lymhoma treatment..need help w/cost for my dog.
By Debbie Tambasco from Farmington, NY....near Rochester, NY on August 25, 2006 in Dog Cancer
I have the most beautiful, lovable siberian husky named Mickey. He is about 10.5yrs old. Last fall he had some white spots on his eyes. I took him to his vet to have it checked out. She said it looked like the beginnings of cateracts, but was not serious, and to keep a check on his eyes. In approximately 5-7 days his eyes were all white. Another visit to the vet confirmed he was toally blind...yes, that fast! After lots of tests, he was diagnosed with diabetes. We immediately started treatment and insulin injections to control his diabetes. He had many visits to the vet for progress, etc. We also learned that there was eye surgery available to Mickey to get his eyesight back! We were more than thrilled, because I knew Mickey was very unhappy stumbling around, running into things, etc. We took Mickey about 70miles out of town for the surgery which was very serious and invasive. He went through unbelievable surgeries, and treatments and got his eyesight back. I was so happy I had my Mickey back again...only the diabetes to contend with. Then, about 4 months later I felt a large lump on Mickey's throat. Another trip to the vet and he was diagnosed with cancer. I felt so helpless, hopeless and totally heart broken!
After all Mickey had been through, and how he pulled through, tolerating the diabetes and injections, vet visits, and eye surgery and after care, I just could not believe he now had cancer! I was told by his vet that certain kinds of cancer in dogs was curable, and certain kinds were not. Mickey's was not. He has lymhnoma. This kind of cancer can be put into remission (possibly) with chemotherapy treatments my vet said. She did not seem very optimistic though. I then took Mickey to an oncologist about 35 minutes from home and spoke with her. She advised me that Mickey had a very good chance for remission because of his age, and that it had not spread to any major organs. Without a second thought I said "yes" to the treatments. She had explained the treatments were nothing like chemo for humans. That they are very tolerable for dogs, and that Mickey was a very good candidate for this course of treatment. She advised the cost was very high though. I said let's do it , I'll find a way to afford it. She had estimated about 3400.00 total. I had just received a credit card offer for a 3000.00 limit, so I took it. (by the way, Mickey's eye surgery ran approximately 3200.00-4000.00 total a few months earlier). Mickey is about 1/2 way through with the treatment regiment now. The cost has been much higher than her estimate; my credit card is maxed out. Today his treatment was 259.00, and he goes every week.
I am looking for any organization that is willing and able to help with the cost of Mickey's (rest of) treatment costs. I do not have family, or friends that can help monetarily. I am disabled and unable to work more than 4 hours per day. I have not worked in about 4 years, since becoming disabled. I am going to go out to find a part time job next month when my 8yr old daughter goes back to school.I am only able to make a small amount of money per month because I am on social security disability. Mickey is doing so good on his treatments, tolerating them so good, and acting like his old self again, I just cannot stop the treatments and sit by and watch him die. He is my little boy. MUCH more than just a dog to me and my family. Are there any organizations that could help me with these costs to save my boy Mickey? Please let me know ASAP, I need to find a way for him. The DR says he could have 1.5-2 years more life with us, and with a very good quality of life too. I very much need help in this matter. Please respond and help me help Mickey. Thank You very much....Sincerely, Debbie Tambasco |
