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...

It is with a huge lump in my throat as I write that Lucy has acute kidney failure. I knew it was bad - she has been crying and wailing on and off today, and her little legs just aren't working. There may be some other stuff going on, or something that triggered it, but she has had chronic renal failure signs for at least a year and a half. I got an emergency visit with Dr. Jeff, and the blood test confirmed it.
Poor thing. I have her with me in my studio room - I put a heating pad under a towel and she's lying on that. She has these little spasms every once in a while. The vet gave her a painkiller that will last 12 hours. John is taking tomorrow off from work. She's his kitty, and I can't go through this alone. I'm so sad, and tomorrow will be worse. This comes at a terrible time, just when we were going on a week's vacation [to see John's relatives] in California. Skootch will be alone, and he is just recovering from his latest health issues. Ever since I got him as a kitten, Lucy was his pal. Even though they were never best buddies, she is cat company. The last two days he has been very solicitous of her - cuddling next to her (a FIRST!), and sitting near her keeping a vigil. He knows something is wrong. 
Thank you all so much for your concern. It is comforting to know you are out there somewhere. I have sent condolences to some of you recently. All I can say is, losing a pet is a very painful thing. 

We're going back to the vet tomorrow morning. I am convinced it's something in his mouth. Paws crossed. Purrs and prayers much appreciated.

Since I last posted, we had a miserable night [last night]. John thought Skootch was not long for this world. He wouldn't even lick gravy off my finger - turned his head away and shuddered. Then I noticed he was drooling and shaking. He went under the dining room table and was drooling. I thought about spending the night with him under the table, then decided to go up to bed. I cried myself to sleep.
This morning I went looking for him, expecting a dead cat. Couldn't find him anywhere downstairs, found him under a dresser in our bedroom, still alive. He spent most of the day on our upstairs futon. I tried smearing a little gravy on his mouth, and he would drool and and whimper. Tonight a friend came over and helped me hydrate him (my first time doing THAT!). We'll see. I'm canceling all my plans for the next couple of days. So glad I work at home.

Since our blissful, quiet Saturday afternoon Skootch has had distressing health problems. Saturday morning was the last meal he has eaten. He has been vomiting and in distress. I have taken him to the vet twice in the past 24 hours. He's had x-rays, blood work, anti-yakking meds (twice!), ultra sound and fluids. They can't find ANYTHING. I have racked up a huge vet bill. I would feel better about the bill if they had found something, anything that was wrong. At this point I feel emotionally spent and depressed. I am also distracted, trying to get work done, but not able to concentrate. I keep thinking I hear him throwing up again. Wah. I'll keep you posted.