Robot's Emergency Medical Funds
My name is Kat, and I'm a woman who adores her four-legged friends. Some of you may know me as Oodi, a partnered variety broadcaster from Twitch.
More recently, I've fallen on hard times due to illness and disability. Although I don't speak of it often publicly, I am unable to maintain work outside the stream/home on a regular basis as I suffer from degenerative arthritis, as well as other chronic illnesses such as endometriosis. As I'm sure you can imagine, it is very difficult for any one of any age to maintain their day-to-day functions and lives including family, education, employment, etc. with such ongoing pain. It has been a rollercoaster emotionally and physically to learn how to cope with the every day difficulties I have experienced for the last five years since onset of arthritis. I try, no matter what life brings, to maintain the utmost positivity. My cats help me by keeping me company. They each share a remarkable love with me, whether I am having a good day, or an unbearable day.
Robot resting at home in late 2015.
On Friday, June 3, 2016, I had to rush one of my three cats, Robot, to the emergency veterinarian. I noticed the night prior that she was not interested in eating her soft treats. I thought that was strange, but as cats often are, I gave her the space she seemed to desire at the moment.
As of lunch time on June 3, I was making noodle soup. I felt Robot rub against my legs - her way of saying "hello, friend!" - as I was cooking. I glanced down at her and noticed immediately that her nose was a yellow color, instead of her normal soft pink. I thought perhaps the sunlight in the kitchen was playing a trick on my sight. I had not been feeling especially well over the previous days due to a sudden onset upper respiratory and ear infection. Upon closer inspection, I saw that her lips, gums, and all of her skin was taking on a bright yellow hue. I knew immediately that she was suffering from icterus (jaundice) which is a sign of urgent, serious illness in cats. I immediately placed her gently inside her carrier, as I was advised by her regular veterinarian to take her in to an emergency vet's office nearby for the best care possible.
Robot in her carrier traveling to the emergency veterinarian's office; June 3, 2016.
After she had been checked in, and her bloodwork started, I sat waiting to meet with the on-call veterinarian. I discovered that Robot's ALP were 499. The normal range for a feline is 10-100. Her billirubin levels were also extremely elevated, at 12.9 instead of the normal range of 0.0-0.9. Her other complete bloodwork panels read as normal across the board. She is, as the ER vet said, "very young and otherwise healthy." She has been tested (or in some cases, retested for safety's sake) for feline leukemia, feline HIV, heartworms, pancreatitis, hyperthyroid, diabetes, gallbladder disorders, and a host of other illnesses that may have played any part in this sudden hepatic lipodosis. All of her bloodwork, ultrasounds, radiographs, etc. came back within normal ranges. As the emergency veterinarian explained it, and after ruling out all other possibilities, she is suffering from primary hepatic lipodosis, which frequently presents itself within a matter of 72 hours, tops.
Robot at the emergency veterinarian's the night prior to her esophagostomy tube surgery; June 4, 2016.
Robot has been with me for just shy of six years. She is between six and seven years of age. She is an inside-only cat (as are all of my cats) and has been extremely healthy until Friday, June 3. I could never forgive myself if I didn't try everything within reason to help Robot. I refuse to walk away from her now. I love her dearly and I want to ensure her safety and happiness. I need your help financially to do so.
Robot preparing to be discharged from the emergency veterinarian; June 6, 2016.
I will need to raise as much as possible in the coming weeks to help defer both the previous and upcoming financial struggle due to her medical needs. Her total estimated cost for care as of the morning of June 6, when I was able to bring her home and begin around-the-clock intensive care, was $3,462.00 on the high side. Her actual costs have ended at $4,283.00 so far. If you are interested in a complete break-down of her costs, I would be happy to oblige and update as I receive more information after each of Robot's check-ups.
I know this is a lot to ask, and I have little to offer at this time (as I am giving her such intensive care at home currently) but my unending gratitutde. Words alone cannot express how thankful I would be; given how difficult the first six months of this year have been both financially and physically, this is simply out of left-field for me. She will need a recheck every week, as well as medication refills, possible different medications, surgery to remove her esophagostomy tube after she has fully healed, and a final check-up including possible bloodwork at her regular veterinarian after all is said and done.
Every $1.00 helps towards Robot's medical care. Thank you, thank you, thank you for considering and assisting me in this time of need.
All my love and thanks,
Kat / Oodi
Robot, Buggy & Bebop; July 2015