Not Good News

1. Gus is severely anemic. With a normal range to this particular test starting at 34, Gus tests at a 19.

2. Gus's heart is enlarged. But only part of it.

3. Gus is in the early stages of renal failure. Medicine to help his heart will have adverse effects on his kidneys.

4. There are two masses in Gussy's liver. "Not terribly big and it's impossible to tell without doing a biopsy whether or not it's benign."

What can be causing all this?

The early stages of lymphoma. Maybe. Or it could be a perfectly horrible storm of stuff happening to my Gussy Guy at once.

This was delivered by a decidedly Not Hunky Vet.

I'm going in about an hour to pick him up. I wasn't able to get much of anything done at work today.

The estimate for this treatment ranged from $450 - $1,400. At some point, I have to say no. I spent my lunch time arranging a payment plan with the hospital that finally did something about my hurt leg in June. They were very nice. Wells Fargo should take lessons from them.

The vet's office wanted a $400 deposit. I must have turned pale because Donna the receptionist said, "Let me go see if we can make it less. Would, um, $200 be okay?"

I nodded.

Apparently the Big Vet (still so un-hunky) asked, "Is she a good client?" And Donna responded astringently that I'm an excellent customer.

But still. My Gussy is not going to live forever. And what will I do without his sweetness? His simple, loving goodness? Where will I be without my Gussygusgusgus?

I'll think about that tomorrow. When I go home to Tara.