Help our Cookie beat cancer

Dear All, 

It's been really hard for me to decide if I should create this post to ask for your financial support to help my beloved Cookie beat cancer. I barely ask for any help, really, but this time I'm absolutely aware that we won't make it without your support.

Cookie is the most wonderful 9-year-old Golden Retriever who was diagnosed with brachial plexus nerve tumor of her left forelimb, on 31st July. She started limping slightly at the beginning of May, and the journey to discover the issue was delayed due to initial assumptions of minor arthritis. Cookie was under the care of the best orthopedic vets, but with all the X-rays, injections, painkillers, which weren't helping much, Cookie's limping progressed to such an extent that she could no longer use the paw while standing, sitting or walking. 

When I asked the vet for CT and MRI to understand the limb's worsening condition, the examination was done three weeks after my initial request due to further heart tests, blood tests and even more waiting due to vets' unavailability. The CT results came 20 minutes after the scan, and the vet didn't say much to cheer us up or to explain options. Biopsy was to show more, but to no avail, it had been performed incorrectly. A week later, the MRI results, consulted with an oncologist vet, appeared and they had nothing to add, really. 

We were horrified. 

Without thinking too long, I arranged a visit at Gliwicka Przychodnia Weterynaryjna where we met Dr Karolina Tomasz, an amazing oncologist vet who decided to repeat CT and a biopsy. The results were swift, indeed, but they were similar to what we had heard before: brachial plexus nerve tumor of left forelimb, possibly spreading towards the spinal cord. Dr Tomasz consulted all with their oncology surgeon who agreed to operate Cookie, but this is not going to be the only treatment; two weeks after the surgery, which is basically the whole leg amputation with the tumor removal, Cookie will need to undergo 20 sessions of radiotherapy at Polski Ośrodek Radioterapii Weterynaryjnej RTWet in Wiskitki. I've already been in touch with Dr Katarzyna Purzycka, a recognized specialist in veterinary oncology, who was very kind to consult Cookie's case online, and who explained the radiotherapy procedure, possible side effects and life expectancy after the whole treatment. She was very much transparent during our call and calculated the overwhelming costs to be incurred. The 20 radiotherapy sessions planned for Cookie within 4 consecutive weeks (5 sessions a week, Mon to Fri) are going to cost 28 000 PLN. 

I know it's a staggering amount of money and perhaps there are people out there thinking that it's not worth paying to save 'just a dog', but I'm not these people, and I believe that you, who are reading this post, are not these people, either, and that you would do exactly the same for your family what I'm doing now, asking for your helping hand. 

Cookie is definitely NOT 'just a dog'. She is Family. She is my Furry Child. She appeared in my life when I lost my pregnancy, and not only has she been my savior, but she's also my anchor and my teacher of living in the moment, and appreciating the 'here and now'.  

Every single person who's met Cookie loves her to bits. She's a very special dog: very wise, incredibly calm, loving all people, children and animals. She's never hurt anyone. Our Family and Friends know that wherever there is me, there's also Cookie, and vice versa.

I've been blessed by having her in my life and it's my privilege to be with her every day. Her favorite things to do are eating (!), being scratched, sitting under her oak tree and observing the surrounds. She loves bringing you toys as 'hello', showing you the way to the fridge (obviously) and giving you 'high-five' in exchange for treats. 

 Thank you All for reading this post, it means a lot to me and Cookie. Honestly, I really don't know how to ask for money, I've done it only handful of times maybe, when I was much much younger. But I do understand my responsibility as the dog owner; I want to save Cookie, to prolong her life here on earth, I promised that to her when she came to my life. I promised her to do everything I can to give her the best and the longest life possible. 

This is what I'm doing. 

Your financial support will be highly appreciated. Thank you, with my whole heart.

Sending love to you All,

Basia