Bones has been in my life for the majority of his (8 years 8 months), and our bond is indescribable, undeniable. A soul-bond, if you will. So it deeply saddens me to write anything of this regard, but Bones’ health has rapidly declined since September of this year, and it took a total of ten misguided, inconsistent, expensive, and stressful vet visits to learn what his condition was. I have created a GoFundMe to receive some relief from the chaos both Bones and I endured, to cover the treatment, tests, foods, medications he’s had in the last 2 months, to keep up with medications for the next few weeks.

I have been through every stage of grief and more, but we have reached a point where things are resolved, I have answers, I have a path. The journey to get here was unbearable, and much more expensive than I can afford. Thank you to anyone who reads.

The details surrounding each visit are extremely complex, and I truly wish to refrain from remembering the complications/lack of information that came from each visit, each wrong assumption, each new test they wanted to give, each outrageous quote, each new referral, each rejection from specialists Bones faced due to an initial misdiagnosis in October. This was truly the hardest, most confusing, isolating situation I’ve had to deal with in my life. It consumed me entirely, so now that I have this path— a clearer head— I am asking for help. In hopes of getting back on my feet and feeling a sense of normality again.

Here is The Quickest Timeline of Events I can Make (still extremely long):

Sep 4: Bones had been vomiting daily, and on the sixth day he threw up blood.

Sep 10 — $408: Emergency visit for fluids and medication. I couldn’t afford the bloodwork or x-ray they recommended

Sep 11 — $481: Went to another vet. They ran bloodwork, gave more fluids, and prescribed special food. They couldn’t do x-rays until the bloodwork results came back

Sep 15: Bloodwork came back unremarkable. I was quoted $675 for an x-ray. I searched for a more affordable vet and found one at half the price, but they had no availability, so I had to wait

Sep 29 — $107: New vet preferred an ultrasound over an x-ray. Recommended a novel-protein diet (rabbit/duck) and B-12 bloodwork. I took some of the special food but had to think about the rest due to, again, cost.

— Bones liked the rabbit food, but 6 hours later he vomited more than I’d ever seen. I requested a second review/emergency appointment with a different doctor at the same clinic, and they accepted

Sep 30 — $341: He received fluids, new medication (Cerenia), and an x-ray. He was switched to a hydrolyzed-protein diet due to sensitivity. Ultrasound was scheduled

Oct 3 — $634: Ultrasound performed

Oct 6: Bones was misdiagnosed with gastric carcinoma—an untreatable cancer in his specific case/its location with euthanasia presented as the only option. In my gut I didn’t believe it and desperately searched for second opinions. Availability was extremely limited, and no one could give a clear answer. I couldn’t make a euthanasia decision without a real diagnosis

Oct 7 — $40: Seeking some type of relief for him, I was connected with an animal reiki healer, and he seemed better for several days after she worked on him (has continued weekly work on him to this day just for his well-being, just out of the kindness of her heart)

Oct 10: I received the written ultrasound results and images; they had Bones’ age wrong and several other inaccuracies. I grew suspicious and uneasy, especially with no guidance/support from the vet who diagnosed carcinoma

Oct 12 — $207: Went to a specialty hospital. They quoted $15,000 for a CT scan and surgery/biopsy just to confirm the diagnosis. They offered no alternative suggestions or other hospitals to try.

— I began searching again, but many hospitals declined to see Bones because of the carcinoma diagnosis—even though it wasn’t confirmed, just a strong assumption via ultrasound results

— During this time, Bones’ energy, appetite, and overall well-being dropped significantly. I became worried and desperate because nobody would even consult on his case, nobody had suggestions (called, emailed, texted, and applied for 9 specialty hospitals)

Oct 17 — $101: More fluids and an appetite stimulant. He wasn’t eating much, but still had energy to go out, still scored high enough on the quality of life scale, still fighting

Oct 29 — $100: Finally found a specialist willing to take Bones for a consult

Nov 3 — $1000: FNA ultrasound—something plenty other vets and specialists had refused to do, insisting it would be inconclusive(usually suggested more expensive procedures)

Nov 4: Results confirmed lymphoma, NOT carcinoma. It had been treatable the entire time—treatable, though not curable

Nov 5 — $299: Visit with an oncologist, who agreed it took far too long to get answers and that Bones could have been comfortable much sooner. We discussed treatment, which would require weekly vet visits, chemotherapy, and at-home medications for five months—not how I want Bones to spend the time he has left

Nov 12: The day I’m writing this. Bones has been on a steroid for a week, and his appetite, energy, and spirit are all up. Everything seems almost normal again, a huge relief. We go outside three or more times a day, (and have through this entire process), and he’s loving life. I’m grateful to end the cycle of vet visits and grateful that he gets to finish his time on a stronger, happier note

Total spent: $3718 on visits, $606 on medication/fluid refills, specialty foods, probiotic. Some things paid out of pocket, most everything else on a Credit Card. ($4324)

Asking: $4,500 to cover these costs and the remaining refills/food I’ll need. Again I am grateful for any of your time reading this, any of your consideration, every single donation.

I love Bones more than anything, and would do anything in the world to save him. I tried everything, and have been completely consumed in the manner since it all began— deep in research, phone calls, vet outings, conversations/applications, special-food runs, financial assistance research, you name it. Maybe I could have found better vets or made better decisions in better time frames. But I’ve wound up here now, and am looking for support now. I’ve accepted that I’ve done my very best, and it has all been with love.

Bones is, again, happily taking a steroid for the remainder of time he has left with me. We spend hours of our days outside; he catches lizards, chases birds and squirrels, rolls joyously on the concrete, and peacefully observes the rest. His appetite is normal again, eating well, receiving so much love from the people that have had the blessing to know him. He is such a special cat, so of course he had such a special, complicated case (not that it needed to be) and as much as I expected him to be around for 10+ more years, and think he is too young for any of this, and think it is not fair, I know he will leave content now, rather than in distress. Any donation to help me makeup for the expenses I’ve had would mean the world.

With Gratitude and Love,

-Shaniya and Bones