Meet my dearest 14-year-old angel, Lily. She came into my life through adoption in 2018 and has been with me through five apartment moves and a major relocation from Michigan to Wisconsin. "Lils," as she's known by friends and family, has single-handedly changed my life through her deep affection and companionship during the most difficult years of my life. She's a docile girl with a beautiful voice, deep purr, and love for anyone willing to pet, scratch, pat, or brush.

On August 18th, Lily's behavior changed abruptly. She stopped eating, drinking, or having bowel movements, and retreated to a corner of the house while vomiting regularly. Any physical touch was obviously painful, and she began showing signs of dehydration and fever. That night, I made my first trip to a veterinary ER, where Dr. Lisa Grulke treated Lily swiftly and with compassion and care. Imaging revealed pancreatic cysts and inflammation that had ruptured, spreading inflamed fluid throughout her entire abdomen and chest. The two choices presented were aggressive hospitalized treatment or euthanasia. Lily was jumping on countertops and running up and down stairs just a week prior and had a positive vet check-up in May that showed her healthy and thriving for her age. After a thorough night of care by the wonderful team at VCA Emergency Center in Middleton, WI, Drs. Fitzpatrick and Kierski informed me that surgery was the only option if we were to share future time together.

At this point, the initial ER bill and transfer to inpatient hospitalization was nearing $6,000. The estimate was updated before surgery to over $12,000, including the operation and recovery care. As an hourly worker living with two roommates in a rented home, the cost is completely debilitating and will have a lasting impact on my financial situation for years. Currently, the payments sit on a credit, and I plan to transfer those balances to loans for a longer payment schedule. Regardless, I was thrilled to learn that Lily's surgery was a success on Thursday, August 21st, and she is expected to make a full recovery. If you have the means and feel compelled, any contribution toward Lily's medical bills will ensure an easier life for us both moving forward. I'm so grateful for your consideration.

- Matthew