The Linc Love Fund
Donation protected
My beloved boy, Linc, has reached his final stretch of life. I'm not sure how much longer he will be with us, but I want to make sure his remaining time is comfortable and pain-free. I've spent everything I have and then some to care for him since he got sick 6 weeks ago, and I am now out of options. It is hard to ask for help but I love him so very, very much and I don't want him to suffer, so I am asking for help paying for his final medications and end-of-life care. I will be forever grateful for any contribution you can make. Thank you so, so much for your love and generosity. All details are below.
This began 6 weeks ago...
About six weeks ago Linc started vomiting bile. This isn't unusual for him, but when the frequency increased and it wasn't soothed by any of our usual remedies, I took him to the vet. We first went to our integrative vet (his usual vet) who did bloodwork, x-rays, and Valley Fever test. Everything came back normal. She suspected the cause was an unhappy liver, and we followed her guidance and started liver supplements. We consulted with her several times and tried different medications but his condition continued to decline, so I took Linc to another local vet for a second opinion last week. (Our total bill at the integrative vet was $1,647.37.)
A second opinion
At the second vet, we did a more extensive bloodwork panel, re-did his x-rays and sent them to a radiologist for evaluation, and did a Fast Scan ultrasound. Everything looked normal, but Linc was still vomiting, extremely nauseous, barely able to eat and losing weight fast—clearly something was very wrong. The vet suspected cancer and he urged us to go to the internist as soon as possible. (Our total bill at this vet was $1,105.67.)
ER visit
I called the two local internists that the vet recommended, and I took the first available appointment which was this morning. In the meantime, our vet had given us instructions to take Linc to the ER if he declined at all, and on Saturday night we felt it was necessary to take him in. He had been nauseous all day and all evening, and by 10pm it was clear that his nausea would keep him up all night (he couldn't rest for more than 15 minutes). He also hadn't eaten in 48 hours. The ER team was amazing. They gave him fluids and adjusted his medication to get him to his internist appointment. I was really optimistic after this visit because Linc was clearly feeling much better and he finally ate on Sunday afternoon (yesterday). (Total ER bill was $406.52.)
Internist
This morning Linc saw the internist. He did a detailed ultrasound and discovered Linc has a thickened stomach lining and an enlarged lymph node in the area. Between this and his symptoms, the internist is almost certain it's cancer, but they sedated him and did a needle aspirate and sent cell samples for testing. I should have a firm answer in a few days. (Total bill here was $2,386.93.)
Facing reality (x2)
It's become clear that Linc has reached his final stretch of life. The poor guy is utterly miserable. He's lost about 10 pounds which is a lot for his skinny frame, he can barely eat, he's either nauseated or heavily medicated (or both) and he's clearly uncomfortable. This is harder than I ever imagined... I love him so dearly and as unbearable as it is to face losing him, his well-being is still my top priority and I cannot let him suffer. I am waiting for him to tell me that it's time and I'm doing my best to accept that this is where we are.
The other reality I've had to face is that I'm out of money. I've spent everything I have and borrowed quite a bit to care for him these last several weeks. Altogether, I've spent $5,546.49 on his care since this began about 6 weeks ago. In that time, Pippi also had an emergency vet visit for what we thought was a pulled muscle, but it turned out to be a spinal disc/nerve issue. Thankfully she looks like she'll make a full recovery, but that bill was an additional $530.63.
This was all money well spent and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but I am extremely upset that I do not have enough to support Linc in his final stretch of life. He deserves to be as comfortable and peaceful as possible, and I am asking for your help to make that happen. Any money raised through this Go Fund Me will go directly toward his medications, remaining vet visits (if any) and when it's time, his euthanasia (hopefully here at home). If there is anything left over, it will go toward covering his other medical bills from these last 6 weeks. I can and will provide receipts for everything.
Thank you so much for considering contributing to Linc's care. I know there are so many worthy causes to donate to, and I'm so very, very grateful you'd consider dear Linc. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so, so much.
This began 6 weeks ago...
About six weeks ago Linc started vomiting bile. This isn't unusual for him, but when the frequency increased and it wasn't soothed by any of our usual remedies, I took him to the vet. We first went to our integrative vet (his usual vet) who did bloodwork, x-rays, and Valley Fever test. Everything came back normal. She suspected the cause was an unhappy liver, and we followed her guidance and started liver supplements. We consulted with her several times and tried different medications but his condition continued to decline, so I took Linc to another local vet for a second opinion last week. (Our total bill at the integrative vet was $1,647.37.)
A second opinion
At the second vet, we did a more extensive bloodwork panel, re-did his x-rays and sent them to a radiologist for evaluation, and did a Fast Scan ultrasound. Everything looked normal, but Linc was still vomiting, extremely nauseous, barely able to eat and losing weight fast—clearly something was very wrong. The vet suspected cancer and he urged us to go to the internist as soon as possible. (Our total bill at this vet was $1,105.67.)
ER visit
I called the two local internists that the vet recommended, and I took the first available appointment which was this morning. In the meantime, our vet had given us instructions to take Linc to the ER if he declined at all, and on Saturday night we felt it was necessary to take him in. He had been nauseous all day and all evening, and by 10pm it was clear that his nausea would keep him up all night (he couldn't rest for more than 15 minutes). He also hadn't eaten in 48 hours. The ER team was amazing. They gave him fluids and adjusted his medication to get him to his internist appointment. I was really optimistic after this visit because Linc was clearly feeling much better and he finally ate on Sunday afternoon (yesterday). (Total ER bill was $406.52.)
Internist
This morning Linc saw the internist. He did a detailed ultrasound and discovered Linc has a thickened stomach lining and an enlarged lymph node in the area. Between this and his symptoms, the internist is almost certain it's cancer, but they sedated him and did a needle aspirate and sent cell samples for testing. I should have a firm answer in a few days. (Total bill here was $2,386.93.)
Facing reality (x2)
It's become clear that Linc has reached his final stretch of life. The poor guy is utterly miserable. He's lost about 10 pounds which is a lot for his skinny frame, he can barely eat, he's either nauseated or heavily medicated (or both) and he's clearly uncomfortable. This is harder than I ever imagined... I love him so dearly and as unbearable as it is to face losing him, his well-being is still my top priority and I cannot let him suffer. I am waiting for him to tell me that it's time and I'm doing my best to accept that this is where we are.
The other reality I've had to face is that I'm out of money. I've spent everything I have and borrowed quite a bit to care for him these last several weeks. Altogether, I've spent $5,546.49 on his care since this began about 6 weeks ago. In that time, Pippi also had an emergency vet visit for what we thought was a pulled muscle, but it turned out to be a spinal disc/nerve issue. Thankfully she looks like she'll make a full recovery, but that bill was an additional $530.63.
This was all money well spent and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but I am extremely upset that I do not have enough to support Linc in his final stretch of life. He deserves to be as comfortable and peaceful as possible, and I am asking for your help to make that happen. Any money raised through this Go Fund Me will go directly toward his medications, remaining vet visits (if any) and when it's time, his euthanasia (hopefully here at home). If there is anything left over, it will go toward covering his other medical bills from these last 6 weeks. I can and will provide receipts for everything.
Thank you so much for considering contributing to Linc's care. I know there are so many worthy causes to donate to, and I'm so very, very grateful you'd consider dear Linc. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so, so much.
Give $25 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Nikki Norris
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
