The Fight for Hershey
Donation protected
Pictured is Hershey, my tri-colored beagle. When I was 11, my family found her on a site called Pet Finder. She was located at the VBSPCA. She was 8 months old at the time. We were told that another family wanted her but if anything changed, they'd notify us. We didn't hear back so my parents called but no one picked up the phone. My dad decided we were just going to go see what was up because I really wanted her. We then found out that the other family didn't even bother with her so she was ours. That was the day I knew she was meant for my family. I'm 24 now so she's been a family member for bout 13 years.
A little about Hershey:
-She loves food. I mean LOVES it! We've had so many mishaps of her and food, I can't even count! She's gotten herself stuck in the lid of trashcan before so every day, we MUST put something heavy over the trash lid so she can't dumpster dive. You can't eat specifically a Mcchicken around her or she'll try to ninja her way in.
-Her favorite outing is anywhere aslong as she can stick her head out for a smell buffet, she's a happy girl.
-Hershey absolutely HATES fighting. She LOVES peace. If she ever hears raised voices or any form of anger, she will run away. She'll find the nearest open door and hide until it's quiet again.
What's happening as of recent :
For a few days, we've notices she's been lethargic. She's been lazier than usual and just not herself. Each day got worse. She didn't care for food. That's when it really hit that something was wrong... She even refused treats (beggin strips are her fav) and that never happens. She just slept a lot and it would take forever to try to coerce her to get up and come outside to use the bathroom. My baby just seemed so sad...
This week:
My sibling and I took her to the vet this Monday (4/6/2015). They took an X-ray of her abdomen and got some labs. They saw a mass in her spleen, her white blood cell count was very high and she was very anemic. The vet cautioned us and wrote a referral for an emergency hospital to get her checked out further. Our vet bill was $408. My bro covered the 300 and I had to charge $108 on my credit card due to being very broke and working only 3 days a week. My bro had to go to work and I ended up taking Hershey to the ER myself.
At the ER:
After being put in a room, she was taken to recheck her glucose because they said it was low in the labs. I waited a very long time for the girl to tell me it was fine and they were gonna keep her in the treatment area till the Dr saw her. I was about to have an anxiety attack while waiting. Then the girl came back in and asked if I wanted them to start the ultra sound and chest x-ray or wait for the Dr. The bill already showed $115 for the visit and $400 something for the ultrasound. I said I wanted to wait. I didn't know how much it would all cost so I frantically called my bro seeing if he can somehow get out of work to help with decisions because of how broke I am and they don't "bill later" like human hospitals. The vet finally came to tell me she thinks it might be Hemangiosarcoma which is a rapid and deadly cancer with a prognosis of 3-6 months post op. I broke down infront of the vet and couldn't help it. My brother called back and said tell them to do what they gotta do and he'll try to get off work. Crying, I waited and waited then he finally said he was allowed to leave and come to the hospital. Him, my mom and my bf finally came and they told us that the next step would be taking out her spleen for the mass cytology as well as a liver biopsy. We were all crying at the thought of everything including the cost. I have a care credit card that was already almost maxed due to emergency dental work and as much as I didn't think of my payment aftermath, I asked if they could try to get an increase for me. I got embarrassed at the counter when I got asked how much my income was as of right now. Surprisingly I got a small increase. They told us the base price of her surgery would be $5000. We had to put a $4500 deposit down because she was staying over night. I could only put $3 something down and maxed my card and my brother paid the remaining $1400. It took me forever to sign the papers because I was crying so much. I didn't know how much my monthly payment would be as I'm already struggling paycheck to paycheck. The lady came to get her and Hershey acted like she didn't want to go but we got her to get up finally. I was there from 4pm-9pm.
This morning:
We went to see her before her surgery (about noon, surgery was supposed to be 1 or 2pm). She seemed so tired and didn't move much. She laid on her side on the floor and shook on inhale. I tried not to cry. As I sat next to her, it broke my heart that I wanted to pull her close but couldn't because Hershey has IV ports bandaged to her front left leg. We called the assistant to get her so we didn't hold them up for surgery prep. I got a call from the surgeon around 5pm (4/7/2015) saying her surgery went well but the mass was very large with nodules and didn't look like the normal Hemangiosarcoma tumors they normally see so we have to wait for the results. Apparently, her liver was also diseased looking so we'd be waiting for the results for that too. She said she'd call me in the morning for an update. It's 2:24 am as I'm writing this dreading that call in a few hours. I have no idea what will happen from here on out, how much more money will need to be spent, or how I'm going to pay my carecredit back. We're doing all we can because Hershey is our family. She's not just something to play with or for entertainment. She's there when we come home and she's there to comfort and listen. She is the best napping and eating buddy there is in our lives. Anything at all will help. I mean, ANYTHING. I just really hope it's not terminal. I've always said I'd go before she does. I wish she could talk and told me something was wrong and if she's ever in pain. I love Hershey that much and I'll do what I can to help her. Even if it's just kind words of comfort, it's appreciated.
A little about Hershey:
-She loves food. I mean LOVES it! We've had so many mishaps of her and food, I can't even count! She's gotten herself stuck in the lid of trashcan before so every day, we MUST put something heavy over the trash lid so she can't dumpster dive. You can't eat specifically a Mcchicken around her or she'll try to ninja her way in.
-Her favorite outing is anywhere aslong as she can stick her head out for a smell buffet, she's a happy girl.
-Hershey absolutely HATES fighting. She LOVES peace. If she ever hears raised voices or any form of anger, she will run away. She'll find the nearest open door and hide until it's quiet again.
What's happening as of recent :
For a few days, we've notices she's been lethargic. She's been lazier than usual and just not herself. Each day got worse. She didn't care for food. That's when it really hit that something was wrong... She even refused treats (beggin strips are her fav) and that never happens. She just slept a lot and it would take forever to try to coerce her to get up and come outside to use the bathroom. My baby just seemed so sad...
This week:
My sibling and I took her to the vet this Monday (4/6/2015). They took an X-ray of her abdomen and got some labs. They saw a mass in her spleen, her white blood cell count was very high and she was very anemic. The vet cautioned us and wrote a referral for an emergency hospital to get her checked out further. Our vet bill was $408. My bro covered the 300 and I had to charge $108 on my credit card due to being very broke and working only 3 days a week. My bro had to go to work and I ended up taking Hershey to the ER myself.
At the ER:
After being put in a room, she was taken to recheck her glucose because they said it was low in the labs. I waited a very long time for the girl to tell me it was fine and they were gonna keep her in the treatment area till the Dr saw her. I was about to have an anxiety attack while waiting. Then the girl came back in and asked if I wanted them to start the ultra sound and chest x-ray or wait for the Dr. The bill already showed $115 for the visit and $400 something for the ultrasound. I said I wanted to wait. I didn't know how much it would all cost so I frantically called my bro seeing if he can somehow get out of work to help with decisions because of how broke I am and they don't "bill later" like human hospitals. The vet finally came to tell me she thinks it might be Hemangiosarcoma which is a rapid and deadly cancer with a prognosis of 3-6 months post op. I broke down infront of the vet and couldn't help it. My brother called back and said tell them to do what they gotta do and he'll try to get off work. Crying, I waited and waited then he finally said he was allowed to leave and come to the hospital. Him, my mom and my bf finally came and they told us that the next step would be taking out her spleen for the mass cytology as well as a liver biopsy. We were all crying at the thought of everything including the cost. I have a care credit card that was already almost maxed due to emergency dental work and as much as I didn't think of my payment aftermath, I asked if they could try to get an increase for me. I got embarrassed at the counter when I got asked how much my income was as of right now. Surprisingly I got a small increase. They told us the base price of her surgery would be $5000. We had to put a $4500 deposit down because she was staying over night. I could only put $3 something down and maxed my card and my brother paid the remaining $1400. It took me forever to sign the papers because I was crying so much. I didn't know how much my monthly payment would be as I'm already struggling paycheck to paycheck. The lady came to get her and Hershey acted like she didn't want to go but we got her to get up finally. I was there from 4pm-9pm.
This morning:
We went to see her before her surgery (about noon, surgery was supposed to be 1 or 2pm). She seemed so tired and didn't move much. She laid on her side on the floor and shook on inhale. I tried not to cry. As I sat next to her, it broke my heart that I wanted to pull her close but couldn't because Hershey has IV ports bandaged to her front left leg. We called the assistant to get her so we didn't hold them up for surgery prep. I got a call from the surgeon around 5pm (4/7/2015) saying her surgery went well but the mass was very large with nodules and didn't look like the normal Hemangiosarcoma tumors they normally see so we have to wait for the results. Apparently, her liver was also diseased looking so we'd be waiting for the results for that too. She said she'd call me in the morning for an update. It's 2:24 am as I'm writing this dreading that call in a few hours. I have no idea what will happen from here on out, how much more money will need to be spent, or how I'm going to pay my carecredit back. We're doing all we can because Hershey is our family. She's not just something to play with or for entertainment. She's there when we come home and she's there to comfort and listen. She is the best napping and eating buddy there is in our lives. Anything at all will help. I mean, ANYTHING. I just really hope it's not terminal. I've always said I'd go before she does. I wish she could talk and told me something was wrong and if she's ever in pain. I love Hershey that much and I'll do what I can to help her. Even if it's just kind words of comfort, it's appreciated.
Organizer
Jade Monton
Organizer
Virginia Beach, VA
