Tuesday March 24, 1998 20 Messages ====================================== From: WORKPARK Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 01:45:52 EST To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, Thank you to all of you who wrote about Rissa-Tai. She's actually doing quite a bit better today, and her behavior improved when I called the vet and told them what was happening. Strange, I think she knew, and decided to get better. She's now sitting on top of the monitor as I type, and is talking again, being more active, and eating. Thanks once again to all of you who sent her good thoughts and wishes. Yes, I think it's a good possibility that she was somewhat depressed. If I remember, it isn't uncommon for the FeLV+ kitties to have a few bad days a month, I think Steve Lackow mentioned this in the past. Hopefully, that's what it was, and we'll just love her if it happens again. All the vet could suggest was force-feeding her A/D. Personally, I didn't think that was a good enough solution, but I'm sure they're frustrated with setbacks with her too. They do love her there, and the whole staff knows who we are. I spoke with the Oncologist today, and she suggested we start up the chemo again, but at a quarter pill every third day, for a minimum of six months. We also don't need to do the neupogen anymore, unless there's another problem. She also suggested we do a cbc every week to keep an eye on it so it doesn't get so dangerously low again, and we can catch any problems earlier. She suggested that we continue with the Immunoregulin as an IV until she won't tolerate it any longer, and then switch to sub-Q, and keep at 2 times a week for now. Also, to stay with the Interferon every day, at least for now, since that seems to work best for her. If she has any other changes, we'll do the bone marrow aspirate then. We figure we've held off this long, we can wait until there's more of a problem. She also wants updates on the cbc every week, so she can keep track. Does anyone here have any other suggestions? I'm always open to all the knowledge that's here. About her name - when I was about six, my family got our first cat. She was a Siamese, and my mother picked the name Tai-Tai, as that was the name of the King's favorite wife/queen in Siam (I don't know from which era). When she had babies, they were crossed with a Korat, and we kept one which we named Ling-Tai. Tai-Ling was the second favored wife/queen, but we figured that the first part of their names would sound too similar, so just switched it around. Then, we moved to AZ, and about six months after we got here, heard a cat crying in our apartment's backyard. She happened to be a pure-bred Siamese kitten that was dumped, and we named her Bou-Tai (pronounced like Bow tie). She, out of these three, is still alive, and a little old noisy lady of 16 or so at my parent's house. When I finally convinced my husband it was time to get a cat, we looked for a Siamese or a Siamese cross, and found a Siamese with white toes on her back paws from Lend-A-Paw, a rescue league in Virginia (where we were living at the time, just south of DC). She was 14 months old, and her name was Candy, but she didn't seem to like ithe name, and neither did we, so we renamed her Lai-Tai (my husband was taking Chinese at the time, and Lai means something in Chinese, I can't remember). She responded to Lai-Tai from the very beginning, and we've now had her for 4 1/2 years. She was really lonely, so in 1995 after we'd had her for 1 1/2 years, we decided to get a second cat. I went to the Animal Welfare League in Alexandria, VA, and asked them to call me when they got a Siamese or a Siamese cross, preferably a kitten, since Lai-Tai was older and it wouldn't challenge her that much. They called me about one cat, but ended up putting her to sleep because of some kind of nerve disease. Then, we got a call about a 10 week old kitten, named Marissa. Well, she was ours within two days, and the vet said she was probably only about six weeks old. After thinking hard, and being unable to come up with another name, we shortened Marissa to Rissa and added the Tai. That's how she got her name, and she is a very lovey baby who still mews like a kitten. She doesn't meow. One day, hopefully soon, I'll get her picture online for you all to see so you know who I fuss over so much. Sorry for rambling off the subject. It's an involved story. Bet you're sorry you asked! We have no idea what to call the next one, when we get one in the future. Tai-Tai's other babies were called Mai-Tai, and other Tai's by their owners, so we have a long history here, and we're running out of cute names! Til next time, Pam. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 22:22:06 -0800 From: Dana Crow Organization: Magical Moments Preschool To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Jenn says Hi! Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi all, I talked to Jenn today & she is no longer part of the list. She lost her last positive kitty in Jan. & has since got 4 more all negative. Her husband found homes for 2 & 2 they have kept. She was very sorry to hear about all the deaths of list members precious babies but asked me to say hi to everyone on her behalf. Dana -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 00:29:08 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Ann M Blais Subject: Jake & Panther Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello Nancy, How are Jake and Panther doing? And.....oh yes, why does Jake get Immunoregulin and not Panther? Sounds like you have a very nice family and a very understanding husband. Yes, it weights very heavily on my mind whether to put the cats together or not. Today, Gretchen escaped for a couple of minutes and went straight for Qetta who laid there like a big white puff ball and just let Gretchen go nose to nose to him. She trilled a couple of times trying to make friends before I scooped her up. Qetta looked so disappointed to lose a new friend so soon. I felt terrible putting her back into the room by herself. Now I wonder if when the noses touched, was Gretchen's wet? These are things I never would have thought about last year. What a difference a half a year makes in a persons life. When your first cat became felv+, were your other cats immunized for it at that time? If they were, do you happen to remember about how many times the cats that did not become infected with felv had had their yearly immunization injections. The answer to this may help me to decide whether or not I put the cats together. Sometimes, I think, what the heck, and come so close to letting Gretchen out and leaving my worries behind, then I think, "a much bigger worry may just begin if I do that". That is such a good idea of yours to have pre-arranged for your cats if something should happen to you and your husband. That made me think what to do if something were to happen here, but there doesn't seem to be any place that my kitties can go. If my children are not allergic to the cats, their children are. The local shelter is not a 'no kill shelter' and if any other person I know liked or wanted a cat, they certainly would have taken Gretchen in. Maybe I will check the out of town shelters to see whether there are any 'no kill shelters' around and see if any arrangements can be made that way. This list is the best thing that has come into my life at this point in time and I'm sure everyone on it feels the same, I just can't say enought good things about it! It sounds as though you have a good disinfecting routine going at your place. I hope I can do as well if and when Gretchen comes out of 'her room'. Ann -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 07:06:04 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Status of the computer situation Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net James, So happy to hear about your keeping the equipment. I think I will write another letter just to reinforce my feelings. Congrats! Nancy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 07:10:28 -0600 (CST) From: "Nancy A. Schmall" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Ernie Update Cyprohepatadine Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Janie, Can't hurt to try another vet. The least that can happen is you'll go back to the original one. A few years ago I was unsure about a vet's decision regarding those rawhide chews for dogs so I called several others and talked to them via the phone. No one charged me and I got some other opinions. Perhaps you could do the same regarding your cat's sore gums--that way you wouldn't be out extra money. But I would encourage you to seek out another vet if disatisfied with your present one. It could make a world of difference. Good luck! Nancy -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 14:22:45 +0000 Subject: Re: Jim's Computer Status Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi Linda, > Jim--need to know what type of HD you need, not size, but what do you need to > hook up to your existing equipment? Linda P in Sacramento I use an IBM PC, and the HD is on an IDE connection. I hope this is what you're asking. If not, email me privately for more details. In the meantime, I want to let everyone know that I don't *yet* have the money together to make these upgrades, so there is no hurry to get any ideas together. Also, I am a bit worried that, once I fix up this computer, that state agency will take it back since it would then be usable to them. Still, I'd like to thank everyone for their continued support, and I will continue to work on these projects with my best efforts. Take care, and best wishes. In loving memory of Vyvyan: March 20, 1988 - August 15, 1997 James G. Wilson phaedrus@ctnet.net, phaedrus69@hotmail.com, felv@angelfire.com http://www.angelfire.com/il/felv/ http://www.litchfieldil.com/members/phaedrus/ http://www.fortunecity.com//skyscraper/sterling/20/niu.html -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 15:44:39 +0000 From: LawBet Organization: Home for Wayward Felines To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Ernie Update Cyprohepatadine Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Nancy, My wife, just today, bought some of those dog rawhides for our 13 kitties. Perhaps you could share with me your experience with them and your opinions. Thanks. Larry (The Lurker) -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 15:58:09 +0000 From: LawBet Organization: Home for Wayward Felines To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Jim's Computer Status Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net To All, Since upgrading Jim's computer might cause him to lose it, and since he is doing all of this work for us, we might consider just sending him a monetary contribution towards the purchase of his own system. That way nobody could take it away from him and he could continue his great efforts on our behalf. I have no idea as to the number of folks now on this talk list, but it seems to me that the more there are, the less each would need to send in order for him to obtain a system having the required power and storage capacity.The prices recently have really come down. Naturally, no one should feel bad or guilty if they can't afford to send anything. Everyone within their means. I'm sure Jim would want it no other way. And, by the way, I have not consulted him prior to posting this message, so if anyone wants to blast me for it, feel free. But your thoughts on this will still be appreciated. Larry (The Lurker) -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 17:46:02 -0600 Subject: Ernie's Report Card To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hello, everyone, Ernie had his second Acemannan treatment today. He received 4.4 mg. in the stomach, 2mg in the groin tumor, and one mg. in the jaw tumor. Barb, the doc said the lidocaine would sting, maybe more than the needle; I guess she didn't have any novocaine. She was really busy. So Ern got it raw again; at least she was able to give him a full milligram this time. The doctor thinks Ern's tumors are smaller, too. She said the one in his groin is much softer. (Ernie's tumors (fibroid sarcomas) are very hard--they feel like cartilage.) There was also some cottage-cheese like discharge from the tumor yesterday. The vet said this is fine because the Acemannan causes the body's white cells to cause necropsy in the tumor. So that is why the groin tumor is softening and possibly shrinking, she thinks. The tumor (actually it's a small tumor chain) on Ernie's jaw seems smaller, but it is still very hard. We are hoping that the tumor will begin to soften up and decompose some this week. He has lost a little weight, A month ago, he weighed nine pounds (down three from his usual 12). Last week he weighed 8.8, and this week 8.4. However, he has been eating again since last night. Maybe I'll keep the "junk" food (Fancy Feast ocean fish and tuna) on hand to jolt his appetite. (Nancy, I am going to get a prescription for that antihistamine you recommended so I will have it on hand if I need it next time.) He's on AD right now; he even ate a little at the vet's this morning. Then I picked him up at lunchtime and put some down for him and he's been eating more. Also, he got in Roger's lap last night and stayed there for a few hours. So it seems like he's feeling better, and maybe making some progress. Thanks, Susan -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 16:01:00 -0800 From: Dana Crow Organization: Magical Moments Preschool To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Jim's Computer Status Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Larry, no blast from me on this one. Since I am on the west coast of British Columbia sending Jim a bit of money as a "gift" or doanation would be a much simpler way for me to help Jim & give my thanks for all he is doing & has done in past. Count me in as one who will support the cause.Dana -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 17:58:58 -0600 Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Hi, Pam, I'm glad to hear Rissa-Tai is feeling better. It sure is an emotional roller-coaster ride some of us are on. I never thought I would be grateful for things that seemed so insignificant just a while ago. So I think I know how much it means to have Rissa-Tai mewing at you. I don't know about the treatments for Rissa-Tai, but it sounds like you are near a top-notch facility. Take care, Susan -------------------------------------- From: katseven@pcsia.com Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 18:03:26 -0600 Subject: Re: Jim's Computer Status To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I would like to contribute, too. Susan -------------------------------------- From: "James G. Wilson" To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 19:19:12 +0000 Subject: (Fwd) Re: FIP Prevention wise? Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 20:09:55 -0500 From: Tookie Myers Reply-to: ccmyers1@erols.com To: phaedrus@ctnet.net Subject: Re: (Fwd) FIP Prevention wise? > ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- > Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:56:30 -0800 > From: Dana Crow > Organization: Magical Moments Preschool > To: felvtalk@MailingList.net > Subject: FIP Prevention wise? > Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net > > QUESTION?? > is it smart to try using the FIP nasal spray on a FelV cat to cut down > the chance of getting the disease? How is it spread? Cat to cat? or can > it live within them prior to symptoms? I would sure like to do whatever > is necessary to help my 3 not get it.Dana It is spread cat to cat and can be present in a cat for long periods of time with no signs. The intranasal vaccine is safe and fairly effective. If you think your cats may be at risk, by all means vaccinate them. Check with your veterinarian on the factors affecting the risks in your particular case. M. W. Myers, D.V.M. -------------------------------------- From: "Lynn Stickels" To: "felvtalk" Subject: Re: Jim's computer Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 16:58:15 -0800 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net I will be happy to contribute whatever I can to Jim's computer fund.:) ...................Lynn(Stinker) -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 20:14:51 -0500 From: Andrew Sherrod To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Jim's Computer Status Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Count us in!!!! I thought that's what we should have done in the first place!!! :) -------------------------------------- From: "Claude Horstmann" To: Subject: com-pu-ter Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 20:49:44 -0500 Reply-to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Deal me in on the computer .... altho I think that DORS may have received more than just 7 letters regardez our James... Has there been any response to scholarship/grant opportunities that we were trying to pursue ? How's about the drug companies ? Are we going underground with this, or can we discuss these issues openly ? What we need here is a stroke of pure marketing genius.....you're all quite right, I too thought that passing the hat would be the most expedient thing.. maybe that's the stroke of marketing genius we are looking for ? keep the talk going... .marilyn. -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 22:01:06 +0000 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: BILL BEAMISH Subject: Computer Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Larry, Great idea! Count me in also. Judy -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 22:24:06 -0600 To: felvtalk@MailingList.net From: Ann M Blais Subject: Re: Rissa-Tai Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Pam, Glad to hear that Rissa-Tai is feeling better. She probably gets a bit overwhelmed with all the treatments, etc. she needs to have to keep her healthy. We humans also get fed up with hospitals, doctors, medications, etc. sometimes and start feeling sorry for ourselves for a couple of days then get back into the routine again. It's lucky for her that you have the educated vets available and willing to help her in any way possible. I wish my vet had given Gretchen the Immunoregulin through IV instead of SQ. Don't you just love it when they 'talk' to you? She's probably dictating a letter for you to type. Ann M -------------------------------------- From: "Cheri Gardiner" To: Subject: Re: Jim's computer Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 21:42:38 -0600 Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net Count us in too!!! This man has helped save my sanity and my kittens lives. WE'll help. Just tell us where and when to send it. Cheri G., Kitty & Chaz In memory of my little boy Mickey -------------------------------------- Date sent: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 22:22:55 +0000 From: LawBet Organization: Home for Wayward Felines To: felvtalk@MailingList.net Subject: Re: Jim's Computer Status Send reply to: felvtalk@MailingList.net To All, I appreciate all of the favorable responses so far. My MUCH YOUNGER sister Barb is going to talk to Jim tomorrow and get some specific information as to how we can go about it. As Kathy pointed out so well, we don't want to jeopardize any of his benefits. As soon as I get this info, I'll broadcast a "course of action" and a "battle plan" (jeez, just can't get away from that army talk). Until then, keep those favorable responses coming in and goodnight Mrs Kallabash, wherever you are. Larry (The Lurker) -------------------------------------- END