For my Family, I Will Beat this Cancer

Hello, everyone - I'm Eli and I've been told that I'm the best-est and most handsome-est boy (mostly by my mom who's been telling me this a lot the past couple weeks). I do agree with my mom about being handsome, even with me nearing 10 years young. Perhaps I'm just one of those lucky men that age gracefully, like George Clooney - I must be a "Silver Fox" of the doggo-kind!

But anyways, I wanted to tell the world of my young, wonderful life and, specifically, about a challenge that I've unexpectedly developed which has enveloped my family in sadness and worry.

Firstly, I came into this world with the best-est parents any pup could ever ask for - they are all I've known and they are my world. My parents were young when they got me which means that we were able to experience so many firsts together, AND embark on numerous adventures. My parents figured out that they loved each other so much they decided to get married and, of course, I was right there with them - from starring in our engagement photos to being the most important individual in the actual wedding - the ring-bearer!! I loved that my parents thought me a good enough boy to have entrusted me with such an important task!

We continued to live in bliss, experiencing life and family in every way we could. Eventually I got some fur-brothers, who were fun to play with at first, but then became a little annoying after I realized they were going to be a permanent addition to our family. But I'm a good sport, and like any older brother, I'm the boss and choose to partake in their hyper antics whenever I feel like it. And plus, I know I'm the favorite since my mom has admitted this to me many times - I mean, I even have a dog tag that says "favorite child".....

After a while my parents decided to have a baby human. When my mom returned home from the hospital I could tell something was off, as if she had gone through some major changes - and I admit, I was deeply concerned because she is the center of my world. My mom and dad then introduced me to my little human brother who we were to call Jesse. Honestly, he was the strangest puppy I'd ever seen: hairless, a little jaundice, and occasionally made these wailing sounds usually at the most inconvenient of times. But as time went on, I developed a bond with my favorite brother, Jesse. Every morning and afternoon when he wakes from his night sleeps and naps, I run into his room to make sure I'm the first one that can greet him with a big "labby" kiss, and I just love his giggles he gives in response.

Now on to the not-so-happy part of my story: My mom took me to work with her so I could get my yearly vaccines and routine labwork done. Also, my mom decided to take an x-ray of my chest, just because there's always a possibility to find an abnormality, especially since I'm in that "Silver Fox" age group. Well, to my mom's complete and utter devastation, it was determined that I had a large mass in my chest. But I was feeling great, and didn't even know it was in there! So, I planned to ensure that I cheer up my mom as often as she needed.

The next procedure I had was an abdominal ultrasound with a scan of my chest performed by the nicest veterinary radiologist. She said my abdomen looked fine, even though my gall bladder had some non-worrisome crud in it, and my spleen was a little enlarged with a couple little fatty deposits on it, so, otherwise great! When she scanned my chest she saw the large, unwelcome mass that is causing my parents so much distress. She said it is a Primary Pulmonary Tumor (suspects a Pulmonary Carcinoma), and it is large, measuring 6cm x 10cm. But luckily I have not started experiencing any symptoms or breathing issues yet, which is even more of a reason to get this thing out of here. The radiologist took some aspirates of the mass, and the results came back a few days later from the pathological service, and they weren't able to give my mom a definitive diagnosis at all, just that they saw some cells associated with cancer - my mom was not happy that we didn't have anymore answers. So, the next step would be the referral to the oncologist. At this point, I know that my parents have already spent nearly $1,000 on these diagnostics so far, and I'm worried I'm going to become a financial burden for them, but my mom ensured both me and my dad that I was worth it.

My first visit to the oncologist is today at Charleston Veterinary Referral Center. This one consultation alone is costing my parents $190 - but to them it wasn't an option. At this visit, we hope to determine the next steps and options. The veterinarians my mom has spoken with so far, state that generally the best course of action is to go ahead perform a CT scan (to determine if other lobes are affected and if there's any suspicious places elsewhere in the body) and to then remove the mass and part of the lung that it's attached to. This way it will eliminate any possibility of the mass getting larger and it can be biopsied to determine exactly what kind of cancer it is and if they need to follow up with medications such as chemotherapy.

As I'm sure you can imagine, none of these procedures sound inexpensive or even attainable for the average, young family. The CT scan alone is $2,000 and the lobectomy is closer to $5,000. This is a lot of money that my parents don't have. My mom told me if she could sell a kidney, she would in a heartbeat.

But my parents aren't giving up hope. They are able to contribute a couple thousand, but are in need of much more to ensure I am given the best chance to beat this.

Yes, I am almost 10 years old, but inside I have the energy of a 4 year old, and I'm perfectly healthy otherwise! I'm nowhere near ready to leave my family. Not only do I need them, but they need me, too!

I know for a fact that my family needs me, especially my mom, because often lately I've been finding her crying, and just me alone coming over to sit or lay with her has been easing her tears, which I'm pretty sure is from me consuming all of her attention as she gives me all the snuggles and hugs, and tells me repeatedly how much she loves me. Clearly, I am a master distractor as I keep succeeding in making her smile again and again.

In closing, I know that I will not live forever, but I know that I still have many years yet to enjoy with my family. My mom has had the pleasure of helping, probably now, thousands of animals in their lifetimes, so she knows when it may be that pet's "time". I've seen her make these difficult decisions for my brothers, but she always has our best interests at heart. I know deep down in my heart that she would never let me suffer, because she loves me from the bottom of hers.

If you can help me be with my family for more years to come, my family and I would be eternally grateful. I know with Christmas approaching, many people will be wanting to bless their own families. But if you could find it in your heart to bless us as well, perhaps we will get our Christmas Miracle.

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We wish for you and your families to stay healthy during these times and to have a very blessed Christmas!