ABOUT

My cat and best friend of 7 years, Winston, has been diagnosed with a feline injection site sarcoma (FISS). FISS is a very rare (1 in 10,000 cats) and very aggressive form of cancer that often results from either rabies or FeLV vaccines. If left untreated, FISS is almost always fatal within a few months. Treatment typically involves, surgery followed either by radiation or electro-chemotherapy (ECT).

I brought Winston with me when I moved to India two years ago, and he is now probably one of the most well-traveled cats out there. I'll be moving back to Texas at the end of April and needed to update his vaccines to comply with import and export regulations. Winston developed his tumor about 3 weeks after he got his most recent rabies vaccine in December.

We are beyond blessed to have caught his cancer very early and to have access to world-class veterinary care here in Bangalore. Winston underwent surgery to remove his tumor on February 10th, which was a great success. The surgical margins were clear, and the histopathology reports revealed that the tumor was grade 2 (>60% of FISS cases are grade 3).

However, even with clear surgical margins, up to 70% of FISS cases reoccur within 6-12 months. That is why it is important to follow up with adjunctive care. Winston had his sutures removed and received his first ECT session on February 24th. His second and final ECT session is scheduled for March 17th.

With everything we've done, Winston has a very good chance of remission. He is the toughest little furry cancer survivor you'll ever meet. However, the unexpected medical expenses required to give him a second chance at life, and the time I have had to take off work to help him recover have presented a significant financial burden.

If you're in a place to and feel so called, it would mean the world if you donated any amount to help with Winston's medical expenses.

In all of his travels and the many homes he's lived in, Winston has had the privilege of being loved and cared for by so many of you. It's because of all the people that have shown him kindness, that he greets strangers at the door like a dog. Regardless of whether or not Winston's cancer returns, I just want to say thank you to all of my sweet baby's aunties and uncles out there.

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HOW TO AVOID FISS

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BREAKDOWN OF COSTS

Total = $ 1,800

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PHOTOS

Baby Winston

Winston Going Through TSA on His Way to India

Winston Celebrating His Birthday

Winston & His Grandpap

Winston Celebrating Thanksgiving in India

Winston & His Naked Belly Post-Surgery

CT Scan Results