SERIOUS TURN OF EVENTS: What We Believed Was a Cyst Was Actually a Mast Cell Tumor (MCT)

When I first discovered a tiny lump on Roscoe, I was worried. It was so small that I would find it, try to show my boys, and sometimes we couldn't even find it again.

I had it checked by the vet, who believed it was a cyst. He even explained that it was similar to a Baker's cyst in humans. Based on that explanation, I genuinely believed we were dealing with a harmless cyst. I believed my baby wasn't dealing with any form of cancer.

At the time, Roscoe was also having problems with his leg and mobility, which we believed were related to his arthritis. Over the following months, he had several veterinary appointments. His bloodwork was being done to monitor his liver because of the pain medication he was taking, and the vet was also checking the swelling in his leg. The bloodwork was not being done to investigate the lump.

At his last bloodwork appointment, we scheduled his annual visit for October 15. It was still too soon for one of his vaccinations, so we planned to take care of everything at his annual appointment.

I had no idea that the tiny lump we believed was a cyst could turn into something so serious.

All of a sudden, it grew incredibly quickly. What had once been so small that we could barely find it had grown to about the size of the palm of my hand. It was no longer something anyone could miss.

The Diagnosis No One Expected

At Roscoe's October 15 appointment, everything changed.

The vet took a fluid sample from the mass and examined it under the microscope. When he came back into the room, I asked him outright, "Is this cancer?"

He told me yes. Roscoe had a mast cell tumor (MCT).

He explained that mast cell tumors are often found on the surface of the skin, but Roscoe's mass was much deeper. Removing the mass surgically and sending it for pathology would give us more information about the tumor.

We knew the tumor had grown large, and we knew surgery was necessary. But we had absolutely no idea how extensive this was going to become.

The October 15 appointment alone cost $406.18.

This Has Been Ongoing

Something I really want people to understand is that Roscoe's veterinary expenses didn't suddenly begin when we discovered his cancer.

I've been paying for his care since May 2026. Over these months, he has had multiple veterinary visits, bloodwork, diagnostic testing, and medication refills through both his veterinarian and Chewy.

The veterinary invoices and cancer surgery documented so far total $2,670.87 Since May.

That includes $757.51 in veterinary invoices from May, August, September, and October, along with $1,913.36 for his cancer surgery.

That total doesn't include every medication refill I've purchased through Chewy, so my actual expenses are a little higher or even gas to get to the vet.

Believe me when I say I totally get how the gas prices are doing us all in.

I've been doing everything I can to keep Roscoe comfortable and get him the care he needs.

But financially, I've reached my limit.

I've exhausted Cherry Pay, maxed out my credit cards, and used the little bit of money I'd managed to save from my summer farmers markets for the holidays.

I'm a disabled amputee barely surviving on SS.

Roscoe & Stella is my very small, dog treat business, and without the summer markets, there isn't much extra money to fall back on.

I had already been covering Roscoe's veterinary care for months before we ever knew he had cancer. When surgery became necessary, I wasn't going to wait and hope a fundraiser would raise enough money first.

I used what I had, including money I had set aside for rent, and the help from family so Roscoe could get the surgery he needed.

His health came first. It always will.

I'm incredibly grateful that we were able to get him through surgery, but the financial strain has left me in a position where I need help.

The Phone Call That Stopped My World

Thursday morning, Roscoe underwent surgery to remove the mass and surrounding tissue.

I expected him to have surgery to remove a large tumor. Nothing could have prepared me for the phone call from the surgeon afterward.

The vert called just after 1pm & the moment I heard "12-inch incision and 36 staples," the entire world stopped spinning.

The vet was very clear: THIS IS NOT OVER. We simply didn't know the exact next steps until we receive the pathology report.

We should have it within 5-10 days from date of surgery 10/22.

I knew Roscoe was having surgery, but I had never imagined it would be this extensive. In that moment, the reality of what my boy had just gone through hit me all at once.

The Unexpected Financial Impact

The original estimate for Roscoe's surgery was $1,596.61, with a high-end estimate of $1,726.61. Because the surgery turned out to be even more extensive than originally anticipated, the final bill came to $1,913.36.

That was money I honestly did not have.

The little bit I had set aside for rent, along with help from family, allowed us to cover the entire bill. I'm disabled and live on Social Security, and Roscoe & Stella is my small, home-based dog treat business. Without the summer markets, we don't have extra money to fall back on.

The money I had managed to save for the holidays was already being stretched to cover his care. Now those savings are gone, too.

I am incredibly grateful that, between what I could pull together and the help of family, we were able to get Roscoe through surgery.

But covering the operation was only one part of this journey. Roscoe still needs recovery care, medication, and veterinary follow-up. We also have to wait for the pathology results to understand what comes next.

This is why I'm asking for help. The expenses have been building for months, and I simply cannot continue carrying the entire financial burden alone.

Roscoe Is Home, and We're Waiting for Answers

My baby doggie is now home recovering from a major operation, with 36 staples across his chest and side.

This has all happened so much faster than I ever could have imagined. I went from believing we were dealing with a harmless cyst & arthrittis to hearing that my boy had cancer and then learning that his surgery was far more extensive than anyone had initially expected.

I am thankful that we were able to get him through surgery. Now, my focus is on helping Roscoe recover and finding out what we're facing next.

Please Help Me Help Roscoe

Roscoe is family. He and his sister Stella are the reason behind Roscoe & Stella, the small business I built around the dogs I love so much.

I've done everything I can to make sure Roscoe receives the care he needs. I've used my savings, exhausted my available credit, and accepted help from family. Now I'm reaching out because I need help continuing to provide for him.

If you can donate, every contribution helps. If you're unable to donate, sharing Roscoe's story could help us reach someone who can.

If you prefer to contribute directly toward Roscoe's veterinary care, donations can also be made to his treatment account at:

**Bethany Animal Hospital**

2400 Bethany Road

Sycamore, IL 60178

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read about what Roscoe and our family are going through.

We appreciate every bit of support more than words can say.If all you can do is share his story Please share, the more we share the higher the chances are that it will get to someone who can help.

Thank you for helping us fight for our boy. ❤️

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What started as a gofundme to get help for his arthritis therapies turned into all this.

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Veterinary Expense Breakdown

Date Expense Amount

May 8 Comprehensive medical exam $86.00

May 8 Carprovet $45.60

May 8 Gabapentin $18.00

May 8 Toenail trim $28.00

August 15 Adult chemistry panel $124.73

August 15 Blood collection fee $25.00

August 15 Medical waste disposal $6.00

September 3 Gabapentin $18.00

October 15 Preventive care examination $86.00

October 15 Preventive care profile $170.18

October 15 Medical waste disposal $6.00

October 15 Leptospirosis vaccine $20.00

October 15 Toenail trim $28.00

October 15 Fine needle aspirate $35.00

October 15 Cytology $61.00

Veterinary invoices subtotal $757.51

Cancer surgery $1,913.36

TOTAL $2,670.87