Support Monkey in his journey to recovery

It is with a heavy heart that I share my best friend and soul mate, Monkey the French bulldog has encountered a very life threatening condition that has worsened over the past month. On November 8th he had his 8th birthday. A few days later his life took a turn, where he began developing massive swelling on the right side of his face and a bulging eye. I took him to his primary care veterinarian and they routinely prescribed him an anti-biotic. To cover all of my bases I also took him to my holistic doctor that sees pets as well as humans. I thought I was creating all the most supportive care, but sadly over the past month his health took a downward spiral. Progressively he became unable to open his mouth, rendering him incapable of eating food and drinking water. His body was lethargic and he was losing weight. I rushed him to the emergency clinic and after reviewing him the doctors sent him to the neurological department, sharing with me that his condition could be several scenarios but there was a severity and major concern with his case, one major issue being that he is unable to intake food and water on his own with a major concern of aspiration on his own fluids. He was tested for an auto-immune condition that causes atrophy in the skull and the jaw to lock called Masticatory Muscle Myositis. The doctors also speculated he could have a tumor on some nerves in his skull or an abscess behind the eye/jaw. Lastly he was also tested for a fungal infection that would effect the nervous system. We are attempting to cover all of our bases, but he was not a good candidate for an MRI because of his inability to open his mouth and French bulldogs need to be intubated in order to be put to sleep for an MRI. 
He spent 4 days in the Neurology Intensive Care Unit at the VCA Animal Hospital in Glendale, California. 
As you can imagine I was gutted. Monkey has traveled the world with me, cuddled with me amidst my most difficult moments, been my companion through it all and he still has so much life and spirit. He really needs support (as do I) to go through this situation. 
When the VCA Animal Hospital quoted me $12,500 for 3 nights at the hospital and his care, my heart sunk. I had no idea how I was going to take care of this. Luckily the bill only ended up being half that much ($6200), but we still have a long road for his recovery and treatment. I borrowed credit cards from my family and partner and have spend $2000 cash so far on treatment. 

It is so humbling to reach out to my community for support. I initially had so much shame around asking for support in regards to this situation. Thinking, who am I to reach out for help given the life of privilege I lead, but the truth is I need some support right now.

If Monkey has touched your life in any way, consider donating to his healing.
Our trajectory:
Pay back credit card bills
Ongoing treatment for his condition (I will update the group as the tests come back)
New patient protocols as soon as he can get into see Dr. Audra MacCorkle
www.healingtouchvets.com *she performs many alternative treatments and has healed many dogs naturally from Cancer and Autoimmune diseases. 

Thank you for considering our situation and reading our story.

With love and endless gratitude,
Taylor Eyewalker (Estes)