The way I figure it, I know my cats cam read my mind.  When I tell them
something or explain something to them, I have to have it orderly in my mind
and that makes reading whets going on easier for them.

Jo

[[It's my firm belief that cats do pick up on our emotions. They can
understand when we feel depressed or angry, sick, or otherwise sub-par.
They may not understand WHY,  but they do notice. Why else do they cuddle
up
with us when we're in bed sick?  I think they've probably noticed that
you've felt very anxious and stressed about your health situation since
you
got the news.  NOT knowing why you're feeling this is probably worrisome
to
them, on some level, even though they can't verbalize it.  I'd say, KEEP
telling KFC and BF  that they will be okay, you've provided for them, and
that you WILL be back, even if it takes a long time.  Reinforce the
"OKAY"
and "I'll be back" parts whenever possible.

Melissa]]

Agreeed.

Do you have a speakerphone? If not, you might consider picking one up.
That way, you can call home, Stan can put your voice on the speakerphone,
and you can "talk to" the cats. They'll hear your voice, even if they're
hiding and in "shy mode".

If that's not feasible, making a tape recording of your voice for Stan to
play back for the cats should help.

Also, maybe you can bring some T Shirts or something that you can wear
while you're away, and send them home with your scent on them so the cats
can continually get "updates" on how you're doing, at least in the scent
department. (If wearing them would be a problem, sleeping on top of them
should produce the same result of imbuing the items with your scent for
the kitties.)

We're still praying and purring that your treatment surpasses everyone's
best expectations and that you make a speedy recovery, too.

Donna, Captain, and Stanley.