New here and just need a little support

[help-save-emily]

Hi, my name is Trish and my cat Emily has just been diagnosed with cancer. We are waiting to see if it's caused from contaminated water problem in my town. The DEP letter is on my website. I unfortunately can not afford the Chemo that they say will help her partially because I have Lupus and have my own meds to worry about. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1993 and Emily has been my security blanket since that date. Whenever things have gotten bad, she has always been my comfort. I have started up a cute little web site for her. I am not asking for donations, I'm asking that you please just go to it and click on the stupid Ads by Google. I get 5 cents deposited into my account when people do this. I'm hoping to raise at least half of the $3000 needed to get her Chemo. Thanks for your help. And Emily thanks you too!! http://www.help-save-emily.com/index.html

[Traci]

What was the biopsy report? What type of cancer was diagnosed? On your website, you said she has intestinal cancer, yet, her surgical incision is over her right hip?

Have you sought a second opinion and checked other vets in the area for chemo quotes? According to Emily's surgery bill, your vet is charging a very high amount for her services. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing if she is an experienced feline vet or experienced in oncology, the charges are pretty high.

I'd ask your vet to help ask for donations in her clinic. She can place a donation request in the reception area of her clinic where it gets good exposure. Please ask her to do this on Emily's behalf.

I would definately check around other vets in your area, and/or seek a feline oncologist to help you. While chemo can be expensive, many vets will work out payment plans with you, the important thing is, if this has been accurately diagnosed and the vet is suggesting chemo as curative, then the sooner it is initiated, the better the outcome.

[help-save-emily]

Her intestinal cancer had spread and caused a mass that was easily removed thru the spot on her hip. I'm not 100% sure as to what kind of lymphoma because I was a mess the day they told me, I intend on getting a copy of the biopsy and I'm going to post that too. The prices that I'm being charged are unfortunately the same all over my area. As far as her chemo, it's really the cost of the bloodwork every week before chemo that is the real cost but they have to do it to make sure her white blood count isn't too low so the chemo won't kill her. My vet did consult a vet oncologist and that report is in my file also, I will be getting copies of all of it next week when I take her in for her checkup.

Thanks for all your concern and bringing questions up. If it weren't for people like you, I would miss things. I have a friend that is a vet tech who has been helping me with research. Thanks again!!

[Traci]

Again, I suggest asking your vet to place a donation request in her own clinic...if she's going to charge you those prices, it would be admirable for her to do so on yours and Emily's behalf. As I said, most vets work out payment arrangements, and I question why she hasn't helped you with this, especially since she (seems, according to your post) to think the cancer is spreading, then she knows time is of the essence in getting appropriate treatment initiated.

Yes, the bloodwork (CBC) is essential prior to any chemo session, but a CBC or CBC/differential is generally low-cost if done right there in the clinic. I think your higher charges are with the IV's, injection and chemo "disposal" fee (ugh), etc that add up with each session. Your vet could truly try keeping those costs to a minimum. When she consulted the veterinary oncologist, was more than one protocol suggested, or was it one specific protocol only?