Sora's Radiation Therapy Treatment
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UPDATED: Over the past three years, our dog, Sora has had four cancerous tumors removed, all on her right leg, all in the same general area, all the same type of cancer.
In fall of 2017, we started this GoFundMe campagin after the return of her third tumor, which we had surgically removed and then performed electrochemotherpy (ECT). ECT works with 85% of patients.
Unfortunately, Sora was not among that 85%.
Not even six months after her treatment, we noticed yet another tumor coming in over the same spot we had treated just months prior.
Now living in Spain, we had the tumor removed surgically, the fourth time Sora has had to have such surgery over the course of three years. While veterinary surgical costs outside of the United States are far less expensive, the cancer treatment available for her is not.
We just finished 11 rounds of radiation therapy. This involved driving three hours per day for 11 days to take her to the oncology center.
Radiation therapy is very expensive. The machines alone cost $1M to purchase and $200,000 annually to maintain. Most countries or states have just one machine, and we were fortunate that the one in Spain was relatively close.
Due to the cost of the machine and the upkeep, the treatment is also quite costly. For us, the total came to $4,122.44 in just radiation treatment therapy costs. We had additional costs like gas, an oncology consultation, and medication. Further, as freelancers, we were not able to work during the 2.5 weeks we had to take Sora to her treatments.
Because I'm using the same GoFundMe page, I simply added the additional amount to the original total from previously, hence why the number is much higher than what I quote here. We were able to raise all $2,000 last fall, thanks to your help.
You can read Sora's full cancer story on our blog here:
Sora's Cancer Story
With her veterinary costs from the fall, plus the unexpected death of Dave's father just two days after our arrival in Spain, we have incurred many high volume expenses that we just weren't prepared for in such a short amount of time.
We are again humbly asking for your help. If you cannot contribute monetarily, please share with your network. As always, we extend our hearts filled with gratitude toward all of you who have helped in the past and now that we need it once more.
We kindly ask your help in contributing to our campaign and sharing her story so we zap Sora's cancer for good.
To learn more about Sora and our outdoor adventures, head to our blog, Long Haul Trekkers
and follow us on Instagram @longhaultrekkers .
ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN BELOW:
Full removal of the tumors is difficult due to the location on her wrist and paw and jellyfish-like shape. The doctors were able to remove the bulk of the tumor, but the remaining tentacles entwined within her muscles and nerve tissues are impossible to remove with surgery.
Her most recent tumor has been graded as intermediate with a high probability of returning. What cancerous cells remain must be treated.
Now that we've nailed down the type of cancer and the grade, we would like to proceed with a novel form of cancer treatment called electrochemotherapy (ECT).
We have already covered the $1,200 cost of her tumor removal surgery and tests, and now face an additional $2,000 in costs for the ECT and more tests. Frankly, this is something that we just were not expecting nor had we planned for financially.
We are fortunate enough to live in Washington, where Sora will be treated by the first ECT center on the West Coast of the United States. In two treatment sessions, Sora should be cancer-free and we can hopefully, put this behind us.
A bit about Sora: She is a 13-year-old rescue picked up from the streets, with plenty of life left in her. Many think she's still a young pup and she regularly joins us on 10 mile runs and hiking trips.
When Dave adopted her, she was a submissive peer, had separation anxiety, and chewed his walls. With positive reinforcement and LOTS of treats, Sora quickly gained confidence in herself and broke out of her undesirable habits.
From 2015-2017, she joined us on a worldly bicycle adventure, being towed across Europe and South America in her trailer. On the journey, she visited 22 countries, and has 24 under her belt, plus her own passport.
Sure, the logistics for bringing a dog to over 20 countries on three continents were complicated, but we were determined to bring her along. If we go, she goes. Never leave the dog behind.
While that leg of the journey had ended, we are plotting our next adventure. In the meantime, she joins us on all of our travels, trail runs, and hikes.
We kindly ask your help in contributing to our campaign and sharing her story so we zap Sora's cancer for good.
To learn more about Sora and our outdoor adventures, head to our blog, Long Haul Trekkers
and follow us on Instagram @longhaultrekkers.
In fall of 2017, we started this GoFundMe campagin after the return of her third tumor, which we had surgically removed and then performed electrochemotherpy (ECT). ECT works with 85% of patients.
Unfortunately, Sora was not among that 85%.
Not even six months after her treatment, we noticed yet another tumor coming in over the same spot we had treated just months prior.
Now living in Spain, we had the tumor removed surgically, the fourth time Sora has had to have such surgery over the course of three years. While veterinary surgical costs outside of the United States are far less expensive, the cancer treatment available for her is not.
We just finished 11 rounds of radiation therapy. This involved driving three hours per day for 11 days to take her to the oncology center.
Radiation therapy is very expensive. The machines alone cost $1M to purchase and $200,000 annually to maintain. Most countries or states have just one machine, and we were fortunate that the one in Spain was relatively close.
Due to the cost of the machine and the upkeep, the treatment is also quite costly. For us, the total came to $4,122.44 in just radiation treatment therapy costs. We had additional costs like gas, an oncology consultation, and medication. Further, as freelancers, we were not able to work during the 2.5 weeks we had to take Sora to her treatments.
Because I'm using the same GoFundMe page, I simply added the additional amount to the original total from previously, hence why the number is much higher than what I quote here. We were able to raise all $2,000 last fall, thanks to your help.
You can read Sora's full cancer story on our blog here:
Sora's Cancer Story
With her veterinary costs from the fall, plus the unexpected death of Dave's father just two days after our arrival in Spain, we have incurred many high volume expenses that we just weren't prepared for in such a short amount of time.
We are again humbly asking for your help. If you cannot contribute monetarily, please share with your network. As always, we extend our hearts filled with gratitude toward all of you who have helped in the past and now that we need it once more.
We kindly ask your help in contributing to our campaign and sharing her story so we zap Sora's cancer for good.
To learn more about Sora and our outdoor adventures, head to our blog, Long Haul Trekkers
and follow us on Instagram @longhaultrekkers .
ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN BELOW:
Full removal of the tumors is difficult due to the location on her wrist and paw and jellyfish-like shape. The doctors were able to remove the bulk of the tumor, but the remaining tentacles entwined within her muscles and nerve tissues are impossible to remove with surgery.
Her most recent tumor has been graded as intermediate with a high probability of returning. What cancerous cells remain must be treated.
Now that we've nailed down the type of cancer and the grade, we would like to proceed with a novel form of cancer treatment called electrochemotherapy (ECT).
We have already covered the $1,200 cost of her tumor removal surgery and tests, and now face an additional $2,000 in costs for the ECT and more tests. Frankly, this is something that we just were not expecting nor had we planned for financially.
We are fortunate enough to live in Washington, where Sora will be treated by the first ECT center on the West Coast of the United States. In two treatment sessions, Sora should be cancer-free and we can hopefully, put this behind us.
A bit about Sora: She is a 13-year-old rescue picked up from the streets, with plenty of life left in her. Many think she's still a young pup and she regularly joins us on 10 mile runs and hiking trips.
When Dave adopted her, she was a submissive peer, had separation anxiety, and chewed his walls. With positive reinforcement and LOTS of treats, Sora quickly gained confidence in herself and broke out of her undesirable habits.
From 2015-2017, she joined us on a worldly bicycle adventure, being towed across Europe and South America in her trailer. On the journey, she visited 22 countries, and has 24 under her belt, plus her own passport.
Sure, the logistics for bringing a dog to over 20 countries on three continents were complicated, but we were determined to bring her along. If we go, she goes. Never leave the dog behind.
While that leg of the journey had ended, we are plotting our next adventure. In the meantime, she joins us on all of our travels, trail runs, and hikes.
We kindly ask your help in contributing to our campaign and sharing her story so we zap Sora's cancer for good.
To learn more about Sora and our outdoor adventures, head to our blog, Long Haul Trekkers
and follow us on Instagram @longhaultrekkers.
Organizer
Jen Sotolongo
Organizer
Mukilteo, WA
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