Help my Dembe Doodle fight Cancer

Dembe has been diagnosed with cancer called apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA). This was confirmed thru pathology of the cyst surgically removed on March 6. Dembe started chemotherapy on March 19th. I need your help to give Dembe a chance to continue living his happy life.

Your prayers, comforting words, shared experiences, and positive well wishes to us through social media mean the world to me. I have been reading each one, and they have touched my heart. People had started asking if I had a place to donate so I started this GoFundMe. I know times are hard and uncertain for many, like they are for me, I promise you will all be loved and updated no matter what! Refer to updates for most current information below is the original posting.

Why we need financial help:

Dembe has ongoing treatment for the cancer. I am absolutely heartbroken. The mass was discovered during a routine exam by chance on February 12th and we were immediately referred to oncology and seen February 17th where the mass and another suspicious area seen in ultrasound were biopsied. It was surgically removed March 6 and pathology confirmed the diagnosis apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA). We have pet insurance but are incurring the 10% remaining, the $228 premium (it doubled over last year), travel expenses for the 2 hour drive each way and needing to stay over when surgery will take place (it is a breakeven if you calculate gas, my insurance pay as you drive etc). I also will need to do something with my rescue dog as she cannot go with us so I will have fees for her care. There are also costs not covered by insurance that fall outside depending on how the invoice is billed.

I am disabled and live on SSDI (that’s money you pay into the system). It just covers my expenses. As you most likely have experienced many things have increased in recent years. Property taxes here have gone up a lot. Utility bills have gone up, groceries increased, I pay $500 for my medical insurance alone, not counting prescriptions or vision and dental (I have not had a dental visit for years or new RX glasses update for the past 2 years, 3 this year). Dembe’s pet insurance doubled this year to $228, but I kept it!

I feel so loved and honored that people would want to help us. It is humbling to ask for help. But I really could use your help. I have fallen behind on my necessary bills, owing one mortgage payment. But even not considering that, and just looking at the expenses for this emergency, here is how I came up with the amount goal and how any contributions would be utilized:

All procedures must be paid for in full in advance. By a miracle, we have an angel donor who is funding this until the reimbursement from insurance, but then we owe:

Contributions will pay:

1. The 10% co-pay and non-covered expenses

These can add up fast. For example, we already had today's bills of $854 and $2334. Of this, the $250 deductible wasn’t covered, then some miscellaneous waste disposal and shipping and handling of about $29. I don’t have the final claim explanation yet, but just to provide an idea.

2. Travel expenses to the out-of-town vet (gas, etc.) Time matters. The closest vet availability was May, 3 months away. So we had to travel 2 hours away. I also had a tire issue of all days and had to continually air my tire up!

3. Cancer fighting diet, Supplements, etc

While initially I am not to change his diet, I may need to. I also struggle to keep him on the pricey food I feed him now and want to keep his diet as natural as possible and free of additives, dyes, and fillers. I still give him the Nu-Vet Plus vitamins and despite this I believe the vitamins have helped as his eyesight is good and my rescue of the same age has eye aging :(

4. Insurance premium I MUST make absolutely sure his premiums stay paid. There have been times I have paid his insurance instead of my mortgage, but since I have missed one mortgage payment, I cannot risk a second as they foreclose at 3.

The Story of Us

Dembe is my first dog and my best friend. He is also my service dog, helping me live life with disabilities related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Chiari Malformation, and more than anything, he helps with PTSD from the medical trauma surrounding and leading to the death of my daughter Gabrielle and the lives and relationships ruined. That’s an awful lot for one little dog, but he has been one powerful force of good that not only brought his energy into my life but also a community of new relationships and real friendships made through online communities, something I totally never expected!

While I know a dog’s life is shorter than a human's life and I have actually been preparing myself since Dembe turned 5, the thought of losing him now, this year, terrifies me.

The vet oncologist explained there are ways to provide treatment to allow Dembe to fight and live longer and live well. And I want to give him that chance. Obviously for myself but also for Dembe. He is a curious, happy dog who brings so much joy to others.

Thank you for any donations and for your thoughts, prayers, positivity, whatever belief system you have that sends positive energy toward Dembe living his best, healthy life!