I lost my Walter two days ago, and since then I’ve been reading other people’s stories about HCM (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), trying somehow to calm my mind and my heart.
He was only 3 and a half years old.
We adopted him when he was one. His previous owners couldn’t keep him, so he came to live with us and his Sphynx sister, who is the same age as him.
Then we found out that Walter had HCM (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
From that moment on, we did everything we could. He had check-ups every three months, sometimes even more often, and was very closely monitored. Even when he looked completely fine on the outside, unfortunately the disease was still progressing inside him.
I can’t cope with this pain. I can’t cope with him not being here anymore. I miss him so much. We all do. His sister keeps smelling and searching all the places where he used to be, as if she is trying to find him. And I still wake up hoping somehow that he will come back.
Everything happened so fast.
He was heavily medicated and we were constantly monitoring him. These last few weeks he had given us a few scares, but I still had so much hope that we would have more time with him.
He was taking six pills every day, always at the right times. But he was eating, drinking, and always wanted to be close to us. Despite everything that was happening inside his little heart, he was still Walter. He was still happy. He still wanted to be here.
And then Saturday happened.
I came home and he was so happy to see me. He came to greet me, almost as if he had been waiting for me to come home. We gave him his last pill and his little treat afterwards, just like we always did.
Seconds later, he fell onto his side and had an attack.
He died in our arms.
I still can’t believe I’m writing those words.
We rushed him to the vet, but there was already no life left in him.
It isn’t fair. It just isn’t fair. Not for him.
I never wanted him to suffer, and I knew how serious his disease was. But he was still happy. You could see it. Despite everything his body was going through, he still had that desire to live. I truly believed we had more time.
Fuck HCM.
Why does this disease even exist? Why is there still no cure?
I would have given anything for more time with him.
I’m sorry for writing so much. I just needed somewhere to let this out and to share Walter’s story with people who might understand what this feels like.
He was only 3 and a half years old. He deserved so much more time.
I miss him more than I can put into words. ❤️