“Green-eyed lady, windswept lady
Moves the night, the waves, the sand
Green-eyed lady, lovely lady
Child of nature, friend of man”
Lyrics from “Green-Eyed Lady” by Jerry Corbetta, J.C. Phillips
and David Riordan, sung by Sugarloaf
Samantha’s left eye is back to being a lovely shade of celadon. The gloppy grey and blood-streaked scar tissue covering most of her eye formed after a simple corneal ulcer, resistant to antibiotic eye drop treatments, became infected. The bacteria melted thirty percent of her cornea, which I learned at her first visit to Eye Care Specialists for Animals. My heartbeat quickened when the vet cringed while examining Samantha’s eye. The diagnosis was grave, but the injury was curable with an aggressive treatment plan of two antibiotic eye drops, a healing serum, and one antiviral eye drop four to six times a day for four days, an oral antibiotic twice a day and gabapentin (painkiller) once or twice a day.
Scan reveals ulcer, the green patch, which is where the scar tissue formed.
I told the vet six times a day would be impossible. I work. It takes two people; my guy works. My nerves were already frazzled from a two-month roller coaster of giving eye drops, trips to the vet, her eye slowly healing then regressing. Over a weekend in late April, I found Samantha curled up in the closet and her eye crimson and swollen. She could barely open it. I rushed her to the vet. A different antibiotic and anti-inflammatory/pain killer was prescribed. These did nothing. I got her into the eye care vet later that week.
John and I attempted the first round of eye drops and could only get three of the four into her eye. After each drop we had to wait five minutes before giving the next. The stinging of the drops added to her misery and she let us know with cries and wriggling. I broke down. Through tears I tried to work with thoughts of Samantha facing surgery if I couldn’t administer the treatments. The pressure of needing to be vet tech extraordinaire and witnessing Samantha’s agony was devastating. Then I had an epiphany: Ya gotta know when to fold. That Friday afternoon, I boarded her at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital so their staff could administer the treatments. I learned that I couldn’t do it all, and being a good cat mama means knowing my limitations.
A little loopy on gabapentin.
Samantha adapted to the cone, which she gracefully wore for a month. I took it off for short spells so she could groom.
Samantha has had three follow-up visits, and with each visit, showed progress in healing. At her exam three weeks ago, the eye scan revealed that she was almost fully healed. The rigorous treatment plan was reduced to what John and I can handle; one drop and ointment twice a day. And I learned that the scar tissue would dissolve, but could take several months. Yet, it’s already a shadow of what it was back then. I’m hopeful that Samantha’s July 3rd check up will be the last.
Samantha’s most recent vet visit–she’s clearly feeling better!
Juxtaposed to this trauma was the excitement of seeing my story, “Samantha” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Cat, released on May 20th, which can be purchased in bookstores and online. Since the ‘90s, I’ve had several of the books in this award-wining series. Turning to Page 224 of the latest edition about the feline-human bond and seeing the story of how Samantha and I came to be is beyond belief.
And what better way to help heal a weary soul than with a little chicken soup?
Oh gosh, poor little Samantha. That was actually a very good idea to board her for the treatment. I’m glad you thought of that! Congrats on the story being in Chicken Soup! How very exciting!
Thank you, Rachel! I’m so happy about Chicken Soup! Samantha wasn’t happy being boarded but it was the best solution. It’s the best to see her thriving again! Love to your kitties from me and Samantha Jo!
Love the article and I’m praying for a complete healing for Sweet Samantha.
Thank you, Marilyn! Prayers have been answered as now know. Thank you for rooting for my girl!
So glad Samantha is doing better…been there done that with corneal ulcer among four different cats over the years. , drops, etc. etc. The eye care specialist (Eye Care for Animals in Copley OH) I consulted was wonderful – and less expensive than I had feared too. Purrayers that things continue to go in the right direction !
Oh my goodness I’m sorry to hear you know this drill all to well. I’m grateful that I the pet insurance I got a couple of years ago paid about 70 percent of the expenses. Thank you for your healing vibes!
This is just fantastic. And what a wonderful Mama came into Samantha’s life. Your caring, love, and commitment is inspirational and I cannot wait to read your chapter, Pam! BRAVA! XOXO
Awwww, thank you, Gail! xoxo
What a rollercoaster! So glad for all of you that Samantha is finally back to health! <3
Jenna, thank you so much! Finally!
Oh wow Pam. I am so glad you and Samantha are ok. You have been through so much. You are amazing. Congrats on the book!
Tanya! It’s been a rough ride, but then the joy of the book. Life is weird, LOL!
Way to go Pam and Samantha and John. Perseverance wins!
Team work, I tell ya! LOL! xox
Oh no… poor Samantha! Wishing her all the best and good luck on her July 3rd check up. 😻
Thank you so much, Herman!
Awww, I’m sorry Samantha, and you, have had such a hard time with this. Many hopes and purrs she will be better soon. And many congrats to you and Samantha for having your story in “Chicken Soup …”!
Leah, thank you so much. What a journey, and thank you for the congrats! What a thrill.