Salem's Surgery Fund
ASKING FOR HELP
My name is Ashley Cox. Asking for help is never easy, especially when you are used to being independent. But sometimes there is a cause so important that pride needs to be put on the shelf. Someone very near and dear to my heart who passed away a handful of years ago always told me, "Just try." And that's what I'm doing. I know I will not raise much but any little bit will help.
SALEM'S SUGERY
Salem, my precious cat of 14 years, had an x-ray this week that revealed he has a very large mass in his stomach. Whether it is benign or not will be revealed at his ultrasound. The mass is so large that it is pushing his colon out of position and causing severe constipation (how we disovered it in the first place). He is still eating and drinking, and otherwise himself most days, but I know this is causing a lot of discomfort and eventually, the mass will cause him to stop eating and get very sick, leading him to be put down - or worse, it will rupture and he will die. There are only two options: let it be and allow the mass to rupture, killing him, or have it removed via a very pricey surgery that will cost around $3000 CDN. I live paycheck-to-paycheck myself, and I am still paying off student loans like many people my age. My only choice to get this money is to fundraise all I can and take a loan out (pending approval) for the rest. So that is the plan.
I have been so depressed dealing with all of this because Salem is like my child, and I am sure other pet owners understand intimately what I am feeling. I am not even fully over losing my last cat, Shadow, a couple years ago. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I worry all day at work with a heavy feeling in my stomach. This surgery is the only option I am willing to take, for both of us. It just is. To me, there is no alternative. I need to do whatever I can to save him. Any time I buy with him is worth every cent I have.
URGENCY
Since this is a time-sensitive issue - because he will continue to suffer with the constipation as he awaits surgery, or the tumor can rupture at any time and take his life - I am trying to fundraise as quickly as possible. All I can do in the meantime is pray I get approved for a loan for the rest. All acquired funds will be applied directly to paying for the surgery or, should they come in later, the loan used to pay up front for the surgery.
SAVING A LIFE
Simply put, I want to save Salem's life. In many ways, he has saved mine, and that is no understatement. On my darkest days - and I have had plenty - Salem has been there providing endless amounts of affection and love, amusment and joy. He gives me something to look forward to every morning (especially on weekends when we have extra long cuddle time before breakfast!), and I love coming home to him every evening. Anyone who knows me knows my passion for animals, especially my pets. No one who has met Salem or seen me with Salem would wonder why I am doing this. They see how happy he makes me. I didn't have the opportunity to help Shadow, my 15-year-old cat who died a couple years ago from cancer and pancreatitis; the disease took him horribly and quickly. It was the worst thing I have ever gone through, seeing someone I love that sick and feeling so helpless. But I have the opportunity to do something for Salem, and regardless of the obstacles, I will. And I would be forever grateful to anyone who is able and willing to help me help Salem.
THANK YOU
Everyone who donates will get a personal message from me at some point. And despite not being able to help you out with money anytime soon, if there is anything you ever need in return, please consider it done. I don't care if you donate $1. It all means the world to me that anyone would even think this a worthy enough cause to donate to. Spread the word if you so wish. Thank you all endlessly. <3
