Phantom's medication fund (2021)

A bit of Phantoms backstory…if you’re interested.  Without giving you my whole life story I’ll just say that Phantom (or as the shelter had named her, Jasmine) came into my life when I desperately needed her.  I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t get around very well, so I didn’t feel up to getting out much. While I eventually had spinal fusion surgery and recovered, I was out of commission for quite a while.  Phantom is extremely loveable and will cuddle on my lap and even in bed.  I felt bad when I had to leave her home alone, even if it was only for a few hours.  She would run to me crying as soon as I walked in.  While I was at the pet food store one day I saw a sweet, silly acting little gray kitten available for adoption.  When I had rescued Phantom I was told that she had come into the shelter pregnant.  She had a litter of 5 but as soon as they were old enough, they were adopted out.  The woman at the shelter said that because of this, Phantom was really good with kittens…not so much with other adult cats.  I took a chance and adopted “Luna” who I quickly renamed Khaleesi.  As corny as it sounds, it was love at first sight.  Within an hour of bringing her home, Phantom was grooming her and they were quickly inseparable.  I honestly believe that Khaleesi thinks Phantom is her mom.  It’s a few years later on and they still are as lovey dovey as ever…Khaleesi can actually be pretty possessive when it comes to her “mom”.  Aside from the occasional sniffles both cats are healthy & active…and love playing together.  About 2 weeks ago I noticed that Phantom had a watery eye.  It didn’t seem like any more than that, so I didn’t think much of it.  When she came for a snuggle, I would gently wipe the tears off her fur.  They were brownish in color, so I googled it.  Everything I read said that this was nothing serious and was nothing more than a minor bug that cats get throughout their life.  2 days later though Phantom jumped on my lap and a fair size portion of pink tissue was bulging out of the top of her eye. I made the soonest appt I could w/ the local vet.   I explained the situation about Phantoms sudden eye swelling (even though it’s quite literally as plain as the nose on her face).  The vet originally thought that there might be some injury to the eye to cause the sudden swelling, so they performed an eye stain test. There was no scratch.  She tested the pressure around the eye & connective tissue. She advised that pressure is pushing Phantom’s actual eyeball forward, so a simple eye infection was unlikely. The clinic only has the ability to do x-ray’s (no CT’s) and while it did show a mass behind the eye, because the image is only 2D they cannot tell the size of the mass, its exact location or what (if anything) it is attached to.  They also had no way of knowing if it is a fatty tumor, a fluid filled cyst or cancer. That was about 10 days ago. Since then I’ve spent over $1,200 for multiple blood panels, sedation for 2 separate biopsies (the first one only contained blood – no cells/tissue, the 2nd went so deep it required 2 dissolvable sutures) 2 broad spectrum antibiotics (liquid given by mouth & eye drops), a steroid injection for swelling (Depo-Medrol which they said wasn’t in a high enough dose as to act as an immunosuppressant), eye lubricant salve to keep the exposed eye tissue from drying out and pain meds.  I’m waiting on the results back from the 2nd biopsy & trying not to completely freak out. I’ve now found a cat only vet clinic and have a tentative appointment for early next week (they want the lab results for the 2nd biopsy before the appointment).  It’s not exactly closeby but at least they are more of specialists.  The problem is that a CT scan will be needed to allow the doctor to see the exact size & location of the mass and develop a plan of action.  Phantom’s eye may need to be removed just to allow access to the mass without having to open her tiny skull.  CT scans are $1,500 to $2,000 and a surgery + supportive care and meds can run in the neighborhood of $3,500.  Unfortunately, I do not have pet insurance and there is only $200 worth of room left on the “care credit” card that I applied for when this first started.   I don’t have much in the way of family and times are tough right now with this lockdown.  My girls mean everything to me and if I had the money, I would take Phantom to the best vet in the country.  Since I’m not, I am here now asking for your help.  I support myself so I still must save enough out for rent and food. Whether its $5 or $500 (I don’t expect that) I will be forever grateful for whatever you are able to donate.  I just want Phantom to have the best possible chance at beating this that I can give her.