These last couple months have been so rough. My grandpa deteriorated quickly and passed away. Another close relative had a stroke soon afterwards.

Around the same time our rats, who are close to 2 years old (that's elderly for rats), have started to decline. A few weeks ago I found a small tumor on Blinkin-based on the location it's likely a benign mammary tumor, but they can grow fast and large, and sadly, female rats are quite prone to them. On a past pet I had a tumor surgically removed and it grew back immediately after the rat recovered. Given Blinkin's age, the stress and pain of surgery, and the super high cost of the procedure from vets where we live, we are currently planning to let her live with it for as long as she can be comfortable. It is still small fortunately.

So in the midst of worrying about Blinkin, suddenly her twin Boo has declined in the past few days. We noticed a little unusual weakness and clumsiness this past weekend, though nothing alarming. Suddenly last afternoon she seemed to be in bad shape-no balance, weakness in paws when trying to eat, circling or falling over when walking on flat, open floor, and signs of pain for a rat (porphyrin, rubbing fur away from her eyes, puffy fur.)
Most likely it is a pituitary tumor (a fatal brain tumor), or possibly an ear infection or stroke. I'm hoping the vet might give us the best case scenario diagnosis today and that it's something we can treat, or at least delay symptoms, through steroids and antibiotics, but they may recommend putting her to sleep. Either way, we are likely going to need to say goodbye to them both very soon. I know they have short lifespans, but it still breaks my heart.

Meanwhile work is busier than ever, and I've been sick with one cold after another since mid November. I'm so exhausted and am barely keeping up. I'm so tired of sad goodbyes.

Update: we do have some good news. After looking awful last night (I was fully prepared to have to put her to sleep), Boo showed less signs of pain today before work. We still took videos at her worst last night to show thr dizziness. The vet thinks it is probably an inner ear infection and prescribed antibiotics to treat it. If not, we can try anti inflammatory meds too. It could be a fatal pituitary tumor but the vet thinks inner ear infection is probably more likely.
The vet also affirmed our decision not to have Blinkin's tumor removed surgically. It is small but he could feel it had tendrils attached that would be tricky to fully remove and likely to grow again after surgery. We will make her as cozy as possible as long as we can.