For those of you that already know me, might know that I have a dog.

However, Mr Darcy is not just any dog, he is a very special member of the family that has not only changed my life but many of those around him. 

He is my best friend, my rock, my little baby...my whole world!

Back in 2008 my mum was diagnosed with cancer, this lead to her being signed off work for over a year whilst undergoing various treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  She has always been a fighter and faced everything with a smile on her face but when losing her dad during this time it really took its toll on her.

It was during this time that Mr Darcy came in to our lives by pure fluke. He was the best companion for my mum, we could have ever wished for.  He gave her not only companionship but a reason to get out of bed everyday.

There are so many stories I could share with you, as to show you the impact this very special dog has had on our lives, but i will skip forward to the most recent.

During lock down I suffered as many did with mental health. I was put on to medication to help with my severe anxiety disorder and depression, but little did we know this was actually going to result in me being rushed to hospital...

I had been feeling out of sorts but thought nothing of it and went to bed. Mr Darcys behaviour seemed somewhat out of character, unsettled, staring at me in bed, nudging me whilst crying continuously.  Mr Darcy then leapt out of bed at around 1 am and run down stairs to the front door barking as to alert people of what was unfolding upstairs. The medication had caused me to not only have heart palpitation, hallucinations, I was experiencing what I can only describe as fit like seizures.  

If it was not for Mr Darcy sensing what was about to happen to me and his reaction when it did, I believe things could have been different.

I had a few episodes  after my visit to hospital, all to which Mr Darcy alerted me prior to them coming. Which allowed me time to prepare myself and lie down ready to ride them out.

Just under 2 weeks ago my whole world shattered to pieces, when Mr Darcy was diagnosed with Lymphoma. 

Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting network. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes (lymph glands), spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow.

Our vets referred to a specialist Oncologist for further testing and treatment.  Here we were faced with two options:  Palliative care or Chemotherapy.

Option 1: Without treatment and being put on to palliative care the average life expectancy is that of only 1- 2 months.

Option 2: Chemotherapy. Which either gives him the chance of complete remission or extending his life expectancy to 1-2 Years!

The outcome of chemotherapy is based on the type of cancer cell present in Mr.Darcy.  We are currently awaiting further test results determine this. However either way the outcome of treatment outweighs the outcome of palliative care.

Unfortunately Mr Darcy is uninsured, and whilst I was signed off work for mental health I was made redundant. Which has left me in a very hard place to be able to afford his treatment. But when faced with the decision to go ahead or not with treatment I had to act fast. 

So...he underwent his first Chemotherapy treatment on Monday, which will now be administered on a weekly basis for the next 4 weeks as part of the first course, he has also been provided with 4 weeks worth of steroids.

This however, has left me with the current outstanding vets bill of £1800. 

I currently have 30 days to raise funds to pay for the first round of treatment, but there will be multiple rounds of treatment thereafter, totaling at £6500.

Any donations to help save Mr Darcy as he saved me, will be ever so gratefully received.