One thing after another...

So far, 2009 (which was supposed to be a great year) has been off to a really rocky start.

Wednesday January 7 - Rob fell on the ice while taking out our garbage. The fall did significant damage to his left wrist - essentially pulverizing a few of the bones.

Tuesday January 13 - my beloved cat (and one of my best friends of 15 years), Sir Launcelot, had a major stroke. He was fine when I left for work at 7am. Rob called me at 1:30 - frantic - and asked me to meet him at the vet because something wasn't right.

The vet's initial verdict was a pinched nerve and anemia. They gave him a steroid shot and sent us home with some additional prednisone tablets as well as some pastey stuff for him to take for the anemia. The shot should have started working within a couple of hours.

4:00 - We took him home, hoping the shot would take effect. When I got home, he started crying and I picked him up, noticing that his little body curled to the right. I tried to help him stand and he couldn't get his right legs to cooperate. I panicked and called the vet - who assured me that it was okay.

Around 6:30, I went to Target to get a water bottle so that I could give the kitty water (as he was not able to lift his head). I wasn't sure if his ailing was due to more complications or fear. I hand fed him 3 shrimp and gave him water, trying my best to keep him comfortable. Nothing seemed to help.

7:30 came - my precious little man was still crying out in pain, so we decided to take him to the emergency vet. The diagnosis was a neurological problem - more than likely a massive stroke.

10:30 pm - sobbing, I begged my cat to tell me in his own words what I needed to do - to let me know it was okay. He reached out to me with his paw - his little right paw that he hadn't been able to move curled around my finger when I put it between the pads of his paw. In a very calm little voice, he mewed once. Then again... a total of four little mews. That's when I knew it was okay to let him go... it was okay to send him to sleep with my brother in Heaven.

At 11:15pm, January 13, 2009 was officially recorded in my own history as one of the worst days of my life. I had to say goodbye to my little man forever - I was devastated. I still miss that little upstart - he was the best cat in the world. We grew up together - going on without him in my life seems wrong.

Rest in Peace, my little angel!

Friday January 16 - Rob had to have reconstructive surgery on his left wrist. They required him to stay overnight in the hospital... but I didn't cry when I was at home alone. I found a 60 second video of Sir Launcelot playing - it made my night... and has made coping with his loss much easier.

Monday January 19 - 15 of my friends/coworkers were laid off.

I don't cry as much anymore - I'm not sure if that is because I'm simply entering a state of apathy... or if I'm out of tears. I must have entered the next stage of dealing with loss... I still miss that little fuzzy upstart immensely... I wish I could snuggle with him... I miss his purr/coo... and his voice waking me up in the morning. But I have resigned to the knowledge I can't have him back and I have no choice but to settle for seeing him in pictures and on video.

So... I am officially ready for January 2009 to come to an end.