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Prayers needed in Gradyville

Prayers needed in Gradyville

GradyMonday morning, and not all was right in the Tabby’s Place lobby.

There was wild baby Tashi, battling a fierce piece of cardboard. Sweet, slow Yasmine basked in the sun, as pretty, prissy Polly gazed down on the scene like a princess. Our meezer girl Peachy was content in one of the reception desk chairs…

but where was Grady???

One of my first stops of the day each day is a visit to Gradyville, to scratch one of the world’s sweetest chins and remind Grady how much he’s loved. Our boy is utterly reliable: I can always find him behind the reception desk, either in a cushy chair, his little bed beside the computer, or soaking up the warmth on top of the computer tower.

But Monday…no Grady.

I checked the litter boxes. I circled the lobby. I interrogated Peachy. No Grady.

Jonathan, do you know where Grady is?”  Jonathan sighed. “He’s back in Hospital. He hasn’t seemed right over the weekend.”

GradyAnd, much as I hate to admit it, our sweet Grady doesn’t seem right. What’s clear right now is that his tummy is troubling him; he’s got all the classic signs of major nausea, from a poor appetite to constant lip-licking. Our love bug is wheezy and congested, too, and distinctly Not Himself. He’ll purr quietly when I snuggle him, but, yesterday and today, Grady hasn’t been up for “making biscuits” in the air the way he usually does when he’s being cuddled. As I’ve shared, one of Grady’s patented adorable moves is the flop-over “rub mah belly” roll; it just about broke my heart to see him do the feeblest, sleepiest version of this last night.

Good heavens, it hurts to see one we love hurting, doesn’t it?

But, lest I make things sound too grim, we have every hope that this is a mere blip on the screen for the phenomenon that is Grady. Grady’s raft of symptoms earned him a chest x-ray yesterday, and the best news of the day was the revelation that his x-ray showed nothing of concern. (Now, I’m no veterinarian, but I think it’s safe to say that lung cancer = “of concern”.)

GradyAlthough Grady’s spleen looked a bit enlarged on the x-ray, this wouldn’t be surprising if he has an infection. We’re waiting on blood work for now, and doing our best to keep our snuggle bunny comfortable with anti-nausea medication, daily subcutaneous fluids, and as much affection as he wants. If he doesn’t turn around in a day or so, we’ll schedule a visit to a specialist for an ultrasound and further investigation.

But…we aren’t there yet. As we all know from personal experience, a simple infection, whether a stomach virus or the flu, can produce wretched, “dear heavens, I think I have the bubonic plague”-level symptoms. So I’m praying that all this ugliness is just a “bug” that buzzes off quickly.

Whatever it is, it’s awfully hard to see Grady this way. This part doesn’t get any easier, I’m afraid. CS Lewis said it so well: 

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal…avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket – safe, dark, motionless, airless – it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” (Emphasis added.)

I know you kindred spirits will agree that loving – and loving Grady – is worth the heart-wringing and eventual heart-breaking we know we face. Our tabby wonder appreciates your prayers and your love across the miles, so please keep ’em coming. And, with great hope, I look forward to inviting you all to join me in the happy dance once Grady’s back to belly-rolling in the lobby.

9 thoughts on “Prayers needed in Gradyville

  1. I have vigorously danced my Grady happy dance in the past. I’m not done dancing yet — I’m just going to slow it up a bit until he’s better.

  2. Oh Sweet Grady boy, get well soon. I love following your adventures on here and look forward to some new ones once you feel like yourself again. Many kisses and belly rubs to your furry self!

  3. Oh Grady. He doesn’t sound like himself, when I saw him the weekend prior he was a love bunny snuggle meiser.
    My thoughts with Grady and all of you as he heals and returns to his warm and fuzzy self.
    Kathryn

  4. Oh little GradyPuss!
    I hope all will be well with you soon. Please give the veterinarian who diagnosed his cancer a constant heads up as his condition progresses. His prediagnosed condition of lung cancer requires extremely close monitoring of his symptoms of nausea, wheezing and congestion in conjunction with the amount of daily subcutaneous fluids given. X-rays tell us quite a bit, but they are poor in resolution compared to other technology available. And since this technology is very expensive ….to forewarn thus forearm your veterinarian/oncologist is the best chance you can give Grady with a disease that can go from remission to rapidly developing in a matter of a week.

    I send Grady warm fuzzy hugs and whisker kisses! I will say a little prayer that this medical incident is a mere stumble in the road on the journey to his complete recovery.

    Yeah Grady !!!

    1. Hi Simone,

      Thank you so much for your prayers and kind words, and for taking the time to express concern for our snuggle-bug. I’ve printed out your comment and shared it with our vet. We’re going to do absolutely everything possible to give our Grady-love every chance at a full recovery and a long, dazzling life ahead. Here’s to a journey undaunted by little stumbles!

      John, CCL, Fred, Mishale, Kat, Simone, and all who love Grady – I will very happily pass along every one of your hugs, kisses and tickles to our boy. He sends back many rumbly purrs.

  5. Thinking about Grady this morning…..hope he is doing well and looking forward to an update….
    Positive thoughts for G-Man.
    Kathryn

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