Help Laura Rodts fund Chester's Cancer treatment

Laura Rodts is my cousin and dog-mom to Chester, an adorable Pug/Chihuahua mix who is the light of her life. He’s recently been diagnosed with grade 2 soft tissue sarcoma and will require extensive, monthlong radiation treatment at the University of Missouri at Columbia. With this treatment, Laura can likely look forward to 5-7 more years with dear Chester. Remembering the old adage, “Many hands make light work,” I’m sending out a call for help, from one pet lover to another, to help cover a portion of Chester’s treatment expenses. Thanks in advance for any help you’re able to give. Below, you’ll find more detailed information about Chester’s monthlong treatment.

In early November we discovered a lump on Chester’s front left leg. An immediate biopsy revealed that Chester has grade 2 soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas are extremely rare in humans, but they are one of the most common cancers in dogs. Our vet recommended we go to the University of Missouri for treatment because they have a large oncology department, where he could receive the radiation treatments needed and which are not done in the Kansas City area.

We made our first trip to Columbia on December 7th for our oncology consult, where we also learned that the cancer had not spread, but the tumor had regrown. After an echocardiogram and a cardiology consult to make sure he was healthy enough for anesthesia, and on December 16th, he had the tumor removed as it had indeed regrown. When we returned on December 30th to have the sutures removed, he also had a CT scan that was used to create his radiation plan.

Chester currently is scheduled to have 18 daily radiation treatments M-F that started on January 10th (tentatively ending on February 2nd ). They anesthetize and intubate him for each procedure because he has to lie completely still, but the radiation itself is about five minutes. We're staying in Columbia at a Residence Inn--courtesy of a very generous family member--so we don't have to be separated. I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who has sent love and support. It means more than you even know. This is a scary time for us, but it’s helpful to know how much we are loved.