Help fund Cheech's Vet bills and surgery please!

Hi my name is Cheech and I need your help! I was living my best life, toasting my beans on the heater, waking mom up at 3 am for snacks, and kicking everything off the dresser when i felt like it and then all of a sudden I didn't feel well. I couldn't get comfortable or breath and it made me stop eating. I went to the vet and they did blood work and X-rays and they noticed that I had all this fluid around my lungs that was preventing me from getting a breath, no wonder I was so uncomfortable.

They took 80cc of fluid off me so they could test it and I felt a little relief but still wasn't back to my spicy self.

The next two days I had to get more tests, and x-rays and ultrasounds and diagnostic testing.

They removed another 125cc of fluid off me and boy was it nice to be able to breathe. The three days of work cost $2850.00 on its own, that's a lot of kibble. My blood work came back normal, they didn't see any masses and the fluid came back to be something called Chyle.

I felt very stressed and very aggressive but put on a brave face because I knew I needed the help.

I even let them shave my belly.

I was mad when i got home but with all the new room inside i was ready to eat.

Until two days later when it all happened again. Now i had to be rushed to an emergency center where they hooked me up to a kitty IV, put me in an oxygen cube, and removed 200 more cc of fluid off me. After that they said I had to be admitted to a hospital for further diagnostics and possible surgery.

It's been a very difficult week. Please help, I have a lot of life left to live and a lot of treats left to eat.

My family needs your help.

About Cheech's diagnosis:

Cheech has been currently diagnosed with a rare condition called Idiopathic Chylothorax.

50% of Chylothorax cases are idopathic-no underlying conditions are determined.

In almost all cases if nothing is done fluid will continuously return every 72 hours.

Without the understanding of what's causing the buildup, it can be very difficult to treat.

Sugery is the next step. The most common surgery is thoracic duct ligation to promote new lymphatic connections to the venous system. TDL is then combined with removal of the lining of the heart (pericardectomy.) Then a tube will be placed in the chest that can be aspirated post-operatively.

Fact sheet on Chylothorax:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chylothorax-in-cats

About Cheech:

I am a 12 year old tuxedo kitty called Cheech, aka Reptar, aka CHEE, aka Beans. I was rescued and have changed my moms life

ever since she saved me. Turns out she needed me more than i needed her.

People think I can have a sassy attitude but I'm really a big cuddle bug who loves to chase the bedsheets when they are being changed, and to jump in my dads arms when he gets home. 

A note from mom: Since she came into my life Cheech has been my best friend, my healer, and my whole world. Thinking about waking up without her slapping my face with her paws begging for breakfast was unimaginable, until it was the reality this morning.

If you have ever met Cheech you know she is unlike any other cat you've ever seen. She's fancy, and funny, and silly. Though spicy most times, she is beloved to nearly everyone who comes into contact with her, and her unique personality is unmatched. Her ability to effortlessly change shape from shrimp, to cheese wedge, to bread loaf is remarkable. But more than anything, Cheech changed my life for the better.

I wouldn't ask people for help if I didn't need it. But I really, really do.

As of now her total bills have accumulated to $6,446.30.

we were given a quote today for the surgery of $ 8,642.50, bringing her total to $15,088.80 which doesn't include the at home oxygen needed in case of emergency.

Please help, anything you can donate will go a very long way.

we thank you and we love you all,