Hello everyone,

This is difficult for me to share, but I’m reaching out because I don’t know what else to do. On October 1st, I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy — our first child. Though the birth was perfect, life took an unexpected turn shortly after we came home.

Within days, our 15-month-old dog, Nismo, stopped acting like himself. Concerned, we took him to the vet just three days after returning home. The vet ran labs and X-rays after noticing he had lost weight since his check-up just two months earlier. When the results came back, we were devastated: his bloodwork was severely off. The vet recommended we leave Nismo overnight for fluids, medication, and observation. I remember feeling a first wave of terror — trying to think clearly but already fearing the worst.

Later that day, we got a call we never expected: they had found a mass in his chest. The mass was pressing on his lungs and other organs, making breathing difficult. We were told he needed to start strong medication and see an oncologist immediately. My heart sank.

That very day — while I was breastfeeding our five-day-old newborn — I sat stunned, exhausted, and in pain, wondering “why.” A few days later, we took Nismo to the oncologist. By then, his appetite, weight, and energy had plummeted. The oncologist began IV treatment and did a biopsy. A few hours later, the call came — the worst possible news: Nismo had cancer. I felt completely numb.

They explained treatment options, but I must have asked the vet to repeat everything at least three times — I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My husband and I spent hours on the phone, crying while making an impossible decision. We decided to try — even though we were terrified about how we would pay for it.

You see — my job did not approve maternity leave or short-term disability. I had save all my PTO while pregnant, and was only given on month unpaid leave off after birth. So total of a month and a half. Then they said I could work from home for 2–3 weeks. I took it — wanting to spend extra time with our newborn before daycare. But with a baby arriving, bills, and now Nismo’s treatment, our finances were already stretched thin.

Still — we didn’t want to give up on our sweet boy. They asked us to leave Nismo for the day for IV fluids and meds, and pick him up in the afternoon. But that night, around 3 a.m., while feeding our newborn, I noticed Nismo breathing strangely. Panicked, I woke my husband and called the animal hospital. They told us to rush him in. My husband drove him over while I stayed with our newborn. They started oxygen, X-rays — the cancer had grown fast. It had already filled 85% of his chest, crushing his lungs. They started intensive treatment and more meds. But just hours later, the vet called: Nismo’s condition was grave. They didn’t expect him to make it through the night.

I rushed over with our newborn. We said goodbye to our sweet Nismo. In less than two weeks, we had spent nearly $8,000 — money from our savings and a vet credit card, money that suddenly felt lost along with our beloved pet.

I know many would call us crazy or irresponsible — spending that much with a newborn and bills piling up — but we just couldn’t give up on him.

After losing Nismo, everything collapsed. I developed heart palpitations and blood-pressure problems, and was referred to a cardiologist. Meanwhile, our baby began struggling too — having a difficult time eating and breathing. Within days, he was diagnosed with laryngomalacia and severe silent reflux. He had to see specialists, start expensive medication, switch formula because he turned out to be lactose-intolerant — all of which meant more cost and emotional strain during sleepless nights.

Postpartum hit me like a freight train. My milk supply collapsed, I started feeling like a failure, convinced I couldn’t even feed my baby properly. I lost my appetite; I had dizzy spells and palpitations — often worrying I’d collapse alone, because my husband was out working and I didn’t have any support.

To make things worse, my insurance was revoked. Three days before I was supposed to see a cardiologist, my husband told me to keep the appointment — we’d pay out-of-pocket. Until I learned it could cost between $400–$800, especially if I was sent home with a 48-hour heart monitor. I broke down.

I felt robbed of the newborn experience I dreamed of: cuddling with my baby, celebrating our new family. Instead, I felt overwhelmed, helpless, and constantly watching my baby struggle — having to go through a procedure so young - choking, gagging on milk, gasping for air while sleeping or eating. We had to keep him sleeping on an incline to reduce acid reflux, check on him constantly, and pray he was breathing. The doctors recommended a monitor like an “owlet,” but that’s not something we can afford.

Then my job changed everything again. As soon as I was ready to return to work from home, management told me they could no longer allow it — they needed me in person. I froze reading that email. Why the sudden change? There was no explanation except silence. I asked for a few days to figure out daycare for my baby who wasn’t even two months old. I then informed them of my son’s condition and his upcoming appointments if I would be granted to leave those days early or come in later during the day after appointments. I was sent a response stating I’d have to comply with a strict attendance policy and was reminded I have no more PTO. All they could offer me was 3 extra weeks unpaid leave to figure things out.

I was crushed. I had worked 50-60 hours a week drove around Houston and yes still did even while pregnant, and now that I needed flexibility for my child’s medical needs — I was being punished.

Now I’m here. Days away from losing any stability. Trying to find a new job that will let me take my baby to all his appointments, while I try to heal and care for him. Meanwhile, we are financially stretched beyond belief and I’m forced to consider working deliveries for companies like DoorDash or Amazon Flex — with a newborn in the car. My husband is against it, but I don’t know how else we’ll survive.

We’re looking for ANY help: food, baby formula, bills, anything for our little baby and ourselves. I’m not asking lightly — I have proof of every single detail. I’m not looking for pity or manipulation. I’m a mom who deeply loves her children and is doing everything she can to keep them safe.

If you can offer help, or point me toward any resources in the Houston area — for food, formula, baby supplies, financial aid, or just support — please. Thank you for reading, and for any kindness you can offer.

I am attaching photos of my baby throat and dog xray