Hello community,

Oftentimes, when I create these fundraisers, I'm seeking support for someone else. Whether that be a friend struggling with housing, or ensuring my students have what they need to thrive.

This time, though, I'm asking for help for myself and my cat, Oompa.

Oompa is my baby girl. We found her on the street almost 15 years ago, and little did we know that she was pregnant at the time. And so, I also have her son, Charlie.

Oompa has been with me through some of the toughest challenges of my life, and anytime I, or anyone, was struggling, she could just tell. She always gravitates towards those in struggle, and offers her soft fur, warm purrs, and little headbutts and teeth nibbles to make them feel better. The number of times she's done this for me is unquantifiable.

And now Miss Oompa needs our help. For the last 3 days, I've had to take her to the vet. This started because not only had she peed on the counter, but her breathing was labored, she was clearly dehydrated, and she wasn't eating.

For two days, I thought I was preparing to help her pass as peacefully as possible onto the next life. But then, the medicine started working. And it's clear that she's feeling so much better and is almost back to her usual, active self. Eating, drinking, and purring loudly.

She seems to have a lot of fluid built up in her lungs and abdomen. The vet is not sure why this fluid is there, and while each x-ray is clearer and clearer, it's still not clear enough to see inside her lungs and heart. He thinks one more round of treatment and X-rays should give us the information we need to decide if she has something like a parasite that is easily treatable, or if it's something more serious that means it is indeed her time to move on from this world.

At this point, though, I can't afford one more X-ray on my own, and it kills me to think I'm just $500 away from knowing for sure what our next step forward should be. As many of you know, I'm single, I live on my own, and my dad is on a fixed income. I know we're all struggling right now, but even if you can donate $10, $15, or $20, it will go a long way to helping me cover the cost of this final X-ray so that I can know how to best care for my baby girl.

I can't thank you enough for your support, and know that Oompa will give you all kinds of snuggles in thanks as well <3