Help with Squee's End of Life Costs

Squee was my feline best friend, Emotional Support Animal, and so much more. He was often my reason for getting out of bed in the morning, and brought so much joy and laughter to my life. We went everywhere together, weathering years of transience and housing instability, and major health issues for both of us.

 

Squee died very suddenly and traumatically on on April 13th, after a day in two different veterinary ICUs. This fundraiser is primarily to help cover the approximately $2k in hospital costs which Squee's pet insurance did not cover. I will include some details of medical stuff below, so content warning for pet death etc. 

 

On the evening of April 11th, Squee became very ill after potential toxin injestion. 6 doctors and 3 poison control experts couldn't determine what exactly he got into based on what I have medication wise, and what is generally known to be in this house, based on his symptoms, but he started throwing up and yowling in a way I had only heard once before.

 

I called around to emergency vets, found one who could see him ASAP, and rushed him in. In the car, right before he went in, he seemed to be having serious neurological symptoms... But he relaxed a bit when I opened his carrier, he purred and rested his hand on my head until they came out to bring him in. After much back and forth with doctor and poison control, prognosis was good, he needed to stay overnight, friends encouraged me to go home and take care of myself.

 

Unfortunately, he somehow became hypoglycemic and was not monitored regularly enough to catch it before it caused him to start to lose neurological functions. Doctors and poison control can't explain why or how that would happen, but he was alone for 2 hours while it did. This will haunt me forever.

 

I called early that morning to the news he had been intubated. Soon he was on a ventilator. He would remain in a coma for the last 20 hours of his life, which were some of the most traumatizing of my own. I won't get into more details, but we did everything we could to try to give him an opportunity to come back, even if it meant permanent brain damage or disability. I believed he could be happy, and I honestly couldn't imagine my life without him.

 

He had two cardiac arrests and I decided to let him go when I was there for the second one. I buried him in the woods two days later, near by a place he loved, and then the shock wore off. Squee was not even 5 years old, and I truly believed we were going to be together for atleast twice that amount of time. I had become so careful and protective of him, and the reality of that being so fragile sent me into a bit of a tailspin.

 

I have been struggling immensely with a relapse to my addiction to alcohol, cPTSD and other mental health issues in the weeks following Squee's death. I haven't been able to work, and am just now coming to a place where I can maintain hygiene and eat regularly, or deal with financial stuff.

 

One of the biggest reasons I am seeking financial support at this time is the ways in which Squee's sudden and traumatizing death has significantly impacted my health and ability to work, secure housing, or genuinely cope with reality for weeks. I was unable to address finances or reach out for much help during the first month of grieving, and delayed making this fundraiser in that frozen state.

 

I have a little bit of wiggle room due to credit cards, but my future is entirely uncertain. I will be homeless again in 3 weeks, living in my van during a pandemic in which I am high risk. I have little clue how I'm going to deal with what is to come but am finally coming to a place where I can atleast ask for help and make my immediate future less painful.

 

Even after the pet insurance reimbursement, paying for Squee's care has completely wiped out all of my meager savings, and I am starting to go into significant debt due to my inability to work. These funds will be used to recover from this devastating emotional and financial setback by paying off Squee's medical debt in full, as well as covering the costs associated with my sharp decrease in executive function following his death.

 

I am waiting for a reimbursement summary from my insurance company to share and verify the total amount of Squee's medical costs, but after reimbursement and refunds it wound up being $1958. I have set the goal to $2000 to start, but the real cost of this entire ordeal has been closer to $3500 including loss of work and increased expenses like takeout when I have been unable to cook or care for myself. However, any amount will help me endure this grief and adversity with a bit more security and options.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read, and any support you are able to offer.