10/13/25 Update:
Lulu went in for surgery today and she did great. We'll know the long-term prognosis after her checkup next week. For now we're bringing our wobbly baby home and helping her get adjusted to her next 2 weeks living with a cone. Thank you so much to everyone who's helped us along this journey so far. We'll have another update next week.
10/10/25 Update:
First thing's first; thank you so much to each and every one of you who have donated to this page. I never imagined we'd get even a fraction of the support we have, and I don't think I'll ever be able to express how appreciative I am of all of you. Thank you.
We just got Lulu's EKG and x-ray results, and thankfully she is cleared for surgery to remove the tumor. Her procedure is scheduled for next Monday, 10/13. The vet assured us they will be taking every precaution to ensure Lulu will make it through this procedure safely. We're pretty understandably scared, but will absolutely be posting an update next week with how the surgery goes.
We are so incredibly grateful for the support we've received so far, and with this surgery on the horizon we are going to have to continue to ask for help. Even just sharing the link around is massive.
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We found Lulu when she was 6 months old, skin-and-bones, living outside of our home. We fed her every night until one day, right before Hurricane Sandy hit our area, she came in through the front door and never left. She quickly became a central part of our family, and especially bonded to me. Almost 15 years later, I haven't slept a single night without Lulu making sure she's snuggled up against me. She's not just a cat, she is genuinely like a child to me and I love her more than I could imagine. I genuinely do not believe I would still be here if not for her.
A couple of weeks ago, we began to notice Lulu was having difficulty going to the bathroom. We figured this might be a side effect of old age, or at worst, some type of UTI, so we scheduled a vet appointment for earlier in the month. A few days before the appointment, I noticed a bump on her abdomen, and I mentioned this at the vet appointment. The vet prescribed antibiotics and requested she be brought back in the following week for a follow-up exam to ensure the antibiotics had been effective. However, the swelling had not gone down, and the vet ordered a cytology exam.
Today, our family vet informed us that Lulu has cancer. She is going in for additional screenings next week to determine what kind of cancer it is, as well as if she is an appropriate candidate for surgery to remove the mass. These screenings alone cost approximately $1,200, and the surgery itself would be an additional $1650. Additionally, I am currently having difficulty paying the $800 of her initial vet trip.
I currently work full time at a nonprofit in a vulnerable community. Unfortunately, I don't have the means to afford the medical care Lulu needs. I love Lulu dearly and she means the absolute world to me, she's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and this is why I ask if you are able to help us in ANY way, it would be absolutely incredible and tremendously appreciated. Any little bit would help massively in ensuring she's able to receive treatment. Any amount above our goal will be directed to Lulu's ongoing medical bills, and any surplus beyond that will be donated to Last Hope Animal Rescue in Wantagh.
Thank you so much for reading.