Thymoma Surgery for Sirius

Last Monday, my cat Sirius was having trouble breathing - he was panting and hyperventilating. I rushed him to the vet for testing. They did ultrasounds and biopsies and found a mass next to his heart. When the results came in on Wednesday, we found out it was a thymoma. Today after our consultation with a surgeon, we were told it will cost between $12,880 - $13,885 to remove it. I have insurance but it will only cover $6,000 as a reimbursement, and the vet requires the estimated bill to be paid upfront at drop off the day of the surgery. The prognosis is that he will have a comfortable and healthy life afterwards. 

 

 

Sirius is a sweet, kind cat. Everyone loves him, and he gives it back. He bumps your leg with his head, then plops down by you on the couch and begins to purr like a tractor. He's a 19-pound gentle giant.  He's six years old and has much to go still. He is also my therapy/companion cat. I suffer from disabilities and Sirius is there to help manage my symptoms. When I'm suffering from debilitating anxiety attacks, Sirius is there to lay on my chest and purr until my heart rate stabilizes and breathing slows. In the past two months, I have already lost my grandmother and my aunt, and he was there to cuddle and keep me grounded during what could have been a severe depressive episode.

 

 

Sirius is so young! He has so much life left ahead of him, and I need him desperately. After the pandemic has hit us all very hard, I have been unable to find steady employment. Since unemployment assistance ended in September, I have applied to over 35 jobs without any call backs. This past October, I had a breakthrough case of COVID 19, was bedridden for two weeks and missed out on at least $3,000 in freelance jobs. I do not have the money on hand to help him and because of my income only qualify for $2,900 in care credit. In addition to making this GoFundMe, I am applying to several financial aid funds like Frankie's Friends, and selling clothing/furniture and offering my services (social media/creative direction/art direction/brand consulting, personal styling/closet revamps) in exchange for donations above a certain amount if requested.

 

Sirius can't wait for me to save up, the surgery needs to happen as soon as possible, with last surgery appointment available this year December 28th. 

 

 

Your help - even $20 - would mean the world to us.

 

Thank you so very much

Samantha Coughlan