🐾 Confessions of an "Insane" Cat Lady 🐾

I’ve started calling myself an “insane” cat lady—and no, it’s not just for dramatic flair.

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We've all heard of the “crazy cat lady” stereotype.

• Probably single
• Has a house full of cats
• Talks about them nonstop
• Dreams of opening her own cat sanctuary someday
• Some of the cats might be on anti-anxiety meds
• A little socially awkward
• A little isolated
• But always well-meaning

Sure, I can check a few of those boxes myself.

"It's definitely NOT the original version that my husband showed me from The Simpsons."

But here’s where the “insane” part comes in:
It’s not about how many cats I have.
It’s not how often I talk about them.
It’s about purpose.

My cat, Chiana, is FeLV-positive.
And we’re not just waiting for the inevitable.
We’re fighting.

Most people follow conventional wisdom:

• Keep the cat comfortable
• Let the virus run its course

But we’re choosing something different—something:

• Experimental
• Hopeful
• Scientific

What does that look like?

• We began with a baseline IDEXX FeLV PCR test
• Introduced antiretrovirals
• Tracked every:
  • Test
  • Shift
  • Symptom

“This isn’t just care—it’s uncharted territory.
Real-time learning.
Living science.”

And let me tell you: it’s not easy.

• Early hopes with mono-drug therapy aren’t holding steady long term
• But we keep going
• Because Chiana is still asymptomatic

Why I created this blog:

To document:

• Chiana’s story
• Our treatment path
• Everything we’ve discovered along the way

I also run a small private Facebook group supporting other FeLV caregivers using anti-retrovirals.

It’s a space for:

• Honest updates
• Questions
• Encouragement

Because let’s face it—very few places offer that.

Our Household

• Talyn, our other cat, is FeLV-negative
• He receives annual vaccination to stay that way

Living this way—balancing care, treatment, risk, and hope—takes “crazy cat lady” to a whole new level.

This path is not for the faint of heart.

• Yes, this disease is isolating
• Yes, social media can be messy

But I have:

• My faith in God
• The growing power of AI to assist me
• A small global network of support

“I am not just caring for a cat.
I am fighting a virus.
I am walking with others.
I am chasing hope.”

And I’m doing it all because one cat might be the beginning of the cure.

She is one cat.
But the true treatment starts with one cat.

And I am the Insane Cat Lady.

Test Results: May 5, 2025: Progressive: Increase

Update

After the initial drop in viral load on the new drug, it appears that Chiana's viral load is creeping up again and she's progressive. We're sad to see this. We saw this with raltegravir but now that we know that weight/dosing isn't an issue, we're wondering what the future holds regarding using this drug.

Test Results

Date	Status	Viral Load
3/24/25	REGRESSIVE	5.2 10^5 = 520,000
5/5/25	Progressive	1.6 10^6 = 1,600,000

May 2025: Closing Down CaringBridge

Visit the original page: www.caringbridge.org/visit/chianawill

I just posted this on CaringBridge. I'll be honest—using CaringBridge to post updates about my cat always felt a little... off. While “family” can mean many things, I never quite felt this platform was the right fit for sharing Chiana’s journey.

Still, finding a better option took a lot longer than expected. I tried an online class on blogging, wrestled endlessly with WordPress, and came up short each time.

I had a clear vision: I wanted something simple and text-focused—nothing flashy or modern with oversized images and minimal substance. Just a good old-fashioned blog where I could post updates and maybe tweak things here and there. Free was a bonus.

Surprisingly, I found exactly what I was looking for on one of the oldest blogging platforms still around: Blogger. Remember that one? Barely, right? Now owned by Google, it’s a bit under the radar, and I hope it stays that way—fingers crossed they don’t sunset it (to borrow an IT term).

It’s not perfect. Subscribing to the blog is a bit tricky, and I’m still unsure if the third-party app follow.it actually works. If you happen to try subscribing, please let me know so I can make sure you’re receiving updates.

I began transitioning to Blogger around Christmas 2024. Thankfully, the platform lets you backdate posts, so I was able to move much of the history from here over there.

Now, in May 2025, it feels like the right time to officially close this chapter on CaringBridge. I’ll always be grateful to this site—it gave me a place to share honestly and openly during a time when I really needed it.

If you'd like to continue following Chiana’s story, you can find her blog here:
👉 https://felvwarriorchiana1.blogspot.com/

With heartfelt thanks,
—Dawn

February 15, 2025: FeLV Vaccine: Talyn: Another Year Still Negative

Every February brings a familiar mix of emotion in our home—but mostly, it brings peace of mind.

You see, we have a mixed household: Chiana, our beloved FeLV+ Maine Coon, and Talyn, our FeLV-negative tuxedo cat. While that might sound risky, it's actually very manageable thanks to a thoughtful approach and a little bit of science.

Each year around this time, Talyn gets his Nobivac Feline 2-FeLV vaccine. We’re consistent with it—religiously so—because we believe in being proactive. This diligence, combined with other important factors, keeps the risk of transmission very low. In fact, there are several reasons why we feel confident in their safety:

• Age matters – Adult cats are significantly more resistant to FeLV than kittens.
• Viral load management – We work hard to keep Chiana’s viral load as low as possible, and that makes a difference.
• Vaccination – The vaccine adds a meaningful layer of protection.

Still, when February rolls around, I feel that familiar flicker of worry. Living with FeLV has taught us not to take anything for granted. So, on February 15^th, we brought Talyn in for his annual SNAP test and FeLV vaccine. Just as we hoped, the result was negative—and just like that, another year of reassurance was added to our story.

Now, I get to watch Chiana and Talyn playfully race up and down the stairs, chasing each other and play fighting. That sight never gets old, and every clean test feels like a quiet celebration.

If you’re navigating life with a mixed FeLV household, I hope this gives you hope. With careful planning, veterinary support, and a little courage, the risk can be managed—and the love is always worth it.