Hi everyone. This is Ivy. She is our beautiful, 6-year-old, Siamese cat. She is very loved in our family. I think she loves us too but if we’re being honest, this girl is deeply bonded to my mom. She cuddles the most with my mom, follows her around the house, waits outside of the bathroom for her, and even wakes her up in the morning for breakfast by jumping on her chest. She’s my mom’s baby. She likes to hide in grocery bags, roll in the dirt when she goes outside, and her favorite snack is cheese.
The majority of her life she had a dark mole near her left eye. We actually thought it was very cute and thought it gave her more character. But last year, around November 2025, it started to grow and change in color. During that time, we did seek treatment options at different veterinary clinics.
At one veterinary clinic, they tried to remove it, but they admitted they did not have the skills to remove it without causing complications. So, they removed some of the mass and called it an “abscess repair”. It seemed okay for a short time, but it quickly became something that became more aggressive.
After 2 procedures (one “abscess repair” and one attempted biopsy) it began to grow very quickly and we were referred to a specialty hospital. Here she was diagnosed with a high-grade mast cell tumor. In January 2026, Ivy had an amazing surgeon who removed the mass but unfortunately could not get wide margins. At the time, we were happy with the outcome of the surgery because despite the surgeon not being able to get wide margins, the entire mass was removed, and she was so much more comfortable after it healed. It healed incredibly and only a small scar was noticeable after her hair grew back.
However, because the surgeon could not get wider margins, we were referred to an oncologist. We have received some good news since seeing an oncologist. She recently had an ultrasound that showed no evidence of spread to any major organs or lymph nodes. Ivy has since been on a course of treatment that consists of oral chemotherapy and steroids.
Financially, with all of Ivy’s treatments throughout this time, we both have been able to manage it all. My mother is a very hard-working person; she has been taking on overtime at work to contribute even more to Ivy's treatments. However, we are now faced with another costly treatment route.
In early March 2026, we noticed a new mass near her left eye again. Ivy’s oncologist recommended a few treatment options that included IV chemo, localized radiation, or a more aggressive surgery.
We’ve made an incredibly difficult decision: to remove her healthy left eye in order to get wider margins due to the aggressive nature of her cancer and to give her the best chance possible. This surgery is more invasive, requires time in the hospital post-surgery, and requires post-op home care.
My mom always says “she’s my honey” because Ivy really is a sweet girl. We recently had a vet appointment where they put extra lickable treats in her carrier and said, “we’re sending her home with some treats because she was a doll”. I know I am asking a lot in the times we are living in right now. But we would be so grateful for any support anyone can provide. You would not only be helping our Ivy, but you would also be helping my sweet momma who loves her cat to pieces, as if she were her own child. We thank you for any support you can provide.
