Hello friends!
I’ve had a doozy of a week trying to help the big fluff Tron through some fast onset and life threatening bladder troubles. It’s just the saddest thing picking up a floppy weak cat, throwing him (most gently) in the car and carefully, with minimal mayhem, speeding to the vet. I got fussed for not wearing a mask and they’re absolutely right but honestly I’m surprised I even had a shirt on with the panic I left the house in. Will Tron get better? Probably? I don’t know? I’m doing my best. He is too.
Here’s the thing, Glennon Doyle is right when she says “We can do hard things.” That fact doesn’t make hard things less hard, but the reminder is fortifying.
I hope you’re staying steady this week. Are you sleeping? Are you hydrating? Those are important. Is it all Taco Bell and Dr. Pepper? That’s fine too if that’s what you need.
The offering this week is below. Be kind to yourself and only take what you need.
• Stories and images from Beruit this week are so difficult. Here are a list of resources to donate to if you’re wanting to help. (The New York Times and LebannonCrisis)
• Our long read this week is from The Marshall Project: They Agreed To Meet Their Mother’s Killer Then Tragedy Stuck Again.
• I resisted listening to this, much like I often want to resist my own anger. I’m really glad I’m made myself listen On Female Rage (The Daily Podcast)
• Today’s absolute JOY TO READ is this: The Art of Running Late: A Love Letter (Vogue)
• My friend Anastasia recommended a podcast called California Love to me. She said it made her miss Los Angeles – which, these days, is a difficult feeling to muster. I’m through Episode 3 now and this podcast is so beautifully specific to the Los Angeles I grew up in in the 80’s and 90’s that it absolutely astounds me. Los Angeles is such an incredibly diverse and magical city. I think people move to Los Angeles with an idea of what the city is and that changes it. I’m not assigning a value to that change. It just is. But the core of that city is just various expressions of workin’ ass people and families. This podcast surprised me. It tells the real story of a city that people write off as vapid and shallow. Also, I recognize myself as a controversial-to-some bit of change in the city that I call home now. Here we are with it all. (YouTube) Find the podcast here. (NPR)
• Why We’re All Baking and Gardening So Much. I understand a point A, work, be rewarded by point B situation. (Outside)
• I just ordered this MUST READ book by pastry chef and warrior woman Lisa Donovan: Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger. (Parnassus)
• jtfirstman‘s impressions on Instagram are high-key BRILLIANT and I’m not wrong: Jordan Firstman’s “Impressions” Are a Glimpse at Hollywood’s Future. (W Magazine)
• Is Your Blood Sugar Undermining Your Workouts? …. I mean PROBABLY! (The New York Times)
• Ok so like… is champagne going on sale? Champagne loses its fizz as global pandemic clobbers sales. (AP)
• I’m absolutely making The Best Tomato Salad this week, adding either feta or goat cheese. (The Kitchn)
• I think I might cry and eat rice pudding at the same time later today. Don’t be alarmed. It’s therapeutic.
My love to you today.
xo Joy
Anna Meyer
The best part fo the Vogue article on The Art of Running Lates was the subtle the Devil Wears Prada reference in the last paragraph.
Joy, thank you for continuing bringing little bits of laughter and joy into our lives. Sending Tron lots of well wishes!
Melissa Fanning
I’m hoping Tron will soon be better! Highly recommend The Cat Practice.
jessica
i went to high school with jordan firstman! it’s incredible to watch him be able to do all these amazing things.
Samantha
I totally understand you, when my baby cat Asia was sick I jumped in the car and ran to the vet passing speeder than permitted in front of traffic wardens, I still don’t know how they didn’t stop me, I am still grateful for that.
Rachel
Wishing the best to you and Tron!
Coco
Sending big hugs and healing thoughts to you and Tron.
Libby
Tron is in good hands with you as his Mama, and there’s already so much good advice in the comments. Prescription food and hydration are your best friends now! We rotate through the urinary support gravy foods and stews from Hill’s Science Diet Urinary Care c/d, Royal Canin Urinary SO, and Purina ProPlan Vet Diets UR (Urinary Support). The Purina gravy food is his favorite. We had a scare with him in April (before we knew he was prone to bladder blockages) but he is doing great on the canned food (no dry). Chewy.com is a lifesaver if you want to try different urinary support foods with Tron. Their return policy is awesome if you email them and let them know Tron didn’t like the food. Best of luck, Tron. You obviously have a lot of fans!
Joan E Bernstein
I was very sorry to learn about Tron’s health issue. I hope he continues to improve. I also have had kitties that dealt with this. I think you’ve been given good advice by others who have written. Best of luck to you and your dear Tron.
Aunt Judy
Please get better Tron! Sugar sends kitty love for a speedy recovery. ?????
Kristie Vezina
Oh, Joy. Having a sick cat is such a difficult time. I’ll be keeping Tron in my thoughts and hoping for a full (as full as possible?) recovery. ????
Cyndie
Please get well Tron!
Lexie
My kitty Kevin also had bladder issues last summer and I almost lost him. It was soooo painful I called my mom and asked her why I even got a pet in the first place. I cried so hard! Thankfully he pulled through and I am reminded all the time why I got him — he brings me so much joy and delight!
Take it easy this week, Joy! <3
Cheryl L.
Poor Tron. I had this problem with my Albert too, and the vet told me that once this happens it will happen again. But, I took some advise from my Dr. brother who told me that we should always drink distilled water. He said it would keep the pipes clean. So, I gave Albert only distilled water in his bowl, and he lived an extra ten years without another issue.
Susan
So sorry about Tron!
Our cat Wrigley went into kidney failure when he was 2. We had been given a bouquet of flowers from someone on Christmas Eve when we hosted my husband’s family. I didn’t know that there was type of lily in the bouquet. Wrigley ate it and a few weeks later we realized something wasn’t right. He went from 12 pounds down to 8, was drinking water all the time and just low energy. We actually at first thought he was diabetic since his symptoms were so similar to our son’s when he was diagnosed Type 1. We took Wrigley to the vet who realized what was happening. For 9 months we gave him subcutaneous fluids and medications to regulate his kidneys. The fluids were every other day at first, and as his numbers improved we were able to spread that out longer and longer. Eventually we were able to stop the fluids, although he is still on meds and a prescription kidney food. While he has some residual damage, you would never know now that he had ever been sick, He’s 14 pounds and it’s been 4 years since that ordeal.
So follow the vets advice and do what you can. It may be possible for him to spring back. The tough things with cats is that they are so good at hiding that they aren’t feeling good, so by the time we notice, they are farther along than we would like.
Margie
Does Tron have cystitis? When my two male Siamese had it, the vet said it’s a problem for young women, old men and male cats. I’ve never forgotten that!. Find the best veterinarian hospital you can as veterinarian medicine has really advanced with these bladder issues. I’ll be thinking of you.