Poor Max. He looks like a bear, he acts like a bear, he combats illness with the strength of a bear. This cat ain’t going down without a fight, and for that, we are very proud to own him. He still has very severe anemia. Which got a tiny bit better! Followed by some projectile-ing of food. Followed by increased energy! Followed by loss of hair. Followed by no more loss of hair! Followed by crying at my feet. Followed by a return to his normal routine!
Today was the day we were to get a last lab which would determine if his anemia is permanent (death) or temporary (antibiotics and some vitamins). He needed to hit 50,000, based on a more than optimistic onset of illness date, so in actuality, his numbers should actually be above 50,000. His lab came back at 50,100. BECAUSE IN LIFE, NOTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE. Except Max’s fur. We’re going to start antibiotics, because why not? He’s actually acting a lot like himself. He’s eating again. And while his ears are almost bald, I don’t know where he’s hiding the hair, because I’m not finding it all over the house. The girls and I had a small panic attack this morning when we found several chunks of what we thought to be Max’s hair all over the first floor, until we discovered Cyrus had gotten into something sticky and was biting off his own hair, trying to get it off. He is such a spaz of a cat. God, I love him too.
In the end, Max’s prognosis is no different than anyone’s. Tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that…he either totally going to live, or totally going to die. No one can say for certain. Not the Vet. Not the Feline Internist. Not the lab technicians who are wondering if we are buying stock in their company. We are going to give it our best, most prudent shot, and hope for the best, just like everyone else, living out every day of their lives.
And a huge thanks to the many kind words, prayers, and notes you’ve sent our way. It has clearly helped, as this time last week, we were certain he didn’t have days left, let alone an entire week. Now we’re hoping to do a 2-week run of meds! Oh the hugging this little guy has had to endure from his family!!