Support Ash and Raisin Through This Tough Time

IMPORTANT UPDATES: PLEASE READ THROUGH & PLEASE SHARE.

Ash would love to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone for the support. This has been such a tumultuous time.

After this initial post, new information emerged. The doctor believes the x-rays show Raisin’s tumor on her jaw is almost certainly cancer. However the results came back and that initial biopsy sample was unclear and not big enough to give an absolute diagnosis of cancer. Given her overall good health and age, the doctor suggested a follow up with a larger biopsy sample, which was another vet visit, sedation, and minor surgery which took place last Wednesday.

Post-surgery, Raisin is recovering with stitches and a cone. Ash needs to be by her side managing Raisin’s pain, helping her eat and monitoring Raisin closely. Ash lives alone, and is the only person who can care for Raisin in this way.

If it's the likelihood of cancer, Raisin’s blood work will need to be monitored to figure out when the right time to say goodbye is, and in the very slim chance it isn’t cancer, there’s going to be more medical treatment down the road.

In the next few weeks to month, it’s hard to know exactly what the amount in vet bills and loss of work will be. This is the cause for the goal increase and the urgent need to get it shared around.

Raisin’s quality of life is Ash’s #1 priority and Raisin is showing signs of good health and has had pretty great spirits considering all of the uncertainty, poking and prodding. Whatever realities and additional information present themselves in the coming days, Ash will not have Raisin suffering unnecessarily.

Given her previous blood tests, unclear biopsy, and her general mood (she’s still capable of joy and pleasure), both Ash and the vet have decided it’s definitely worth pursuing more clarity and watching the situation closely.

Your support, and sharing this post really goes such a long way. Every little bit counts right now.

*** Please share and post wherever you can. ***

LOVE

Mara & Ash

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Ash is going through the unthinkable and has to say goodbye to her beautiful cat, Raisin. Raisin has an aggressive, fast-growing bone cancer resulting in a tumor in her mouth/jaw area that is spreading. Ash has been hit with a tremendous amount of vet bills and has a broken heart while rebuilding from some challenges over the past few years. Raisin is relatively young and in great health aside from this invasive cancer, which makes this news that much more shocking and sad.

Ash has a huge heart and has been an amazing friend to us all. Ash is not just a Portland treasure, but a treasure of the universe. An artist and world-class hairdresser who has really been there for so many of us, and has surely brought so many of us together through her art of connecting people and lifting up her friends. She goes to our bars and restaurants, our shows and events, she recommends our services, she is a leather-clad and studded fabulous fountain of soul, courage, and life force. She’s always an enthusiastic advocate and accomplice for all of our dreams, big and small. Such a special, glimmering person who has touched us all so deeply; truly one of the people in Portland that makes it a decent place to live.

Coming together and helping out Ash in this time would mean so much, and really help. PLEASE SHARE!!! Having to go through something like this, losing a best friend who’s with you every day, ready and excited to beam love to you and with you unconditionally, is so destabilizing, brutal, and excruciating. I know we would all love to see Ash be able to really spend the moments she has left with Raisin without this financial burden causing even more stress.

Raisin and Ash’s connection is cosmic and runs very deep. Losing an animal with whom you connect on this level is impossible to describe.

Hairdressers and independent contractors in general, unfortunately, in our society have very little to no protections when tragedy strikes: no paid time off, no sick pay, etc. Your contribution helps Ash in a time where she will be missing some work, it will help cover Raisin’s recent vet bills (X-rays, tests, bloodwork, etc.), and help Ash see Raisin through to a peaceful transition at home.

Thank you so much and let’s please gather around Ash during this critical time. Let’s also offer words of love and support. Let’s celebrate Raisin’s life and her special flavor of love!!

- Raisin’s aunt Mara