u/PC_NC_1203

Looking for advice from anyone who's dealt with feline IBD or small-cell lymphoma.

My 9-year-old male cat was diagnosed with presumed IBD in 2021 (he was about 4). At the time, he was vomiting daily. They didn't do intestinal biopsies, but they did lymphnode aspirates and felt IBD was the most likely diagnosis. We switched to feeding six small meals a day with an automatic feeder, and that completely controlled his symptoms for years.

Everything changed after two back-to-back rounds of antibiotics in Aug./Sept. 2025. He developed diarrhea that initially came and went (a few days of diarrhea followed by a month or two of normal stool), but over the next 5-6 months it gradually became more frequent.

We've since tried multiple diet changes, probiotics, bloodwork, stool testing, and ultrasounds. Both ultrasounds showed chronic enteropathy with mildly enlarged intestinal lymphnodes, but nothing else significant. By the time we got in with an internist this July, the diarrhea had become an everyday issue, and it still is.

He's currently on Royal Canin Urinary SO + Hydrolyzed Protein and AnimalBiome S. boulardii + FOS. We're still waiting on a PCR diarrhea panel that was submitted this week, and his fecal transplant capsules arrive today. I'm also trying to get a second opinion at another specialty hospital and should hopefully have an appointment in a couple of weeks.

Here's where I'm struggling. My internist is recommending we start prednisolone without doing biopsies. His reasoning was that endoscopic biopsies often don't provide definitive answers, and while full-thickness surgical biopsies are better, they can still be inconclusive.

I have no problem starting steroids if that's what's best for him. My hesitation is that if he's going to be on steroids for years, I'd really like to know what we're treating. Is this truly IBD? Is it small-cell lymphoma (which would then require the addition of a chemo drug)? If it is IBD, could biopsies help identify the subtype and guide treatment? Its my understanding that steroids will skew the results of biopsies, so I really need to decide which direction to go in and move forward.

For those who have been through this:

• Did you pursue biopsies before starting steroids, or did you start treatment first?
• If you did biopsies, were they endoscopic or full-thickness, and were they worth it?
• Looking back, would you make the same decision?

I'm exhausted watching him have diarrhea every day and just want to make the best decision for him. Thank you

I'd love to hear from anyone who's been through this: starting a small business while raising young kids.

I'm an interior designer with about six years of experience in residential design. About nine months ago, I stepped away from my full-time job to stay home with my daughter after becoming really unhappy with my work environment. It ended up being the right decision for our family, and I've loved being home with her.

That said, I've been itching to get back into design. I've been taking on a few small projects for family and friends, and I'm starting to think about launching a full-service residential interior design business (has always been the goal, I was just never sure when the right time would be).

Here's the timeline I'm considering: I have an almost 2-year-old, and I'm currently pregnant with our second (and last) baby, due in February. My thought is to officially launch the business in about a year, when the baby is around 6 months old.

I know that sounds a little crazy, but part of me feels like it could actually be good timing. I know it will take time to build a client base, establish systems, and get my name out there, so I'm not expecting to be overwhelmed with projects right away. Ideally, the business would grow gradually as my youngest gets older.

For those of you who have started a business with babies or toddlers at home:

• What worked well?
• What do you wish you'd done differently?
• Did you regret starting too early, or wish you'd started sooner?
• Am I underestimating how difficult this will be?

I'd love any advice, encouragement, or reality checks from parents who have been in a similar season of life.

I lost my soul dog almost two weeks ago. I adopted her when I was 19. She's been with me through everything (college, moves, getting engaged, married, and having my first baby). She is completely intertwined into every adult memory I have. I feel so lost without her. She was diagnosed with a aggressive brain tumor at the beginning of June and by early July the seizures could no longer be controlled and we knew it was time. She was 15 1/2. I don't know how to do life without her. I'm so damn sad everyday and don't know how to get through it.

I’m pregnant with my second. I’ve always wanted more than one kid and actually envisioned myself with a big family but right now I’m having this overwhelming guilt of having another and taking attention away from my first. I also have no idea how I could love another person as much as my daughter. I know everyone says your heart just grows, but does it really?! I just can’t comprehend it

how much coffee are you really having each day? I’m still limiting myself to just one cup but man am I tired and could really use another in the afternoon😴

I’m desperate for advice because something really strange is going on with my 19-month-old’s sleep.

About a month ago, she went through what I assumed was an 18-month sleep regression after travel and a lot of schedule changes. Bedtime became difficult (wanted to be rocked to sleep and would wake during transfers), but naps stayed completely normal. After a couple of weeks, things improved.

Then last week, out of nowhere, she woke around 10:30 p.m. after a failed crib transfer and stayed awake until 5 a.m. She screamed if we stayed in her room, screamed if we brought her into our bed, but was completely happy if we went downstairs and let her play. The next day her pediatrician ruled out an ear infection or illness. She does have a couple molars coming in, so we thought maybe teething plus the regression.

She then slept perfectly for a week. I was putting her down awake again with no issues.

Last night it happened again. She fell asleep independently at 7:30, then woke around midnight screaming. She refused to go back to sleep, seemed calmer only if a light was on, and screamed whenever we turned it off. We tried rocking her, our bed, everything. The only thing that stopped the screaming was taking her downstairs, where she happily played until almost 7 a.m.

What’s confusing is that her naps have been completely unaffected this entire time. I put her down awake and she naps for about 2 hours with no problem.

She’s seen her pediatrician twice (including a routine checkup 2 days ago), and everything looks normal. No fever, no signs she’s sick, and otherwise she’s happy and healthy.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? What ended up being the cause? At this point I’m wondering if I should ask for bloodwork or another workup because staying awake all night twice in one week at this age just doesn’t seem normal.

We’re struggling with how we’ll know when it’s time to help our sweet pup cross the rainbow bridge.

We have a 15-year-old terrier mix who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. After a lot of thought, conversations with specialists, and many sleepless nights, we’ve decided not to pursue radiation for a variety of reasons. Instead, our goal is to keep her as comfortable as possible and focus on loving her, spending as much time with her as we can, and filling her remaining weeks or months with all of her favorite things.

About three weeks ago, she had two seizures, which ultimately led to the diagnosis. Since then, she’s been on Keppra and prednisone and has remained seizure-free. She’s still eating well and still enjoys her walks, which have always been her favorite thing. The difference is that she used to react to the word “walk” by jumping up and down, running in circles, and acting like the happiest dog in the world. Now she mostly trots to the door with a wagging tail. She’s still excited, just in a much quieter way.

She also still seeks us out, follows us around the house, and likes to be near us wherever we are. But overall, her normally energetic, lively personality has become much calmer and, at times, almost a little melancholy. When she’s not eating or going for a walk, she’s usually sleeping or lying down resting.

For many 15-year-old dogs, this probably wouldn’t seem unusual. But our dog has been extraordinarily energetic and hyperactive since the day we brought her home 14 years ago, so the change from even a couple of months ago feels significant.

I don’t believe it’s time to let her go yet. She still seems to enjoy her favorite things, seeks out her family, and has good moments every day. What I’m struggling with is knowing how to recognize when that changes. I never want to wait so long that she’s suffering just because I’m not ready to say goodbye.

For those who have gone through something similar—especially with a dog who was naturally very energetic and then became much quieter due to a brain tumor, cancer, or even medication side effects—what signs told you that their quality of life was truly declining? Looking back, how did you know it was time?

thank you

I became a SAHM when my daughter was about 10 months old, and I've now been home with her for around 9 months. So far, I'm really loving it.

I decided to leave because I knew I'd always regret not at least trying the stay-at-home route, and I felt like I was missing so much precious time with my baby. I left a job that I wasn't particularly excited about anymore, but not a career I had fallen out of love with, if that makes sense. I still genuinely enjoy my field and fully intend to return to work at some point, with the long-term goal of possibly starting my own business.

What I'm struggling with is figuring out when that return should happen. I don't want to rush the time I have at home, because I do love it and I'm definitely not ready to go back yet (plus I just found out I'm pregnant again, so I'm not planning a return in the immediate future) but I also don't want to be out of the workforce for like 10 years either (I just think going back would be soooo hard after that amount of time for me personally).

For those of you who were SAHMs and later chose to go back to work, how long did you stay home before returning? How did you know it was the right time? Was the transition difficult for you or your child? If you child wasn't in school full time yet and they ended up having to go to daycare or have a nanny, was that hard for them? Looking back, do you wish you had returned sooner, later, or are you happy with the timing?

I'd love to hear about your experiences and what factors went into your decision.

I’m traveling to BHI with my family in a few weeks. Our dog, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor is coming with us. Her symptoms have been well managed since the diagnosis with medications, and if anything declines with her between now and then we will reconsider our plans.

My question is, what are our options if she has a medical emergency overnight while on the island? I know there are emergency boats to get you off the island for a human emergencies, but what about for a pet? How do you contact this emergency service if so and what are the logistics? Thanks in advance!

just for fun, I’m curious what everyone thinks the perfect/ideal age gap is. Open to hearing from everyone, but specifically parents of multiples who have experienced these . And why

My 15 year old pit terrier mix was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Monday, and I'm hoping to hear from others who have faced a similar decision.

Back in August 2025, she was diagnosed with neurogenic KCS (severe dry eye). A tumor was included in a list of possible causes, but because she responded well to treatment and was otherwise healthy, no further diagnostics were recommended. The doctor did not immediately feel a tumor was the most likely reason.

Over the following months, she had a few flare-ups that again improved with medication.

At the end of May, her eye suddenly became noticeably bulging. I returned to the ophthalmologist and was prescribed oral prednisone, but I felt strongly that something more was going on and scheduled a second opinion. Before that appointment, she had two seizures over the weekend, which led us to NC State for an MRI.

The MRI revealed a large mass that appears to have originated in her nasal cavity and spread behind her eye and into her brain. The neurology and radiation oncology teams believe it is most likely squamous cell carcinoma. They feel the eye issues were likely related to the tumor all along.

The recommended treatment is a stereotactic-style radiation protocol consisting of five treatments over a week. The doctors estimate this could potentially give her another 7 to 12 months of good quality time. Without treatment, they estimate 2 to 3 months.

My biggest hesitation is that she had a severe reaction after the MRI anesthesia and ended up hospitalized with gastroenteritis. It was terrifying, and I'm struggling with the idea of putting her under anesthesia again. What's confusing is that she had anesthesia for a dental procedure just two months earlier and did great.

So now I'm trying to decide whether to pursue radiation and hope for more quality time together, or focus on comfort and cherish whatever time she has left.

For those who have been through this:

• Did you pursue radiation? Was it worth it? How did your dog tolerate it?

• If you chose not to pursue treatment, do you feel at peace with that decision?

Thank you for any advice. I'm heartbroken and trying to make the best decision for my girl.

is it safe to drink the drinking water at the park Hyatt st kitts? or should we plan on only doing bottled water?

My daughter is almost 18 months, and I feel like it’s time for a bit of a toy refresh with things she can grow into over the next year and beyond. I’m deep in decision fatigue (too many options + ADHD 😅), so I’d love some input.

What I’m looking for:

• Montessori-style, open-ended toys
• We’ve done Lovevery kits and like them, but I’m also looking at Grimm’s and Schleich animals, Sarah's Silks, etc. (open to other brands with similar items - esp. if a bit cheaper)

Are there good alternatives that are still high quality and non-toxic but a bit more affordable? I see a ton of Amazon dupes, but I’m skeptical about durability and paint safety. “Non-toxic” gets thrown around a lot, but I’m not always sure it really is.

Also looking for outdoor setup recommendations:

• Mud kitchen / potting station that can live outside full-time (sun, rain, etc.)
• Outdoor table situation

I keep seeing those picnic tables with built-in bins on TikTok (linking below) and love the concept, but I’m unsure about the backless bench setup for an 18-month-old. Would that be fine, or is a separate table + chairs the better move?

Not trying to spend a fortune, but I do want things that will last—so I’m open to spending a bit more if it’s actually worth it.

Would love to hear what’s been worth it for you! Thank sooo much in advance!

Mud Kitchens:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FMRXX7YN/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?smid=A2Z69O6Z1XPK45&th=1

https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/martha-stewart-kids-outdoor-potting-bench-mstt6600.html

https://www.wayfair.com/school-furniture-and-supplies/pdp/robud-wooden-mud-kitchen-for-kids-outdoor-play-kitchen-set-with-storage-shelf-natural-wood-and-green-wg427-rbud1105.html

https://www.wayfair.com/school-furniture-and-supplies/pdp/tiny-land-duoplay-mud-kitchen-tnye1034.html

Tables

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F7HGYQSN/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=A39OKBX34R9U9F&th=1

Or something plastic, easily wipeable? https://www.wayfair.com/baby-kids/pdp/zoomie-kids-nila-kids-3-piece-rectangular-play-activity-table-and-chair-set-w006685251.html?piid=735308560

We’re heading to St. Kitts at the end of May and staying at the Park Hyatt. I’m wondering if anyone has used Hyatt’s airport transportation with a provided car seat (at this property or any other Hyatt) to and from the airport.

This isn’t something I’d normally consider since you don’t know the seat’s history, whether it’s expired, or how well it’s installed. That said, we don’t plan to leave the resort much aside from maybe a walkable dinner or the ferry to Nevis, so avoiding bringing our own seat through the airport would be a big plus.

Has anyone done this? Did you feel comfortable with the quality and installation of the car seat? I’d assume Hyatt has standards in place for liability reasons, but I’d love to hear real experiences before deciding.

Thanks!