The last 9 hours have been full of worry for Daddy, and I both, and as he is about to head off to Target to get a Prescription, when their Pharmacy opens, I had to come and let everyone know the latest.
Thank you KC for spreading the word on the CB, and to all who have sent their thoughts, and prayers, to us!
The CB has always been a caring community, and we are grateful beyond mere words to find ourselves on the receiving end of that kindness. :-D
When Daddy didn't come home from work at the usual time, of 1230 to 130am, I was concerned, and when the alarm clock went off after 8am I began to REALLY get concerned!
Daddy got home a little after 9am, and filled me in after many hugs, kisses, and purrs.
Daddy is a Directory Assistance Operator, and at work he had a sudden bout of confusion while handling a call, around 1015pm, as a blinking light on the screen would not turn off, and he heard a supervisors voice when there should not have been one.
The next thing he knew was awakening in a hospital emergency room, around 11pm, and was told he had a Gran Mal Seizure.
This scared, confused, and concerned him, as you can imagine!
He'd had brief moments of confusion before, but always attributed them to being tired during a long shift, and always passed the call to a supervisor.
This, obviously, was different.
8 1/2 hours, 2 removals of blood, several other tests, and a cat scan later, he was finally cleared to go home, with a prescription to fill, an appointment to see a neurologist for a battery of tests Monday or as soon as possible after, and orders to stay home the next 3 days, at least, and rest.
When he gets home from Target you bet your sweet bippy I will make him rest! ;-D
***UPDATE - 5PM***
Finally! I can get Daddy to sleep. ;-D
First work called him, then one of his Sisters came by with lunch, and questions!
I'm gonna sit on Daddy for the next 5 1/2 hours to make sure he gets some sleep!
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE 930AM - 5/9***
I lay on the foot of bed as Daddy slept until 1045pm, and took his pill.
Then I shooed him back to bed, and camped out on the foot again, except for the one time I went under the covers for a while to check on him, and he slept until around 730am.
I hear that half the Cat Blogosphere wants to help me sit on him! (I'm in no position to disuade anyone from "coming over" for a minute to check on us both, As all my attention is on him, um, hee, hee!)
I am grateful beyond words for the support.
We have always known we had friends, and fans out there, but the comments, here, and Facebook, and the e-mails have just floored us.
He's gonna make a quick market run, we may do a Google on Gran Mal Seizures, and then I'm gonna sit on him again as he gets back in bed!
I'm a smart Cat, and since his other camera is here I can see if I can take a picture! ;-D
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE 730PM***
Daddy slept for 3 hours after he got home from the market, and ate breakfast.
Daddy's old camera is still breathing, even if the pics are not the best, so here's proof!
I set the camera on a bookshelf, set the timer for 10 seconds, and well, let's just say...I can move pretty fast for a 12 year old! ;-D
After his nap Daddy went out one more time, and when he came back he fixed his dinner, which he's eating now.
The above photo was taken just a few minutes ago, as we waited for his Chicken Soup to warm. ;-D
When he takes his pill again, in a few hours, it's back to bed for 8 hours, and I'd better get no arguement! ;-D
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE 5/10 - 11AM***
Well, Hmmph!!
No tests today! Daddy was told he needs to go see his Personal Doc, and get permission from him, then set up an appointment.
The good news is that Daddy goes to his Doc this afternoon, and the place he will see the Neurologist is close to home, too.
In other good news Daddy slept well all night, and that means I did too! ;-D
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE - 8PM***
Thank U to the gang at Kitty City Gazette for the Pen to pick up my, and Daddy's, spirits!
Finding this in the mail, this afternoon, made our day! ;-D
Daddy returned from his visit to his Doctor, and I guess no news is good news.
He gave Daddy the paperwork for setting up an appointment with a Neurologist within Daddy's Insurance Network.
The Doc thinks the Neurologist will want to do an EEG, and an MRI, at least, in order to get a clue as to what's up with Daddy.
The Neurologist is in nearby Newport Beach, and Daddy will call promptly at 9am to set up the earliest appointment that he can.
Thank you, again, everyone for all your purrs, and purrayers, they mean a lot to us, and are also a great encouragement to me to continue putting my best efforts into this blog as well. ;-D
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE 5/11 - 10AM***
Hissssss!!!! If I wasn't a Cat, and a declawed one at that, let me tell you!
Daddy called the Doc he was reffered to, and the earliest he could get in was 6/11!
His Doc gave him 4 others to call, and one couldn't take him until late June, another 6/1, another 5/27, and another their office was closed today!
The folks at Daddy's Doc said they will get back to him sometime today with news of an appointment, somewhere, hopefully sooner.
***END UPDATE***
Male Nurse Nikita Cat creeps up close to check on Daddy as he naps on Tuesday afternoon...
***UPDATE - 830PM***
One of the highest rated Neurologists in the OC has an opening May 27th, but Daddy won't know if he has it for sure until in the morning when their computer works and they get his approval form from his Doc, but they are holding the date for him until then, anyway.
In the meantime Daddy's Doc has given approval for an EEG, hopefully by Friday, BEFORE seeing the Neurologist.
He says it saves a step this way.
Daddy will go in, and get the form in the morning, and set up an appointment as well.
He plans to ask if it might not be a brilliant idea to get an MRI, before seeing the Neurologist, as well, since that is still 2 weeks away, and time might be of the essence for all we know.
The radiologists will know what to look for.
All Daddy knows to look up is info on Gran Mal, and he has no clue, at this stage, what questions he needs to even ask.
We watched a YouTube video someone posted of their Gran Mal....interesting, I'll say that much. ;-D
In the meantime I kept a close eye on Daddy during his naps, even giving his face a thorough licking. ;-D
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE - 5/13***
Daddy gets an EEG!
Neurologist Confab 5/27!
He also prepares to increase his Iron, Man. ;-D
This is the last Update in this series as the next Big Event is not until Daddy sees the Neurologist, in Irvine, on the 27th.
Daddy's Doc told him, yesterday, that his Blood Work showed that he has very Mild Anemia.
Iron Deficiency Anemia is the most common type of anemia throughout the world.
The Doc told him to increase the Iron in his diet, and set up a follow-up appointment for a month from now.
Daddy was given the OK to go to Hoag Hospital, this morning, for an EEG, and so decided to dress appropriately for the occasion. ;-D
His choice of attire was a huge hit at the registration desk, and most particularly in the Neurosciences Institute itself. ;-D
A very nice lady, named Tracy, was in charge of administering the EEG, with the help of an assistant, and was very reassuring, and helpful, to Daddy during the entire process which, including the 20 min. EEG itself, lasted 50 min.
Tracy asked Daddy questions about what led up to the incident, and the incident itself, about his own health, and the fact that he had a cycling accident in the mid-90's which involved hitting his head on pavement, and a short period of nerve damage that was treated with medication, and his family medical history (Dad was a mental patient for 18 years until his death, Mom Died of Diabetes, and Leukemia.).
Daddy then had 6 small electrodes stuck on his head, with a mild abrasive cleanser, and conductive cream, and an electrode cap, and was instructed to lay back, stay still, close his eyes, and relax, even take a short nap if he wanted (He didn't manage the nap.).
The recording procedure included something called phonetic stimulation...a flashing strobe light given in 10 second increments.
After all was done he was told a hospital Neurologist would examine the results, and in a week all conclusions would be sent to his Doc, and the Neurologist he is scheduled to see, and he might not know more until his meeting with the Neurologist.
While at the hospital Daddy picked up all sorts of flyers, and pamphlets, that would help him understand about EEG'S, and seizures.
Looking over this stuff, myself, was quite entertaining.
I climbed up into the top of my cat tree, and settled down to read.
I learned a lot of interesting things.
A seizure is "the physical response to increased electrical activity in the brain, causing synchronized firing of brain cells."
Depending on what part of a human brain is affected the Human can have symptoms such as changes in concentration, muscle contractions, body jerking, or numbness, and tingling.
These events can last from just a few seconds to up to 3 minutes, and sleepiness, and confusion afterwards can last longer.
Daddy had a Generalized Tonic Clonic which involved full body shaking, a loss of awareness, and the appearance of unconsciousness. Once he awoke he was confused, and sleepy for a time, afterward, at the hospital.
The Electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded the electrical activity in the brain in the form of brain waves.
The idea is to see if Daddy's noggin had any abnormal electrical activity going on inside it.
Some folks might consider his poetry, songs, humor, opinions, and other blogging, over the years, as proof enough, without the need of any ol' EEG, but what do they know?
Um, hee, hee! ;-D
Anyway, now that the initial excitement is past, and Daddy settles down into the routine of taking his Anti-Seizure Meds twice a day (The Generic form of Keppra, called Levetiraceta - 500mg), and finding out what Iron rich foods he should start eating more of, we can both get back to our regularly scheduled Blogging.
Daddy has posted, finally, about the week that was, hee, hee! ;-D
Seiz(ure) the Day for All it's Worth, it Could be Your Last!
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE - 5/22/10***
I'm Resuming Blogging, Including Hosting Next Weeks Weekend Cat Blogging!
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE - 5/30/10***
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE - 6/2/10***
Obi-Wan Nikita Helps Daddy Schedule His Tests!
***END UPDATE***
Nikita, you sit on him iffen you need to.
Iffen you need help, just ask any and all of us Cat Blogosphere cats, and we'll help you sit on him.
We'll make a giant kitty pile and he won't effurr move.
You's gotta take good care of him.
We're sending lots and lots of purrs.
Love,
KC
Posted by: KC | May 08, 2010 at 11:50 AM
kiril - I hope that you are ok! I just logged on to the CB and Facebook and saw the news. Please take care! - MeezerMomMary
Posted by: The Meezers | May 08, 2010 at 11:58 AM
YIKES we know how scary that is.
Our Daddy had the same thing last May 5 while he was sleeping.
It really scared our Mom.
We hope your Daddy is okay.
They did a squillion tests on our Dad and never found anything wrong.
He's been on medicine and has never had another seizure.
Purrs and Purrayers,
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
Posted by: Sniffie and the Florida Furkids | May 08, 2010 at 01:05 PM
Oh, dear, we are sorry your dad is going through this.
We're glad he has you to take care of him and make him follow the doctor's orders.
We hope the medicine helps and this won't happen again because we know it gave him a bad scare.
Posted by: jansfunnyfarm | May 08, 2010 at 02:35 PM
Oh my, Nikita Cat, I'm so sorry to learn the story about your Daddy.
What a trying time that must be for all of you.
I'm glad to know he's a little better...at least he got to come home so he can rest.
"The Boys" and I will keep him, you, and your family in our thoughts and purrayers.
Posted by: "The Boys" and Karen | May 08, 2010 at 03:26 PM
Oh cripes Nikita!
Now you put on your nursing uniform and make sure he RESTS properly.
Kiril, we hope you can get some proper rest and get over this ordeal.
It must have been seriously scary. er, what are you doing on the pc? Get off the pc and go REST.
Nikita, sit on your Dad plz so he can't get up.
Sending rumbly purrs galore
Whicky
Oliver
Gerry
& The Ape
Posted by: everycat | May 08, 2010 at 05:04 PM
Oh no!
That is VERY scary!
My human says that happened to a friend of hers and she is better now, but it was mystifying because she was (and is) one of those humans who always takes good care of themselves.
So make sure your human rests up even if you have to lie on him to keep him from moving, and that he does everything the human vets tell him to do.
I am sending your human lots of healing purrs.
I hope you will pass them along to him.
Posted by: Sparkle | May 08, 2010 at 05:46 PM
Oh noes!
You take real good care of your daddy, okay?
We are keeping him in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Laila and Minchie | May 08, 2010 at 06:16 PM
I hope the medicine helps your dad. Once he sees the neurologist, he'll have a better idea about what is going on.
MOM PAULA: I had two gran mal seizures over 30 years ago that required me to be in the hospital two different times for a week each. After many tests and trips to the neurologist, it was discovered that my seizures were stress related. I had to quit teaching during my first year of teaching in October. I was on medicine for 10 years. I am now off of the medicine and am seizure free. I hope things go well for you.
Posted by: Sweet Praline | May 08, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Take good care of your Daddy, Nikita.
We are sending lots of healing purrs his way.
'Kaika and the Yosemite cats
Posted by: 'Kaika | May 08, 2010 at 09:35 PM
Just checking back fur an update.
We's purring fur Dad Kiril.
Love & Purrs,
KC
Posted by: KC | May 08, 2010 at 11:33 PM
Oh dear, that must have been skerry!
I hope your dad will be all better soon!
Posted by: Daisy the Curly Cat | May 09, 2010 at 05:49 AM
We are purring for your daddy and hoping he is okay!
Posted by: The Island Cats | May 09, 2010 at 08:03 AM
These beans, they dun know when rest is good - dey shud nap like us kittehs. Nikita yoo is a gud snooperviser so gettin yer dad to lay is easy werk. Purr lots fer hims, dat makes beans sleepy and happy too!
Molly
Shadow
Trooder
Peeeeeeeeeeee S: We is furry happy dat yer dad is back homes wif yoo. Anyfing dat has a bean stayin away and comin back wif weird smells is hard on dem too!
Posted by: Molly, Shadow, Trooder and Mom Laure | May 09, 2010 at 08:29 AM
Hi!
We read about you on the CB and had to come and visit. We hope that your Daddy is feeling better! We are sending lots of purrs!
Mommy says that your Daddy's seizure should be considered a work-related accident and he should be entitled to workman's compensation. She is a paralegal and if he has any questions, please contact her at: debrastaylor at earthlink dot net
Love, uSSSSS
Posted by: The Taylor CatSSSSS | May 09, 2010 at 04:17 PM
Omigosh, we just read about dis and hadda come over and...
Well, let's just say we is purring and purraying really hard fur yoor daddy.
If yoo need help keeping him resting, like KC said, we'd be happy to come help sit on him.
Posted by: Zippy, Sadie and Speedy | May 09, 2010 at 07:35 PM
We came by to see if there were any updates and to say we'll be purring for good results tomorrow.
Don't google too much...Mom scared the poop out of herself after our Daddy's seizure!
Dad's was a tonic clonic (grand mal) too.
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
Posted by: Sniffie and the Florida Furkids | May 09, 2010 at 09:21 PM
Oh no!
We hope your Dad will be okay, Nikita.
We sure are glad you are there to take care of him.
Purrs and prayers.
Posted by: meowmeowmans | May 09, 2010 at 10:14 PM
We are purring and purraying for your Daddy to feel all way better soon.
Purrrrrrrrrrs,
Sanjee and tha resta tha Hotties
Posted by: HotMBC aka The Hotties | May 09, 2010 at 11:56 PM
That must have been VERY scary.
I hope and pray that the medicine and rest help your Dad to get all better very soon, Nikita.
Herman is sending his best healing purrs.
Posted by: Karen Jo | May 10, 2010 at 01:58 AM
Yes, Nikita: you know your job well.
Keep up the good work in taking care of Dad.
Marian Silverman
Posted by: Marian Silverman | May 10, 2010 at 02:24 AM
Just dropping by to see how your Dad is Nikita.
What a good job you are doing making sure he gets lots of rest.
Don't let him do too much Googling though.
It's Monday now in the UK so we are sending rumbly purrs to accompany Kiril during his tests today, hope all goes well.
Whicky Wuudler
Oliver
Gerry
& The Ape
Posted by: Everycat | May 10, 2010 at 03:42 AM
We are sending lots of rumbling purrs and healing thoughts to your Daddy, and hope that he gets better very soon!
We're glad that you can look over him while he rests.
I know that your beautiful face will comfort him during his recuperation!!!
Lots of purrs and prayers, Keiko Kenji & Pricilla, and Misa
Posted by: Keiko | May 10, 2010 at 08:17 AM
We are sending lots of prayers and purrs for your Dad.
Very scary thing to happen but we know you will take good care of him!
Posted by: Cats of Wildcat Woods | May 10, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Oh my gosh Nikita...good thing you are there to help your dad feel better...
Thank you for you kind thoughts about Little Stevie!
Posted by: Cat Lady Diary | May 10, 2010 at 02:13 PM
Just checking back in for updates, and were there ever updates!
Nikita, you are a furry good reepurrter.
We's glad your Dad is doing ok and you is watching him wif an Iron Paw.
Fanks so much,
Love & Purrs,
KC
Posted by: KC | May 10, 2010 at 02:46 PM
I just dropped by to check on any updates. Continued purrs.
Posted by: Sweet Praline | May 10, 2010 at 06:52 PM
I am sending my very best purrs for your dad!
Posted by: Huffle Mawson | May 10, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Thanks for all the updates!
It sounds like he is behaving himself and doing everything he needs to do to get checked out.
BUT if he gives you anymore problems, just let us know and we will come over and sit on him!
****Note from Nikita ****
Thank U, Sparkle, for being the 400th comment left on my blog since I began it on New Year's Day! ;-D
****End Note****
Posted by: Sparkle | May 11, 2010 at 02:19 AM
It's not like it's impawtant or anyfing. June!?
Well, gif yours Daddy lots of hugs... we's sending him a card to make him smile.
Iffen anyone wants your address, all thems haf to do is email me (kc AT catblogosphere DOT com).
Him should be getting a few cards already.
Love & Purrs,
KC
Posted by: KC | May 11, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Nikita we has been furry werried about your dad . our the mom hates the hassle at the dr office.
Kiril - take care of yourself - I'm sorry that you're having so many problems with the dr. - Mary
Posted by: The Meezers | May 11, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Hakuna sends purrs and best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery for Nikita's Daddy.
Posted by: Elisson | May 11, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Nikita, you still have those back claws - very handy for bunny kicking receptionists into finding earlier appointments!
We hope your Dad gets an early appointment and the tests he needs beforehand.
Those are great pictures of you looking after him.
Whicky Wuudler
Posted by: Everycat | May 12, 2010 at 03:40 AM
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrraying for your daddy!!!!!!!
Posted by: PDX pride | May 12, 2010 at 03:59 AM
Oh, dear, we feel so dumb.
We kept coming over to check on you, saw the same post and left. We never looked below for updates.
We are glad your dad is getting some rest and you are keeping an eye on him.
Purrs and tail wags.
Posted by: jansfunnyfarm | May 12, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Good job of taking care of your Dad Nikita!!
And thanks for the Updates!!
Your TX furiends,
Posted by: Life From A Cat's Perspective | May 13, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Wow, Nikita, thanks for all the updates!
I hope the doctors get everything straightened out, and he doesn't have to worry about these seizures in the future.
In the meantime, we will keep purring for him, and if you ever need help sitting on him again, don't be afraid to ask!
Posted by: Sparkle | May 14, 2010 at 02:34 AM
Very interesting reading Nikita. Glad the EEG went well for your Dad.
He's lucky to have you to read through alllllll the info.
That's a super picture of you checking it out.
Our ape says spinach and brocolli are fulla iron and we cats say lamb's liver is too (we know which one you'd choose tee hee).
Here's to you and your Dad having a restful weekend.
Whicky Wuudler
Posted by: Everycat | May 14, 2010 at 03:00 AM
Glad your daddy could get the EEG done so soon!
Purrrrraying for him and you!
Sounds like you're taking good care of him.
Posted by: PDX pride | May 14, 2010 at 03:38 AM
We're glad to hear his getting his tests as soon as possible! That must have been very scary! We hope he's all better soon!
Thank you for mentioning my Vishus Deer Report a couple months ago!
We missed the comment then (lazy human woman!) but we went and read the post now!
We have all kinds of Vishus Deers up here, even Vishus Elk-Deer farms!
It's a huge problem!
They even wander in my yard below my windows spying on us!
Sending lots of healing purrs!
Posted by: Jack | May 14, 2010 at 06:06 AM
Mom said it was good our Daddy had an EEG 'cause she knew for sure that he had a brain!
Our Daddy was originally on Keppra but he didn't handle it very well. It made him super tired and (VERY) irritable. He lasted 3 months on it and they changed him to generic dilantin.
We're purring for good results.
They never found anything in our Daddy's tests.
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
Posted by: Sniffie and the Florida Furkids | May 14, 2010 at 07:20 AM
Hi Nikita,
Just checking in to see how you and your Daddy are doing.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Purrs and prayers.
Posted by: meowmeowmans | May 14, 2010 at 08:38 AM
We're glad your dad has retained his sense of humor through all this.
We hope he won't have any more seizures -- ever.
Take good care of your dad, Nikita.
Posted by: jansfunnyfarm | May 14, 2010 at 09:14 AM
Your Daddy sure is going through a lot.
I am glad that he got his EEG, but sorry that he can't get in to see the neurologist until the 27th.
Maybe your Dad should eat spinach, like Popeye.
Posted by: Karen Jo | May 15, 2010 at 02:23 AM
So sorry to hear this.
Lots of good thoughts coming to you!
Posted by: LookieLou | May 19, 2010 at 07:10 PM
So sorry to hear about your Daddy.
What would he do without you?
You are a great caretaker, you do what you need to do to keep him well.
Please keep us posted.
Sending you hugs, purrs, and prayers.
Posted by: Harry Spotter | May 25, 2010 at 08:51 AM