Oscar Fights Cancer 2k23

A few weeks ago, what we thought was a birthmark under my dog Oscar's front left armpit ballooned into a tumor. He had surgery to remove it, along with a local lymph node and a few (7) diseased teeth, but after a nerve-wracking week and change, the biopsy on the tumor and the lymph node both came back malignant — which means my poor little fluffer has been diagnosed with stage-3 (metastasized) cutaneous melanoma.

Last weekend, we got Oscar's lungs x-rayed with his primary vet at Parkview Pet Clinic, because (as I understand it) that's where the cancer would have most likely spread next. Luckily, those x-rays came back clean, which is a really good sign. But the fact remains: that trash is still in his barrel-chested, stub-tailed little body.

We also had an intake appointment with the wonderful oncology department at VCA West LA this week. They outlined all the options we have for fighting and monitoring Oscar's condition in the months (AND YEARS, she screamed) ahead. Believe it or not, there is actually a dog-melanoma vaccine, which consists of four initial doses along with additional boosters every six months. They also want to do an ultrasound of his stomach to make sure his irregular appetite over the past week or two isn't related to any growths there.

So that's where we're at currently. In the meantime, Oscar has perked up significantly over the past few days, horking down his kibble and boiled chicken (he gets whatever he wants now) and chasing down his neighborhood boyfriends and getting the zoomies with gusto. I've personally been an absolute wreck (as you can imagine), but this turnaround makes me hopeful, at least, that with these proposed treatments, he's got some time left.

That said, there's a reason I'm making this, and that reason is: This stuff is goddamn expensive. I've already racked up just shy of $4,000 in vet bills, and that's only been for the initial surgery and biopsy, the x-rays, and the oncology consult. The estimate for what's to come — the vaccine doses, the appointments, the ultrasounds — will set me back another $3-4k.

While I have some savings and good credit (although no pet insurance, ugh), I also know that I have beloved friends and family who adore my snaggle-toothed little street muppet almost as much as I do. If you're among them and are so inclined, I'd gladly and gratefully accept help in keeping my baby around as long as possible. To just say "thank you" would be an incredible understatement, but I will do my absolute level best in the coming weeks to make sure each and every one of you knows how much I appreciate you and your kindness.