Fort's Medical Fund

Fort has cancer. Specifically, adenocarcinoma. It has not spread far, but it is likely affecting the glands and lymph nodes local to his two tumors, one of which is on an anal gland, and the other of which is on a lymph node in his abdomen.

The team of vets at the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center say the best way to extend his life and give him continued quality of life are to surgically remove these two tumors, and then potentially treat him with chemotherapy after he has fully healed from surgery.  This is not a cancer that can be cured, only managed. I am not sure how I feel yet about treating Fort with chemotherapy, but I am going to go ahead and move forward with the surgery. It has already been scheduled for September 14th.

One of the tumors is pressed up against some major blood vessels (the aorta and vena cava), which presents some challenges, but the vet that talked me through things seemed confident that this surgery would be successful regardless.

I am determined to pay for this procedure regardless of whether or not I am able to raise the funds on GoFundMe. I will sell my possesions off if I have to, increase my credit card debt, eat rice and beans every day for a few months, whatever. By contributing this fund, you are helping to ease the finanical burden on me, a girl who fiercely loves her dog and is willing to make very financially unwise decisions for him.

The cost of diagnostics was about $960, which I have already paid. That covered the exam, needle aspirates and cytologies for both tumors, blood work, chest x-rays, and an ultrasound. His CT scan was covered by the hospital because they are doing a study right now that requires CT scans of large dogs. The cost of the surgery will be between $2500-$3000, depending on what complications arise during the procedure.

Fort is the light of my life. He has gotten me through times of intense depression and anxiety. He helped me earn my degree. He's gotten me out of bed in the morning. There are some days it has felt like he was the only thing tying me to this crummy earth. He is 7 years old, and a mix of two breeds that can live, on average, 13-14 years, so I am hopeful that this procedure will give us a few more happy years together.