Maggie is a miracle cat. She should not have lived to see her second birthday, and we never ever thought she would live to see her ninth birthday. She has Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), which almost killed her when she was a year and a half old. We have been managing her on immune-suppressant medications since then, and she has thrived.
In honor of her birthday today, I thought I'd tell you about the doctors and the hospital that have made this day possible ... the veterinary specialists at South Paws in Fairfax, Virginia.
Maggie first came to South Paws, through their emergency department, as a very sick kitty. She was unbelievably anemic, and her platelets were only 10% of what they should have been. We didn't have much hope then, but Maggie recovered, thanks to the skilled care she received over two days in the ICU, and her incredible will to live.
South Paws is a very special place, made even more special by the comfortable atmosphere they provide for their clients and their pets. Everyone who comes to Southpaws is stressed because their pets are sick enough to need the care of specialists. If you saw this, would you think you were in a vet's exam room?
How about this?
All of the rooms have comfortable antique and second-hand furniture, with rugs on the floor. The examination table is there if it's needed, but it's usually kept folded against the wall.
Isn't this a lovely pew in the hall?
The lobby also has antique church pews, and upholstered settees ... I didn't take photos there, to protect the privacy of the other clients and their pets.
Here's a closer look at that exam room at the end of the hall.
I love this pine cabinet that sits right inside the door as you go into the ladies' room.
and this oak chair, where Maggie waits in her carrier while I wash my hands ...
Now, Maggie is being treated for Hodgkin's-type lymphoma by Southpaws' oncology department. It has been a year since her surgery to remove the cancerous lymph node in her throat. At first, we had to see the Dr. every month ... for blood tests and chemotherapy. Maggie's cancer is in remission right now (which we also didn't think we'd see), so I take her for check-ups every 3 months ... and we wait and watch for any sign of its return.
Maggie is sitting in my lap right now as I type this. Do you know how hard it is to type on a laptop when your lap is filled with cat?
Happy Birthday, Maggie!!
I love you, and I am grateful for every day I spend with you.