Gloria's Mammary Calamity

Gloria, our second soul cat, is a beloved, feisty 9 year old rescue calico, who is the love of our lives. Gloria was initially found on the side of the road in NJ, having been thrown out of a car. She found her way to the non-kill shelter I volunteered at, and we have been inseparable ever since. (Shoutout to Providence Animal Shelter in Media, PA).

I rescued her in 2018 right after my older cat, Eva, completed her last round of IV chemo following an amputation of her right-hind leg for injection-related osteosarcoma. Eva is still with us at age 12, going strong 6 years post-treatment.

On February 2, 2024, I logged off work and began cutting Gloria’s nails and noticed an enlarged/irritated nipple on the left side of her abdomen. The nipple was purple and discharging, so I immediately rushed her to the emergency vet. We were there for 4 hours (chest x-ray, bloodwork, urinalysis). Preliminary testing and observation from ER, oncology, and surgery revealed suspected mammary carcinoma (breast cancer), and a mastectomy of the entire left mammary chain was recommended. The ER visit and testing cost $2,235.55.

Gloria received mastectomy surgery on February 4, 2024, and was discharged home on February 5, 2024. She spent two weeks in a 4-sided playpen while recovering from surgery. Surgery cost $5,784.69.

Tissue was sent for biopsy on February 4, and came back February 13-confirmed mammary carcinoma in the irritated nipple and one attached lymph node. There is no present evidence of spread elsewhere. Chemotherapy is anticipated. Gloria has the first available appointment to see oncology on February 29, 2024.

The ER visit had to be put on a personal credit card, and we had to apply (and were approved) for Care Credit, as the surgery expense would have maxed out my limit.

In addition to Los Angeles rent, car insurance, and cat mom’s student loans, the household is now responsible for paying off two very large vet bills, which will be a struggle. Cat mom (me) is traumatized, having gone through something similar with Gloria’s sister, the original soul cat Eva.

Any help will be appreciated. All funds will go towards paying down the $2,235.55 on the personal credit card, and the $5,784.69 on Care Credit. If chemo is needed, any funds beyond the original amount will go towards chemo. I am aware of how much a round of feline chemo costs and anticipate several thousand dollars more in future costs. If chemo is not needed, the fundraiser will be cut off at $8,020.00