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We took Loretta to the veterinary ER on July 12th because she’d been vomiting. Much to our surprise, an x-ray revealed a completely separate and much scarier problem than a little tummy trouble: a tumor in her lung. After additional x-rays and ultrasounds, and consultations with an oncologist and surgeon, here’s what we’ve learned:
Usually, when cats have lung cancer, it presents as many small tumors around the lung. Our vet described it as looking like a snowstorm on an x-ray. It also typically spreads so quickly that, by the time it’s diagnosed, there isn’t much that can be done. We are very lucky that in our case, Loretta appears to have only one tumor, with no evidence of spread, in a highly operable location (at the bottom of her lung, far away from her heart and important arteries). We are also lucky to have caught it very early. In short, we have a unique opportunity to help her live a long and healthy life; one that, sadly, many cat owners don’t have when they are faced with a similar diagnosis.
We’ve scheduled her surgery for August 12. Our veterinary team says this surgery is low risk, with a high chance for a successful outcome. There is a small possibility that this growth isn’t cancerous, but it could still cause fluid accumulation in her lungs, so getting it out and testing it is our best course of action. If it is indeed cancer, Loretta may need 1 or 2 rounds of chemotherapy treatment after surgery to “clean up” and ensure it does not grow back.
Of course, all of this is going to be very expensive, and it's certainly not an ideal time. We are lucky and grateful to be in a relatively stable financial situation. However, given that Lindsey is, as of right now, still unemployed, this expense presents some risk for us. We are able to pay for part of the surgery up front, and finance the rest, but the total amount is daunting, and uncertain: our estimates range from $6800 on the low end up to over $10,000 if additional hospitalization and chemotherapy is required. We’re hoping to raise $3000 here to offset some of the pressure of this expense. We're very mindful of the fact that many of our friends are also in precarious or uncertain situations at the moment. Whether or not you can donate, we would love to hear from you or receive pictures of your furry friends.
Our friends and family who have met Loretta know how special she is. She loves being with people, snuggling, climbing on our shoulders, and following us around the house. I (Lindsey) don’t know how I could have gotten through the last 4 ½ months of quarantine and unemployment without my best friend here with me all the time. We’ve been together for almost six years, and after Ross moved in with us two years ago she became more affectionate than ever. They truly *love* each other and my heart grows 3 sizes every time I see the two of them looking out the window together, or Ross singing to her when he thinks I’m not looking. Even for our friends who haven’t met her, you know how much she means to us. She really is our family.
We can’t thank you enough for donating, or even just reading this. We can use all the well wishes and good vibes possible. This has been a scary experience, and will certainly continue to be difficult, but we have many reasons to be optimistic. Thanks everyone.
Usually, when cats have lung cancer, it presents as many small tumors around the lung. Our vet described it as looking like a snowstorm on an x-ray. It also typically spreads so quickly that, by the time it’s diagnosed, there isn’t much that can be done. We are very lucky that in our case, Loretta appears to have only one tumor, with no evidence of spread, in a highly operable location (at the bottom of her lung, far away from her heart and important arteries). We are also lucky to have caught it very early. In short, we have a unique opportunity to help her live a long and healthy life; one that, sadly, many cat owners don’t have when they are faced with a similar diagnosis.
We’ve scheduled her surgery for August 12. Our veterinary team says this surgery is low risk, with a high chance for a successful outcome. There is a small possibility that this growth isn’t cancerous, but it could still cause fluid accumulation in her lungs, so getting it out and testing it is our best course of action. If it is indeed cancer, Loretta may need 1 or 2 rounds of chemotherapy treatment after surgery to “clean up” and ensure it does not grow back.
Of course, all of this is going to be very expensive, and it's certainly not an ideal time. We are lucky and grateful to be in a relatively stable financial situation. However, given that Lindsey is, as of right now, still unemployed, this expense presents some risk for us. We are able to pay for part of the surgery up front, and finance the rest, but the total amount is daunting, and uncertain: our estimates range from $6800 on the low end up to over $10,000 if additional hospitalization and chemotherapy is required. We’re hoping to raise $3000 here to offset some of the pressure of this expense. We're very mindful of the fact that many of our friends are also in precarious or uncertain situations at the moment. Whether or not you can donate, we would love to hear from you or receive pictures of your furry friends.
Our friends and family who have met Loretta know how special she is. She loves being with people, snuggling, climbing on our shoulders, and following us around the house. I (Lindsey) don’t know how I could have gotten through the last 4 ½ months of quarantine and unemployment without my best friend here with me all the time. We’ve been together for almost six years, and after Ross moved in with us two years ago she became more affectionate than ever. They truly *love* each other and my heart grows 3 sizes every time I see the two of them looking out the window together, or Ross singing to her when he thinks I’m not looking. Even for our friends who haven’t met her, you know how much she means to us. She really is our family.
We can’t thank you enough for donating, or even just reading this. We can use all the well wishes and good vibes possible. This has been a scary experience, and will certainly continue to be difficult, but we have many reasons to be optimistic. Thanks everyone.