Radiation Fund for Maddie

Sometimes life decides to throw everything at you in an unfortunate succession of bad news. 

Very few people know that in November 2019, my father was diagnosed with prion disease, which is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease.  There is no cure, patients usually die within 1-2 years, and there is a genetic component to it which means I could potentially be at risk for developing the disease as well.  Needless to say, life has been turned upside down as my family and I have taken on the intense caregiving needed to make sure my dad’s quality of life is as good as it can be.  

I already wasn’t looking forward to 2020 because I knew it would be the year I would have to say goodbye to my dad.  The last thing I expected was the possibility of losing my dog as well.  

Maddie had melanoma last year but after treatment, she is doing fabulously in that the surgery site is clean, her lungs have been clear and her scans look great.  Besides the melanoma, she has generally been a healthy dog, so I was very confused when she suffered a seizure at the end of March.  Her vet didn’t find anything unusual so I hoped that it was a one time event.  

Then, four weeks later, she had a second seizure.  This time, the seizure lasted twice as long and I had to rush her to the emergency room.  She stayed the night and the next day I took her to the neurologist.  After performing an MRI, he told me that she had a tumor in the meninges — which is kind of like the nerve bubble wrap around the brain.  It was still small, at least, he said.  

I reeled from the diagnosis.  It was one more piece of bad news for 2020.  

However, the tumor (called a meningioma) is treatable with three sessions of radiation.  According to her vet, who actually developed the stereotactic radiation procedure that will be used, said that the median survival time is anywhere from 18 to 30 months.  That’s a lot of time to go to the park, the beach, for car rides, and to snuggle, and I promise I would make every day count for this lovebug.  

The cost to treat the tumor is about $13,000.  This includes the CT scan for staging, three sessions of radiation, and three nights in the hospital for overnight observation, and two follow-up MRIs.  Luckily, I have pet insurance.  So, I am asking for help to pay for the $2,800 co-payment, which is 20% of the total cost. 

I can’t bear the thought of losing both my dad and my dog in the same year.  Maddie truly is the sweetest and most easygoing dog with an endless appetite.  I am so lucky to have found her and she deserves the best life.  

Any amount helps and we would appreciate any support you can give during this time.

~Connie and Maddie

Here’s a photo of Maddie with her Grandpaw.  I once found my dad wandering from
room to room with a slice of pizza.  He said he couldn’t eat with Maddie staring at him because she looked so sad.  He also always asks me if she’s eaten yet.