take her in to be evaluated. She does not appear to like to be in any of the enclosures or the house. She is about 2 years old and she has taken up residence in the barn. Since her arrival there has been a line of rodents deposited on the back steps nightly. She is a mighty huntress and until our riding lawnmower gets fixed (needs a fuel pump) I fear that line will get longer daily as long grasses attract rodents, bugs and birds. If it was left up to me, I would just let the grasses grow, especially in the back pasture where deer (in the past) have left their nesting patterns when they settle for a sleep. But my neighbors complain that the grasses need to be mowed and kept looking nice.

Mike’s oldest boy and one of his sons (Ben) who is 16 will be coming in on Friday. I told him I don’t know at this point where his father will be- but they are coming anyway. Unfortunately they can’t stay here. Both of them are allergic to cats!  I think the other kids are like me, in a holding pattern waiting to hear from some more doctors before deciding what is best to do.

And as far as how I am doing. I do appreciate the private emails sent from some of you. They help me stay grounded. I am sad but try not to show it. I am scared and give my fears to the Lord. I’ve been praying a lot but it seems I just can’t sit still for long periods of time. My foot has been completely healed! YAY I can walk without a limp now. They pulled 4 pieces of plastic out of my foot over a period of two weeks. My finger is quite numb- my nail on that finger is very colorful and it is no longer painful unless I bump it, but I still can’t make a fist.

Today I go meet a friend for coffee. Then I will go to the humane society and return their crap traps! Other traps have been secured to use for the colony and the trapping will begin in a few weeks. I just can’t focus on that right at the moment to much else going on. Then I will call the hospital and see what is scheduled for Mike and make a determination from there. The doctor did say last night that a possible discharge may be happening because this was there most expensive machine they used on him- and the results were pretty inconclusive. She said they can manage the disease by drugs and diet as long as the patient cooperates. Since his foot is still harboring that open ulcer, I can’t imagine them sending him home? I would think he’ll just have to go back to the rehab center at least till the wound completely heals- but at this point that is only my guess.

On an OMG note, I stopped by to check on my donation box yesterday at a local restaurant. Inside, was a check for $200.00! Turns out the owner of the restaurant donated it- she’s a cat lover! The money is very much needed to knock down the ever-present vet debt. 🙂

Well you know what they say- When God gives you a blessing, the devil gets jealous! Just went to the last spot where I have a donation box only to find out someone stole it. 🙁 Makes me sad- guess they needed it more than the cats.