Please Help Nova Through Her Breast Cancer!

Please Help Nova Through Her Mammary Cancer!

My name is Mia, and I am reaching out because I cannot do this alone. I am writing this with a heavy heart but a hopeful spirit. My best friend Nova got diagnosed with breast cancer two months ago. She is a 12-year-old kitty and her birthday is on May 14th, 2013, and she has been with me since she was a young kitten. She is a white and gray Birman with blue eyes and is full of love! She is the sweetest little lady, but she has been through the ringer when it comes to medical issues!

Nova has battled other health issues before this. She has IBD and requires expensive, specialized food, but after years of finding the right treatment, she was finally stable. I thought her medical struggles were behind us. After the expenses with her (IBD), I thought she was done with the medical issues. But I found a lump on her tummy, and upon inspection by her veterinarian, it was a tumor. We got it removed, and the results came back benign, which means she was in no danger. A couple of months ago, I found another lump, and it was growing by the day. Upon taking her to the vet again, I was advised to get this one removed as well. This tumor came back as cancerous and malignant. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and given a life expectancy of 1-2 years.

This absolutely crushed us. My next question was, “How can we help her and improve her quality of living?” She recommended us to Dr. Bonnie Smith at the Veterinary Specialty Services in O'Fallon, MO, which is a facility that helps deal with more intense diagnoses. To just hold the appointment, they charged $175, and upon arrival, the doctor and I got to talking. The options: 1-Bilateral mastectomy OR 2-Chemotherapy (This only had high hopes if the surgery is done first.)

I chose to go the surgery route because her last surgery seemed like a breeze. Her recovery from her previous surgery was perfect, and everything went smoothly. When I researched prices for this surgery online, the answer I found was about $2,500 for both sides. I had just that in my credit card limit, so this was perfect. I paid $1,100 for her to get X-rays, Ultrasounds, and bloodwork done so she would be cleared for the surgery. Once I received the estimate for half of the bilateral mastectomy, I had to instantly cancel the surgery. The estimate stated that to do surgery on one side, it would cost $3,500, so in total, with both, this brings it to about $7,000. This made me hopeless.

This is where I need your help, getting this surgery would eliminate the opportunity for the cancer to grow back in her mammary glands. If all goes well, her estimated life span will most likely be extended. After the surgery, she will need a metal kennel/playpen to stay in while healing on each side. (I have gotten her a fabric one last time, and she ripped it to shreds.) She will also need onesies to prevent her from licking the incision.

I cannot afford this, and I was just going to not go through with it until a friend recommended creating a GoFundMe for her! I have never asked for help like this before; I've always found ways to get by without asking for help. But we NEED help, these expenses are far too high and out of my budget. But Nova is my everything, she is the Lil lady I come home to every night, and I can not imagine a life without her. My mind forces me to forget that she's only got a year or two left, and when I remember that fact, I crumble. I am currently working two jobs, and I am a full-time college student, so I am trying my hardest to give her everything she needs. If you can, please help me give Nova the fighting chance she deserves. Every single dollar helps, and even if you’re unable to donate, sharing this with others means the world to us.

The photos of the bills: #1- This is the estimate I got from the surgeon for ONE side of her surgery. #2- The amount paid for her to have her pre-surgery tests. (Before I knew the surgery was too much.) She will most likely need another round of pre-surgery tests, which is why I am asking for $8,000 to cover all of her expenses, plus aftercare products. (Playpen, onesies, etc.)

Thank you for reading this to the end. Writing this was hard enough to get through with drying the tears off my keyboard, so the fact that you read all the way through means a lot! If you have any tips or recommendations for a kitty in her position, just reach out! Thank you so much again, I truly appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart. <3

TIP: The vet said her mammary cancer potentially could have been caused by the date she got spayed. She didn't get spayed as a kitten, but at the age of 6. Please spay your babies EARLY to avoid any issues like these further down the road!

Nova is running out of time, but doesn't have to run out of hope! With your support, we can give her the best possible chance at more years together. Every dollar matters, every share helps. Thank you for being a part of Nova's fight! - Mia