Nala has a brain tumor! (It's such a wild reality - it sounds almost like an episode title for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia... that's the dark medical field humor coming out.) It's a benign meningioma in her left frontal lobe, growing into her sinuses and pressing against the falx cerebri into her right lobe. Insidious, yet not considered aggressive, this tumor had been growing for a few months before the pressure and edema in her brain brought about new onset seizure activity. The seizures came about approximately a week after she encountered javelina on a hike in Arizona. She endured a goring, sustaining three deep puncture wounds (one that knicked her jugular!), and was healing from that when the seizures began. We initially tested for Valley Fever and some other potential neurological causes, but ultimately decided to get a diagnostic CT. After that, it feels like life began to move too fast to recount. After multiple veterinary neurological visits, coordinating with incredible veterinarians between Arizona and Montana, and constantly managing the "new normal" (seizures, meds twice daily, occasional incontinence, behavioral changes), we are finally at the point of active treatment.

Thanks to a wonderful Montana specialty veterinary clinic, we were able to arrange a 16 course treatment plan of targeted radiation therapy almost immediately upon returning up North. This treatment plan can extend her life an average of three years (and up to five!), which the doctor was confident she would easily reach considering her otherwise fantastic health. We had her first appointment today (4/29/24) and she did very well with anesthesia and radiation! For the next three weeks, Max and I will alternate driving the five hour commute to get her treatment and make this difficult time as easy and comfortable for her as we can. Banjo is gentle and loving with her, intuitively careful despite his wild personality. She is currently snoozing next to me on her dog bed, a little silly from medications but comfortable and happy.

Despite being 12 years old, Nala is "vibrant" and in "phenomenal health" (besides the meningioma, of course!) per her neurologist in Arizona. She is Banjo's best buddy (the strangest and unlikeliest pair), Max's soul dog, and my favorite daughter. We still have mountains to climb and trail running to share! It's been a rough go the past few months, and we have tried to weather life's cruelties and difficulties with grace, so now we ask for help. We are already many thousands of dollars deep into emergency treatment, diagnostics, and palliative care for this sweet dog. This fundraiser will go towards the ~$10,000 treatment plan (with two nights / week boarding while Max and I switch shifts), medication costs (you'd be amazed how expensive seizure drugs and benzodiazepines are!), and a small portion of diagnostic and consultation visits between the neurologist in Arizona and Montana. We love this sweet creature dearly, and are not afraid to go the distance to provide the best care for her. If you've ever met and loved Nala, or loved your own dog companion, please consider donating toward her medical bills. We appreciate you all greatly!