Monday March 16, 1998 Part 1 15 Messages ====================================== Date sent: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 23:46:12 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Ann M Blais Subject: Hello Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello Everyone, Sorry it took me so long to figure out how to get onto the felvtalk, but I got successful just when I really needed your support. I have posted many places since I first rescued Gretchen last October, so some of you may be familiar with Gretchen's story. Gretchen is to undergo surgery tomorrow morning to be spayed. The vet said it is necessary because she went into heat last week and it is not good for her to go through this because of the Felv. She was retested last week after her series of Immuneregulin shots and it came out positive much to my sorrow. I am so very worried for her to go through this. Tomorrow will be one of the worse days, I can't believe I am letting her go through this. She has not had much of a life since she was born and has been kept isolated from my two fur friends since she came here, so it has been lonely for her. She is such a sweetheart that I wish it would be possible to keep her forever if she comes through the surgery successfully tomorrow, but even that is impossible. My two fur friends were tested last week also, just to be on the safe side and it came out negative, so everyone is wondering why I am bothering to have Gretchen spayed. I guess I'm not sure myself except that I don't want her resistance lowered. This has been a rough four weeks for myself as I can't seem to shake this congestion thing in my chest even with antibiotics, it gets a little better then it gets worse again. I need to be strong just now for Gretchen and don't have time to be sick myself. Gretchen is small for her age weighing 5lbs 3 ozs. She plays so good and doesn't seem to be sick at all. She tries to play games she thinks I will like to keep me in the room to visit her longer. When I tell her time for 'night night' she wants to cuddle and does everything she can to keep me there that it would be really comical if it wasn't so sad that she cannot be with the rest of the family. I'm sorry this is so long, please forgive me for rambling on this way. I keep typing because the tears are trying to come out. Ann M -------------------------------------- From: chere@nwnexus.com (Cheryl A. Hyek) Date sent: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 21:19:50 -0800 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Hello Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Susan, I am glad that you joined the group. Misha, my little girl is four and although she is FELV, she isn't showing any signs as of yet. Reading your post has hit home for me. I am experiencing many of the feelings that you mentioned about your earlier years with Ernie..as for me, I am stil hoping that it will be a long time before Misha gets sick, and in my mind I keep hoping that maybe she'll be one of the luckier ones who just turns out to be a carrier. But I have to face facts, and this group is helping me to do just that. This has been a difficult time for us, as you already know, we lost three kitties this past week and one the week before. But you will meet folks who through their experience (and even grief) will be there for you no matter what. Misha and I send all good wishes for success in Ernie's treatments. -chere (and Misha) -------------------------------------- From: chere@nwnexus.com (Cheryl A. Hyek) Date sent: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 21:27:36 -0800 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Buddy's gone Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Liz, After being away from the list for a few days, I was saddened to hear of your loss, but rest assured, you gave Buddy the ultimate gift to set him free of his pain. You gave him so many good years (10 is a long time for FELV) and I'm sure that he is grateful for the love and care that you showed to him. Misha and I share in your grief and pray for our little friends who are still struggling with this horrible disease. *hugs* -chere (and Misha) -------------------------------------- From: chere@nwnexus.com (Cheryl A. Hyek) Date sent: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 21:40:44 -0800 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Hello Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Naomi, Glad to see that you found the list. This group is an excellent means of support. I am saddened to hear of Moira's death, but be there for Keigan now because he needs you so very very much. Moira is in a happy place now and is watching over the two of you. I'm sure you still feel her presence and are probably starting to see a little bit of her living through Keigan. This has been a difficult week for all of us. Hopefully we will begin to hear some happier news very soon. Keep posting and let us know how you and Keigan are doing. *hugs* -chere (and Misha) -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 00:35:41 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Ann M Blais Subject: Catlady Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Linda, Thanks for responding, I appreciate your concern. The vet told me that when a cat goes into heat it stresses them out a lot and that is something that should be avoided when they have felv. I saw how Gretchen was and it sure seemed to stress her out a lot. That is the first time I ever saw a cat like that, probably because my female cats are usually spayed before going into heat. With Gretchen I was hoping to wait until she tested out negative before having her go through this, but the Immuno shots didn't take on her. I hope that someday something else will work for her because if not, she will need to find another home. We travel with our fur friends in a motorhome and it would be impossible to keep Gretchen isolated in so small an area. I have been thinking on this since October and cannot come up with any solution yet. My husband likes cats okay but not at all like I do and cannot understand why I took Gretchen in and kind of gives me a bit of a hard time about her. He is expecting me to be able to travel with him in a couple of months, so time is getting shorter for Gretchen and I. She MUST become negative soon, I want to keep her with us so bad. First, she must get through Monday. Ann M -------------------------------------- From: "Helen Elizabeth Kennebeck" To: "felv mailinglist" Subject: Gretchen Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 06:44:21 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, I am supposed to be getting ready for work, but was so moved by your letter I had to respond. My heart goes out to you today as you wait for Gretchen to come out of her surgery. I will say many prayers for her. I hope the surgery will make her stronger. I imagine your sorrow every time you close the door to her room. Perhaps you know someone who might care for her after surgery; someone who doesn't have other kitties. Please post a message and let us know how she is doing. Liz In memory of Buddy 3-13-98 -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 08:07:47 -0500 From: Kathy Giddings To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Hello Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Ann and Welcome to this great list. I know you will find lots of support and great suggestions for keeping Gretchen strong and going. Best of luck today with the spaying and we will be waiting to hear from you as to how things go. Please keep us posted, as we all care! Crossed paws here that she comes through with flying colors. > > Kathy G and the three furries in Daytona Beach =^.^= - Rusty - =^.^= - Smokey - =^.^= - Money - see us at: http://cgi.gambitsys.com/homey/webdoc5.htm The Cat: Mother Nature's Masterpiece -------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 09:17:38 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felv mailinglist Subject: Re: wonderful group Reply-To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Liz, I just e-mailed you before I read this message. I am so glad Samantha's looking after you (and of course your friends too). I had to smile when I read your line about part of Buddy being in Samantha. I have that same feeling when one of my cats depart--eventually, they'll do something that the former cat did which really convinces me that we're all part of something, some same familiarity. In fact, our new "kitten" (8-9 mos. old, found in a tree in our yard, and weighing in at about 11#--loves to eat), has traits of 2 of my departed FELV+ kitties and my beloved "KiKi", 14 yrs. old, who died almost exactly a year from the day we found Max. It makes you wonder. I know when one of mine dies, somehow I become closer to the remainder, sometimes even feeling a little guilty about it. I take comfort in the fact that the departed one would want this to happen, that somehow he/she does not want to see me unhappier and therefore has relayed to the group to comfort me. Lovingly, Nancy. -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: Gretchen Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 07:13:05 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, Where are you located? Maybe we can get a home for Gretchen. I take in FeLV+ cats in my area. Let us know. Cheri G, Kitty & Chaz In memory of my little boy Mickey -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 09:08:49 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felv mailinglist Subject: Re: Ernie Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Liz, Buddy sounds like such a sweet cat. Please know I am thinking of you during these very hard moments. Happiness certainly is being owned by cats. Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 09:23:07 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: DMG Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Barb and others, I think Dr. Myers said 50 mg. DMG. Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 09:25:53 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Linda, I am not able to access the picture of Russian unfortunately, but I bet she is a darling. Can you describe her? I'm glad you are feeling better over her loss. I know it never goes away completely--ever. nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 09:30:19 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Hello Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Dear Ann, We are keeping our fingers crossed on Gretchen. Let us know how she fares. Is she on interferon? Many thoughts are with you today and WELCOME to the group. You will love the support and caring this group has to share. Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 09:33:39 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Hello Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Ann, I apologize. In my earlier message, I forgot to tell you I hope you are better as well! We have the same type of thing going around here--can't tell if allergies are making it worse. Sometimes using an expectorant like Guifsenson (sp.?) helps with the antibiotics--drink a lot of water!!! Having asthma, I have this type of thing at least once a year so I can emphathize. Sometimes it takes 2 courses of antibiotics. I don't know where you live, but if the heats on, humidify (even with one of those small steamers)! Thinking of you and Gretchen. Nancy -------------------------------------- From: DLMLLM Date sent: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 15:53:50 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Russian Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Nancy I think I might have sent the picture wrong. I thought you just had to drag it to email. I was hoping it worked right. Russian was a long haired black kitty with an unusual brown marking between her eyes and up her forehead. She had the calico colors in small areas. I've been scanning her photos into my files. They print out nice to. Just as a guestion. How do you save the wallpapers into the files so when you change the wallpapers the old one stays in the file to use later. Linda In memory of Russian. -------------------------------------- END