On March 16, 2026, one day before Casey's 12th birthday, during a routine heart checkup, his doctors found a mass on his right lung. This came as a major shock as Casey has been nothing but resilient, his heart disease managed and under control, and he always acts as happy as can be all the time.

We thought maybe this could be some kind of mistake, some kind of misreading, but an oncologist confirmed that Casey has been diagnosed with lung cancer. To say the least, this has been devastating for our family.

With Casey's heart disease, treatment for cancer can be tricky. Surgery and radiation are not an option, as they both require anesteshia which is not recommended for heart patients to undergo.

The only treatment that offers Casey more time with us and more quality of life is chemotherapy. He'll be taking chemo pills 3x a week, a monthly oncology check in, monthly bloodwork, tri-monthly x-rays of his chest, and 1-2 ultrasounds a year.

Case's first ultrasound is scheduled for March 20th, and that will confirm whether the cancer has metastasized or stayed in that one area of his lungs. The vet is hopeful it is just in his lungs, which could possibly be easier to treat.

Per the oncologist, the hope is that the mass will shrink in size to much smaller, or even stay the same size. The last thing we would want is for it to get bigger. If the cancer does shrink, his life expectancy would increase. There's nothing I want more than more time with my baby.

Anyone who knows me knows that Casey is my heart and soul. My first child. He has been my reason to get up every day, my reason for continuing on during the hardest times of my life, and he means everything to me. I've got $20,000 in debt for him in the past, and I would do it all over again if it meant more time with him. Life without Casey is unimaginable. Truth be told, if I could take this away from my boy and give it to myself, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I never knew you could love a dog so much until I held Case for the first time. I got him in my sophomore year of college, when my anxiety and OCD were at an all time high. He filled a void in my heart I didn't know I even had. He has been with me through it all--several moves, breakups, a beautiful engagement, sickness, surgery, and the worst of all, my dad (his grandpa) unexpedly passing. He still looks for his grandpa till this day. He has terrible separation anxiety due to my dad's unexpected passing, so he comes literally just about everywhere with us that dogs are allowed. He's there with us waiting patiently in his stroller the entire time. Casey acts as an emotional support animal for both me and my mom. He has helped her incredibly after my dad--her husband and soulmate of 34 years--passing. He has always been there to comfort us in the best and worst of times. His cancer has hurt her in ways we can't describe.

When it comes to Casey's health and happiness, every single penny is worth it. But the journey ahead has significant expenses. I'm never one to reach out to ask for help, so creating this meant pushing some pride aside.

If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing Casey in any posts I've made or hearing about my baby, here's a little bit about him. Casey is incredibly resilient and has overcame so many challenges and hardships in his little life. My fiancé calls him a little fighter, a warrior. He's the strongest, and best boy I know. He's protective and loving, showing his belly to anyone that comes up to him. He loves life, his mom, his grandma, his neighbors, and his soon to be step dad. He adores toys--lamby's specifically. He loves to unwrap presents, whether they're for him or not. Something about the chase of ripping through wrapping paper gives him a thrill. He loves to sit out on the driveway and enjoy a cool breeze. He's a big fan of watching tv, comedy and the puppy bowl seem to be his favorite genres. Most of all, he loves to sleep in bed with his mom, cuddled up against her back. He wakes up every morning with a wagging tail and a smile ear to ear. Well, that may come second to eating--he would probably trade us all for a slice of roast turkey.

If you are able, please consider donating to help cover the cost of Casey's cancer journey and, hopefully, recovery. Any contribution, no matter how small helps our boy get closer to a healthier life. If you can't contribute, we appreciate all the prayers we can get for our sweet boy.

With so much appreciation, grace, hope, and love:

Sydney