Hi friends, first and foremost, I would like to say thank you for having any interest in helping me and my son.

If you know literally anything about me, you know that Opie is my favorite thing in the entire world, the most important part of my whole life. I birthed this boy nearly 13 years ago and we have been through so many stages of life together. I love my son more than anything and more than I ever knew I could love and he has been my best friend for the better half of my life. I sob as a write this because I truly cannot put into words how much I love my furry little demon boy, I am so eternally grateful for my motherhood journey because having him in my life has saved me, has made me a better person, has been the most fulfilling thing for me and I honestly should be doing this in a less emotional state but I don't know how to get there without some help.

In late June I noticed some inflammation in around his belly, and since then have had a slow roll through multiple vet visits and x-rays, ultrasounds, and various testing with more to come. I've been struggling with the idea that if this was something I had taken on with more haste if it would have made the situation better but I simply could not afford to move more quickly than I did.

It turns out there is a a 5.5 inch mass around his one of his lymphnodes, as well as a number of other issues and concerns that I don't fully understand as I am not a doctor. The mass being the most pressing of issues but potentially not the last. What I do know is that he is requires more testing, a very expensive removal surgery, and I'm not sure what else to come. We have yet to be able to rule out cancer so that is on the table as well and I simply cannot even begin to think what that means for him or myself physically, emotionally, and financially. I am scared of what comes next, I am scared of not being able to give him whatever he needs, I am scared of a life without him.

As a single mom this has been devastatingly difficult to navigate in all the ways and the financial stress only adds to the emotional toll it is to see your most precious baby in discomfort and not be able to speak the same language to help each other understand whats going on is so tough.

He is literally all I think about when he's in good health so you can imagine how absolutely destroyed I've been thinking about whats wrong with my baby for the past couple months.

I have already spent thousands of dollars to even get this far in understanding what he needs and there is still so much testing and uncertainty around his health. I've had to continue putting my own dreams on hold to afford his care because I have been struggling to keep going as is. I was originally saving for Nail school to get properly licensed so I could start doing your nails and get out of my industry, but no dream exists without him. I have never done this before or ever asked for financial assistance in this way. I don't know what else to do but I do know that I would do anything for Opie, so here we are. Literally any/every dollar helps. Thank you so much for even caring to read about my sob story, I cannot express the gratitude I have for anyone that cares for me at all because caring for me means caring for Opie and I simply would not exist, I would not be here without him. Thank you thank you thank you.

Love,

An-Tuyen & Opie

(This is how I have signed every card since having him)