11 1/2 years ago we adopted 2 litter mates from a friend's mom who had just rescued 5 dogs from a kill shelter, one of which was ready to have puppies. We named them Polly (black one) and Ella (brown one).

The two had been inseparable until early April when, during the beginning of quarantine, Polly had a mast cell tumor burst in her ear.  We rushed Polly to the vet: my husband keeping the ear covered in an attempt to stop the bleeding, our terrified child by his side, and Ella left at home, without her sister for the first time in her life.

My amazing vet removed the mass and we brought Polly home to her sister later that day. She healed quickly, and was back to her old self. We received the test results. The tumor was malignant and we should visit a veterinary oncologist and surgical specialist.

Polly was diagnosed with a grade 2 mast cell tumor. The vet performed tests  to see if the cancer had spread anywhere and we were relieved to discover it had not! The results solidified our decision to move forward with another surgery to remove any remaining tumor cells inside the ear. The procedure was successful and samples were sent for biopsy. Polly thankfully recovered well!  

Biopsy results in a nutshell: only scar tissue was noted on the biopsy. The original biopsy was considered a high grade, which normally means there remains a risk that metastatic disease could develop in the future. However, other features of Polly's tumor did NOT fit with a high grade tumor, so the ultimate need for chemotherapy is somewhat in the "gray zone".  The specialists recommend that Polly have her lymph nodes checked every 6-8 weeks for the next 6 months. If evidence of spread to lymph nodes does occur, Polly would need yet another surgery to remove the effected node(s) and chemotherapy would be strongly advised to slow further spread. On top of all of this, Polly has also been diagnosed with advanced gum disease and is in need of significant dental work.

Tragically, the day after Polly's surgery, her sister and best friend Ella, died suddenly. She had pericardial effusion likely caused by widespread hemangioma cancer. I rushed her to the emergency vet when she collapsed without warning. There, she stopped breathing and was gone.

Losing Ella has made us even more determined to do everything we can to take care of Polly and give her the best quality of life possible. My son, who is almost 9, is taking great extra care of her and we want to make sure she is happy and healthy for the rest of the time she is with our family.

The funds donated here will be used to pay for all of the medical expenses we have incurred between both dogs so far and future appointments and treatments for Polly, including the much needed dental work she needs. 

Expenses in detail for Polly:

4/29/20 - Initial emergency surgery to remove mass - $677.25
5/21/20 - Initial visit to Veterinary Cancer and Surgery Specialist - $165.00
5/28/20 - Mast Cell staging - $1,090.22
6/15/20 - Surgery to remove area around tumor, meds and Post-op  - $1,716.32
Dental work needed for Polly - Estimate between $1,425 - $1,651.

Expenses for Ella:

6/17/20 - Dove Lewis Emergency Animal visit and cremation charges - $1,258.00

So far the total paid $4,906.79 + Dental needed = approx $6,406.00

Future lymph node checks every 6 weeks for 6 months - TBD
Possible Chemotherapy if the tumor comes back estimate - $3,751.60

Polly is a cherished member or our family, but the financial burden of her situation is significant. We understand this is not the best time to be requesting financial assistance but have no other options.  Our family would be so grateful for any help with these expenses. Your kindness, no matter how small, is a true gift. 

Thank you to anyone able to help, from the bottom of our hearts.
Karin, Derek, Sol and, of course, Polly

Any funds exceeding our needs will be donated to Veterinary Cancer and Surgery Specialists in Milwaukie, Oregon.