Sunday, November 22, 2020

Theo's home! (update 4)

I'm thrilled to share that Theo is home!!!!!! I was so excited on the drive down, sooo looking forward to seeing my Theo again.

Theo on his way home     Nov 22, 2020

Theo did great in his last night at the vet. By the time we picked him up, his temperature was back to normal and no sign of any more seizures. He was relatively quiet on the drive home, as he rested and bathed. 

The vet said it would be best to keep Theo in a room where he won't have the opportunity to jump or fall down and hurt himself. They want him to stay pretty quiet and calm so he can focus on healing, that's a tall order for a cat like Theo! We transformed our bedroom into such a place by removing the bed and placing the mattress on the floor. We took out the cat tree and the window perch for now - everything is low to the ground and cushions and blankets are all over. Of course, Theo's not keen about being behind a closed door. 


He's not very stable on his paws, his back end seems to have a mind of it's own as he moves. His coordination seems to be off. That part is not too unlike how he was pre-surgery. He's definitely resting more comfortably now than he had been, he's no longer staring off into space, zoned out. He's either alert and engaged or sleeping, which is a big improvement. He's also not pacing, he's way more settled. It's delightful watching him sleep peacefully. He spent some time exploring the bedroom, sniffing everything, looking at everything, all in a room he's very familiar with. The way he was checking it out made me wonder if he was seeing/hearing/smelling it differently now. I suppose we will never know how that huge tumor was effecting his experience of life, it's hard to believe it wasn't causing significant impairment of some sort.


Now we get to do our best at nursing him to further health. We need to keep him separate from the other cats for a bit as Nahum would be prone to lick on him and that would not be good for his incision. Nahum is also apt to play kind of rough with Theo, which would also not be helpful for Theo right now. At some point, we will do some supervised visits, but for tonight, he can hang out just with us as he rests. 

We will follow-up with the neurologist in a few weeks and at that time we will get the results on the tumor. She believes it was cancerous and she's pretty hopeful about his prognosis now that the tumor is removed. We're hoping he's forever cancer and seizure free.

Welcome home Theo!!

It sounded like everyone who came into contact with Theo at the veterinary hospital fell in love with him. That's no surprise, as he's a delightful being, full of love and purrs. I was reflecting the other day about his temperament and it occurred to me, I don't think I've ever heard Theo hiss or growl.

I'm grateful to all the amazing veterinary staff at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital. They were amazing at communicating what was going on, they were punctual to appointments - they were fantastic to work with. Dr. Silver and Dr. Bailey are very kind and skilled neurologists/neurosurgeons. 

Thank you again to all of you who have emailed and left comments, your kind, loving support has been such a gift through out this emotionally overwhelming experience. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!

💗💗💗

11 comments:

  1. So glad to hear that Theo is home again and doing well! When you get a chance, I'd like to hear about that cat health insurance as that sounds pretty helpful in this kind of circumstance. All the best in the healing process!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am very grateful to learn of Theo's continued walk toward health. He is so loved and cherished I don't wonder that with the skill of his doctors, and both of you, that he is home and on his way to life as always.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We're so glad Theo is home and on his way to recovery. We have our fingers and paws crossed for him. Purrs from Derry. ❤️🙏

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so happy Theo is well now! Hope now for a short recovery process.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great news! Here's to a speedy recovery <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. We are so thankful that Theo is hope and working on his recovery. Purrs, prayers and hugs from all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  7. DOOD !!!! we haz been off line fora few.....we iz BUZZED happee ta heer yur home N doin grate....may ewe stay on de road ta healthee ree coveree....with st francis's blessingz two ewe; heerz ta a cancer free seezure free life ♥♥♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  8. So glad your boy is back home and recovering. Praying that he's cancer free.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So happy he's home - purrayers for his continued healing .

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am glad Theo is recovering nicely and home.

    ReplyDelete
  11. We too removed the bed frame, and the mattress and boxspring are so much easier for the cats to jump up on...and not hide under.
    Continued purrs for Theo, and paws crossed that the doc's report is only good news.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for sending in your comments!