About 2 hours after I posted last night, Lucy passed away in John's arms. I had been giving him almost hourly updates during the day because she was in such distress, and after we got her diagnosis at the vet I called him. When we got home I called again and told him to hurry. Dr. Jeff was ready to come over whenever we called, but it turns out Lucy was just waiting for her Daddy to come home. Almost as soon as he picked her up, she had a spasm and died. I suppose this was the best way. I truly think she waited. Skootchie is very upset. I called him down for dinner but he wouldn't eat for a couple of hours. Finally, with lots of coaxing, he ate. Again this morning he wouldn't come down for breakfast (how I long for the days when he would wake me up in the wee hours!). He is clearly upset, and of course he can sense how sad we are. 
This morning we took Lucy to the Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery (the oldest one in the U.S.) to have her cremated, John's choice. He is really broken up. He was there when she was born, and again when she died. 
I am hoping Skootch can rebound a bit before we leave on Saturday. Maybe it's good we're going away - we all need some grieving and healing time. John's mom is a real cat person, so it will be good to stay with her. 
Soon I'll post a more fitting tribute for Lucy...