In the end, it was indeed Tenzing's heart. It was likely quietly giving out for some time, just as we'd been told two years ago it would, and what ended up starting it all was a thrown blood clot somewhere around his right shoulder. 

As the day went on, fluid started building up in his lungs. He struggled to breathe, even with sedation.

I rushed Tenzing to the vet's this morning. It doesn't look good. He was carrying his right front paw limply and screeching to wake me up at 5am today, and I hoped it was just a physical injury. The vet believes we are looking at either a catastrophic neurological problem, a stroke, or something physical like a slipped disc that would cause numbness.

We are back home from another round of vet visits. Last night, I wasn't sure if I needed to take Tenzing to the vet again, but this morning, after a rough night for everyone concerned, I was sure. He's normally grateful when I (finally!) go to bed each night, and sleeps contentedly on my knees, but last night was different. Through the night last night, he woke me every 1.5 - 2 hours, needing to be held and comforted.

This wasn't Tenzing.

I make constant snark about Tenzing, but I couldn't say "free to good home" and mean it. We are companionable, he and I. We spend a great deal of time annoying each other, as these photos attest:

A few quick updates...

Bessie Jane arrived today. In an odd twist of fate, given the [likely] maker's maiden name -- Spurlock -- she was probably a distant relative of Jacob's. Yeah, Jacob, my quilty co-conspirator. Now, admittedly, when I bid on this quilt top on ebay, I felt confident in its quality, but I can tell you that when I opened the box today, I was delighted at its condition and quality.