Infinity's Emergency Hospital Bill
Donation protected
Dear friends and family (or curious internet strangers,) thank you for taking the time out of your day to check out my gofundme. I know 2020 has been hard on just about everybody, and with that in mind it definitely was not an easy decision for me to start my own fundraiser. This is a last course of action for me after a very expensive medical year for my beloved horse, Infinity. Unfortunately, Infinity has just spent a week at Kendall Road Equine Hospital in Elgin, IL at the end of October which has left me with quite a hefty vet bill.
I am asking for a total of $1,550 by November 15th to help cover this bill. Before I formally ask for your donation, I implore you to read through my story below, to understand the many tribulations Infinity has faced this year and how that has led to me ultimately having to ask for donations.
Background
For years, I asked my parents for a horse on birthdays, holidays--even out of the blue during the middle of an ordinary afternoon in the hopes of catching them off guard and earning a surprised "yes." As an adult, I've been able to finally realize the dream of owning my own horse. This year, I purchased my Thoroughbred mare, Infinity, and since then have had the honor of caring for a truly special creature. She's one of the funniest horses I've met and is the perfect combination of sweet and spice. Caring for her over this past year has definitely been a challenge, but she is one of my most treasured companions and her company is worth all the care she requires.
I knew going into horse ownership that owning a horse was not cheap. I did a 6-month full lease prior to buying Infinity to get a sense of what the financial obligation was actually like before making the final commitment. Unfortunately, it seems like as soon as I went from "leasing" to "owning," Infinity's health faced... some challenges, to put it lightly.
Medical History of 2020
It started with routine joint maintenance in May. While expensive, I knew Infinity was going to need regular maintenance for the rest of her life, and it was something I was (somewhat, as life goes) prepared for. Then, one early June morning, I received a call from my trainer, informing me that I was going to need to make an emergency vet appointment ASAP for what turned out to be a huge hematoma (blood bruise) in her right hind leg, most likely caused by getting cast in her stall overnight.
Then, it was cellulitis (an infection of the soft tissue) in her front left leg in late July. This was followed a few weeks later in September by the arthritis in her right hind leg flaring up and causing swelling, heat, and lameness... This issue is unfortunately still on going. 2020 hasn't been kind to anybody, and unfortunately Infinity has not been able to escape the bad luck of this year, either!
(A picture of her under sedation from one of her many vet visits.)
Each of her medical problems from this summer/early fall have required multiple vet visits. I would again like to reiterate that I knew owning a horse was going to expensive, I knew Infinity would need maintenance, but no one could have predicted we were going to have medical problem after medical problem, back to back to back.
The Incident
And then this October, every horse owner's worst fear happened: colic. On Monday, October 19th, I had to yet again call out for an emergency vet for suspected colic. They checked Infinity out, gave her fluids, and did their best to make her comfortable. At the time, we didn't think it was that serious. However, Infinity's condition did not improve and she was trailered to Kendall Road Equine Hospital the next day on Tuesday, October 20th.
Infinity had a severe impaction (basically, an obstruction of her bowels) and stayed at the hospital for 8 days, finally coming home on Wednesday, October 28th. The hospital stay was absolutely required to save her life. Luckily she did not need surgery, and they were able to resolve the impaction with a combination of IV fluids and fluids through a nasogastric tube. She is still doing well since coming home!
(A sad picture of her hooked up to the IV fluids at the hospital!)
What I'm Asking For + Timeline
I'm asking for a total of $1,550.
The charge from Kendall Road was $1,500. The extra $50 is to cover the transaction fees of the payment service gofundme uses. They take a total of 2.9% plus $0.30 of every donation made. I am aiming to have this bill settled by November 15th.
To be clear, I am only asking for donations for this emergency visit. As I have detailed above, Infinity and I have been through more than a lot this year. I have been working three jobs to cover Infinity's expenses, but there have been a lot of unexpected costs and vet visits. Unfortunately there have been so many in such a rapid succession, I have no choice but to turn to my friends and family and ask for help in covering this one bill. I understand this is a lot to ask even under normal global circumstances, however Infinity and I have weathered one too many emergencies this year and honestly, we just need help.
Infinity and I appreciate each and every donation you can spare. We're ready to put this year behind us, and getting this bill out of the way will enable me to focus completely on her care without having to worry about this bill.
Thank you so much for even taking the time to read this. Thank you for any donation you can make. If you can't donate, sharing this to your Facebook or other social media feed is still greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps!
I am asking for a total of $1,550 by November 15th to help cover this bill. Before I formally ask for your donation, I implore you to read through my story below, to understand the many tribulations Infinity has faced this year and how that has led to me ultimately having to ask for donations.
Background
For years, I asked my parents for a horse on birthdays, holidays--even out of the blue during the middle of an ordinary afternoon in the hopes of catching them off guard and earning a surprised "yes." As an adult, I've been able to finally realize the dream of owning my own horse. This year, I purchased my Thoroughbred mare, Infinity, and since then have had the honor of caring for a truly special creature. She's one of the funniest horses I've met and is the perfect combination of sweet and spice. Caring for her over this past year has definitely been a challenge, but she is one of my most treasured companions and her company is worth all the care she requires.
I knew going into horse ownership that owning a horse was not cheap. I did a 6-month full lease prior to buying Infinity to get a sense of what the financial obligation was actually like before making the final commitment. Unfortunately, it seems like as soon as I went from "leasing" to "owning," Infinity's health faced... some challenges, to put it lightly.
Medical History of 2020
It started with routine joint maintenance in May. While expensive, I knew Infinity was going to need regular maintenance for the rest of her life, and it was something I was (somewhat, as life goes) prepared for. Then, one early June morning, I received a call from my trainer, informing me that I was going to need to make an emergency vet appointment ASAP for what turned out to be a huge hematoma (blood bruise) in her right hind leg, most likely caused by getting cast in her stall overnight.
Then, it was cellulitis (an infection of the soft tissue) in her front left leg in late July. This was followed a few weeks later in September by the arthritis in her right hind leg flaring up and causing swelling, heat, and lameness... This issue is unfortunately still on going. 2020 hasn't been kind to anybody, and unfortunately Infinity has not been able to escape the bad luck of this year, either!
(A picture of her under sedation from one of her many vet visits.)Each of her medical problems from this summer/early fall have required multiple vet visits. I would again like to reiterate that I knew owning a horse was going to expensive, I knew Infinity would need maintenance, but no one could have predicted we were going to have medical problem after medical problem, back to back to back.
The Incident
And then this October, every horse owner's worst fear happened: colic. On Monday, October 19th, I had to yet again call out for an emergency vet for suspected colic. They checked Infinity out, gave her fluids, and did their best to make her comfortable. At the time, we didn't think it was that serious. However, Infinity's condition did not improve and she was trailered to Kendall Road Equine Hospital the next day on Tuesday, October 20th.
Infinity had a severe impaction (basically, an obstruction of her bowels) and stayed at the hospital for 8 days, finally coming home on Wednesday, October 28th. The hospital stay was absolutely required to save her life. Luckily she did not need surgery, and they were able to resolve the impaction with a combination of IV fluids and fluids through a nasogastric tube. She is still doing well since coming home!
(A sad picture of her hooked up to the IV fluids at the hospital!)What I'm Asking For + Timeline
I'm asking for a total of $1,550.
The charge from Kendall Road was $1,500. The extra $50 is to cover the transaction fees of the payment service gofundme uses. They take a total of 2.9% plus $0.30 of every donation made. I am aiming to have this bill settled by November 15th.
To be clear, I am only asking for donations for this emergency visit. As I have detailed above, Infinity and I have been through more than a lot this year. I have been working three jobs to cover Infinity's expenses, but there have been a lot of unexpected costs and vet visits. Unfortunately there have been so many in such a rapid succession, I have no choice but to turn to my friends and family and ask for help in covering this one bill. I understand this is a lot to ask even under normal global circumstances, however Infinity and I have weathered one too many emergencies this year and honestly, we just need help.
Infinity and I appreciate each and every donation you can spare. We're ready to put this year behind us, and getting this bill out of the way will enable me to focus completely on her care without having to worry about this bill.
Thank you so much for even taking the time to read this. Thank you for any donation you can make. If you can't donate, sharing this to your Facebook or other social media feed is still greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps!
Organizer
Alina Szremski
Organizer
Wheaton, IL