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Brady seems to be feeling a bit better, slowly but surely.  He is eating again and is now back to a healthy weight and his breathing is less labored as well.  Keeping our fingers crossed that we continue to see improvements!  <3  Vet wants us to have another echo done so we're saving up some money and planning on trying to get it done at Purdue where it's much cheaper...

 
Brady stopped eating and wasn't getting any better so, back to the vet... AGAIN.  It has been determined that, on top of everything else, Brady now has pneumonia too.   Add yet another medication, an antibiotic.  Poor guy is now on 4 different meds, twice per day.  :(  We're still keeping him warm and doing what we can to get through this.  Thanks to all of you for your prayers and encouragement! 

HELP!

12/28/2011

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I've had the heat lamp going non-stop, along with the humidifier, and been giving medications as instructed... I'm not seeing an improvement. Brady is still coughing/sneezing and has a runny nose and eyes too. He is now having difficulty with his breathing and is becoming more lethargic again. He is still eating and drinking, which is great, but I haven't heard a purr in days... If you know my Brady this is not a good sign!  My sweet little guy purrs all the time, even at the vet's office! I'm wiping him with warm wash clothes because I don't have the heart or guts to put him in the bathtub right now.  We're snuggling as much as possible too, but it's tearing me apart to see him like this. I wish he could tell me how to fix this, how to help him. I feel so helpless. Here I have this amazing creature that has absolutely changed my life and touched my soul so deeply and I can't take this sickness from him... HE NEEDS ME AND I CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP HIM!  Are you a pet psychic or do you know one that would help? Anything? I do not want my baby boy suffering but I can't give up on him until he needs me to... :( 
 
GREAT NEWS!!! Brady actually got up and ate his breakfast this morning! First time in almost a week! He looks soo much better too! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! Love to you all & a very Merry Christmas!! ♥ 
 
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On Tuesday, December 20th, after not eating anything for dinner or breakfast, Brady began to throw up and I rushed him to the vet when I saw blood. Brady had chest radio-graphs done, blood tests ran and an IV to help with his dehydration. Brady's blood work looked okay, no damage to major organs from his meds, but his radiology report showed fluid on his lungs. Our doctor added 2 more medications to the mix.. One to get him eating again, the other to help relieve some of the pressure from the lung fluid. It took a couple of days, but Brady finally came back around to eating and started to feel better. It was our Christmas miracle! We were able to spend our holiday together and I couldn't have asked for a better gift! I only wish it had lasted. Christmas day, Brady started sneezing/coughing a lot. It's very hard to tell the difference between a kitty's sneeze and cough but neither should be taken lightly, especially with a heart patient. The next day, we're back to the vet's office and are instructed to double his lasix medication and keep him warm. If there is no improvement, return on Thursday. :/ My poor baby, he is so sweet and I hate seeing him go through this. I had to ask the doctor the inevitable question.... Am I doing this for me, or am I still doing this for Brady, and, when it comes time, will you tell me and help me through it? His reply made me feel a little better, right now, we're still doing this for Brady. He's not in any pain and we should still try to save him. That's all I needed to hear. I'll do whatever it takes as long as my baby is strong enough and not in any pain. No matter what I have to do, or what I have to sell, I'm doing it all for the love of Brady.    https://www.facebook.com/ForBrady   

 
Brady was an angel at the vet again! They were able to get the blood that they needed for his tests and I'm happy to report that Brady passed! All of his blood work came back okay, meaning that he can continue with his current heart medication and aspirin!  This is great news because I haven't seen another "episode" since we started him on these meds!  Thanks again for all of your prayers and donations!  We are already over $1000 into treatment and have another echo & blood pressure test coming up in two months which will add at least another $500-$600. With his heart being as bad as they say, I do not want to take any chances! 
 
 Well, we were back at the vet on Saturday to have Brady's eyes checked and a thyroid test done.  I am happy to report that his eyes look good and his test came back normal.  It was too early to run the other tests because his medicine hasn't been in his system long enough so we go back to the vet again in a couple weeks.  Until then, it's medication, relaxation and a lot of prayers and love!  Doing it all for the <3 of Brady! 
 
Thanks again to everyone that is praying for Brady!  On Wednesday, I came home from work to find one of Brady's pupils smaller than the other.  I immediately called the vet but it was so late therefor no one was available.  :(  Once I did receive a call back, we were told to start Brady on baby aspirin right away because this is a common indicator of a stroke and Brady is already at high stroke risk... Needless to say, we are now taking baby aspirin as well as the heart medication.  We have another appointment to see the vet tomorrow for several more tests.  Poor little guy has really been through it! It breaks my heart because he is the sweetest thing ever and he has fought so hard! Thank you all again for everything!  All of this is for the <3 of Brady!  
 
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I just wanted to update you on Brady's tests and condition... On 9/23, I took Brady to IVEC for his echocardiogram and blood pressure test... The test revealed that Brady is suffering from "symmetrical thickening of the ventricles, some pulmonary arterial dilation and mild left atrial enlargement with a small amount of atrial mitral valve insufficiency. Based on all of these findings, Brady has been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and we are starting him on a medication to help his heart function more normally." Brady is taking Atenolol twice per day.  PLEASE continue to pass along Brady's story and pray!  I appreciate it so very much!  The vet isn't sure how much time we have left together, but I am determined to make it as comfortable and happy as possible!  Thanks!