<div>#save_russell
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<div>I set this up to help save Russell. He is only 5 months old and is already in the hospital, fighting for his life, there was no answer as to why and the medical bills are quickly increasing at an overwhelming rate.
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<div>Read more for full story and price breakdown
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<div>$4702 at the first hospital
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<div>$9700 at the 2nd hospital
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<div>17-30K quoted for where we currently are in NYC(without surgery)
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<div>The funds will be used to go towards the final bill, and if hopefully his medical care and food after he comes home.
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<div>It started with the Vet not knowing the main reason of Russell's troubles.
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<div>Please help Emily and Russell. Any amount will be appreciated. Even it's it's only $1.
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<div>"I love my baby more than the world, we need to find answers, we are so close. Wev ruled our so much but still so many questions. I'm asking from the bottom of my heart for donations for his best possible chance of survival. I can't do this alone. The goal above is roughly 25% of cost so far, and we arent done yet. "
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<div>Story updates below: (will update as often as I can - these come straight from Emily)
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<div>9-17-24
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<div>"He's coming home! We can pick him up at Noon!
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<div>He will still need care, meds, and extra appointments including coming back to NYC in about 8 weeks for some more pricey tests to make sure it's not a temp fix. Which is why this gofundme will stay open. I will be finalizing the bill at the hospital today and can update numbers. Thank you to all that have donated so far! ❤️But we are not safe yet!
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<div>9-16-24 
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<div>-nothing but good news, his PCV is at 30 and it's holding. He's on some pain meds and other meds but as of now he's recovery well. If all goes well by tonight they said we can take him home tomorrow. But they wanted to monitor him for 1 more day. So we extended our stay tonight and hope he stays strong. 
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<div>-He's still holding his blood! They are weening off the pain meds and on a need by basis. But he's alert and apparently making biscuits.  we didn't get to see him today. 
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<div>9-15-24- 
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<div>"Went to visit him early in the am before surgery just to tell him how much I love him and that I know he's a fighter just in case something was to happen. Waited 4 hrs in a park next door for a phone call so I can be there if the worst happened.
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<div>HE MADE IT THEOUGH SURGERY! They were able to find the malformation but it was worse than they thought. It was touch and go but he got our and is recovering well. Had a couple more transfusions, it was hard on his little body. Have to wait for the night call to see where his levels are at. It's all up to him now.
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<div>-Nothing but good news, he's recovering remarkably well and he's eating like a little piggy. Blood is scheduled to be taken again tonight to see where he's at. I won't be able to see him tonight.
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<div>9-14-24
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<div>"Hi friends, I know everyone has been waiting for an update. Today we had to go over options because the meds weren't taking effect so it was a hard day. We talked about bring Russell home for his last days, or do another scope to double check his colon, and even an exploratory surgery. He hasn't been regenerating red blood cells as of today. BUT soon after having that phone call, I got another one saying they found the malformation, it's small but it's there. So we have an answer. But that changes the options. There's a surgery to correct it. Which is what he was supposed to have but there's a catch, he's not regenerating so they don't know if it'll fix everything. But it could! It's such a rare and unique case no one knows the odds. But if we don't decide on surgery there's nothing more they can do. He can't live off transfusions. So the only other option is bring him home for 24ish hrs and then euthanize so he doesnt suffer. So I felt this surgery is his best bet now that they know exactly what they need to do. The sad part I had to make a decision on is if they find something that they can't fix or treat. If that were to happen they asked if I would want to wake him up or not. With a heavy heart I said not to. It's selfish of me to wake him up and put him through that pain to just take him home, suffer from blood loss, and euthanize. It's the best thing I can do for him. If this surgery doesn't work, he won't make it. So please I'm praying for everyone to thing positive thoughts, he's a fighter. I believe in him! ❤️ I've you have the means, it would help immensely to donate to Russell's gofundme. We've all fought so hard and this is is best last chance, but funds are tight, as it is for all of us. But even a tiny donation goes a long way and words can't express how much I appreciate it and you all. Thank you to all that have donated so far!
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<div>Tomorrow is going to be extremely hard, you may not see a post if it was a sad day...
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<div>9-13-24
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<div>"His blood dropped again, he's put on a bleeding medicine. Apparently most meds common meds to stop bleeding only work up till the upper part of the GI track. They they put him on 1 that gets down into the lower and we will see how he reacts. There is talk of surgery but only if this doesn't help, but the surgery may be life threatening. So I am praying really hard that this medicine shows improvement. The most important thing is to stop the bleeding. I get to visit him tonight at 7pm. It sucks we only get a 30min visit and only in the evenings.
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<div>-went to visit and he was on a blood transfusion. Was told they didn't know I was coming when I was told I'd be put down for 7pm, twice. Did get a call till we were already there, his still in the same place, they can't tell if the meds worked but he's still having bloody stool. They let me in to see him in the ICU for a fast visit and when I saw him I broke down. He looks so tired, but perked when he heard me and tried to escape his cage. I'm feeling so guilty, if we don't get news of the meds working we might have to make a hard decision.
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<div>9-12-24-
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<div>"I received a call from the nurse and said he's looking good, his blood dropped which was expected so of course another transfusion. They ask for me to come in to meet the doctor.
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<div>He has a team of 6 people! he's such a unique case. They explained everything to me and how they were going to do a better CTscan for arteries, he's got a different catheter in his neck, and then they will do a scope to find the bleeding. Was told to wait in the waiting room for the results.
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<div>-results, he's still not seeing an artery connecting any veins but he has shunts that formed. The scope showed he has esophageal varicies (caused by the pressure in his shunts) but they aren't bleeding, no blood in the stomach or upper intestines. So it's been determined the bleeding is coming from the lower GI track. Rest of the day is him recovering from the anesthesia and making sure he's stable. Then make a plan for tomorrow. I sadly wont be able to visit till tomorrow"
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<div>9-11-24-
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<div>-"didnt receive a call till 11am. They consulted with every single department and doctor in the place. They even did research. They found a doctor in NYC that specializes and has seen this before at least 8-10 times compared to the 1 case ever that was euthanized with them. They wanted my approval before reaching out to the hospital and the doctor, I'm all in. I'll figure out the money later.
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<div>-They were able to talk to the doctor himself and PLOT TWIST after seeing all the scans and ultrasounds he doesn't think he has arteriovenous malformation, for many reasons he listed. But he doesn't really know till he sees Russell. The hospital we are at doesn't have the super specialized equipment needed, and Dr Weisse is ready to take the case. We are transferring to yet another hospital. They also asked if they could use his case for a case study. It's that unique.
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<div>-we picked him up at 10pm to make the 3.5 hour drive with no traffic. He survived the drive and his blood percentage only dropped a little. We gave him lots of kisses, checked into a hotel for the weekend. (Im not staying 3 hours away from him) and waited to hear from the doctor himself in the morning.
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<div>9-10-24 -
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<div>-"his blood dropped again so the CT scan has to be rescheduled to the afternoon, but otherwise he's eating and has is first no blood stool. Hopefully the meds are working.
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<div>-"CT scan confirmed what they feared, Arteriovenous malformation. According to this doctor there is nothing surgical they can do. I have 3 options. Keep him stable and ask the surgeons tomorrow to confirm, just keep him happy, or euthanize. I'm obviously going to ask the surgeons"
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<div>9-9-24
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<div>-"after getting no sleep for obvious reasons, we got the first phone call. They were able to stabilize his blood but it took 3 transfusions. He was put on meds and he was eating. Had an ultrasound sound scheduled
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<div>The 2nd update call they did the ultrasound and saw something prominent on it that they believe is a rare condition call Arteriovenous malformation but needed to confirm it with a CT that they will do tomorrow. They keeping his blood stable and him happy."
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<div>9-8-24-
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<div>"his PCV dropped to 8%, fatal amount, I got a call telling me they don't have more blood to give another transfusion and should come see him. I though I was saying goodbye to my baby. While I was holding him, they were able to get an emergency blood donation from a cat 1hr away, thankfully Russell hung on and they were able to give him a small amount. We were given a option to transfer to another specialized hospital that had no shortage of blood. It is an hour away but of course took the drive."
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<div>9-7-24-
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<div>"Russell isn't doing well and is very sick. He's not eating, had a fever, blood in his stool, and is lethargic. He was brought to the vet this morning. And after doing a few tests we found out he was in bad shape. He was then brought to the hospital where he is now. He needed a blood transfusion, ultrasound, x-rays and more tests. We found that the poor baby is anemic but there's still no answer as to if it was brought on by something or is genetic. His litter mates have no issues. And there's still no answer about the blood in the stool.
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<div>The doctors are optimistic, but its hard. I want to give him the best fighting chance. He's only 5 months. It may run up to $4800, which is basically my whole savings, but I did it signed the papers. I'm really hoping he pulls through, he's my little baby and he's such a good boy.
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<div>Please keep him in your prayers. It's going to be a lonely night without him. Hopefully I'll receive good news tomorrow. I also apologize in advance if I don't respond. My mind is elsewhere. I'm so exhausted.
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<div>I am not asking for handouts but any will not go unnoticed." ❤️
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Jeffrey Batchelder

Summer MacPherson

Rebekah Mccabe

Anonymous

David Sacerdote

Darcy Dillon

Lana Chau

Andrew Pittman

Melanie Church

Rika Witzel

Shana Goodman

Amy Imhoff

Cassandra Duchesne

Help Save Baby Russell and Support His Medical Care

Help Save Baby Russell and Support His Medical Care

Still $37,460 to go. Help us build momentum.