Calypso’s fight against Lymphoma

Hello,

My name is Maya and I am Calypso’s mom. I adopted Calypso (aka Cali) when she was 2 months old. She was a young pup on the streets of Cairo, Egypt and she was rescued after she was hit by a car. Her vet told me she would forever walk with a limp but my little fighter beat the odds and started walking normally a few weeks later!

We’ve been together for two years and a half now, and she is my entire world. From travelling together, making new friends, swimming in the beach, and saving me by waking me up when I suddenly fainted and cracked open my head, every second with her has been an absolute joy and I wouldn’t be here without her. I would like to return the favor to my little sweet Cali.

In late November, I saw that Cali was breathing a little bit heavily. I was hoping it was a cold but as a worrisome mother, I took her to the emergency vet hospital in Montreal. They unfortunately told me that when it’s a dog this young, the heavy breathing alongside the inflamed lymph nodes usually means cancer. And my world shattered when it was confirmed the next day. We immediately started getting opinions from different oncologists in Montreal, where there is only two centres that offer oncology services for animals. When I found a protocol that seemed feasible with a specialist who seemed to really want to help as much as she can, both Cali and I, we immediately started Chemotherapy.

The reason why I’m asking for help is because Cali and I just came to Canada this October. We didn’t even have the chance to think about pet insurance before we were hit with these news. I came here to do my master’s degree, but instead had to put that on hold, because Cali’s wellbeing is my priority. I am assured that Chemotherapy is the best option for Cali, as its side effects are not as strong as it is in humans, and it actually helps with their quality of life. I am only doing what I need to do in order to help her live comfortably, and to see her tail wag every time I wake up and come back home. I don’t want to prolong her life for selfish reasons, I just don’t want her to suffer and chemotherapy prevents that.

I was told that Cali would not grow up to be a senior dog, but without the treatment she would only have weeks to live.

So far, we have been following a hybrid protocol, that combines both pill and injection chemotherapy. This protocol lasts for about 6 months and we started it on December 6th. It does get adjusted based on progress as well as side effects (which can be diarrhea, vomiting, and change in behaviors but nothing too extreme on her).

So far, I have paid the following:

emergency vet visit: 300$

Cytology test: 400$

Initial oncology visit: 295$

Initial oncology visit (second opinion): 295$

First chemotherapy injection: 1200$

Chemotherapy pill: 400$

Follow up Blood work after pill: 130$

Second chemotherapy injection: 820$

The expected cost to continue is approximately around 3000$

My mother and my sister Nat try to help as much as they can, but my sister is still in college and my mom is a widow so she is trying her best to manage the house as a single mother. It has been super hard and draining for us mentally, physically and financially. I have to take time off from work to go to the chemotherapy sessions, as they are offered during working hours only.

Cali is our sunshine, and she brings so much happiness to us all, which is why we are asking for your help with this. I cannot imagine coming back home and not hearing her excited howls, and her tail wagging as soon as I open the door. Please help Cali with her fight against lymphoma.

Thank you❤️

Cali’s mom❤️