Save Leo, PLEASE!
**Leo is putting up the fight of his life against cancer**
UPDATE: As of 2/18/15 Leo is doing well on the Palladia chemo that the funding from this campaign has helped him with! He is having no side effects, other than being much more tired than usual on the days he takes it. He takes the chemo 3 days a week.
I'm still praying to reach his goal of $6,000. He is my baby, my child, my best friend and I simply will never be able to thank you all enough for loving and helping my baby Leo. God Bless!
My name is King Leonidus "Leo". The picture above is me with my mom during happier times, a few months ago before I got sick. I am an extremely tall, 5 year old Goldendoodle that is fighting Mast Cell Cancer.
I am my mom's whole world. I am her child, best friend and constant companion. I healed her broken heart after struggling with secondary infertility for 12 years. I became her baby. Her second chance. I literally go with her everywhere that she goes. I am with her 24 hours a day. We are inseperable.
On 9/5/14 a large red tumor came up overnight on my lip. Two days later my mom had it removed. It came back as Mast Cell Cancer, not effecting the lymph nodes. My mom had me take 8 chemo treatments of Vinblastine, as the vet offered it inexpensively. (I had no side effects. Yay!) Mom takes care of my brother and I by herself, so she barely was able to do the Vinblastine, but somehow she did. Palladia was the chemo of choice, but it was way out of my mom's reach.
On 12/13/14 my mom proudly posted a picture of me on Facebook with a sign around my neck bragging that I beat cancer. No more chemo. My mom thanked God. Many people on Facebook had been rooting for me by following me on my journey. Joining in her happiness when she thought I had beat it.
Then my vet noticed a swollen lymph node in my throat. Surgery was done. The results came back that the cancer had metastasized into my lymph node. A c-kit test, that my vet paid for out of her own pocket, showed that the cancer was low grade and that I would have a higher survival rate on Palladia. My mom grieved and cried and prayed and worried as there was no possible way that she could afford this new chemo. But, in her heart she knew that there was no way that she could afford not to. It would mean that I wouldn't be with her much longer.
I am ALWAYS happy, whipping my tail and eager to please, even when I am in extreme pain or very sick. Because my immune system is down due to chemo, I can't go to pet stores, dog parks etc where lots of other animals have been. So, my mom takes me inside Home Depot and Lowe's often, to keep my spirits up, as I love to be around people. I am lovingly considered my local Home Depot's mascot!
Today, 12/29/14, was my mom's final breaking point. For nearly 4 months now she has grieved, but was consoled by my happy nature, however; I have been moping around the last few days, not eating or drinking much, which is never like me. So, today my mom bought me my favorite beef bone to entice me. I wouldn't even sniff it. Much less look at it.
She then took me to Home Depot to cheer me up. Everyone always has to pet me and a couple of people immediately pointed out that I have "knots" in my throat. My mom's heart sank. She knew the lymph nodes had quickly swollen, since even strangers noticed it. She called my vet sobbing, asking again how much Palladia would be.
Mom decided to humble herself. To beg, plead, ask for help. She feels desperate. If anyone has the inclination to help me get the chemo that I need, no matter how much or how little, my mom and I would be eternally grateful.
Each week I can receive my chemo treatment, according to how much is donated that week. Donations can be completely anonymous if desired. The reward levels are only suggestions. You can click on "Or, donate a different amount" if desired.
Thank you for loving me enough to read my story.
Love,
Leo
