🐾 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.