Update
I finally graduated, with B.A.'s in both Music and English, Summa Cum Laude, from California State University, East Bay. Post-graduation, I remained a soprano with the East Bay Singers through our Winter Advance, January 16-18, 2015, and the Spring Tour, April 8-11, 2015. I attempted to finish out the year's commitment by participating one more quarter, but LucyFur the EvilAngel (my most beloved 11-year-old kitty-cat) was stricken with a life-threatening kidney ailment, and I found myself with a decision to make. I hadn't the funds to hospitalize her for a month's convalescence, from which she might not recover anyway, nor could I be in two places at once: caring for her at home and keeping up with EBS's demanding rehearsal/recording/performance schedule. As there was only one more major performance upcoming, and I had already graduated, I sadly stepped down from my position with the East Bay Singers and devoted my attention in full to saving Lucy.
The vet wasn't sure she'd pull through with home care, but I learned how to administer subcutaneous fluids daily and give her her meds. I tried every possible combination of edibles to get her eating, resorting to baby food, broth, and squirting kitten formula down her throat until, slowly, she started eating and drinking on her own again That was nearly ten months ago. She's still skinny, somewhat anorexic, and not getting any younger, but she pulled through the immediate danger and is still with us. To think, I nearly had her euthanized. Twice we took her in resigned to her passing and returned home with her in tow, willing to try just one more thing to see if she would recover.
I am so glad I didn't give up on her. Many people might not understand my decision, but Lucy is my friend, and she has been my companion through many years of our life's journey. I may find another quality chamber chorus to perform with in the future, but I'll never have another Lucy in this lifetime. And I knew there would be several young, talented singers just waiting to step into my spot, should I abandon it. My time with them was drawing to a close anyway, I just sped up the process by a month or two. I learned so much while touring with EBS ... they're an amazing group of musicians. I would have been doing them a disservice showing up late, or distracted, or having to miss rehearsals to tend to Luce's emergency needs. There was no one but me. I couldn't just let her die because her illness interfered with my rehearsal schedule. Life is worth more than that, even that of a cat.
My only regret is that I am not involved in any current musical projects; I miss that. Singing is part of who I am; therefore, I am, at present, incomplete. But I've a little furry friend to share my loneliness with, so it's all good. I know she cannot live forever, she is a cat, after all. But I, at the very least, wanted to give her a chance for a long, full lifetime, secure in the knowledge that she is loved and safe here, and won't be tossed aside if she should ever become inconvenient. We're tight like that, at my house.
The vet wasn't sure she'd pull through with home care, but I learned how to administer subcutaneous fluids daily and give her her meds. I tried every possible combination of edibles to get her eating, resorting to baby food, broth, and squirting kitten formula down her throat until, slowly, she started eating and drinking on her own again That was nearly ten months ago. She's still skinny, somewhat anorexic, and not getting any younger, but she pulled through the immediate danger and is still with us. To think, I nearly had her euthanized. Twice we took her in resigned to her passing and returned home with her in tow, willing to try just one more thing to see if she would recover.
I am so glad I didn't give up on her. Many people might not understand my decision, but Lucy is my friend, and she has been my companion through many years of our life's journey. I may find another quality chamber chorus to perform with in the future, but I'll never have another Lucy in this lifetime. And I knew there would be several young, talented singers just waiting to step into my spot, should I abandon it. My time with them was drawing to a close anyway, I just sped up the process by a month or two. I learned so much while touring with EBS ... they're an amazing group of musicians. I would have been doing them a disservice showing up late, or distracted, or having to miss rehearsals to tend to Luce's emergency needs. There was no one but me. I couldn't just let her die because her illness interfered with my rehearsal schedule. Life is worth more than that, even that of a cat.
My only regret is that I am not involved in any current musical projects; I miss that. Singing is part of who I am; therefore, I am, at present, incomplete. But I've a little furry friend to share my loneliness with, so it's all good. I know she cannot live forever, she is a cat, after all. But I, at the very least, wanted to give her a chance for a long, full lifetime, secure in the knowledge that she is loved and safe here, and won't be tossed aside if she should ever become inconvenient. We're tight like that, at my house.