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Support Sophie's Fight Against Cancer

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Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,
I’m reaching out with a plea for help for my beloved Sophie, my six-year-old Boxer and soul companion. I'm tirelessly doing everything I can but in these extremely difficult times, I graciously ask for support and generosity from those who might be touched by Sophie's story. Her need for surgery is critical.

My heart is breaking as I write this - Sophie's cancer has metastasized. Her life-expectancy as been described to me as "survival time of 8-12 months with treatments". I won't give up hope.
Because her cancer is aggressive and has the ability to spread to other areas of the body, to give her the highest potential life-expectancy, with the best quality of life I can provide, she urgently needs to be treated with multi-modal therapy including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Thank you for being here and dedicating your time to read this. I understand that many of us are facing challenges in these difficult times, and this may seem like a big request. It's difficult feeling so defenseless and vulnerable in times of crisis and need but your help allows me more time with Sophie.

I'm heartbroken. The past month has been a stressful whirlwind of appointments, medications, and a devastating diagnosis of cancer after an emergency visit to Veterinary Specialty Services on Sunday night (June 30). STL Veterinary Radiologist Associates revealed a large mass at the medial retropharyngeal lymph node, along with a bi-lobal mass on the parotid salivary gland.

On July 31st we travelled to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine for additional testing and CT/labs ($2000) and oncology surgical consult. This location is a 3 hour drive each way. A small donation of $5 helps cover some of the expense of gas to and from the hospital and veterinary clinics.

AUGUST 5 UPDATE:
A CT confirmed the extent of the large mass associated with one of the salivary glands underneath the ear (parotid salivary gland) and enlargement of one of the deep lymph nodes on the right side (medial retropharyngeal lymph node). Cytology of the mass in her salivary gland was consistent with a carcinoma and cytology of the lymph node was concerning for evidence of spread (metastasis).

The first-line treatment for most salivary carcinomas is surgical removal. Sophie's mass is large and is surrounded by important structures (jaw bone, jugular vein), it will be difficult to obtain wide or complete removal of the tumor meaning that microscopic disease is likely to be left behind. This could lead to tumor regrowth in the area. For dogs like Sophie who have evidence of spread into their lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis is more guarded with average survival times ranging from 8-12 months with treatment (meaning 50% of dogs do better and 50% of dogs do worse).

Cost of surgery $5000-6000
Cost of radiation therapy $4500-9000
Cost of Chemotherapy $700-900 per dose x's 6 doses
Cost of additional CT and labs $2000-3000


This is the only form of motherhood I've ever experienced. Despite years of struggling with infertility, and undergoing multiple unsuccessful IVF treatments, it wasn't meant to be. Infertility feels like a curse and is a crippling heartache I carry forever. With grace, I smile through the pain and I love that my sweet Sophie smiles in this photo too.

It's hard to let yourself be vulnerable in times of need. Sharing a personal journey that few are aware of and opening the pages of a story that has been kept hidden is so difficult. But having this precious girl in my life is a blessing that fills my heart. She brings hope, and I'd do anything for her.


To what depths will we go to protect the ones we love? For that, there is no limit. However, navigating on a restricted income is overwhelming as medical expenses increase. My resources are depleted. The high cost of additional tests and the estimated surgery / chemotherapy / treatment fees exceeding $15,000 is an anchor on my heart. The urgent complexities of her diagnosis only add to the emotional and financial burden as the invoices mount.
I come to you, grateful for your support.




Ways you can help Support Sophie

Donate: No amount is too small when it comes to supporting Sophie's life and providing the necessary medical care she urgently needs. Every contribution goes directly towards helping her.
Share: Taking time to share our fundraiser will increase our chances of reaching our goal through a wider audience of caring supporters.
Prayer: Your prayers and healing thoughts provide me with the strength I desperately need, and I'm so grateful for them.
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Donations 

  • Rosanna Gaddoni
    • $50
    • 2 mos
  • adrian cherry
    • $111
    • 3 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $50
    • 4 mos
  • Brenton Smith
    • $100
    • 5 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $40
    • 5 mos
Donate

Organizer

Bella Harris
Organizer
De Soto, MO

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