Bloom’s Battle to Recovery

Hi everyone! My name is Rachel, Bloom’s mom. I appreciate all the support and love for Bloom. I am still processing the recent news about her health condition. I am starting this GoFundMe to tackle her mounting medical bills. Every gesture – whether a donation, a kind word, or sharing her story – touches my heart deeply. Bloom isn't just a pet; she's my family. We are facing thousands in vet bills, but every penny counts. I will keep you updated as we fight for answers and hope. She's pulled me through tough times, physically and mentally, and now it's my turn to return the favor.

Bloom’s Background:

I apologize for the long read…

Almost two weeks ago, Bloom went outside to go to the bathroom like she does every morning. She was very “off” when she came back inside and I noticed she was struggling to breathe; trying to vomit as if something was stuck in her throat but could not get anything up. I also noticed when she went to bark she couldn’t and started choking. Immediately I drove her to the emergency vet and they did a physical and a few x-rays of her chest and throat. The doctor initially believed that her throat was just extremely inflamed. She was taken home that night on medications. We followed up with her primary vet when they opened during the week. She had seemed to be improving but was still not herself. The primary vet prescribed her more medication to help with the ongoing inflammation of her throat. After starting her new medication she started to get worse. I was beginning to not even recognize my own dog, she had completely lost her personality. I was told to stop the medication. As the days progressed, she became weaker and weaker, only sleeping and getting up to go to the bathroom. The energetic, life-filled Bloom I knew and love could barely pick up her head nor even eat. I woke up Monday morning, March 25th, and Bloom was almost impossible to arouse. I looked at the pain in her eyes and immediately went back to the ER. The vet came in and did a full blood work up. The vet came back with news that turned my world upside down. She said all of Bloom’s bloodwork was abnormal. Bloom was severely anemic due to a possible very serious underlying condition such as cancer, infectious disease(s), organ dysfunction, etc. She told me that if upon further testing this was the case, the prognosis for Bloom could potentially be very poor. Bloom was admitted for numerous diagnostic tests to be conducted, as well as IV fluids and medications be started immediately. The test results take time and so does the supportive care they are providing for her. I finally left the vet at 8pm Monday night and that’s where we are at as of right now. The vet bills for just up to today have added up to a couple thousand dollars, and will continue to add up as more tests are done. I will continue to update as I hear and have more definitive answers. 

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone Bloom has been home and has been slowly but surely coming back to herself. Although no definite diagnosis, the vets have come to the conclusion that a foreign object or previous medication she was given had caused an internal bleed and ulceration. With that being said, that is why Bloom’s bloodwork was so off and her body was not recieving the appropriate amount of oxygen through her blood. She was slowly bleeding out through her stool. She is on 6 medications and will keep on them for about two weeks and then slowly be weened off. She has also been switched to a “novel protein” diet to help her anemia. She is still being picky with what she eats but is finally coming back to her normal self. We go for repeat blood work next week and we are keeping our fingers crossed that we see things back to normal. With all of you NONE of this would have been possible. The love and support we have received has been overwhelming (in an amazing way) and I have never been more grateful and appreciative in my life. This incident really showed me how important it is to hold what we love very close and never take a day for granted. Another thing I learned is to always help others in need, because you never know when you may be that person who needs help. So much of my faith in humanity has been restored and I seriously cannot fathom all the love and support that has been shown. Once again from the bottom of both of our hearts we thank you all and wish we could give all of you a giant hug. 

Our Story:

Bloom means everything to me, more than words can express. When I rescued her during my junior year of college, I never imagined she would become my lifeline. Something I have been very silent about is my current battle/management of a rare disease called Cushing’s Disease, which I was diagnosed with in 2022. It forced me to drop out of nursing school my first time around and pushed me to my almost breaking point physically and mentally. To be transparent, I still struggle to talk about my diagnosis but I thought I would be vulnerable for the both of us in her time of need. I was discovered to have a tumor on my pituitary gland in my brain which has wreaked havoc on my endocrine system causing extreme disrupt of my body. Feeling isolated and scared, Bloom was my constant companion through it all. Her goofy smile, endless cuddles, and unwavering presence kept me going through diagnostic tests, a failed brain surgery, and the uphill journey of recovery. She nudged me out of bed on my darkest days, reminding me to feel the sun on our faces. Bloom became my reason to fight, to go back to school, and to pursue a future where we both belong. She stayed up with me during late-night study sessions, offering silent support as I prepared for the NCLEX. To me, she’s not just a pet; she’s family—a source of strength and comfort when I needed it most. Bloom has seen me at my lowest and loved me through it all. I can never repay her for the countless ways she’s saved me. Our bond is indescribable, but it’s the most profound connection I’ve ever known. I won’t give up on her because she never gave up on me. She's not just a dog; she’s my family.

To all who've read this far, your support means the world. Bloom and I are deeply grateful for anything you can offer – a donation, a prayer, sharing this post. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.