Millie was found to have a bleeding mass on her kidney...
I decided to move forward with the urgent surgery and post-op critical care. She needed 3 blood and 3 plasma transfusions to stabilize before she could come home. I was at a critical point of maxing out 2 of my credit cards, and would have had to end her care if she needed a fourth round. When I initially signed the estimate, it was between $12 and $18,000. I was really hoping it would be on the lower end.
The total came out to nearly $28,000!
This will take me at least 2 years to pay off without the help of my community. I don't even have a chance to consider treating the cancer when the pathology report comes back. Sadly, we suspect it is a hemangiosarcoma, which has a very low likelihood of surviving beyond 6 months.
The surgery was not going to cure her. Why did I move forward with the surgery for a dog with likely terminal cancer?
Because she is expected to be 7.5 years old, was energetic and lively going into the surgery. She was supposed to be my rock during the hardest time of my life. She was incredibly uncomfortable and distressed and would have died a catastrophic death if her kidney continued to bleed out. I had to give her the best chance at the best final months of her life. And I'm hoping their timeframe is underestimated. My mom has been on hospice since June. I hope I can lean on Millie when Mom dies.
