Happy News!

Hello again, and here is a photo of myself napping with young Charles, of whom I am actually quite fond. 

Well, I have some favorable news to share...
my tumor was removed two weeks ago, and Friday I had the annoying stitches removed! There is no telling if the cancer is all gone or not, and no indication as to how much precious time I have left to live. But, the tumor is gone off my abdomen, which is a good thing, as it was growing rapidly. My maid is quite relieved and admonishes me to live at least one more year so she can get her money's worth! The nerve! (Apparently the cost of the laser surgery that I underwent was exorbitant.)

At any rate, we are still waiting for news from the v** as to whether or not the infection I had has been cleared by the three week course of antibiotics that I was forced to endure. If so, then I will be declared healthy and no more trips to the v** in the foreseeable future for me!

I do hope that everyone is enjoying the spring, which is rapidly turning to summer now.... the evening fires have stopped for the time being, but I'm relishing morning naps in patches of bright sunlight every day instead. The "boys" of the household have been attempting to regulate their behavior to something close to tolerable while I've been ill... so all is right with the world!

Leia

Difficult Times

A photo of me taken recently

Well, I've been incommunicado for a time, but my dear house maid has been busy doing whatever it is that she does on this computer, and as I have no idea how to use the laptop, I've had to put my own meanderings on hold. 

However, I think it is time I made a showing, as I have some rather difficult news to announce. My house maid noticed that there was a lump on my chest area and took me to the v**. She told the v** that she had also noticed lately that I've been drinking extra lots of water. Well, the v** did this and that and poked and prodded (as they will do) and took some kind of "tests". 

Turns out that I have a severe uti infection (not sure what that is, exactly), and I am in beginning stages kidney failure, and the lump on my chest is cancer, although that is early stage as well. 

My maid was given antibiotic liquid to give me for the infection, as nothing else can be treated, apparently, until that is cleared up. Needless to say, I was NOT fooled when she put it on my food, even when she presented me with white albacore people tuna, which I normally adore. I simply refused to eat it, and she knows better than to try to put it directly in my mouth.

So, back to the v** we went, and I was rewarded for my selective tastes with a shot of time-release antibiotic, and then 2 weeks later another one! According to my maid, the v** says that my infection is improving, and I have an appointment sometime in April (my maid refuses to tell me when!) for a re-evaluation of my condition.

All in all, I'm content with whatever my fate will be. I know in my heart that my maid has loved me all these years and that she will do what she can for my comfort. But with my 16th birthday only weeks away, lets face it, I'm no spring kitten! She cries, off and on, and is treating me with extra kindness, which I appreciate, but I wish she wouldn't cry. The price of love is loss.

I will endeavor to keep my friends updated with my progress, and in the meantime I will be carefully considering which of the four boys in my household I will entrust with continuing my blog. My maid snapped a photo of one of them, Winston, this afternoon that I thought rather charming:

At any rate, I'll leave you with a poem that I wrote about my maid, who is herself a poet of some repute. Perhaps I still have a year or two left in me to spend with her. Perhaps not. Time will tell.


Leia



A Poet's Friend

My home is where a poet dreams
of love and life and lore in verse.
When tumbling words elude, it seems
her calm and tranquil thoughts disburse.

But in a quiet reverie,
when words give way to weary sighs,
I come to share my poetry-
a murmur; gentle, soft and wise.

The poet's fingers, tired and curled,
find comfort in my sable coat
my soothing rumble smooths the world,
so poet's dreams can lift and float.

I wish that I could pause and stay-
my time with her is almost through.
Old age is calling me away.
I loved her well. I'm sure she knew.

Waiting for Summer

Winston at the Door

The weather has been nice lately, though not as warm as my maid would have it. She has taken to putting the cat scratch stools by the screen door and covering them with a blanket so that we can sit there and gaze out the door. Here is a picture of Winston, enjoying the view. I don't sit there much, but Charles seems to love to watch the birds from this new favorite spot! He insists that one day he is going to catch one, but I don't pay him any attention! He and Winston do enjoy the open door, though. They can have it! 

My favorite person was here last week for a visit - my maid's eldest daughter who lives in some far-away place called California. It was wonderful to see her again, and I was like a piece of velcro, stuck to her all week! I have adored her since I was a kitten.

It is the consensus of the household that I am fairly deaf now, but I don't really mind. All part of being a senior, I suppose. Less chatter to bother about, anyway! Much quieter for successful napping!

Hoping all is well with all of you, out in the cat blogosphere. Enjoy the coming of summer!

Leia

Nigel and I

Nigel and I

Nigel and I had a nap on the futon this afternoon, which was very refreshing. Normally, Nigel spends his time (and his naps) with Malcolm, but Malcolm was busy sitting on the stool that the maid placed before the screen door for him to look out, along with Charles. Why those two are so interested in that front yard, I just don't understand! I'd much rather be napping. 

No more talk of going  to the (v-word), but I have a feeling the maid is plotting against me. It's funny, the other felines here call her Mama, but to me she'll always be the maid. (My own mother was a beautiful seal point Siamese named Violet!) After all, she needs to remember that I am in charge of this household! (I don't think she doubts it, actually.) 

p.s. - not sure how many of you may have seen this video, but it is quite a charming display by a smart little cat!

A Little Bit of Worry

Charles in the Window

Today was warm enough to have the windows open for the fresh air. Charles loves to sit in the window and watch the birds. He thinks he can catch one, but I know better!

My house maid is concerned for me. Apparently she has concluded that I don't hear very well anymore. She calls to me and makes loud noises and I don't turn. I've had a chronic yeast infection in my ears for many years that is un-treatable (because I refuse to let her do it!), so she is not sure if that has damaged my hearing or what. But hey, I'm 15 years old, I could just be getting hard of hearing. I did manage to hear her talking to her daughter about taking me to the (v-word), but I hope she doesn't go to that extreme. I'm perfectly happy, and it just means I don't have to listen to her chattering at me all the time! Honestly, half the time she doesn't make any sense anyhow.

Getting old for a cat is probably very similar to humans experience of it. One thing after another seems to go. At least I still have my looks, I know that. And my appetite is as healthy as ever! My maid complains about her memory going, but I'm as sharp as a tack. So there! 

Leia

Sunday Snug

Nigel and Winston

Today was a relaxing Sunday for us. As you can see, Nigel and Winston managed to wedge themselves into the basket, which is clearly meant for just one cat! I would much rather nap on the couch, where there is plenty of room for curling up or stretching out, as the mood grabs me. But... to each his own! 


Spring is slow to come, here on Cape Cod. It was too cold today for the maid to open the windows, so we all went out on the side porch and found puddles of sun to sit in for the afternoon. Not much news from our house this quiet day, as my maid has spent most of the day working on the computer. I'm glad she finally gave me the chance to at least touch base with all my friends here! 

(ps: do you like my new music?)


Leia

A Milestone

Well, it has finally happened. I've officially reached old age! I had my 15th birthday this month, complete with a tuna fish cake, made for me by my maid and enjoyed by myself and my house mates. I must say, I think I look pretty good for an old gal! (this embarrassing photo was taken by my maid when I was bathing!) My house mates, Malcolm, Nigel, Winston and Charles are all well. Winston has transitioned nicely back into the household, and now he and Charles are the best of friends. You'd never know there had been so much friction between them! It is still cold up here on Cape Cod, though there have been a few days warm enough to have the windows open. My maid kindly puts pads on the window sills so we felines can sit and look out and get some fresh air. But, most nights are still chilly enough to enjoy the fireplace, which, of course, I love. My maid is well, and her daughter is still around, though she will be heading off to college in the fall (not sure exactly what college is, but once the other two children went there, we didn't see much of them anymore). There is word that my favorite of my maid's children will be coming home from California for a visit in June, which I very much look forward to. Well, at least now that I'm 15 I can legitimately share my years of wisdom with my friends. And pull rank on my house mates, but I've been doing that for years anyway! Hope all of you are having a pleasant spring.
Leia