Hey all,

If you're a friend of ours, you've no doubt seen many updates in the life of Lula over the past 4.5 years.

Sweet baby Lubean (a.k.a. tiny Belulah Flufferbutt, TinyLoaf™️, Princess Lu) hails from a trash pile behind a good friend's house in Maywood. The Trash Cat Army rescued her from the cold, gave her shelter, and called me immediately. Did I want a sweet baby cat? You bet I did. 3 days before Christmas, Lula came home with me and we started our life together.

It is no exaggeration when I say that Lula became my closest friend. Her tiny chirps, sassy snarls, and ability to comfort me in the most tumultuous of times solidified that bond from the very start. What we did *not* know when taking Lula in was that she was, in fact, a Grandma Baby Kitty, and not just a Baby Kitty. The Veterinarian guessed she could have been anywhere from 7 to 10. My heart was broken at the fact we would have a shorter life together than hoped, but I swore to give her all of the love and safety I could muster.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I noticed a very small, bb-sized lump on the side of her perfect little face. After an examination, the veterinarian insisted it was nothing to worry about, and to continue on with our happy little life until her eventual next dental appointment, when she would be under anesthesia and the lump could be removed. Unfortunately, finances were very rough through the pandemic, so her (non-essential) dental was pushed back indefinitely. "When I'm in a good place!" I'd say--but that 'good place' is still in the distance.

In early January, we noticed that this tiny bump had gone from tiny, to significantly larger. Thanks to a very kind friend, we were able to get Lu to an emergency doctor to take a better look. Unfortunately, what was found was discouraging, and the procedure prohibitively expensive. After a biopsy, it was determined that Lu's lump was indeed a cancerous growth, more specifically a Spindle Cell Sarcoma. I would need a couple months to have the financials squared up for the surgery, but asked them to schedule us regardless.

We were severely let down by the clinic I had initially taken Lu to, and in March I was notified that Lu had never been placed on the list for her surgery.

Yesterday, we finally had the chance to get in with Lu's very first doctor, who was much more thorough in explaining what needs to be done, and what Lula's quality of life may be from this point forward. Since January, her growth has increased from 1cm in size, to just over 4cm in size. Because of where it is located, if it continues to grow at this rate, it will impede her ability to eat, see, or eventually even breathe. It is now too late for the tumor to be removed completely, without taking a large part of her face and neck tissue with it. While most of the tumor can be removed, the 'arms' or spindles cannot safely be removed. While now, she is as happy and active as ever, this will very quickly begin to affect her day-to-day. She needs surgery, and quickly, to give her a little more time.

It was made very clear to me that even with the surgery, the cancer can likely grow back, or even spread into her chest cavity (if it hasn't already). It was also made clear that I needed to try everything I can to get her this treatment. She is not sick, suffering, or in pain (yet). It would be significantly more affordable to let this be, and start her on steroids, and eventually palliative care. It feels like a disservice to her to give up. The surgery could very likely afford us another year or more together.

This is my last-resort effort to finance Lula's surgery. Unfortunately I have been turned down for Care Credit. The Veterinarian's office does have an option for me to finance the surgery privately at a very high interest rate, but we must come up with half of the cost right away to proceed. I do not like asking for help. But this help isn't for me, it is for Lula, and I owe to her to try. Please, if you have the means to donate the equivalent of a morning cup of coffee, or a round of drinks on a night out--consider a little donation to Lu. You will have my deepest gratitude. I have set the goal for the final cost of the surgery, but even if we make it to the halfway point, that opens the door and makes it possible for her to receive the treatment she needs. I will attach her records and the breakdown of cost for her procedure. If you choose to donate, please also send me your address, so we can send you a heartfelt Thank-You.

Thank you for reading, thank you for your time, and thank you for your kindness. I want so badly for my babe to have a little more time to live comfortably.