Chemo for Buddha

A few days before Christmas, I noticed my eight year old black Labrador, Buddha, had a couple of swollen masses in his neck. I brought him to our vet for a biopsy to see what it might be. On Christmas Day, Buddha was diagnosed with Lymphoma. We brought him to an oncologist and asked what our options were. The doctor explained to me that his lymphoma was the most aggressive type, and without chemo treatments, he would have one month to live. With chemo treatments, he was given one year to three years more. Chemo treatments are estimated to cost anywhere from $4,000-$7,000. Vet visits are $70, the chemo treatments themselves range from $350-$600, and his blood work is $150. On the protocol, he would visit the vet every week.
I had about one week to decide what the best option for Buddha would be. However, only two days after meeting the oncologist, Buddha took a turn for the worse. He was in obvious discomfort, he wouldn't eat any food or drink water and he couldn't stand up on his own. When I brought Buddha to the vet that day, it turned out his cancer was more aggressive and worse off than we originally thought. Our oncologist gave us two options: either put buddha down that day, or begin chemo immediately. In that moment, I knew what I had to do. I would do anything to help my dog feel better, and that meant treating him with chemo. The day after his first treatment, I already noticed an improvement in Buddha. By day three, he was back to his energetic, loving, and hungry self!
Buddha and I found each other when he was only eight weeks old and I was eighteen. From the first moment I held him, I knew he was something special. Buddha is my adventure partner, my motivation, my joy, my best friend, my reason to wake up in the morning, my inspiration, and my family. During some of the hardest years of my life, Buddha was there to pick my spirits up and remind me to keep going. He is more than a pet to me, he is the closest thing to a child that I have. We have an undeniable bond that has changed my life for the better. I cannot imagine my days without my dog. Two months ago, I was faced with the decision to put him down or fight his cancer. It's been two months, and I am so grateful that I chose to treat Buddha with chemo because he is so much healthier and much happier. However, the fight is not over.
The chemo protocol that Buddha is being treated with requires a treatment every week along with blood work and lab tests and his chemo protocol is twenty six weeks long. I have racked my credit card up to its limit. I am barely making it week by week, and we are only on week six. It is challenging to ask for help, and, I need help paying for Buddha's chemo treatments. Any amount makes a difference. Any donation is helpful, and truly, no amount is too small.  Buddha is my best friend in the whole world, and I am grateful for the time he and I have had together, and we both look forward to the years to come. Without your support, I do not know how many more treatments I will be able to give buddha, because I simply do not have the money. So please, anything you can give, we truly appreciate. From the bottom of Buddha and my hearts, thank you!