Theo's Surgery
Donation protected
In November of 2011, my life changed forever when I became a "we". After months of searches for the perfect rescue dog, I happened upon the sweetest face I have ever seen in my lifetime. Within 48 hours of finding his listing, I was on the road to Georgia to become a first-time dog mom. Fast-forward three months... and I finally decided on the perfect name for my perfect boy: Theo. Everyone cautioned me about adopting a dog when I was so young - only just barely 23 at the time - but I knew the second I saw him that he was meant to be by my side forever, regardless of what challenges could come. I loved him so much instantly & that has grown exponentially since he became mine.
For over 9 years now, Theo and I have been through it all. We have lived in 4 states together as far North as Massachusetts and southbound all the way to Florida; have been through relationships & breakups, learned how to embrace the addition of a tiny orange cat into our lives (a first for both myself and Theo), and snuggled every single night. In the darkest of my days, Theo is what kept me connected when it felt my entire world was collapsing around me. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cannot imagine my life without his endless (and sometimes annoying) kisses... or his truly stunning determination to take over an entire queen size bed each & every night.
In true 2020 fashion, Theo was recently diagnosed with a mast cell tumor, which in a nutshell is a tumor that, if ruptured or untreated, can lead to a lethal allergic reaction. The tumor was caught very early (thank you to my sister for her sometimes neurotic but usually useful fake medical degree), but even still, due to the location of the mass, there is an increased chance he may have cancer. The location also will require some reconstructive surgery in order to not damage his urinary tract. I will not know if he has cancer until the tumor is fully removed, but he will be getting x-rays & an ultrasound on the day of his surgery to take any and all measures to get my boy back to healthy.
Theo's surgery is scheduled for December 24th, 2020. Yep folks, Christmas Eve.
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone. I am an essential worker as a Manager in a Senior Living Community, but for 2 years I have worked part-time as a restaurant server to supplement my income because let's face it, Boston is very expensive, especially for a single person. Of course, when COVID emerged in early March, my secondary income was 100% out the window with no options to recoup any of the financial loss since then. When restaurants began reopening, I made the decision to stay on personal leave so as to not risk any exposure to the virus that I could then potentially bring into the senior community I work for. The choice to try to keep my residents as safe & healthy as possible versus maybe making a couple hundred dollars a week, even though it was & is needed, was a no-brainer.
It is very difficult to ask for help during a time when so many need so much. This is completely out of my comfort zone as I try to be someone that offers help as opposed to asking for it. But for Theo, I will do anything to get him the care he needs to stay here with me for as long as possible. I thank you for reading our story & appreciate any help & good thoughts that can be spared. We send best wishes - to literally everyone - for a better year in 2021.
Love,
Elisa & Theo (& Bean)
For over 9 years now, Theo and I have been through it all. We have lived in 4 states together as far North as Massachusetts and southbound all the way to Florida; have been through relationships & breakups, learned how to embrace the addition of a tiny orange cat into our lives (a first for both myself and Theo), and snuggled every single night. In the darkest of my days, Theo is what kept me connected when it felt my entire world was collapsing around me. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cannot imagine my life without his endless (and sometimes annoying) kisses... or his truly stunning determination to take over an entire queen size bed each & every night.
In true 2020 fashion, Theo was recently diagnosed with a mast cell tumor, which in a nutshell is a tumor that, if ruptured or untreated, can lead to a lethal allergic reaction. The tumor was caught very early (thank you to my sister for her sometimes neurotic but usually useful fake medical degree), but even still, due to the location of the mass, there is an increased chance he may have cancer. The location also will require some reconstructive surgery in order to not damage his urinary tract. I will not know if he has cancer until the tumor is fully removed, but he will be getting x-rays & an ultrasound on the day of his surgery to take any and all measures to get my boy back to healthy.
Theo's surgery is scheduled for December 24th, 2020. Yep folks, Christmas Eve.
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone. I am an essential worker as a Manager in a Senior Living Community, but for 2 years I have worked part-time as a restaurant server to supplement my income because let's face it, Boston is very expensive, especially for a single person. Of course, when COVID emerged in early March, my secondary income was 100% out the window with no options to recoup any of the financial loss since then. When restaurants began reopening, I made the decision to stay on personal leave so as to not risk any exposure to the virus that I could then potentially bring into the senior community I work for. The choice to try to keep my residents as safe & healthy as possible versus maybe making a couple hundred dollars a week, even though it was & is needed, was a no-brainer.
It is very difficult to ask for help during a time when so many need so much. This is completely out of my comfort zone as I try to be someone that offers help as opposed to asking for it. But for Theo, I will do anything to get him the care he needs to stay here with me for as long as possible. I thank you for reading our story & appreciate any help & good thoughts that can be spared. We send best wishes - to literally everyone - for a better year in 2021.
Love,
Elisa & Theo (& Bean)
Organizer
Elisa Calkins
Organizer
Boston, MA