Cole's Cancer Treatment
Donation protected
Hi everyone! Cole has been my partner in crime for some time now and we can rarely be seen without one another. Cole is a doberman pinscher with a bubbly personality. In the last 2 years, Cole has got me through some really difficult times, mainly my moms long and unfortunately unsuccessful battle with cancer. Currently, just Cole and I live in our family home together while I finish college, as both my siblings live out of town for work and school.
Early Signs
About three weeks ago when Cole and I were out for a walk at the park, I noticed a slight limp in his front leg. At the time, I just brushed it off assuming nothing more than just a little tweaked ankle. Over the past week, that slight limp has turned into complete paralysis of his front right leg. I immediately took Cole to his veterinarian for an exam and X-rays on October 21st. The X-rays showed mineralized material between two of his discs in his spinal column but the veterinarian believed that it was too high up on his neck to be the cause of the paralysis.
Diagnosis
On October 22nd (yesterday), Cole and I drove 3 hours to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine where he was admitted for further testing and imaging. This morning (October 23rd), I recieved a call from the hospital notifying me that Cole actually has cancer (carcinoma) and that a tumor is resticting the main nerve running to his leg.
Treatment
Cole is currently awaiting a CT /Radiation Therapy at Cornell University. If treated, the prognosis for remission length is between 1 and 1.5 years. In the event of the cancer coming back, more treatment would be needed but the cost of it would be marginal because he wouldn't need another CT-scan and the radiation molds would be saved from the first round of treatment.
Cost
All said and done, the cost for everything is around $6,500. The $3,500 will cover the CT-scan and the 4 days of radiation therapy. I already made a $3,000 deposit when he was admitted yesterday, which is already factored into the total cost.
Timeline
Treatment can start as soon as I raise enough money to cover the remaining about due. Unfortunately, time is a concern and therapy is recommended to start ASAP.
About Me
My name is Asher Pontikos. I am a 22 year old college student at the University at Buffalo. I am finishing up my last semester of undergrade and I am double majoring in Environmental Geosciences and Geographical Information Science. I enjoy photography and everything outdoors (especially when Cole is by my side).
Cole and I thank you in advance for your thoughts and support!
Early Signs
About three weeks ago when Cole and I were out for a walk at the park, I noticed a slight limp in his front leg. At the time, I just brushed it off assuming nothing more than just a little tweaked ankle. Over the past week, that slight limp has turned into complete paralysis of his front right leg. I immediately took Cole to his veterinarian for an exam and X-rays on October 21st. The X-rays showed mineralized material between two of his discs in his spinal column but the veterinarian believed that it was too high up on his neck to be the cause of the paralysis.
Diagnosis
On October 22nd (yesterday), Cole and I drove 3 hours to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine where he was admitted for further testing and imaging. This morning (October 23rd), I recieved a call from the hospital notifying me that Cole actually has cancer (carcinoma) and that a tumor is resticting the main nerve running to his leg.
Treatment
Cole is currently awaiting a CT /Radiation Therapy at Cornell University. If treated, the prognosis for remission length is between 1 and 1.5 years. In the event of the cancer coming back, more treatment would be needed but the cost of it would be marginal because he wouldn't need another CT-scan and the radiation molds would be saved from the first round of treatment.
Cost
All said and done, the cost for everything is around $6,500. The $3,500 will cover the CT-scan and the 4 days of radiation therapy. I already made a $3,000 deposit when he was admitted yesterday, which is already factored into the total cost.
Timeline
Treatment can start as soon as I raise enough money to cover the remaining about due. Unfortunately, time is a concern and therapy is recommended to start ASAP.
About Me
My name is Asher Pontikos. I am a 22 year old college student at the University at Buffalo. I am finishing up my last semester of undergrade and I am double majoring in Environmental Geosciences and Geographical Information Science. I enjoy photography and everything outdoors (especially when Cole is by my side).
Cole and I thank you in advance for your thoughts and support!
Organizer
Asher Pontikos
Organizer
Buffalo, NY
