Subcutaneous Infusion | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Subcutaneous Infusion | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kristine Baker
03/08/15
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Pixel was the definition of both sweet and dainty. Jaguar was the definition of scrappy. Pixel and Jaguar entered my life when I started dating my husband. Pixel was a cat of no known breed, but simply known for her coloring; dilute-tortie. Depending on which lighting she was in, her silky fur looked either light pink-peach and cream, or soft grey with cream highlights. Jaguar’s breed was Manx. He was a rectangular-shaped, tailless little cat with a rich dark brown coat that fooled the eye into thinking it was jet black. His rich brown coat was revealed by the light of a sunbeam.

I grew up hating cats by association. My mom hated cats, so I took on her feelings without having any personal cat experiences. But when I met Pixel and Jaguar, I fell in love. I fell so in love I rushed to adopt two cats of my own. When I married my husband, we became a blended cat family and they all got along famously.

With a nurturing heart of a mother, I observed Pixel at the water bowl drinking more like a camel rather than a feline and an appointment was set with the veterinarian. A blood test confirmed she was experiencing kidney failure. We did what we could afford and gave her a prescribed pill, daily, dipped in tuna juice for enticement to ingest. We also learned how to administer subcutaneous fluids which is a method of placing saline fluid under the skin by way of needle. This fluid helped her kidneys to filter out toxins and reduced her chances of dehydration.

Our routine was altered to save Pixel’s life. Every other day, a bag of saline fluid was placed in the microwave for about a minute; just enough to take off the chill. While my husband lay on the bed, Pixel would lay on his stomach. An alcohol-saturated cotton ball was used to clean a patch of fur at the injection site. With a disposable needle attached to the tubing off the saline bag, my husband lifted the skin on Pixel’s back, making a little tent to insert the needle. Releasing the clamps on the tubing, Pixel was patient as the prescribed amount of fluid was administered. Afterward, Pixel was free to her own agenda; playing with toys, eating, following the sunbeam, or cuddling up for a nap. The little bulge of fluid welled up in either leg, or on her back, was evidence our routine was complete.

Pixel had regular veterinarian appointments to test her blood to measure her kidney levels. Despite our best efforts, we could not keep the kidneys from declining and her condition worsening. Quality-of-life was our deciding factor on which to gauge the anxiety-induced end-of-life decision. Our routine granted Pixel two extra years filled with love, treats and sunbeams.

I wept uncontrollably for over a week after Pixel’s passing.

One night, I was in the loft of our home where Pixel spent many hours with me while I worked on my computer. As I looked in the empty places where she used to frequent, I found it hard to breathe through the river of tears that rushed from my eyes. I managed to get out of my computer chair to kneel, and then collapse, in the center of the room. With hands cradling my tear-drenched face, I begged, “Jesus, please comfort me with your peace!” In that instant, I felt warmth come over me from my head, down my neck, down my torso and back, through my arms to my fingertips, and all the way down to my toes. It felt like a holy subcutaneous infusion, warm as a blanket, enveloping me. I experienced absolute peace. My river of tears ceased and I was completely calm. I began praising God for his swift and loving embrace.

From the place of desperation to an instant feeling of peace, I have learned to run to Jesus whenever life tries to throw a curveball at me. God promises that by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, my every need will be made known to him. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus forever. I am witness to this promise.

This is my testimony of hope in Jesus. What is yours?

Non-Fiction

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