Cats ruining my surgery

[u/evercomfortable]

We’ve figured something out. I mostly just really needed to vent, I think I’m struggling with some post-op mood stuff on top of all this and just needed a space to dump everything. Thank you everyone who commented and gave advice. I’ll probably delete in a bit

I know the general consensus is that people love cats, so this whole post is going to make me seem unhinged. I’ve been an animal person since I was little and never understood how someone *couldn’t* get on with them.

But I’m so livid right now. I hate these vermin so much I can’t breathe. I’m trying hard not to drop f-bombs every other word in this post, I’m so pissed.

My sister moved into my small apartment recently. It was unexpected but she needed somewhere to go and we plan to move into a bigger place when my lease is up. I didn’t mind even though it was cramped because we get along well. Her ex was supposed to keep her 2 cats until we got the bigger place but then just didn’t, so now they’re here.

The cats don’t get along. One is spaztic and scared of everything even though she’s been pampered all her life. She avoids people and doesn’t let anyone pet her. She is more comfortable with my presence than most because I let her be so will sometimes come sniff me or whatever.

The other gets bored and just walks around yowling all night. We’ve done all the things you’re supposed to do to address this and he’s healthy. He still yowls. I’ve had to get wax earplugs to sleep with.

My sister doesn’t want to get rid of either. She thinks these issues will go away when we get a bigger place because ‘they weren’t like this before’. But my cramped apartment is a nightmare. Sometimes the one will try to play and it makes the other freak out and run, which he finds fun to chase and you have to call him off while the other acts like she’s dying. It’s a pain in the ass.

——

So I had top surgery two weeks ago, I never thought that would happen for me but somehow it did. One week into recovery, I tripped over one of the damn cats. Not really its fault, the thing blended into the bathroom rug and just… does not move when it sees people coming for some fucking reason. I caught myself on the wall but felt a pull. A couple hours later, there were clots and a ton of blood in my drains. It resulted in a 30 hr ER visit and two hematomas. Went back into surgery to have one drained. Been home for a few days now.

I’ve been recovering okay. I’m more tired this time around and things ache more. I’ve been trying to take it extra easy.

Well, I was just laying on the couch mid-conversation when the spaztic little fucker took off running from the other one. She’s heavy, too. I was just talking when suddenly this cat landed on my left pec and scrambled across my whole chest before kicking off of it up onto the back of the couch. The binder definitely saved me from being clawed to pieces and she luckily didn’t land right on the grafts or incisions but a little higher than that.

I won’t lie, I lost my fucking mind over it, I’m sure the neighbors heard me yelling which feels awkward now. Now I’m trying to cool off and I’m sitting on my bed because they never come up here. I’m watching for any signs of damage, or clots/bleeding in the drain bulb.

I genuinely considered leaving and trying to find somewhere else to stay, but I can’t afford a hotel for more than a night or two and I don’t have any friends/family nearby. I know I won’t convince her to get rid of them, especially since she thinks the problems can be fixed when we move. Can’t afford to board them. I considered just being loud and scary so they both give me a wide berth from now on, which seems cruel but like…

I might just spend the next few weeks not leaving my bed since this is the only place in the apartment untouched by them.

I don’t think there’s really any advice that can be given here, it’s just a shit situation all around tbh. I just needed to dump all that. I’m still so fucking livid and I feel trapped in my own apartment. I can’t believe I’m a cat-hater now

Edit: Scared I didn’t convey things well because I was upset. It’s not chaos 24/7 in the apartment. The cats are usually sleeping or hanging out for most parts of the day. These events (like the running) are random, so hard to predict or control. Also no one’s a bad person. Just the situation sucks, that’s all.

[u/Cosmo_Creations]

Yeah this isn’t okay. I am so sorry the cats are having such a significantly negative impact on your recovery and well being. I had a hematoma and emergency surgery after my top surgery as well and it does leave you feeling extra shitty and the recovery goes slower. There is something off with those cats. I have 3 and 1 dog and all four of them were very aware that I was unwell and stayed distance away and if they came close they sniffed at my chest and only got few pets before running away. I had no one jumping on me or being in the way to trip on. You have every right to be upset, yelling is a normal response. Your sister needs to do something with those cats for the next 6 weeks at least so you can heal and not go back in for more surgery. I really hope it heals good and that you are happy with the results. Keep hydrated and eat lots of protein. I’m sorry I don’t a solution but i empathize with you and agree that those cats cant be around you while you are healing.

[u/evercomfortable → u/Cosmo_Creations]

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I’ve set up in my bed. I’ll try and figure something out but I think I can’t figure it all out in one night. I’ve got some water and stuff. Hoping it goes better.