6 Month Annifursary

Today is a special day.  Six months ago today Webber stopped receiving daily insulin injections thanks for FDMB and LL!!!!! Let the celebrations begin!!!! ♥ ♥


I still appreciate every healthy day with Webber.  Take nothing for granted and give him kisses always.


I wish that I had the heart and time to continue to visit LL on FDMB.  But life right now has not allowed for me to do this.  I hope to someday be back on a regular basis to visit friends old and new.

3 Months OTJ *antijinx*

Here we are.  It was officially Sunday that Webber's 3 month annifursary cam around.  I had wanted to post on the FDMB but I really didn't have that much to say.  Alot of people are good at telling cute stories.  I just didn't have it in me.  Maybe with his next month (god willing).

Funny thing.....this morning I noticed that Webber still loves to run around like a wild boy after eating breakfast and the rest of the gang just lays around now.  LOL  He seems to have more energy then all the rest of them now-a-days.  But that's is A-OK with me.  As long as Webber still feels good I am happy.  He jolts up and down the stairs in the evening after din-din.  Crazy Boy.

Two Months Since Lantus Injection *antijinx*

Well here we are......it has been two months since Webber's last insulin injection.  My mom couldn't believe that it has already been that long.  I admit that I have finally gotten more comfortable with not testing every other day (lol).  I think the last time I tested Webber's BG 5 days had passed.  That may not sound like a lot but it used to be like every other day.

It has been about one month since I switched all the cats to eating Wellness canned food.  The flavors that I am feeding are still low carb.  The best part of this switch is that Webber's dandruff in GONE!!!  His coat really looks awsome now.  It has gotten so shiny and silky soft.  I am thinking this has to do with (1) getting his BG's under control ad (2) changing their food to a high quality.  The Wellness is alot more expensive than what I was feeding, but I think it it soooo worth it.  I am able to order a whole months worth of food from Pet Food Direct and it turns out to be cheaper than shopping at the store or the online store.  Around here the closest place that sells Wellness is Petco.  They don't match their online prices and if you order online, they charge tax and shipping......after cost analysis it was cheaper to order a months worth of food from Pet Food Direct.  Plus, they have autoship that also gives me a 15% discount every month.  Woohoo

I have come to realize that Petsmart does not really carry high quality commercial cat food (at least the canned).  They carry the "most common" but not always the healthiest foods.  I used to not like Petco because it always smelled like animals in the store.  But they seem to carry more organic and higher quality foods than Petsmart.  I still go to Petsmart because of how close it is and that they carry the 40 pound Swheat Scoop litter.  Anywho I digress....no one cares about this....

Webber still continues to amaze me with how playful he is.  I really do wonder how long he had diabetes.  I love to watch him run around like a kitten.  I think he plays more now than all the other cats, hehe.

My cats are my life (okay that sounds pretty pitiful).....they mean ALOT to me.  I am blessed to have 4 cats that all get along.

Yesterday was Webber's 5th birthday!

Don't have much to day.  Except the other day when I was cleaning out the litter box I came upon a pee clump that looked a little too big for my liking.  I of course freaked out, but it has only been that one.  And it could have been two together.  It is hard when you have four cats.....

So anywho, yesterday was Webber's birthday.  I was so happy to tell him Happy Birthday and that he was healthy today!!!  We are just feeling blessed and taking it day by day.  It is easier and easier to not test.

This morning though I slept in again and wanted to check if him being hungry made a difference on his BG.  When I got up it was 89.  I fed all the kiddos and one hour later his BG was 69.  HAPPY HAPPY!  DH is amazed at how well his pancreas is doing.  I just give him extra hugs and kissed every day and feel lucky that we were one of the quick fortunate ones.

Well-----it has been a month and counting!!!

Hip Hip Hooray!!!  It has been a month and counting since Webber's last insulin injection.  I still test on occasion to make sure he is within normal ranges.  So far so good.  His coat is getting better all the time.  I finally made the decision to switch their food to Wellness and stop feeding the Petsmart "Sophisticat" because I think it is better for them.  Wellness had no grain products, no animal by-products and the flavors I am feeding are low carb.  Plus it doesn't smell as bad as some of the other stuff.  Whew---some of those others would literally make me gag some early mornings. lol

I have also introduced the Raw diet, but Lacey and Webber are the only ones to eat it.  However, the company has had two recalls since I tried the darn things.  The first bag was given to my by my neighbor, I fed a little and they liked it.  Then I find out that there is a recall for the bag I have.  I hang onto it for a few weeks and finally go and get an exchange.  Fed a little and they liked it, two days later the company recalls that bag.  Jeez. I am going to try again....third times a charm right?

Don't spend as much time on the message board anymore.  DH said I was obsessed and I guess I was.  I try to just get on  for short periods to check on the kitties and beans that I have been following.  I also check in the Health section to see if there are any newbies that needs some help.  I remember too well how scary that diagnosis is.  You would think you had been diagnosed yourself!

I think it is time to feed the kiddos so I am off til next time.

Webber and his 9 days off the juice

Things have gotten better over here in the falls.  Webber is still being playful which is always a good sign that his BG's are good.  I am getting better too at not wanting to test as much.  I have gotten down to testing every couple of days.  Hey-that is progress for me. lol  I still continue to get up on the weekends at the old testing time to feed all the babies.  I am still scared to change the routine up for fear of causing some sort of stressor that could cause a change for Webber.  Talk about paranoid eh?  All changes will come with a thought out process and will happen gradually--if I can help it!

DH asked me if I was still going to keep this blog going.  I said that I wasn't sure.  As long as I have things to work out in my head I will post.  I hope that Webber will be enjoying his time off the juice for a very very long time and I won't have to start this up again. *antijinx*

I am also spending less time on FDMB.  Getting some of that out of my head has been good for me, but I still visit to help out when I can with the newbies.  I feel so invested in that message board that I want to dedicate my time to paying back with newbies.

3 Days Post OTJ Party

Well, well, well.......where do I begin.  Webber is doing just great.  Playful, adorable and his BG's are still good.  I am having a bit of a hard time weaning myself off the testing.  I just can't stand being here in the evening and not knowing if he is ok.  Poor thing, he is having to suffer at the hands of his crazy mommy.  But really....he is not suffering.  The ear testing does not bother him at all.  Plus he knows that he gets treats afterwards as well as his ear being massaged.  Who wouldn't like an ear massage? lol

He has always suffered from constipation.  I used to give Lactulose, but that is like sugar, so no more of that since the diabetes diagnosis!  I have been giving all the babies Miralax spinkled on their wet food.  Apparently Webber got a little more than what he needed because this evening he had a little liquipooh.  Oops, another one of mommy's faults.  Of course I don't expect it to last.  It never lasts.  He actually chews on my fake plants, like they are real grass leaves, when he is constipated. Funny!  So after I saw him do this for the last couple of mornings I naturally assumed that he was constipated and needed some extra Miralax.

Along the lines of the LB--I am seriously thinking of getting a third HUGE box.  Now that they are all on wet food and I add so much extra water, the pee has increased daily.  I think that one more box would be just right.

Well, let's see how long I can go without testing and losing my mind.  Otherwise, we are really enjoying our time at the falls.

The Baby is Officially in Remission!!!!!

I almost can't believe it myself.  Webber is officially considered in remission.  We had a party in FDMB today and I was in tears most of the day as I read all the wonderful messages and congrats from everyone there.  Carolyn said that today was bittersweet for me because it was Webber's last daily condo and she was correct on so many levels.  I will miss posting Webber's WCR (whole cat report) every morning and getting to have a daily condo to post all of what is going on with him.  Discovering the FDMB was one of the best things that had happened to me and my babies.  I never thought that I could find other people that felt the same way as I do about their cats.  Most all of the beans (human mom's) on the Lantus Land Insulin Support Group are so dedicated to the health and well-being of their cats---it warms my heart to the core.  I also thing that only those on LL could really and truely share in the joy of having your cat get off the insulin.  When I told others on my facebook page or co-workers they just looked at me "yeah and.....?"  Oh well, you can't expect everyone to understand how you feel about animals.

Part of me thinks that these last couple of months dealing with Webber's disease has triggered my generalized anxiety disorder again.  Now that he is no longer getting insulin shots I find myself still anxious and emotional for no apparent reason.  I could not help myself this evening and tested him (just to see where his BG was).  I don't know how I am going to wean myself off of testing him all the time.  One of the users whose cat's has been off the insulin for one month told me that we can start off testing once a week for one month and then go to testing once a month.  I will have to rely on how he acts to see if the diseased is coming back.  Well jeez, I guess that means I will spend the next several month being overy paranoid.  Might as well get my xanax refilled, LOL.

His hair coat has gotten so much softer and shinier.  It can only get better from here with the new diets they have been on for about 1 1/2 months now.  My raw food was part of the recall so I need to go get a new package to replace the one I had to throw out.  Webber seemed to be the only one that liked the raw diet, and supposedly it is very good for them.  So even if he is the only one to eat it....that is worth it all.

Here is the link to Webber's OTJ Party: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuF3CH-j7Qk

After Webber's Dinner Party - he was licking his chops.  Yummy fuds mommy!

Til next time....

Two days and I didn't go home for lunch!

So I was running low on testing strips and I decided there was no use going home for lunch if I can't test him.  So yesterday DH and I went out for lunch and it was the first day I did not rush home in over a month to test and check on Webber and the other kids.  I call all the kitties "kids"....I am sure other animal people do that too.  At least I hope so; hope I am not the only loonie tune out there.

Today I decided to stay here and pick up lunch with some co-workers.  It was nice, because for the last month and a half I have been keeping to myself.  When I am stressed I tend to get quiet and stay away from people.

Last night Webber's PMBG was 90.  I admit I got pretty nervous.  I went ahead and fed everyone deciding that I would test again in a few hours to see if the BG went down.  Well....an hour later Webber was running around the house and playing and that usually means that his BG is ~60-70.  I tested at +1 and it was down to 60.  Whew!!!  His little pancreas IS working.  YAY!!  I really thing that this is a litle miracle.  What other animals can go into remission from diabetes.  I always knew cats were special!

We need to plan something nice for him.  His dandruff is still showing, and I know that a bath for his party is NOT something he will enjoy. :-(   Maybe I will get him a special toy?  Hmmm, I need to think about this.

We are half-way there!

So tonight I am home alone and thinking about what DH keeps wondering out loud.  He is wondering if Webber's multiple surgeries (anesthesia) could have been the cause of Webber's diabetes.  I did not think that Webber had ever gotten any steroids, so I decided to get out his medical file and record everything since the beginning of time (for him at least, lol).  The verdict is YES he had gotten steroids and other stuff.  I used to be so good at keeping up with everything when it came to the babies.  But I admit I did get lax in filing alot of Webber's paperwork.  I DO always keep the empty pill bottles, baggies etc so that I have it on record what they have taken and when.

My poor baby has been through alot the past few years.  He also had repeated UTI's which I would hope the vet would have looked for sugar in the urine back then.  I would hate to think that he was beginning to show signs of diabetes a year ago and we neglected to see it.  But such is life.  There is nothing we can do about it now.  At least we caught it when we did and treated it aggressively.

Today marks the 7th day of Webber's OTJ 14 day Trial period.  He is doing very well, althought I still hold my breath every time I test him.  Matter of fact, today was the first time I took off my necklace since he went OTJ.  I am superstitious and had to actually talk myself into taking off the necklace.  Haha  Call me crazy cuz I know it is crazy.

I am still feeding them Sophisticat and Fancy Feast.  I need to spend some time researching my other options.  Petsmart does not carry Wellness and some of the other food that I see alot of people feed their kitties.  I think I can try Friskies because Petsmart certainly has that handy.  I am still having to buy alot of litter.  I add alot of water the all of their canned food so that must be the reason they all still pee so much.  At least there are no huge pancake pee's to speak of in the litterbox....that is GOOD news.  I am still on high alert for any changes in Webber's behavior or habits.  The one thing that we have noticed (and I am not too happy about) is him getting rough/aggressive with Lacey.  Everyone seems to pick on Lacey and I hate to hear it and see it.  She knows how to stick up for herself, but I just hate to hear all the growling and hissing.  Who even knows what goes on when I am not here.

Til next time....

OTJ Trial Day 4

Today is day #4 of Webber's 14 day trial off the insulin.  His AMBG was in the 60's and I am pretty sure that his Lantus shed is now empty and this is all him.  After talking to family and FDMB friends I have convinced myself to relax and enjoy this moment in time.  Sure Webber may not go into remission, or if he does he may go back on the insulin, but it is not the end of the world.  I have learned so much about the disease and was able to regulate him on the insulin, so it CAN be done.

I am laying here on the couch enjoying a special time with Webber.  He still loves to lay on my belly and knead while sucking on a blanket or something.    Right now he is grooming Shelby which doesn't happen that often.  So I try to enjoy their time getting along while I can as well.  Webber and Shelby are the two males of the household and are often butting heads.  Well....Webber butts heads and Shelby could care less, lol.

I have started reading other outside sources of information on Feline Diabetes.  I am still wanting to learn as much as I can about FD for my own knowledge.  And I am now going to focus on making sure that the canned food I feed all the babies has all the nutrients that they need.  Webber still has  dandruff, although it has gotten better.  I would like to see it go away, so I need to make sure that he is getting a balanced diet.  I have some raw food in the freezer that I need to try feeding again. 

I guess I don't have much to say right now.  I am thankful for where we are today with Webber and his disease.  He is doing very very well and currently off the insulin with BG levels within the normal range.  His BG has been in the normal range for the last 14 days.  Some say that every minute that the cat can stay in the normal range is time for the pancreas to heal.  I say "Heal baby heal!!"  I am still very emotional about the whole thing and find myself just hugging my little Webber and telling him how much I love him.

His birthday is next month and he will be 5 years old.

PARANOID MOMMY

I haven't blogged in a while.  My thoughts have been racing around in my head so often lately it has been hard to just sit still and write.  I know that if I just get all these tought down on paper (ha, this isn't paper!) I will feel much better.

Webber's last insulin shot was 6am 02/09/10.  Today is Webber's 2nd day of his OTJ (off the juice) 14 day trial. I can't believe we already here.  It was just a little over a month that he was on insulin.  I feel like this is too good to be true.  Why can't I just be elated and enjoy this time?  Instead I am totally paranoid that his numbers are going to start creeping up.  And what if they do???  Well, we will just get him back on the insulin and start over again.  I can tell myself this over and over again in my head yet it won't stick!!

Somehow I also feel a little guilty when I post on the message board.  There are so many other mommy's on there with sick kitties and/or kitties that have been on the insulin for so long just waiting for the moment that I am not enjoying.  It doesn't seem right.......I just need to snap out of it.

Tough Choices

I have not posted in  while.  I have been so engrossed in Webber and how he is doing.  His numbers have dropped significantly and have stayed that way for several days.  It becomes harder to shoot at these low numbers because you don't want to put him in danger, but you also don't want to back off and then have his numbers start to climb.  There have been several times lately that I just bit the bullet.  I am here at night to monitor for as long as I need to.  Up until this point he doesn't drop really really low.  Last night was his lowest for me to see yet (41).  He was just laying there like he was going to go to sleep.  I wanted him to get up and eat!!!  He had always in the past gone to snack when he numbers were dropping so I started to worry about when I am not here.  What if I am at work and he doesn't get up and it just keeps dropping.  I am scared to death that every evening when I come home from work I am going to find him in a coma.  I know that is extreme but that was it always in the back of our minds.  What if.....

I come home every day from work during my lunch hour to test.  Today when I got home I did not expect his numbers to be low because he started off in the 80's.  He surprised me and was only at 50.  I waited til after I ate lunch and tested again before I left.  He had dropped only one point and was at 49.  However, we have been told that when a newbie kitty drops below 50 it is time to decrease the dose.  He has had his dose decreased twice since Monday.  So when tonights shot time came around I really didn't know what to do.  Part of me wanted to decrease his dose again like I was told to.  But another part of me was saying that he has only been at 0.75U for three cycles.  Not even a whole 48 hours.  He could still be dropping from what is left in his shed from the higher doses.  I sure don't want to decrease and have his BG start to rise.

Ugh!  This is not a perfect science and I am sure there are going to be plenty of times that we are going to yo-yo his doses until we get it just right.  I guess in my mind I wanted this to go so smoothly.  Just drop the doses until he didn't need it any more.  But isn't that what everyone wants?  Of course!!!

There were not the usual angels on the board today that are so experienced in giving dosage advice.  So I just went with my gut this evening.  I'm just about in tears and writing in Webber's blog to just get all of this out of my system has seemed to help alot.  I do not want to put Webber in danger at all.  And I have all my tools that I may need should he drop too low.  Maybe no one being there to guide me was a sign from god that it my turn to take complete control and make this decision for Webber on my own tonight.

We shall see how the night goes......

Memories--a walk down that lane

My DH and I were eating lunch today at a local chinese restaurant.  I was mentiong that some people were teasing me about testing so much and asking if Webber still had any ears.  LOL  This got my husband to thinking and to say that he is such a trooper.  He has always been a really good boy and a super trooper with all he has been through is his short life of 4 years.

I still remember the day I saw him for the first time.  We were looking for a kitten and had been looking at petsmart off and on.  There was local animal protection team that fostered and set up adoptions at our local petsmart every week.  I walked into Petsmart and from across the store I saw this little grey/smokey kitten playing with another kitten in those little pens they have behind glass at the adoption center. I locked eyes on him and told DH that was him.  I wanted to see HIM!  I walked as fast as I could over to the area and asked to see this playful kitten.  The foster mommy Melinda took us over to him and let me pick him up.  He immediately felt comfortable in peoples arms.  I was them told that he was a bottle fed baby, so very used to people and being held.  Matter of fact, he loved being held.  I told DH that this is one I wanted.  He really like him too and we filled out the necessary paperwork.  We were not going to be able to pick him up for another day or two.  I filled in our apt complex that we were getting another cat, bought all the stuff that we would need for the kitten.  We even built a screen door for our spare room closet.  It was a large walk in closet and we planned on keeping him in there until Chloe and he got used to seeing each other.  We picked him up on my DH's birthday in 2005.  Webber was only about 7 weeks old.  I took him to the vet to get a check up and bath before brining him home.  When I went to pick him up at the vet later that day, they had him out playing and had put a tiny bandana around his neck.  I wish I had gotten a pic of that day.  He was precious.  We decided to go with the name Webber because DH loved to BBQ with this Webber grill and the kitten's color was very luch like ashes left over in the grill.

I had read all that I could find on how to intoduce cats and followed as closely as I could.  However, Webber would cry in the spare room at night and it literally broke my heart and brought me to tears to hear him.  At the time Chloe only slept in her condo at night, so after a few days I decided to let Webber out and onto the bed with us.  He would curl up at my neck and fall asleep.  He snored too. LOL  Well needless to say he didn't spend much more time in that closet.  I think we kept Chloe and he separated for a few days and then it was just too hard.  He was all alone in that room.

Two years later we found two kittens adandoned at about 3-4 weeks old and decided to raise them for adoption.  Long story short we bottle fed them, litter box trained them and taught them to walk and eat solid food.  I was mommy totally!  Webber took to these two kittens right away and would run and play around the house once they were big enough that I did not fear he would eat them (lol).  Shortly thereafter, he started to get reallt grumpy and lay around.  We ended up getting a referral to a surgeon and they determined that his femoral head was fractured.  They also noticed that even at 2 years old, Webbers growth plates were still open.  This usually happens in the cats first year of life.  We later found out that some research has shown that neutering at a very early age can affect the growth hormones and effect the rate at which the growth plates close.  We did get Webber neutered at a very early age.  Our vet at that point had told me they would neuter at either 4 pounds or 4 months (whichever came first).  The 4 pounds came before the 4 months.  I still to this day blame myself for all of his problems.  Four weeks after surgery to correct the fractured femur he fractured his other femoral head and had to have surgery on the other leg.  But after all of this he was never in poor spirits or ever showed any signs of pain.  He was a real trooper.  Just last year (summer 2009) he had to have another surgery to repair a torn ACL ligament.  Then again he was wonderful.  I got to work from home that week and slept upstairs with him all week.  We had a matress on the floor with pet stairs that he used to walk up to the mattress. We got very close during that week, and he got very very spoiled.  He has always been a lap cat, but til this day he and I are still close.

What is in store for us today?

Well, my xanax has almost kicked in.....yesterday was quite a wonderful day for Webber. He spend almost the whole day in the greens (<100 BG).  Amazing.  However this morning his AMPS BG was only 89.  While this is really excellent news and everything that we are all working towards, I wasn't quite sure what to do as far as shooting.  I didn't want to lose all the progress we have made by not giving a dose.  Last night I was fully prepared for his to drop too low and run around getting all my supplies.  I got more strips, some HC (high carb) food with gravy (in case his BG drops <40)......Last night he did GREAT!  Don't think he ever dropped more that 60 and it help over this morning!!

I went with my gut and shot his full dose of insulin.  I pray that I will not pay for it later.  Unfortunately I do have to go to work today but I am going to be a little late so that I can get a +1 (1 hour after shot) before I leave.  I am also comtemplating letting my director know what is going on.  She has had pets with diabetes as well and understand what I am dealing with.  Yet, I don't want her to think this is going to become the norm.  It is just that this morning is unchartered waters for Webber and I.  I am afraid not to be here and monitor him for a few hours.

I will check in later with how things so and whether or not I choose to tell my director why I may be really late.

Well Webber's day cycle was absolutely perfect! He surfed the 70's all day and allowed me to test his BG every hour for 8 hours.  So tonight when I tested his PMPS BG and got 86 I decided to go ahead shoot a full dose again.  I am prepared to see how long this run can go. I got so nervous after 1 1/2 hours that I tested and was surprised to see a 125.  I admit I was relieved to see a higher number; that meant that I could relax and not worry so about him dropping too low.  He ate good and I gave him some new treats that I got as well.  The treats a freeze dried chicken pieces.  All the kitty's love it!  I waited to test again at +3 and it was 154.  Now I am embarrassed to admit that I am sad.  I knew that today's wonderful cycle could not continue to last.  Oh this sugar dance is roller coaster for my emotions too!  I am so sensitive to begin with and just seem to go back and forth with how I feel about Webber's numbers.  I am hoping that he will gradually drop back into the greens tonight, 

I would never want to say this on the message board because there are so many other momma beans on there that are dealing with much worse numbers and are feeling even more frustrated than I am.  So, that is why I blog.  This way I get to vent all my thoughts and emotions to just get it out of my system!!!

He is more active right now which makes me happy, but ....ok I am just going to say it.....Damn Webber come back down please!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adventerous Inquistive Webber (for now)

Oh my gosh.  I just cannot get over how much better Webber must be feeling.  He has been running around playing, harassing his sisters and being so inquisitive.  It warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes to see him feel good.  It maked me wonder just how long he wasn't feeling good.  His FD symptoms did not show up until about 2 months ago.  All of this prior lying around was hard to distinguish from when he layed around because of his orthopedic issues.

The message board that I have found (or as DH would call it "my support group") is almost like an extended family.  It is so wonderful to have found such a large group of people that care about their cats as much as I do about mine.  For so long, friends never understood my connection and love for my babies.  I feel at home with these people.  And for the first time last night, I got to help another user when she got a little freaked out because her kitty got into the greeens (BG <100) for the first time.  It felt good to use what I had learned from watching other's go through the same thing.  Becasue of the message board, there were others there for her to help talk her through what to do and what not to do.

Today is a great day!!!!

Webber showed me his first green today!

Wow, I had such a pity party last night and got a total 180 today.  Webber's morning BG was pretty good.  The low 200's so I was glad that he was seeming to come back down a little.  I knew that I would probable be busy today so I wasn't sure if I was going to try and come home for lunch to test or not.  But who am I kidding, I can't seem to help myself when we are still so new in the game.  So I came home from work for lunch and to run some errands.  Webber has been constipated too lately so I decided I would clean the litter box first to check on any progress he might have made in the potty.  Well, there was no luck there.  Then I decided to go ahead and check his BG and go back to work.  As I was putting pressure on his little ear and waiting for the glucometer to read I briefly glanced down and read the number.  It didn't quite register correctly in my brain and I found myself in disbelief.  I looked again and realized that it read 92!!!  OMG!  I freaked out and could not believe my eyes.  He has never gone below 100.  I of course thought that there was something wrong and I needed to test again.  I refrained myself from doing that though.  I was so excited I had to tell someone.  I got on the FDMB right away and posted this great news.  Nicole was there right away and telling me how happy was.  I asked if this was ok?  Was this too much, because that meant he had dropped over 150 points in 5.5 hours.  She made me feel better when she reminded me that Baby had done that several times.  I got nervous and proceeded to give Webber several of the freeze dried treats and see if his BG would come up when I tested agian before I left.  About 25 minutes later I tested him again and he had gone up 30 points.  So it really was that low!!! 

He has also been very active today.  Playing and harrassing his Lacey.  I don't think that I like this part of him though.  He can be pretty rough with her and I don't like to see it or hear her growl to try and get away fro Webber.

We had a good run for a while

WoW!  This last weekend was a little miracle.  Webber had a nice run with blues for more that 24 hours straight.  That means that his BG's were in the 100's for quite a long time.  I was so happy and he really seemed to feel better as well.  He was being his old playful self.  I guess I had forgotten how much he would just lay around.  I got used to that when he had his multiple orthopedic issues....he would just lay around.  But, even though I was feeling happy, in the back of my mind I was also being really paranoid that it wasn't going to last.  Being my superstitious self, I figured that once I vocalized how well he was doing that would be the end of it.  I have seen multiple other cats on the message board that have had numbers all over the place so I wasn't expecting to be so lucky.

This morning my fears came true.  Webber's AMPS was in the upper 200's and I was decidedly very sad.  I tried to convince myself that this was bound to happen and his numbers will come down again, however I had to come home for lunch just to see if the numbers were coming down.  I was able to come home and get a +5 reading and yes the numbers had dropped, but not enough to settle my nerves.

This evening his PMPS was even higher--in the 300's.  I admit I had to have a drink after that.  Yes, I am weak when it comes to my nerves (lol).  I was just able to test +2 since his PM shot and he had dropped about 60 points. That is great!!

So today was my little pity party again.  I hate to whine about Webber's numbers when I see so many others kitties with such higher sugar counts.  But when it is your baby it is hard.  I was so determined when we started this that I was going to fix him and make it all better for my baby.  I am still determined but I am slowly learning that the process is not so straight forward and takes a lot of patience that I lack already.  They say god won't give you anything you can't handle.  We shall see how this goes later tonight.

Stopped getting my hopes up already!

Well, I have officially stopped getting my hopes up that Webber's liver is going to cooperate any time soon.  I know if has only been 5 cycles since his dose increase so we may still be dealing with rebound, but I have decided to just let it happen when it happens.

His symptoms have all but disappeared (knock on wood really loud!!), it is just his BG that won't come down.  One person on the FDMB explained that sometimes you will never see any action until you get "just the right dose".  *sigh*  I think we are in for the long haul here.  I was so hopeful in the beginning that we could beat this fast and he would go into remission quickly.  Litlle did I know....Webber had other plans for us.  lol

This morning when I tested his little ear I got this really big drop of blood.  This is good, but was worried that he was getting phlebitis (unless they are little capillaries and then I don't know what to call it).  It appeared that his little spot that I test was swollen.  Then I remembered that I was not switching out the lancets between testing.  OH MY GOD!!!  I am such a bad bad mommy!!  All this time using the same lancet , I was introducing bacteria into his little ears.  Thankfully, when I massage and mess with his ears, it does not seem to bother him in the least.  I immediately started using new lancet every time I test.  What was I thinking?  I am in healthcare, I know better!!!  I will continue to watch for any warmth and swollen ears. *sigh*

I think I am having a little bit of a pity party today.  The plus side is that wheneven I test him now I don't expect any good BG's.  I pray to god that one day we will turn around.  I know it will happen, it just wears on your nerves and patience.  I want Webber to be better now!!!

I have been testing his urine ketones whenever I get a chance.  However, the last couple of times the color just doesn't fit any on the bottle.  At the 15 second mark it looks negative, but the longer you leave it the darker it gets.  I learned from Med Tech school that you should read when the instructions tell you too, because the color can continue to get darker and may not necessarily mean anything.  I will try again this evening if I can catch him in the litterbox.  Poor thing, he is never safe from mommy's watchful eyes.

Right now is the time to check +11 but he just ate.  What the heck, I will test him anyway.  New Lancet already ready!!

New Dose Sunday

Today we raised Webber's again.  He finally hit the whole numbers (1U)!  Woohoo.  This really is getting easier.   One or two weeks ago I never thought I would EVER say that.

We all have a routine.  Test BG in the morning at 6:45am, everyone gets a treat, I make their breakfast (while Webber and fat boy eat off the counter) and then I shoot.  The cutest thing to me is how all 4 kitties react when the glucometer beeps.  Webber immediately gets up and all the rest are ready for their treat (dried salmon).  BTW - that stuff is the bomb!

Will check back in later to update on how Webber's doing with his new dose.  We may get "NDW" or RBC.  NDW-new dose wonkiness RBC - rebound city.

TGIF! Today marks one week on Lantus!

It is sad that I am only happy that it is Friday because I will be able to catch some random BG's over the weekend on Webber.  Poor baby, I never give him a break.  Even in the litterbox I am either checking to see if he has pooped or checking his urine for ketones.

This morning Webber's BG was quite high at 373.  Last night when I gave his PM shot, he squeeled a little, which made me wonder if I got the shot into the muscle rather than sub-q.  So....his high AM BG could be due to a bad shot or just be part of this "sugar dance".....go up and go down, turn around, go up.

I am getting better at focusing on work while I am there, but today is hard.  I am struggling with leaving work during my lunch break to go home and test.  I sure hope that this mornings shot was good.  A good sign is that he did not feel it.  Yay!

Can't wait til this evening to see if his numbers have fallen.  Today marks one week on Lantus.

Increase Insulin Dosage = Rebound

Two days ago we went ahead and increased Webber's insulin dose from 0.5U to 0.75U.  It helped and his BG numbers went lower that day.  Got home and tested and was happy with 170.  I posted these results on the FDMB and someone told me that I might want to test his PMPS about 15 minutes early because we may be looking at a rebound soon.  In case his liver kicked in, due to a day of low BG numbers, I might want some advice on how much to give that night.  Those ladies must be psychic!!  I tested 1 hour later and it had shot up to 251.  How did they know?  These ladies on the message board have been working with their kitties and helping other mommy's for years.  They have got some serious experience.  One user explained the rebound as "liver training school".  When they body is so used to having such high BG numbers if reacts to lower numbers by dropping extra glucose into the blood stream.  I was told that is could last just 12 hours or up to 72 hours.  The next morning his BG was in the 300's.  So yes we did have a rebound kitty.  BOING!

This morning his BG was in the 200's and that makes me feel like we are doing a little better.  He was also playful this morning.  That was the first time, in a long time, I got to see him playful. that early.  He usually just lays in the closet while we get ready for work.  I hope this means he is feeling better.  If not dropping the BG numbers low enough yet; the Lantus must certainly be keeping the numbers level.  That has to feel better.

We now have a constipation party going on in the house.  All the kitties seem to be having some bowel issues.  Webber has always had this problem, but while he was still drinking alot of extra water, things were "moving" (if you know what I mean).  lol  But now everyone has really slowed down on drinking any water and they're having problems going.  I always add water to the food, so I know they are getting an ample supply, but I would like to see some drinking.  My DH bought some Miralax this evening for me to give to the kitties.  It had been recommended because it is not a stimulant laxative, but rather aids in water intake into the intestines.  Miralax comes as a powder and you can just add it to the top of their food.  I added 1/8th tsp to their dinner.  We shall see over the next few days if it makes a difference.

Webber's Spreadsheet

Just thought I would add a screenshot of Webber's spreadsheet.  It was a little complicated for me at first, with all the colors and acronyms.  But it didn't take long to become a pro.

Today we increase Webber's dose

I know that is had only been 4 days since Webber started his insulin injections.  But at twice a day shots that is considered 8 cycles and they say it is okay to increase after 8 cycles, if you have gathered enough data.  I was able to get a full glucose curve on Webber this past Sunday and the data shows he needs more insulin.  Based on the protocols and calculations per ideal weight, Webber could have been started on 1.4U.  However, after the scare I got from the vet office I decided to be conservative. 

Hopefully we will start to see some action.  His AMPS (AM Pre Shot) BG was 288.  Lower than the last few days, but still too close for comfort to 300.  I just worry about his little kidneys and don't want to create any organ damage because of my cautiousness  His health is the most important thing to me at this point.  But don't get me wrong, all the other babies are enjoying Webber's special attention too.  I don't know if I already mentioned this but they all gather around when I am testing Webber's BG because they know they all get treats!  All the kitties are now on strictly low carb high protein diets and treats only consist of freeze dried protein (specifically salmon).  They LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  Scarf it right up.  Sprinkling a little of it on their wet food is good to get them to eat as well.

They have all adjusted very well to the wet food diet and I do not ever see them even go to their prevous feeding areas.  I used to have three different feeding stations throughout the house where they could graze on dry food.  They don't seem to miss it.  AND with the wet food diet (plus water that I add) they are no longer drinking from their water bowls.  I have been told this is normal.  Cats do not have much of a thrist response to begin with and they are getting what they need from the wet food.  I always add extra water to make the can food a pudding consistancy.  Another plus to the diet change ---hairballs are much cleaner; believe it or not.  There is not all that extra dry food mush mixed in with the hairball.  NICE - mommy likey!  And their BM's have seem to decrease as well.  As they say----less garbage in, less garbage out.

We have almost settled into a regular routine after just 4 days.  This will get better and pretty soon not seem like such a big deal.  I can't wait to see how Webber acts and feels once we can successfully get his BG's in the low 100's.  Hang in there baby---I am trying as hard as I can to get you there.

Till later.

This evening completes 8 cycles on 0.5U of Lantus

Webber's data shows that his BG's are still hovering around mid 200's to mid 300's.  I worry that he is going to keep losing weight.  This weekend both my mom and Thomas' mom said that Webber looks like he has lost weight.  Overall, he has only lost 1.5 pounds, but I can tell.  Also, his coat seems so disheveled.  I know that I am being overly observant at this point.  Others have to keep reminding me to stop focusing on the numbers and observe Webber's behavior.

Based on tomorrow's AMPS level we will decide whether or not to move up to 0.75U.

Third day in Lantus Land!

Today begins the third day of insulin injections.  Yesterday morning was a mess.  We all have a routine on workday mornings, so it is easier to get his AM preshot BG reading.  But yesterday was the first weekend.  I get up and go to the kitchen to test webber.  Of course they are all hungry and hovering, smelling the empty cans that have been washed but just not taken out to the recycle bin.  It was a joke!!!  You should have seen me trying to test Webber!  He would NOT stay still.  Only interested in eating.  I gave in and fed all the little buggars.  I decided to just to ahead and give Webber his 0.5U of insulin.  However, I did my first "wet noodle" from my friends on the FMDB message board.  I should always get a BG level prior to shooting, otherwise I am shooting blind.  I knew this, but I just got so darn nervous and worked up.....  Mommy needed a xanax after that whole ordeal, lol.

Webber;s numbers floated in the high 200's to low 300's all day.  This morning his reading was 314.  Last nights "before bed time" test was 304; so at least we are not having a roller coaster going on over here.  I can't wait until we start surfing in the low 200's.  I just have to keep telling myself that this is going to take time.  Lantus creates a "storage shed" of insulin and his Lantus will eventually kick in.  Slow and steady wins the race!  After two weeks on 0.5U we can increase to 1.0U.

I LOVE that he can't even tell when I inject him.  That is the best part.  AND now that I am using a pen to test his BG's---that doesn't bother him either.  The pen is much quicker......mommy was not as fast when using the lancet free hand.

Now----I have to order some more lancets and testing strips online.  **much cheaper online**

Webber and mommy's first day on insulin at home

Today has been an exciting and nervous day for Webber and me.  Well....I am pretty sure Webber is just fine and dandy....it is me that is nervous and unfocused at work.

Tried a few times this morning with DH testing Webber's pads.  Those pads don't cooperate to much.  Too many little crevices for the bead of blood to sink into.  So we gave up and said we would try again on Saturday.

This decision didn't sit too well with me though.  As I was getting ready for work I was wandering around worried and feeling that is just wasn't right to get a BG reading on him.  My DH asked me what was wrong.  I told him that I was worried about Webber being hyperglycemic.  Hubby told me not to obsess about it and that he would be fine, but that if I wanted to try again he would help me.  At this point I was already supposed to be at work.

I had a different pen and lancet available, so I decided to give it a try.  Up until that point I had been testing freehand with just the lancet, but I knew it was hurting him.  With the pen he doesn't even feel it (YAY!)  I went into the closet where he was laying down (a morning routine) and tested his little ear with the different pen and bigger lancet.  SUCCESS!  But his BG read 350.

We agreed that Webber should go ahead and get his first injection from mommy.  My hubby suggested 1-1.5U.  I held firm at 0.5U.  The guardian angels in Lantus Land also agreed that 0.5U was good to start with.

Ran home during my lunch break to test him at +3 and his BG was 254.  Woohoo!  I was not able to test him at +6 but hoping he is okay.  When I left earlier there was still wet food out for them to graze on. 

One hour to go before I rush home and get the +9 reading!!

Tough 24 hours

I wasn't at all happy with how my vet started Webber on the insulin.  I do not know what her protocol for PZI is but she must not know the protocol for Lantus.  Actually, I should have guessed that since she had not even heard of the Solostar pens that I had.  *sign #1*
When I called the talk to a tech around 1pm yesterday, she told me that they gave him 4 units of insulin.  My heart started racing and I asked what his BG was before they started.  She told me it was four hundred something.  I got so upset right then and there because I knew that it was the stress that was causing those kinds of numbers.  He was consistantly reading <200 at home.  I hung up and got on the FMDB message board.  Everyone was supportive in how I felt and understood.  I emailed my boss that I had an emergency and left work to go and check on my baby.  I did not call ahead of time.  I was prepared to take him home if they were going to deny me seeing him.  I mean 4 units!!!!  From all the reading and research I had done on Lantus, you usually start around 1unit.  I couldn't believe.....

Once I got there they did let me go back.  He was hiding as much as he could in the back of the cage.  He looked so frightened.  I took him out and gave him loving.  We were able to go into an exam room and spend some time together.  I stayed for a while and felt comfortable enough to let them finish their day of testing to get it over with.

I was finally able to pick him up 12 hours after i dropped him off.  At that point his BG was 82.  The vet had already left for the day so I never even got to talk with her.  The tech called her on the phone, relayed all the BG #'s from throughout the day and them the tech game me the info that the vet told her to say.

Her Instructions - give 4units of insulin once a day for two weeks and then bring him back for another curve.  I told the tech that I was not going to bring him back to be subjected to wrangling out of a cage with a net for testing.  (Okay, I didn't use those exact words, but that is what I was thinking).

I asked the tech-what do I do if I get up in the morning and his numbers are below 200?  The tech actually told me that I did not have to test before giving the insulin.  OMG!!!!! 

At 11pm that night his BG was 100.  The next morning (24 hrs post injection) his BG was 157.  WTH?  She wanted me to give 4 units without testing?  I think Webber would have been in some serious trouble.

AND TO TOP IT OFF-----once I got home last night I realized that no one had shown me how to give an insulin injection, where to give the injection, how to measure it in the syringe and when to give it (before or after meal)!!!!!  That is just wrong.  As I am typing this I am thinking that I am going to call tomorrow to tell the vet this.  How can this happen?  Since he was DX 12/23/09 I have only had ONE telephone conversation with herm and that was after I specifically requested not to speak to a tech.

Oh the drama.

This evening when I got home I was fully prepared to test Webber's BG and start on 0.5units.  However, Webber was not ready.  LOL  We tried and we tried but just could not get a level from him.  He was getting angry and I did not want him to start to associate all of this with something bad.  So my DH and I decided to give Webber and myself a break until tomorrow night or Saturday when we are here to test.

Until then.....

Today is the day!!

I dropped off my little baby Webber at the vet to start his insulin.  But not after crying last night.  I was so hopeful that diet alone would make a difference, but it did not make a good enough difference.  I know that in the long run this will make him feel much better, but I just feel so sorry for my baby.  It just isn't fair.

I packed up his little tote bag last night.  His syringes, a can of food, some treats, a print out of his BG#'s from home testing, glucometer.  Printed out instructions for the vet on how to remove the insulin from the pen (because she said she was not familar with it).  I was able to sleep because I medicated myself :-)

This morning at the vet I took a sharpie and wrote instructions on his can food of how to add water and make it like a thick shake consistany.  They probably think I am crazy, but I don't care....he is my baby for god sakes.

I called about 10 minutes ago and they told me that he did already start on the insulin.  So for the rest of the day they will test his BG every three hours. 

I finally stopped crying.  As soon as I walked out of the vets office the water works started.  Thomas fortunately called me as soon as I got in the car.  He must have known somehow that I needed him.  He talked me down and I calmed down a little, but cried some more until I got to the freeway.

Progress?

This evening when I got home from work I decided to check Webber's BG before his dinner.  It was 193!!!  OMG, that is the first time I have gotten a result below 250!  And this is the third day on 100% wet food.

I am going to call the vet tomorrow to see if she still wants me to bring him in for this Wednesday or if she wants to wait a little longer to keep testing.

I am torn.....I want to wait and see if the diet alone will control his BG, but I don't want to wait too long.  Waiting too long could cause his pancreas to have a harder time healing and him possibly going into remission.

We will see what the vet says tomorrow.  Fingers and paws crossed!!!

Melancholy

Today I woke up melancholy.  Every new day is a day closer to Webbers start on insulin injections.  I am scared of what is to come....how is he going to handle the injections....will he become hypoglycemic and I won't be home to save him?

The first two days after we start I will testing him in the middle of the day, just to make sure he doesn't fall to low.  I also worry if his little ears are going to get too sore from me testing/poking them so much. 

I did not test him yesterday because I wanted to give his ears a rest.

They don't go hungry much

We bought the larger 16oz cans of cat food yesterday.  It seems that they have enough food to graze all day and night.  Maybe this is not what I want?  However, it makes it similar to how they ate their dry food.  We will have to see.  I have been expecting for them to come to me in the morning starving but that has not happened yet.  I don't want them to ever be that hungry.

However, I started calculating and if I give them one large can in the morning and one large can at dinner that is a total of 32oz for the whole day.  When I divide that up equally that makes 8oz's per kitty.  I know that they did not eat more than a cup to cup and 1/2 of dry food every day between the four of them. 

So.....I guess I can cut down on how much I am giving them but I am still going to play it by ear. 

In the house we have one pet water fountain and two other regular water bowls.  Webber and one other cat always drink out of the fountain.  I have not had to fill it for the last two days.  This is good news, either Webber is not consuming as much water, or he is getting all he needs from the wet food.

The other two bowls have not been empty in the morning either.  The kitchen bowl was always empty in the mornings, but not for the last two days.  I guess they are all getting more water.  This is still good news.  Webber, who has always suffered from constipation is now having regular BM's since switching to wet food.  This is te best thing that has come out of this whole situation.  Poor baby would go days without a movement and when he did try, he would strain and strain.

I am going to see if I can get a BG level today that is not around the time he was eating.  If not I will try to get a level tomorrow morning before I feed them.  Last night his BG level was 273, but that was about 2 hours after eating.

Til tomorrow

Later - First day on 100% wet food

So it is 10pm and I have given the little bugars a total of 6 cans.  I think maybe I will try 3 tomorrow morning and 3 tomorrow night.

Webber's random BG for today was 267.  Still good!!  I am going to continue to get one random BG level once a day, until next Wednesday.  That way the vet will have 6 consecutive BG results to work with when starting him on insulin.

He doesn't seem to mind it when I prick his little ear.  I switch between ears every day.  He is such a trooper.  It was just about 6 months ago that he had his ACL/knee surgery, and just two years ago that he had two FHO surgeries.  Webber is truely our million dollar baby.  I love him so much.

First day with 100% wet food

This morning the kitties had finished  what little bit of dry food I left from the day before.  Today is going to be our first day to attempt 100% wet food!

Woke up at 8am (Happy New Year) and opened two cans of wet food.  All but one decided to dig in.  By 1pm the picky one had decided he was hungry enough to eat some and I realized that the plates were empty.  I may need to open 3 cans in the mornings if by 1pm it was all gone.  I have a feeling this is going to be trial and error for a while.  I decided to open one more can at 1pm and the picky one must have been hungry because he went right for it (good news!!!).

Let's see how long that can lasts. 

Yesterday Webber's random blood glucose of 250.  That is VERY good and the lowest I have gotten since I started testing at home.  Maybe by eliminating the dry completely he will continue to drop?  We can only hope.  I determined that the prescription dry food that the vet sold me is 18% carbohydrates.  They recommend that you give <10% carbohydrates to diabetic cats.  So.....eliminating that dry food may make a difference.  Time will only tell.....

There are many cans of cat food out there with <10% carbs.

Our first attempt at beginning insulin injections

Two days ago was supposed to be "the day" that Webber would begin his insulin injections.  Monday night I realized that I was out of test strips for the glucometer.  Thinking that I was going to need them for the day he started the injections, I went the next day to buy new strips.  I went to three different places during my lunch break to find the test strips.  I finally found them to be the cheapest at Target.  The lady at the pharmacy counter asked me if I had insurance.  I told her that it was for my cat, and she said "well I sure can't help you there".  LOL  She did look around for a coupon but could not find one. (at least she tried) :-)

Later that day I went to pick up Webber's insulin from the pharmacy.  That stuff is not cheap!!!  But these things I do for my babies....  So I get home with new test strips, insulin for the next day, syringes and my new sharps container.  I feel totally satisfied that we are ready for the next day to start.

I go to bed early that night and decide I am going to program the glucometer for the new strips.  I read the manual and learn how to do this.  I figured I will test the strips out just to make sure they are working.  Well.....I could not get the meter to suck up the blood!  My hubby and I must have gone through 11 strips that night testing each other and also using the control solution.  We got one to work, but that was it!  I resigned to the fact that they must be defective, and I will try to get new ones the next day.

The next morning I get up (a little wondering why my tummy was not all nervous) to take Webber to the vet.  Normally I am a basket case whenever I have to leave my babies at the vet all day.  But that morning I was feeling just fine.  I thought to myself that this was strange but I brushed it off.  I get everything I need to the car and come in to the house to get Webber, the insulin and syringes.  Just as I am about to take those things to the car, I drop the bag containing the *very high dollar* insulin on the kitchen floor.  I picked it up and thought to myself that I really need to check and make sure that it did not break.  IT BROKE AND I LOST THE ENTIRE VIAL OF INSULIN TO THE PALM OF MY HAND.

Of course I cursed myself and cleaned it up.  It stinks too btw.

I realized that the strips not working and me wasting Webber's insulin were 2 very good signs that we should not be going to the vet that day!!