Sick Raggie, Need Comfort
Hi Ragdoll community, I’m writing this post absolutely gutted and heart broken. About 2 weeks ago I noticed a substantial mass on her neck, roughly the size of a quarter. I’m constantly grooming her so I’m fairly certain I would have noticed it earlier had it been there. I immediately made an appointment with our vet to be seen the following week even though I thought I might be overreacting over a benign lump. I didn’t really notice many changes to indicate something was wrong beyond her newfound lack of appetite. She was also much more disinterested in play and enrichment and was just overall fatigued.
After various vet visits and tests I got really awful news—she has Mastocytoma. The first step in tackling the cancer is going to be a surgery. Hopefully she will have clear margins after that, but if not the next step is electrochemotherapy. I recently lost my job in early April and my greatest fear is that I’m not going to be able to cover the exorbitant vet bills for her to undergo the surgery. I’m living off savings to make rent as I find a new job. I’m also not in the position to ask family for help as times are difficult on everyone right now. I am absolutely devastated and totally reject any idea that I could lose her. She is my shadow and my anchor. I am feeling particularly guilty because the vet thinks her prognosis would be quite good if she undergoes the surgery.
I guess I’m just seeking out some words of comfort for myself and my sweet girl. Or stories of other fellow raggie owners that have gone through something similar to ease my pain. I love her so much and I cannot fathom losing her.
Edit: some family and friends have suggested gofundme, which I’m hesitant to do because asking strangers for money seems unbecoming but I will post the link here gofundme even a dollar helps, though I know we’re all suffering in times like these right now.