posted
I'm very ill and my constant companion, a 5 yr old cat named Oreo, just died unexpectedly.
The vet isn't sure what killed him since his emergency tests were clear and he died before they could do further testing.
I'm heartsick. This cat sat in my lap for hours while I cried thru years of failed fertility treatments and later an ALS diagnosis. I just don't know how to cope with this sudden loss.
My husband stayed home from work 3 days because he's worried about me. I have lyme/ALS and a severe cold. I'm trying to hold it together so I don't kill myself with grief.
Does anyone have any way to help me cope with this sudden loss?
-------------------- Dxd ALS 3/2010 Dxd cllinical Lyme 4/2010 Positive for Protomyxzoa but absolutely nothing else in Igenex Posts: 417 | From central ct | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh, 2young, I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Some years back when we lost our kitty to illness, I was broken hearted for the longest time. It took a while before we got the courage to give our hearts to another kitty - but one day, we did. We went to the animal shelter and adopted Jimmy, a beautiful cat who has been my best friend for 14 years. I fear the day he leaves us.
Celebrate your kitty's life and be thankful for all the friendship he's given you. And when the time comes and you're ready, open your heart to a new furry buddy. Our animals keep us well.
Many hugs to you.
* * * * *
Posts: 251 | From Florida | Registered: Aug 2011
| IP: Logged |
lyme in Putnam
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11561
posted
I'm so sorry. Wish I could say something consoling. Oreo knows he was loved. Knowing that should help some. God bless.
-------------------- He took u to it, He'll you through Posts: 2837 | From NE. | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am really sorry. I had to say goodbye to one of mine a year ago at Christmas time, it is so hard to do. We welcomed a new kitten into our lives last spring and I am glad I did.
I've always considered my pets as family.
Sorry for your loss.
-------------------- Treating lyme, bart and babs Posts: 506 | From NE | Registered: Dec 2011
| IP: Logged |
karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753
posted
I am so sorry but also concerned. The cat was not sick and not old. Could you have mold, toxins,radon or parasites in the house?
The cat is smaller ond also more on the floor and gets sick before you get sick. She is like the canary in the coalmine.
You have an unexplained illness too. Are you sure there is no mold involved - remember the Britanny Murhpy case.
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
I am so sorry. Pets are better than friends sometimes. The love us unconditional, don't talk back, and are our companions.
I know this must have hit you very hard. Sometimes, just like people, it is their time to go.
May God bless you and comfort you during this time.
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
I am so sorry for your loss. No words are adequate, so just know we are there for you.
I have buried 4 furried friends in 5 years, and have another whose time is borrowed. Yet somehow, when the time was right, I have found those lost kindreds spirit come back to me in another form. It is always a gift and always blows me away. And thus still a houseful of animals.
So I say to you, let yourself grieve, because it is the first step to healing. And then keep your heart open. Because love always finds its way home.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
So sorry to hear about Oreo. Our pets are so special.
We had a beautiful calico cat named Pumpkin - a stray my daughter picked up.
She was so sweet, she even purred when the vet took her temperature - I'm not kidding!
I was heartbroken when she died. Maybe, when you are ready, and it does take time, another kitty might need a home.
Take care and God bless.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am sorry for your loss. I know how special animals are. May God grant you peace during this tough time.
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i am so sorry. i miss our two cats. they were good companions to our dog.
all are gone now. true unconditional love. i know how you feel. i still miss them.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ohhh Nooo!! I am so deeply sorry about Oreo. Sending love and hugs!
A friend lost his kitty on Christmas day...a four year old perfectly healthy kitty who died suddenly with no explanation. The ER vet suspected bacteria in the abdomen but the kitty arrested before they could do any further testing. She had a sudden drop in blood pressure. It was, like Oreo, sudden and unexplained, which makes it that much harder. I'm just so sorry for you.
Please know that we are thinking so much about you and pray for your comfort.
Posts: 677 | From Virginia | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great loss. God be with you. love jess
Posts: 651 | From ct | Registered: Sep 2011
| IP: Logged |
Jane2904
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15917
posted
So sorry for your loss. We just lost one of our kitties last week. He was very dear to us.
Sending healing thoughts your way.
Posts: 1357 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
sorry & sad to hear you lost your constant companion oreo. It is so hard when it is unexpected and you yourself are ill.
The pain of loss of a beloved friend is excruciating even while healthy. I hope reading the posts here give you comfort.
Please acceot my condolences.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
2Young, I am so sorry. I know how hard it is to have to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
I will tell you the things that have helped me. Put one foot in front of the next. It sound silly, but at times it needs to be conscious effort to do so. Give yourself some time and space, and it will get easier. I have found, through the loss of three unborn children and two pets, that mindfulness practice has helped me tremendously. I do not know if you know what that is, but if not, it is the art of being present and in the moment.
We hardly ever allow ourselves to be present. We blindly make the motions of our everyday existence, while our minds are focused on what happened yesterday at work, or on the chores we need to get done tomorrow. Have you ever driven to work, and when you get there you realize you do not remember driving there? (and I don't mean a Lymebrain moment) It happens when our mind goes ten million places other than wher it should be (driving your car in this instance) But if you can practice (it takes work at first) it gets much easier.
One thing you can do for mindfulness practice is to focus on your breathing. Slowly count 4 breaths in, and in the same amount of air, seven counts out. The purpose is to stretch the exhale out to almost twice the time as the inhale. And just breathe like that for 5, 10, or 20 minutes. You get into such a rhythm that you stop counting at some point and just keep the rhythm.
Another is to just allow your mind to be in the moment of whatever you are doing. So if you are doing the dishes, just let yourself do the dishes. Don't think about tomorrow, or yesterday. When a thought comes in your mind, whhich it will, just allow it to go out. Don't correct yourself by thinking "oh no, I am thinking again. I need to stop thinking!" Just let your mind let go of the thought. It really allows your mind to rest. With practice, it becomes second nature.
We had to put both of our dogs to sleep a year and half ago. One had been my dog since just after high school, and the other was her puppy. I travelled for years, living out of my van, or hitchhiking on the open road all over the country. Nesta was my companion and best friend. She kept me safe, warm, secure like no person would have been able to. It seems like Oreo was a similar bond for you.
We still cry for our dogs. But it gets easier. Allow yourself to feel the pain now, because it will just resurface at a later time if you stuff it down. I hope you have some support. Remember, just breathe. Four in, seven out.
Posts: 427 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
so sorry for your loss. I totally understand. Our animals are like our children.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
I used to be an emergency critical care tech and i am happy to try to offer a shoulder. Pm me details if you wish and i will be happy to give you an opinion. I am not a doctor, but i was cery good at my job.
posted
Thank you so much everyone. When I finally stopped crying enough to call the vet, I asked her what Oreo died from. She said there was a shadow on the xray that probably was string or something he had eaten. It must have obstructed his intestines and ruptured causing peritonitis.
Oreo's chances of survival with surgery would have been 50% and the surgery would have cost 8k. Being a chronic lyme patient, I obviously don't have that kind of money.
I'm alone all day and too ill to work. Oreo was such a comfort to me. I realise that I need a pet for my own health so I'm already visiting shelters to find an animal to keep me company. I loved Oreo so much but I won't survive without another furry best friend.
-------------------- Dxd ALS 3/2010 Dxd cllinical Lyme 4/2010 Positive for Protomyxzoa but absolutely nothing else in Igenex Posts: 417 | From central ct | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
HI, I am so sorry for your lose. I have always found this poem comforting when one of my companions have passed away.
RainbowBridge.com Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Grace
Posts: 27 | From central nj | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
We will be looking forward to hearing about your new pet. It's a great feeling to be able to rescue one. They seem to know it when you have saved them.
My daughter adopted one a couple of years ago from the pound and she has always been that dog's favorite person.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I'm just so sorry for you.
Printer-friendly view of this topic