Back to the Vet

Thursday night, my wife had to rush Yum Yum back to the ER, because her other eye began to show signs of developing Uveitis. They ran a full panel of tests and we are still waiting for the results. They also treated her eye and gave us eye drops,Prednisolone Acetate, a corticosteroid, to place on her eye every 12 hours. She is also on Doxycycline Hyc., an antibiotic. After the first treatment, her eye looks like it is back to normal and as of this writing, it still looks good. However, her blind eye has developed glaucoma, which places additional pressure on the eye and produces further pain. This further necessitates her having the eye removed quickly. This trip to the ER did not come cheap. It cost us $405.95 and an additional $42.00 for the Doxycycline Hyc. The money, and then some, that I had added to Yum Yum's surgery fund, had to be used for this bill. Please, do not worry, the money you donated is still in the fund and will ONLY be used for her surgery.

Because they work with CreditCare, a credit agency used for Veterinary emergencies, WestVet will not work with us regarding a payment plan or with negotiating a lower price; However, they contacted one of the veterinarians they use to ask if he would do the surgery for the amount we have already raised, but he declined. Since we are in a debt restructuring program, we are forbidden from applying for any type of credit. I have also looked into some cat charities that offer assistance for the type of emergency we are facing, however, before they will look at our application, they require that we first apply to CreditCare; Basically, a never-ending circle.

My sister is also helping by using her craft skills to auction off items. She has sold 2 of the Maxine blankets and is going to be offering additional items to purchase, with ALL proceeds going to Yum Yum's Surgery Fund. I believe she is even going to be making a cat bed. When she is ready to put the items up for auction, I will post the information here so you can bid on them, if you so choose.

In the meantime, we will continue to look for a vet that will work with us.

Saying Goodbye to Yum Yum

Maxine Lap Throw

My wonderful sister posted this on her Facebook page to help Yum Yum...

As many of you may know, my brother's cat, Yum Yum, is in constant pain and needs to have her right eye removed and an implant placed in order for her to return to a normal, happy life. The surgery cost is such that funds need to be raised, as the veterinarian will not accept payments.
In an effort to help my brother and Yum and Yum, I have made this Maxine lap throw and am donating 100% of the winning bid to Yum Yum's surgery fund.

The throw measures:

• 43"  x  54" 
• Top is 100% cotton fabric
• Back is also 100% cotton, ultra snuggle fabric (very soft and cuddly)
• Batting inside the blanket is 100% polyester, non-allergenic, Hi-loft
• The binding is red marble flannel
• This throw is light, but very soft and warm.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional sewist, so please forgive any "not so straight lines" you may see in the binding.

The base price and starting bid for this blanket is $50. If you are interested, please post your interest in the comment section and I will get right back to you. YOUR PURCHASE WILL DONATE 100% OF FUNDS DIRECTLY TO YUM YUM'S SURGERY. ONCE YOUR DONATION IS COMPLETE, MESSAGE ME YOUR ADDRESS AND I WILL SHIP YOU THE BLANKET, FREE OF CHARGE, THE FOLLOWING DAY.
To bid, the following link will take you to the actual post.
Credlady
To read Yum Yum's story and to provide your donation, please visit my brother's blog at:
Yum Yum Needs Your Help
He has Yum Yum's story outlined, regular updates, and the cost of the surgery broken down. Little by little we will raise the funds and Yum Yum will be able to return to a normal life. We can't do this without YOU!

Some of Maxine's saying on the blanket are:

• "I love bright colors. It makes up for all the dim bulbs I have to deal with"
• "I keep hitting escape, but I'm still here"
• "Have a nice day, Someplace else"
• "The only home craft project I'm interested in is gluing my butt to the couch"
• "Talk is cheap, and usually it's still not worth it"
• "Age has its advantages. Too bad I cant remember what any of them are"

Thank you, in advance, for reading this post.
The next project is a thermal, fleece cat bed, which I will be auctioning as well.
God bless and thank you again!!
The bidding closes, tomorrow at 12:00 PT on 8/8/2013

Yum Yum Update 8/5

Here's a quick update on Yum Yum's condition...she is beginning to come out more often, which is especially true when my wife is home.

Although she has not begun to groom herself like she used to, she has begun to wash her face and clean her claws: I know, it doesn't sound like much, but this is a vast improvement over how she was just a week ago. Also, God has blessed us mightily in that a huge oral surgeon bill we were expecting turned out to be quite low, so the money that was set aside for that expense has been sent to Yum Yum's Surgery Fund. This brings the total to: $515.00 of the $1,500 that is needed!

Below, listed in alphabetical order, are those who have donated to Yum Yum's Surgery Fund so far:
Anonymous (1)
BeadedTail
Karen & Gerard Zemek
Rebecca Mecomber
Sparkle the designer Cat
Tim & Mary Hicks
Vicki W


A big thank you for your help!!!

Here is an updated breakdown of Yum Yum's surgery costs. The items that have been crossed out are the ones that are now currently funded...

Description	Units	Price per Unit	Total
L211 Ophtho. Pre-Operative Panel	1.0	$105.40	$105.40
L301 CBC Comprehensive	1.0	$44.20	$44.20
IV Catheter- Placement (Initial)	1.0	$63.00	$63.00
Fluid Administration- IV Pump per Liter	1.0	$43.00	$43.00
Anesthesia General each 30 minutes	2.0	$69.00	$138.00
Operating Room Initial Set-Up	1.0	$78.80	$78.80
Operating Room each 30 Minutes	2.0	$59.70	$119.40
Retrobulbar Block	1.0	$0.00	$0.00
Marcaine (Bupivacaine) inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Buprenorphine inj 0.3 mg/ml	1.0	$29.70	$29.70
Surgery Pack- Eye Minor	1.0	$65.40	$65.40
Enucleation	1.0	$128.00	$128.00
Ocular Implants 14-24mm	1.0	$52.50	$52.50
Suture-Monosof 4-0 C-13	1.0	$9.17	$9.17
Suture-PDS 4-0 RB-1	1.0	$15.65	$15.65
Patient Care Level 1 6-12 Hours	1.0	$86.25	$86.25
Est-Medications (oral, topical, other)	3.0	$60.00	$180.00
E-Collar	1.0	$14.81	$14.81
Est-Additional Treatments,Medications	1.0	$200.00	$200.00
Hydromorphone inj 2 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Biopsy Antech Single	1.0	$156.16	$156.16
Midazolam inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Propofol inj 10 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Cefazolin inj 100 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Rimadyl inj 50 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Atropine inj	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Felv FIV Snap Test	1.0	$53.10	$53.10

For those who have not been following Yum Yum's story, I have included a link to where you can find out what happened to her. I hope that you will be able to help her, but if you cannot, please say a prayer for her and share her story with others.

Yum Yum Needs your Help

Yum Yum Update and Medication Definitions

Everything is about the same since the last update. She still spends much of her time under the table, but she does come out more often. Usually, about 6-8 hours after her medication, she will venture out and wander around a bit. It's really nice to see her more often! She still has not begun to groom herself, but at least she is coming out and interacting with us...even if it is for a short while.

Here's Yum Yum in her favorite hiding spot. It's the table right next to my chair. I cleaned out a nice spot for her and placed something there for her to lay on. In order to make her feel secure, I left the books in front.

Here are the definitions of the medications Yum Yum will be given during her surgery...

• Marcaine (Bupivacaine): A local Anesthesia which blocks the generation and conduction of nerve impulses ²
• Retrobulbar Block: This is the procedure for administering the Marcaine.In this technique, local anesthetic is injected into the retrobulbar space, the area located behind the globe of the eye ¹
• Buprenorphine: This is a very powerful opiate used for pain control. This is what what Yum Yum is currently taking sublingually
• Hydromorphone: Another narcotic used for pain
• Midazolam: Used before anesthesia for surgery to cause drowsiness, relieve anxiety, and prevent any memory of the event ³
• Propofol: provides loss of awareness for short diagnostic tests and surgical procedures, sleep at the beginning of surgery, and supplements other types of general anesthetics ⁴
• Cefazolin: Antibiotic
• Rimadyl: Used to treat pain and inflammation
• Atropine: Causes the muscles in the eye to become relaxed, which widens the pupil. The pupil will remain wide and will not respond to light ⁵

I've gone through and done these definitions to not only help you understand what is involved in her surgery, but for me to understand as well. I know I could have just asked my wife and she would have explained it, but I find it more therapeutic to do it on my own.

For those who have not been following Yum Yum's story, I have included a link to where you can find out what happened to her. I hope that you will be able to help her, but if you cannot, please say a prayer for her and share her story with others.

Yum Yum Needs your Help

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, purrs, and support. It means a great deal to not only Yum Yum, but also to my entire family. We have never had to go through anything like this before and it can be very difficult and for me, humbling.

So you can see where the money in the surgery fund is going, here is a more readable breakdown of Yum Yum's surgery costs. The items that have been crossed out are the ones that are now currently funded...

Description	Units	Price per Unit	Total
L211 Ophtho. Pre-Operative Panel	1.0	$105.40	$105.40
L301 CBC Comprehensive	1.0	$44.20	$44.20
IV Catheter- Placement (Initial)	1.0	$63.00	$63.00
Fluid Administration- IV Pump per Liter	1.0	$43.00	$43.00
Anesthesia General each 30 minutes	2.0	$69.00	$138.00
Operating Room Initial Set-Up	1.0	$78.80	$78.80
Operating Room each 30 Minutes	2.0	$59.70	$119.40
Retrobulbar Block	1.0	$0.00	$0.00
Marcaine (Bupivacaine) inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Buprenorphine inj 0.3 mg/ml	1.0	$29.70	$29.70
Surgery Pack- Eye Minor	1.0	$65.40	$65.40
Enucleation	1.0	$128.00	$128.00
Ocular Implants 14-24mm	1.0	$52.50	$52.50
Suture-Monosof 4-0 C-13	1.0	$9.17	$9.17
Suture-PDS 4-0 RB-1	1.0	$15.65	$15.65
Patient Care Level 1 6-12 Hours	1.0	$86.25	$86.25
Est-Medications (oral, topical, other)	3.0	$60.00	$180.00
E-Collar	1.0	$14.81	$14.81
Est-Additional Treatments,Medications	1.0	$200.00	$200.00
Hydromorphone inj 2 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Biopsy Antech Single	1.0	$156.16	$156.16
Midazolam inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Propofol inj 10 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Cefazolin inj 100 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Rimadyl inj 50 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Atropine inj	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Felv FIV Snap Test	1.0	$53.10	$53.10

Saying Goodbye to Yum Yum

¹http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2000744-overview
²https://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/Research/UniversityLaboratoryAnimalResourcesULAR/Resources/BupivacaineMarcaineUse.aspx
³http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a609003.html
⁴http://www.drugs.com/propofol.html
⁵http://www.drugs.com/search.php?searchterm=Atropine+

Yum Yum Update 7/29

First, I would like to announce that thanks to your donations, Yum Yum now has $215.00 toward her goal of $1,509! Thank you very much!! Below, listed in alphabetical order, are those who have donated to Yum Yum's Surgery Fund so far:

Anonymous (1)
BeadedTail
Karen & Gerard Zemek
Rebecca Mecomber
Sparkle the designer Cat
Vicki W


A big thank you for your help!!!

There has been little change in Yum Yum's condition since my last update, except to say that we are getting her to eat a little more. She is only eating her wet food and the occasional piece of deli ham. I've noticed that even though she goes over to her bowl and tries, she does not eat the dry food anymore, I'm assuming it's because of the pain. As I was writing this, she came out and I was able to get her to eat a little ham. These photos were taken over the weekend...

:Here's a photo of Yum Yum getting her medication. Usually, Mary has to hold her in her arms, but for some reason, Yum Yum didn't fight this time

Here's Yum Yum having something to eat after getting her medication. She actually stayed around and slept on my wife's lap for a few minutes, before heading back to her hiding place

So you can see where the money in the surgery fund is going, here is a more readable breakdown of Yum Yum's surgery costs. The items that have been crossed out are the ones that are now currently funded...

Description	Units	Price per Unit	Total
L211 Ophtho. Pre-Operative Panel	1.0	$105.40	$105.40
L301 CBC Comprehensive	1.0	$44.20	$44.20
IV Catheter- Placement (Initial)	1.0	$63.00	$63.00
Fluid Administration- IV Pump per Liter	1.0	$43.00	$43.00
Anesthesia General each 30 minutes	2.0	$69.00	$138.00
Operating Room Initial Set-Up	1.0	$78.80	$78.80
Operating Room each 30 Minutes	2.0	$59.70	$119.40
Retrobulbar Block	1.0	$0.00	$0.00
Marcaine (Bupivacaine) inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Buprenorphine inj 0.3 mg/ml	1.0	$29.70	$29.70
Surgery Pack- Eye Minor	1.0	$65.40	$65.40
Enucleation	1.0	$128.00	$128.00
Ocular Implants 14-24mm	1.0	$52.50	$52.50
Suture-Monosof 4-0 C-13	1.0	$9.17	$9.17
Suture-PDS 4-0 RB-1	1.0	$15.65	$15.65
Patient Care Level 1 6-12 Hours	1.0	$86.25	$86.25
Est-Medications (oral, topical, other)	3.0	$60.00	$180.00
E-Collar	1.0	$14.81	$14.81
Est-Additional Treatments,Medications	1.0	$200.00	$200.00
Hydromorphone inj 2 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Biopsy Antech Single	1.0	$156.16	$156.16
Midazolam inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Propofol inj 10 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Cefazolin inj 100 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Rimadyl inj 50 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Atropine inj	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Felv FIV Snap Test	1.0	$53.10	$53.10

Again, I want to thank each and every one of you who have donated to Yum Yum's Surgery Fund! As you can see from the cost breakdown, any amount that can be donated can go a long way. In my next update, I'll go through and explain what the various medications are and how they are used.

For those who have not been following Yum Yum's story, I have included a link to where you can find out what happened to her. I hope that you will be able to help her, but if you cannot, please say a prayer for her and share her story with others.
Yum Yum Needs your Help



Saying Goodbye to Yum Yum

Yum Yum Update 7/26

First, I would like to thank those of you who have donated to help Yum Yum get her surgery. It really means a lot to all of us knowing that you care. As I mentioned in my thank you emails to you, we have never had to face a situation like this before, but it is comforting to know that we are not alone. Also, I would like to thank publicly those who have donated. So, in my next update, I would like to do so. If you would like to remain anonymous or if you have a specific site/anchor text you would like me to use, please send me an email at tahtimbo@hotmail.com

This first photo will show you the medication that we give Yum Yum. We had to get it from a compound pharmacy, that's a pharmacy that actually mixes together the ingredients that are in the prescription. I had never heard of one before, so my wife had to explain it to me. Luckily, we have two here in Boise. They mixed-in a beef flavor, so Yum Yum would like it better.

My wife fills the syringe to the proper level, 0.25 ml, and then has to squirt it into Yum Yum's mouth. In order to be effective, the medication cannot be swallowed, but has to be absorbed through her gums and cheeks.







Even though she spends most of her time under the table, I am thankful that she comes out now and again. She still does not groom herself, nor does she lay on my wife's lap like she used to, but we are still hopeful. I have included the donation thing at the bottom, if you would like to help Yum Yum get the surgery she needs. If you are not familiar with what happened, here is the link, that will give you that information... Yum Yum Needs Your Help
Again, thank you for all your kind prayers and support. I will provide another update soon.
Tim

Saying Goodbye to Yum Yum

Yum Yum Needs Your Help

Here is how Yum Yum looked a few months ago. Notice how both eyes reflect light.

Here is what Yum Yum looked like a few days ago. Notice that the right eye does not reflect light. This is an indicator of blindness.

I don't like sharing bad news and I particularly don't like asking for help, but circumstances have presented themselves which force me to do both. Yesterday, we took Yum Yum to the WestVet Emergency and Specialty Center to see a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. Today, we received the sad confirmation that our Siamese cat, Yum Yum, is blind in one eye. The doctor's report states that she has, "Severe uveitis in her right eye with no light perception. Uveitis refers to inflammation in the part of the eye that supplies blood to the eye. Since this eye is irreversibly blind, we also discussed permanent surgical procedures such as enucleation, evisceration, and intrascleral implant(artificial eye)."

What was even more of a shock, was the fact that the ophthalmologist stated that Yum Yum was in pain and needed medication. Since her regular vet diagnosed her with a detached retina, which is not painful, I had assumed that Yum Yum was acting the way she was, because she was depressed (sleeping more than usual, not grooming herself, not interacting with us, hiding under the table). To help with the pain, Yum Yum is receiving Buprenorphine 0.3mg/mL, a very powerful opiate, 3-times per day. This medicine is roughly 30 times more powerful at relieving pain than morphine.Vetinfo

To allow Yum Yum to live a life free from this constant pain, the ophthalmologist has strongly advised us to have the affected eye removed and replaced with an artificial eye. Once the eye is removed, she will no longer be in constant pain and should be able to adjust to her blindness and become her usual self once again. The clinic has provided an estimate, but for Yum Yum to have the surgery, we will have to raise $1,509.83, which must be paid before any treatment can begin. In order to come up with this sum, our daughters are helping by donating their Christmas and birthday money, but we still need help to afford the cost of the surgery. Currently, we have received $515.00 of the $1,509 needed.

The clinic has provided us with a breakdown of the costs for her surgery and if you feel led to help Yum Yum and have the means, any amount you can donate would be a great help to her. I realize that these are financially difficult times, but anything you could contribute, would be deeply appreciated. I would also ask that you please share this with your friends, so Yum Yum can get the relief she needs. If you can donate, I have provided a Paypal button at the bottom of this post.

I want to thank you for any help you can provide and whatever you decide, I would ask that you please take a moment and say a prayer for her.

So you can see where the money in the surgery fund is going, here is a more readable breakdown of Yum Yum's surgery costs. The items that have been crossed out are the ones that are now currently funded...

Description	Units	Price per Unit	Total
L211 Ophtho. Pre-Operative Panel	1.0	$105.40	$105.40
L301 CBC Comprehensive	1.0	$44.20	$44.20
IV Catheter- Placement (Initial)	1.0	$63.00	$63.00
Fluid Administration- IV Pump per Liter	1.0	$43.00	$43.00
Anesthesia General each 30 minutes	2.0	$69.00	$138.00
Operating Room Initial Set-Up	1.0	$78.80	$78.80
Operating Room each 30 Minutes	2.0	$59.70	$119.40
Retrobulbar Block	1.0	$0.00	$0.00
Marcaine (Bupivacaine) inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Buprenorphine inj 0.3 mg/ml	1.0	$29.70	$29.70
Surgery Pack- Eye Minor	1.0	$65.40	$65.40
Enucleation	1.0	$128.00	$128.00
Ocular Implants 14-24mm	1.0	$52.50	$52.50
Suture-Monosof 4-0 C-13	1.0	$9.17	$9.17
Suture-PDS 4-0 RB-1	1.0	$15.65	$15.65
Patient Care Level 1 6-12 Hours	1.0	$86.25	$86.25
Est-Medications (oral, topical, other)	3.0	$60.00	$180.00
E-Collar	1.0	$14.81	$14.81
Est-Additional Treatments,Medications	1.0	$200.00	$200.00
Hydromorphone inj 2 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Biopsy Antech Single	1.0	$156.16	$156.16
Midazolam inj 5 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Propofol inj 10 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Cefazolin inj 100 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Rimadyl inj 50 mg/ml	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Atropine inj	1.0	$24.50	$24.50
Felv FIV Snap Test	1.0	$53.10	$53.10

Again, thank you for your help.

Saying Goodbye to Yum Yum

Uveitis information:
Animal Eye Care