Saturday, January 24, 2015

Pepper update...

I've been sticking close to home while nursing Pepper and open my laptop every so often to check in and read your comments...
I am so grateful that there are not just empty chairs out there.
Your kind thoughts and comments have cheered me no end...


We are trying hard to take care of Pepper with TLC,
with visits to the vet, medications and antibiotics.


She looks content here but we are certainly not out of the woods...
we are waiting to see if her digestive system will start working properly again and that the vomiting will cease.

If it does not kick start this weekend we will need to take her back for more X-rays as she may have eaten something that does not show up on an X-ray and is causing a blockage...
it could be a piece of string or an elastic band.


I've resorted to "self medicating with food"...
I know I shouldn't but I am in need of comfort.
Cheese and onion jam on crackers with my afternoon tea.
(I had 5 of these tipping the scales and my WW points!)
I recognize my weakness and know I am "stress eating." 


Seeing as how I need to keep close tabs on Pepper and stay at home most of the day
I have been reading two books at a time...
Louise Penny's The Beautiful Mystery as well as Adam Gopnik's Paris to the Moon.

Two books deserve two Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates don't they?


My friend and I walked 10K yesterday and it felt so good to get out.
I will try and pop out for a 5K walk at some point today...
I am having trouble leaving her even for a half an hour.

I'm looking down the road
hoping that Pepper will rally and I am trying to visualize in my mind that she will be well.

Pets share our life and have a special, almost divine, place in our family.
They give our days so much JOY...
we share so much grief and sorrow when they are not well 
or no longer with us on this earth anymore.

Thank you again for your comments.
I have read them all and have felt immense support from your kind words.

I will post an update on Pepper as soon as there is a change...

41 comments:

Jill said...

I'm so so happy to see your report on Pepper and know that she is hopefully on the mend. Both of you have been on my mind. I'm a wreck when my little dog gets sick. Honestly it is worse than with children because they at least can tell us where it hurts. Pets sneak into our lives and quickly win our hearts and before we know they pretty much rule our lives. Dogs and cats will eat such strange things, but stick their noses up at something good. I do think they swallow items quickly if they think they are going to get caught.

Of course you need strength at this time and those crackers with cheese and onion jam are just what you need with a nice cup of tea.

Thank you for the update. I think are all anxious and needed to know how Pepper is doing. She is just an adorable kitty.


Kim said...

So sorry to hear about Pepper. She is a beautiful cat and am praying she is on the mend!

I live in the States and so love reading your Blog. Your bungalow is so lovely and you have helped me a lot with your posts on Rosacea. I recently went gray myself and feel we are a bit of kindred spirits!

Bright Blessings--
Kim

Coulda shoulda woulda said...

Crossing my fingers that pepper will be just fine.

Veronica Roth said...

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Poor little furry buddy. My Morgan is a bit of a sickly cat always in and out of the vet's door. She was a rescue from a hoarder who had 35 cats and somehow picked up feline herpes in her kittenhood. Keeping my fingers crossed for your Pepper and keeping you in my thoughts.

I wouldn't worry about the lovely snacks. Sometimes we need things for our own well being and for me that is always more important.

Kim Campbell said...

Keeping you all and Pepper in my thoughts and prayers. It is hard when our furry loved ones are not feeling well. ((((((hugs))))))

Donna said...

Sweet baby girl , thank you for the update I have kept checking back. She will be fine she is being looked after so well. Donna

Stephen Andrew said...

So hope Pepper is already feeling better. your version of comfort food is so civilized! sending best wishes (again)

marmielu said...

Thank you for the update. I've been thinking of you and Pepper. I hope she gets back on track soon. I had to smile at your medication charts, as I do the same thing.

Don't be hard on yourself about the food. You don't need any more stress. I will confess that one time when I was really stressed out from dealing with medical issues involving my mother, I found comfort in store bought cupcakes! See, you're doing much better than me.
Mary Lou

Madame Là-bas said...

You have some good books to enjoy and hopefully Pepper will recover soon. It is a worry. Walking and spending time with a friend is a healthier antidote to stress than food but I find cheese and chutney extremely pleasant. Take care and be kind to yourself.

Kris said...

I'm a regular reader but this is my first time commenting. I, too, have been checking frequently for updates on Miss Pepper. I'm a long time cat "mom" myself and have seen many of mine through serious illness over the years. It's terribly difficult. Wishing a quick recovery for Pepper and peace of mind for you. A bit of stress-induced munching isn't a bad thing ...

SusanG said...

Thank you for the update on Pepper. I'm sending her healing vibes, and my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself, Hostess. {{{hug}}}

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update! Your snacks looks wonderful...I'm a firm believer in a little self medicating with food!
Keeping good thoughts for Pepper.

Poppy Q said...

Poor wee Pepper, I hope she feels better soon.

Julie Q

Swissy said...

I adore seeing your photos of Pepper and Chester! I'm hoping that she will be all well soon with such loving care. Take some yourself, too!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

I am so glad that you were able to bring her home. I hope that you see rapid improvement. It is so hard when beloved pets are ill. Please continue to keep us informed on her process.

Louise C said...

Love reading your blog and seeing photos of your lovely home, cats and life in general. So different from mine in Australia. Fingers and toes crossed that Pepper is fully recovered very soon. Can't wait for you to go to Paris, you will love it.

Kim said...

Wishing Pepper a speedy recovery

Bonnie said...

Thanks for the update. Both your book choices sound interesting. Holding you all in my thoughts. Hugs, Bonnie

Michelle Chun LeRoy said...

I have been checking my email daily hoping for a Ms. Pepper update! We have a male cat, who looks like her brother. Last year, he had an ear infection...my husband and I were like anxious parents. He's fine, a bit deaf (the cat...and sometimes my dh. Lol) I hope Ms. Pepper gets better soon! Hang in there! Ps. Gopnick's book is one of my favorites!

Maggie said...

Poor kitty and poor you! Having a sick furbaby is so distressing. I hope she recovers soon.

Susan said...

I hope things look up for Pepper soon. I've been on the same pet watch at our house. Our Frankie is doing better and hasn't thrown up in a few days now. Oh how we love these fur babies.

Susan ~ Southern Fascinations said...

Hope things are better for both Pepper and you. Your stress nibbles look yummy... No snack guilt when worries are in the air. Wishing your sweet Pepper a speedy recovery...Susan

No Sacrifice Bags said...

I pray Pepper will recover, and it's not a blockage. Every hour is agonising when your pet is ill.
I've been through two cats that had a blockage from ingesting wool, and tinsel.
If Pepper is laying (sometimes with paws tucked under chest) in front of her water, or food bowl (not crouching as she would when eating) and not really eating; just drinking water; I would take her back to the vet. That is a tip off, and squinty half closed eyes, is another.
My thoughts are with you Leslie.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear. I’ve been away for three weeks and just catching up on blogs. So sad that Pepper is unwell and can understand the comfort eating! I do hope he makes a full recovery soon. Sending positive vibes you way Tonkath x

Jim & Sonya Guthrie said...

Continuing to keep poor lil' Pepper in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping that she will get better soon, so you can concentrate on your upcoming trip to Paris. Nothing harder than leaving a sick kitty :( Enjoy your "comfort" foods and good books...always a good stress reliever :) ((hugs))

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Leslie,

We are here.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We inevitably experience pain when those we love are not well. But, better to love.....

Anonymous said...

Comfort eating serves a purpose as does comfort walking - it balances out. When you wrote that the comments are important to you, I checked and saw that you allow "anonymous" comments, which is the only way I know to leave a comment, as I am not a blogger, just a faithful reader! Hope Pepper is 100% soon.

kristieinbc said...

If ever there was a time when comfort eating was okay, this is it. When Pepper is back to her happy and healthy self you can go back to your usual eating habits. Comfort food, comfort reading, and comfort walking all seem just the thing right now.

Marilyn said...

Fingers crossed Pepper will be back to her feline self quickly. Comfort eating is good for you in stressful situations as I'm sure it will stop as soon as she recovers. The walking will compensate.

Fiona Ferris said...

Get well soon sweet Pepper! Jessica and Nina send their furry love.

NE/ME said...

Prayers and positive thoughts for Pepper and you! Thank you for the update.

Anonymous said...

From Margie in Toronto - I hope that your books give you a tiny distraction at this trying time. I love that book by Adam Gopnik and may I recommend "The Most Beautiful Walk in the World" - I believe the author's name is "Baxter" - he lives in Paris and offers wonderful insights. Thinking good thoughts for Pepper.

Anonymous said...

I wish Pepper a full and fast recovery. Paris to the Moon was the only book on Paris I read before going on sabbatical with my family to Europe. Since our kids were very young,we replicated almost to a t some of Gopnik's itineraries, activities for three magical (and sunny!) days visiting Paris in the Fall of 2003. We did the Luxembourg gardens, and even gave the kids haircuts at the local hair salon.
Wishing you the best, Luciana.

Kristien62 said...

Just another note to offer good wishes for Pepper. And for you. Don't forget to be kind to yourself while you nurse (and worry about) Miss Pepper.

princesslambchop said...

Oh my heart leapt in my throat when I saw "Pepper" and the medication picture!!! I really hope she is back to full health soon, fingers crossed. I can't even imagine the stress, hang in there.

Sheila said...

Sending good vibes to Pepper and you! Vizzini eats all kinds of things - he is such a monster! - and often has episodes where he vomits due to eating something he shouldn't have (6 inches off one of my bra straps comes to mind, as does portions of three pairs of shoes).

Take care of yourself, L!

Holli said...

Glad to hear she's back home in your care...a much more comfortable surrounding than a vet office. I can relate to eating under stress...positive thoughts are being sent to you.

Jennifer said...

It's so hard when our furry friends are sick. Thinking about you and hoping Pepper turns the corner very soon.

Northmoon said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Pepper - I hope she's on the way to recovery. It's so worrying when they can't explain what is wrong.

Jean S said...

Oh that's hard. Best to all y'all.

Pondside said...

Don't be too hard on yourself - this is a stressful time - you will get back on track....in fact, you are already there with your walks.