Help Ali Afford Penelope's Cancer Treatment

Penelope came into my life when I was 16 and she was no more than a five-month-old three pound fluffball with the silkiest black fur and the two biggest, brightest, glowing green eyes I had ever seen. For the last ten and a half years, she's been my closest little buddy and, since moving to Indiana, has become a foundational part of my support system and is the most important thing in my life. Like Kiki & Jiji, Sabrina & Salem, Hiccup & Toothless - Penelope is my tiny little partner in crime and I love her with all my being.

In March of 2025, the vet found a buildup of fluid in her chest, surrounding her heart and lungs. Diagnostic testing alone (blood testing, CT scans, and laboratory work) has already come to $6,000 and she still needs diagnostic ultrasounds of her heart. While I don't have a diagnosis for her yet, the most-likely causes are heart disease or cancer. The amount here is a best-guess estimate for worst-case scenario. As I learn more, I will make regular updates - both on her status and what the cost is going to be.

I know times are tough on everyone, but if you have anything at all to contribute, I humbly implore you to help me make sure she receives the medical care she needs. She's only eleven years old and I know that she has many more years of snuggles, birdwatching, tuna treats, and meowing at the ghosts in my apartment ahead of her - if you can help me make those years a reality, I will be eternally grateful.

*Update as of 3/25: the initial vet visit and emergency clinic testing have all confirmed that Penelope has an aggressive form of cancer that is affecting her lungs, lymph nodes around her heart, and her tissue linings. Those tests coupled with her prescriptions have come out to approximately $7,000. Her oncology consult visit cost $222 and each round of chemo, which will also need sedation and bloodwork, is estimated to cost $1,333. Based on my research, when the time comes, her end-of-life care may cost anywhere from $500 to $800.