Will You Help Fund Hazel's Chemo?
Donation protected
Hazel is a 14 year old black lab who has been in my life since the moment she was born. And what a moment that was as she was still born! But I knew what to do and I saved her! She has in turn saved me numerous times by being my friend and protector for the last 14+ years. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've looked at her soulful brown eyes and said "I am so thankful you are in my life"!
But now its time to fight for her life again. Hazel's Soft Tissue Sarcoma has come back. It was removed 18 months ago but it has reared it's ugly head again. Unfortunately, because she has some issues with her heart and her liver and also because this area has already been operated on before, she is not a good candidate for surgery or "debulking" of the tumor.
After meeting with the oncologist and learning of the cost involved, I had thought I would just attack it with alternative therapies and hope to get at least another few months with my old girl. As long as she loves he walks on the beach, following me around the house and of course meal time, I will give her the best I can!
But the tumor appears to be changing faster than we had hoped and at this rate, it could start causing her pain as it puts pressure on the nerves or ruptures.
So to help "buy her more time" I have opted to start with chemotherapy to at least try to stop it from growing and help create "stable disease". Its not a cheap adventure and will cost between $300 - $434/month.
As her doctor said "I would expect the chemotherapy to help keep the tumor stable in size, but it is probably not going to shrink it. As long as Hazel feels well and the tumor is not causing her discomfort, then ‘stable disease,’ can many times be an acceptable outcome if our goal is just to keep Hazel comfortable."
I know this wont save her life, but if it helps to prolong a pain from cancer free life for a while, I'll take it. I just can't sit back and do nothing. I have to fight it.
And we will continue to fight with ALL the alternative therapies but those take some time to get loaded into her system and then do their thing. Maybe the chemo will help buy her that time.
And, for those who are thinking, OMG, why put a dog through that? Believe me I asked the same question. According to the doctors and also my research, "Side effects for dogs are milder and generally last for a shorter period of time than for humans receiving chemotherapy because dogs are given less-aggressive treatment. In fact, 75 to 80 percent of dogs have no side effects" But if for some reason Hazel does react poorly, I will stop it.
And if you know me well, you know that asking for help does not come easily. But I am asking because as many of you know, I am just coming off a year of only working part time because of my own health issues and I just don't quite have the funds to make it happen at the moment. She will not suffer just because I took time off work. She will get the chemo either way, I will find a way to pay for it, but any little bit you can send to Hazel would be most appreciated. And should something happen to her before the money raised is spent, I will find an Animal Cancer Non-Profit to give the money to.
And if the funds aren't there for you either, we'll take all the love and light you can share and maybe you can share this page with friend or two.
I am asking for up to $800 to start. That gives us 2 months. I will readdress the situation then.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I just can't quit on this old girl. As long as she is happy, eating and enjoying beach and water time, I will fight tooth and nail for her life.
Namaste.
Beth
But now its time to fight for her life again. Hazel's Soft Tissue Sarcoma has come back. It was removed 18 months ago but it has reared it's ugly head again. Unfortunately, because she has some issues with her heart and her liver and also because this area has already been operated on before, she is not a good candidate for surgery or "debulking" of the tumor.
After meeting with the oncologist and learning of the cost involved, I had thought I would just attack it with alternative therapies and hope to get at least another few months with my old girl. As long as she loves he walks on the beach, following me around the house and of course meal time, I will give her the best I can!
But the tumor appears to be changing faster than we had hoped and at this rate, it could start causing her pain as it puts pressure on the nerves or ruptures.
So to help "buy her more time" I have opted to start with chemotherapy to at least try to stop it from growing and help create "stable disease". Its not a cheap adventure and will cost between $300 - $434/month.
As her doctor said "I would expect the chemotherapy to help keep the tumor stable in size, but it is probably not going to shrink it. As long as Hazel feels well and the tumor is not causing her discomfort, then ‘stable disease,’ can many times be an acceptable outcome if our goal is just to keep Hazel comfortable."
I know this wont save her life, but if it helps to prolong a pain from cancer free life for a while, I'll take it. I just can't sit back and do nothing. I have to fight it.
And we will continue to fight with ALL the alternative therapies but those take some time to get loaded into her system and then do their thing. Maybe the chemo will help buy her that time.
And, for those who are thinking, OMG, why put a dog through that? Believe me I asked the same question. According to the doctors and also my research, "Side effects for dogs are milder and generally last for a shorter period of time than for humans receiving chemotherapy because dogs are given less-aggressive treatment. In fact, 75 to 80 percent of dogs have no side effects" But if for some reason Hazel does react poorly, I will stop it.
And if you know me well, you know that asking for help does not come easily. But I am asking because as many of you know, I am just coming off a year of only working part time because of my own health issues and I just don't quite have the funds to make it happen at the moment. She will not suffer just because I took time off work. She will get the chemo either way, I will find a way to pay for it, but any little bit you can send to Hazel would be most appreciated. And should something happen to her before the money raised is spent, I will find an Animal Cancer Non-Profit to give the money to.
And if the funds aren't there for you either, we'll take all the love and light you can share and maybe you can share this page with friend or two.
I am asking for up to $800 to start. That gives us 2 months. I will readdress the situation then.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I just can't quit on this old girl. As long as she is happy, eating and enjoying beach and water time, I will fight tooth and nail for her life.
Namaste.
Beth
Organizer
Lisbeth Odén
Organizer
New Castle, CO
