Collectively, we humans know so much, and we have so many tools, methods, tests and sensors to figure things out, that when something comes along that eludes explanation, it seems abnormal.
A few days ago, one of our cats, Muffy, was showing signs of intestinal distress and lost her appetite. This was especially jarring because Muffy is, to use an intra-species metaphor, a chow-hound. Whenever anyone is in the kitchen, Muffy is there, signaling in unsubtle ways that she would like some food or snacks.
So, after a couple of days, it was natural to take her to the vet to find out what was ailing her. But none of the obvious first tier explanations checked out - she was poked, prodded and squeezed and didn't show signs of being in pain or having an obvious blockage. So, blood was sampled and sent off overnight for tests.
The test results came back today. Everything was normal, or nearly so, and the anomalies were likely due to mild dehydration. Next step, x-rays, to see if she had swallowed a wine cork, rubber band, string, etc. (OK, the wine cork would be highly unlikely - but this is Muffy).
So, back to the vet. A few hours later comes the report. Nothing shows up in the x-rays. She was sent home after getting an anti-nausea shot and some subcutaneous fluids. I'm not sure what's next if she doesn't resume eating.
Maybe things will improve, maybe they won't. Without knowing the cause of the problem, there's no clarity on what action to take. Knowing provides security. Not knowing feels insecure. But I think that there really is not so much difference between knowing and not knowing. The apparent difference results from an often false assumption that knowledge will let us control the future outcome, and unnecessary grasping to the idea that to feel OK about a situation we have to understand it and control its fate.
Muffy's mystery ailment is a reminder that life is full of things that we don't know and can't control, and freedom comes from being OK with that - even while we continue to care for and about Muffy and try to help her be well.
No comments:
Post a Comment