Mitsie's best goodbye

If you know me you would know about my babycat Mitsie. She has been my ride or die since I was 19 and new to Melbourne, adopting her from a shelter as a kitten. She has tagged along with me through 9 different houses, countless parties, adventures, and been by my side for every major event of the last 12 years.

In around March this year I noticed some behaviour change and twitching, vets weren't too concerned about it, but I knew something was wrong. After 6 visits to the vets since April, last week the vet finally recommended an ultrasound and a mass was found in her stomach. In August, I was told that Mitsie has large cell lymphoma, a malignant and aggressive cancer with no cure. As it has spread throughout her system, any treatment going forward will be palliative.

Obviously I am beyond devastated and heartbroken, it was a shock to the system and felt impossible to process. The same day I received this news, I also received a notice to vacate for my rental, as the building I live in is being sold untenanted. The timing could not be worse as on top of this I am in the middle of setting up my new business Somewhere Soft (ironically, a loss and memorial service.)

I am updating this bio in September, and due to prognosis have put my business course and open date on hold, to focus on setting up my new place (have since moved house), mental health, and caring for Mitsie in her final weeks.

Since leaving work in May due to major burnout, I have been on the self employment scheme payment, which is less than $500 a week and only just covers rent. This means all these vet bills and tests have really added up, not to mention regular cost of living.

I have been relying on the very kind support of my mum and others when it came to unexpected vet trips, but I wanted to put the call out wider and see if others could chip in and help me at this extraordinarily awful time.

I know many of my friends and family know and love Mitsie, so support in any amount for vet bills that I already owe, and smaller costs going forward for palliative care will massively help me keep my focus on new place to live, getting my business up and running, and more important than anything, maximise Mitsie's time and happiness for what is left.

In terms of the costs, things have changed since I first made the GoFundMe (details in updates). I currently have a $4150 debt in a pay as you go arrangement that I am fairly confident I can manage on my own. This debt reflects the cost of the chemotherapy treatment we went through over the last month, plus sime medications. What I have left to pay for are two "rescue" chemo drugs, and the cost of at home euthanisa.

As of this more recent GoFundMe update, Mitsie's prognosis is now likely to be about 1-2 months. she isn't well today but I'm hoping that the medication and reduced stress of once weekly vet visits / hardcore chemo will perk her up for at least some time during these final weeks.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and donating, all of it helps. ❤️‍