[M.D. Holloway]

Interesting and new complications. She has a compromised immune system. Cardiology can't do anything with the valve until she is stronger. So no operation to fix the pump. The renal folks say that she is in kidney failure and dialysis would be very painful for her due to her present state and the fact is it most likely won't prolong her life or make her better for surgery. So infectious disease was called in to explore the possibility an infection that wasn't readily apparent. It is now discovered that she has a rather rare infection caused by a bacteria carried by cats. People with a compromised immune system are susceptible to this. Here is the saddest thing. Her husband took in a stray cat a few years ago. The cat stays out side or sometimes comes into the closed patio to eat. Her husband has grown very fond of it. While visiting recently he spent most of his time on the patio holding and petting the cat. She never liked it. I think she was most likely jealous of the attention that cat got over her. If it discovered that her demise was due to the cat, the old guy will be crushed.

Such a strange and sad state of affairs.