It was supposed to be a regular wellness check-up. I was thankful to get her seen before I undergo surgery on Monday. A few months back, I noticed a lump on her leg. She gets blocked follicles, but this was different and I knew that. Thinking it was benign but to give me peace of mind I mentioned it at the visit and asked for a sample to be taken. A few moments later, vet returned with her assistant. The assistant grabbed the tissues off of the window sill, and the vet knelt beside me to tell me my best friend has cancer. I am gutted. For those of you who know me, I had to put my Newfoundland down for liver cancer two years ago. I was given the diagnosis of Ember in the same room I said good bye to Anna in. The sample has been sent off to the label to determine what stage we are in, but Ember will be undergoing surgery on Friday remove the mass. I am off work for a minimum of two weeks, and upwards of four for my recovery from the surgery I am undergoing on Monday. In the interest of both her and my own well being, I am doing something I have a hard time doing - and that is ask for others help. I don’t know what the road looks like - but here is where we are now. I’m torn between caring for her and myself, and I was once told you cannot pour from and empty cup. So, here I am. I appreciate you taking a moment to read - I know it is lengthy, and it is that way because it just feels like it’s pouring. They say when it rains, it storms - and I am asking for your hand and kind words to navigate what is to come. Thank you.