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Help Us Save Layla!

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On September 18th, Sage and Erik’s 11-month old puppy, Layla, was diagnosed with hydrocephaly. This disease causes fluid pressure in her brain that results in confusion, seizures, loss of mobility, and if left untreated, is terminal. Yesterday, Layla stopped responding to her meds and doctors are recommending emergency brain surgery as Layla’s last chance at a future. This surgery is very expensive and isn’t performed often. Sage and Erik are willing to do everything to help Layla and they intend to move forward with the surgery.

These last few weeks have been devastating for them and they’ve already spent thousands of dollars just to get to this diagnosis. Please help me help my friends alleviate the financial burden of this surgery by donating what you can and by spreading the word about this fundraiser.





For more information, please see Sage’s detailed account of the heartbreak they’ve endured these last few weeks:


This past Tuesday (September 18th), after 3 weeks of fear, frustration, hope, and sadness, we received the devastating news that our 11-month old fun-loving, crazy, adorable puppy, Layla, has advanced, congenital hydrocephaly (water on the brain). It is so advanced that she already has some brain loss from the buildup of extra fluid, which we believe has been gradually happening since she was born, and her cerebellum has now begun to herniate into her spinal cord, which can become life-threatening very quickly. We were told that our only treatment options were medications to control the swelling and pressure, which would help in the short-term only, or brain surgery to install a shunt, which would drain the excess fluid from her brain into her abdomen. The surgery, we were told, is really the only option to stop this from progressing so that Layla has a chance at a happy life. As soon as we received the news we started her on a course of medications to treat the inflammation, but her situation is continuing to decline rapidly. Yesterday, her symptoms became so intense and scary that we had to hospitalize her. As I write this, she is being cared for by the best ER doctors but continues to suffer from pressure-related episodes and seizures. Our Neurologist says that surgery must happen very soon or one of these episodes may take her life. That being said, he believes that all of her current symptoms are being caused by changes in pressure in her brain and that if the surgery goes well we should begin to see our sweet, happy girl again! We have already scheduled the surgery for Thursday, although our neurologist is prepared to do it sooner if needed.

To say that the last few weeks have been scary and heartbreaking would be an understatement. We have tried so hard to be strong for Layla. In the 9 months since we welcomed Layla into our home, she has become a part of our family and we are willing to do anything to save her if it means she can have a happy life!

Organizer and beneficiary

Danielle Palmer
Organizer
Costa Mesa, CA
Sage Andersen
Beneficiary

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