Chum, Tom's Dad and Rose

We had the mobile vet come back Monday night cuz Chum was going downhill. She gave him 2 powerful antibiotic injections and more fluids. Yesterday morning he actually came out of his little hole that he sleeps in and walked into the kitchen. I fed him some baby food (as suggested by the vet) and he ate several bites. He seemed better yesterday morning but then seemed weaker in the afternoon and evening. We've been giving him oral antibiotics and since he's able to eat something, he's been able to keep them down. He hasn't had any water but the baby food I'm feeding him is just veal/chicken and water so hopefully that is giving him enough hydration. We have tried to give him IV fluids but he gets soooo worked up and in his rage he bit Tom pretty bad. The vet offered to leave her Hannibal Lechter mask with us, but Tom said it wasn't necessary and said she might need it for other cats but she said we need it more than she does but he still didn't want to take it. So now I'm going to try and find one so I can continue to give him fluids without losing a finger or two.

Tom's Dad has been moved out of ICU and he was supposed to be evaluated for hospital rehab earlier this week but the doctors haven't made a final decision just yet. If he doesn't get admitted to hospital rehab the other option is a nursing home which his Dad has said he will refuse. So now we're just waiting to hear what the hospital will decide and go from there.

And since I've not been sleeping much due to worrying about the above, I've now got a nasty, drippy head cold. I'm not going to the senior center until Friday (hopefully am better by then) because I promised Rose I would help her with some things after class. I'm not really sure what's going to happen but I've sort of taken on the role of a therapist which worries me because I don't have the answers for her. She is starting to open up a lot more and that is good but at the same time I don't want her to wonder why I'm not offering her a place to stay. The activities director as well as others have adamantly insisted I do not go there. And I won't because I'm aware of the risks and I'm also aware that offering her a place to stay is not going to solve the problem. She doesn't have any friends, she really never has (I'll get into that later) nor does she have family here but she did mention she used to be very close with neighbors who moved to the midwest. She has their address and we are going to write them a letter and give them my cell number to call so we can inform them of her situation. Not sure what they may offer in way of help or insight but it's worth a try. She was also dropped from AARP membership which she said was the result of a misunderstanding so we are going to try and work on getting that reinstated and see if they can provide any benefits that may help.

And it's frustrating to try and teach class knowing Rose's situation but it's unfair to the other seniors who are trying to learn and sharpen their skills. Just really changes the dynamic in class and my approach to the whole thing. Can't really use words like "homework" or "before you go to bed at night, write in your thankful journal" etc. etc. etc. I feel like I'm slighting the other students and part of me just wants to say F it and not continue. Now my head hurts.