Charlie needs costly testing-now Laura's healthcare

Update- Health update 9/16/24

May 13, 2024 I got very sick. Thought it was just a bad cold…days later bad fever and unproductive cough continued . Day 5 slept 20 mins overnight and couldn’t catch my breath. Decided to go to urgent care. They gave me a X-ray to rule out pneumonia. Said no pneumonia but upper right lung had suspicious “opaqueness” and I should get a CT. Primary care ordered CT. Almost 2 weeks later it revealed 2 nodulars/ masses and opaqueness in my right upper lung and “some spots” on my spine. With our current understaffed medical system as I am learning I was told the end of Oct was next available pulmonary consult In the UMass system. 5 months from end of May?? Umm no not ok! Set up other referrals across Mass with the earliest being end of July. MRI and consult for my spine with neurosurgery was much easier to get scheduled. Early June an Angel named Fay at Umass who we talked about dogs while setting up all sorts of tests called me back and said “can you be here at 9 am tomorrow?” Ummm yes! She got me in to a lung specialist and I am forever grateful. Met my lung specialist who is amazing! After some treatment it was recommended to repeat the CT with contrast mid July. That was done July 12. I get my results this Friday July 19. If still “cloudy and masses present we will move to biopsy”. Last Thursday I learned I have 16 lesions on my spine but they are benign. Two need to be watched cause benign can still cause issues down the road. June 24 as I posted about …I couldn’t stop coughing and developed severe chest pains. After being admitted they determined I didn’t have any heart issues. Severe anxiety yes. Between my health, Charlie’s neuro issues as many know about, caregiving for my Mom…I just lost it. During testing in the ER a doc came back in and said “how are YOU”…I know she meant post a nebulized breathing treatment….but her empathy made me lose it. I melted down to say the least. Spending 2 hours spewing every fear and vulnerability I have kept to myself for too long related to the stresses I am currently under. I have support now. I believe in prayer and just ask for good vibes this week. It has to be ok…

Never smoked btw

Working minimally the last few months and rising medical bills due to crappy insurance as a self employed single woman has led me to ask for help in the short term as I regain my footing.

Hi my name is Laura and I’m raising funds for my sweet beagle Charlie who is 13 and the light of my life.

Charlie started making this honking sound a couple months ago, not daily but lately has increased ….initially we thought reverse sneezing, infection etc..we ruled out kennel cough, lung tumors… X-rays and lots of blood work. Put on medicine for possible ulceration in his throat due to his kidney disease/ proteinuria from Lyme disease in 2017.

He since has developed 2 tiny pea size knots on his skull and one under his ear. Too tiny to aspirate and get a sample and if cancer we want to know before possible removal to decide if surgery is best vs radiation/chemo…we don’t want to risk spreading it by just cutting out…yet.

The internal medicine specialist is concerned it may be a tumor in his nasal cavity. See video in “updates”for how he sounds.

Nasal cancers make up approximately 1-2% of all cancers seen in dogs. It is thought that long nose breed dogs are at greater risk. Charlie is short nose so what could this mean? If cancer it would be far more aggressive and tougher to fight. We are trying to remain positive but this is the last test we feel will give us conclusive information about what is going on with him.

I sadly don’t have insurance for him.

With his costly every 3 month testing (UPC, ultrasound, CBC and Chem panel) for his kidney disease and hypothyroidism (which are being managed very well) I am looking unfortunately for some help to cover the MRI. Looking at $6000 at Mass Vet Referral Center in Woburn.

I appreciate any and all support.

My little boo boo thanks you as well.