Penny’s Journey

Hi, my name is Kerry, I’m trying to raise funds in addition to what my insurance covers to help pay for my Border Collie Penny’s vet treatment.

December 2022-

Penny became ill and needed an emergency pericardial effusion, this is when the little sac around a dogs heart fills with fluid and needs drained (in Penny’s case this was blood) and it was compressing against her heart. Her amazing vet (Kirkton Vet Centre) acted quickly and removed enough fluid to relive the pressure and they referred her to The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, who seen Penny the following morning. After some blood tests, X-rays and CT scans the specialist in Edinburgh suspected a type of cancer called Hermangiosarcoma (which can affect the heart, lungs and spleen), oddly Penny did not typically fit the criteria for this as she is not the typical age, size or breed of dog. Only because they found a small 3cm tumour on Penny’s right atrium did they feel this was the most likely diagnosis for Penny without a biopsy. We were asked to return 5 weeks later to get penny checked over again.

5 weeks to the day Penny suffered her second bleed around her heart, because of this Edinburgh decided the unusual course of treatment would be to to operate on Penny.

We returned 1 week later for Penny’s heart surgery. They removed almost all of the tumour and also the little sac around her heart to avoid future bleeds putting pressure on her heart.

Penny spent a few nights in their care recovering.

The tumour was sent away for testing and Hermangiosarcoma was the confirmed diagnosis.

Penny was recommended to go on a high chemo treatment for 12 weeks by receiving this via drip with an average post survey life expectancy of around 16 weeks, thankfully they were understanding when I had declined due to some Border Collies having a gene mutation thus rendering the treatment ineffective, instead I opted for the lesser form of chemotherapy which is in tablet form and on average they thought maybe 8-12 weeks life expectancy.

30 WEEKS POST SURGERY!!!

Penny has been on a daily, life time prescription of chemotherapy drugs called Cyclophosphamide, with additional medication which coincides with this. Fortnightly blood test and weekly urine test.

I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW FAR PENNY HAS COME!!

On the 13th of September we will revisit Oncology in Edinburgh for another CT to see if any cancer has spread. Hopes and prayers it has not!!

More recently..

I have discovered a lump near Penny’s scar, we have had this aspirated and results are pending.

Unrelated to her cancer, Penny has been having trouble with both her left legs for a few weeks now, with it getting progressively worse by the day. Today as I write this I am currently on the sofa with penny curled up between my legs. Penny has not been able to walk well this morning, she is lifting both legs, falling over, not eating her food and she just looks so sad, she has been given an emergency appointment back to Edinburgh tomorrow morning to see the Neurology Department, it’s suspected Penny is suffering from something compressing against her central nerve system, most likey a slipped disc but I will hopefully know more tomorrow.

So thats you all up to date with Penny’s journey so far, as I mentioned in the beginning, I have pet insurance, for £7,500 which covered almost all of Penny’s time at Edinburgh with a little left over for our local vet, however, with the monthly cost of her medication and blood test around £300 a month I have not been able to keep on top of paying and have accumulated some debt with them. With that being said my other concern is the cost of the treatment Penny is going to need over the next few weeks and then anything that comes after that, looking at my previous invoices for Penny’s X-rays and CT scans the cost exceeds £1000 and that doesn’t include everything else that’s charged for at the appointment.

I was recently dismissed from my work (start a new job soon) so now I feel I am even further behind and struggling more than ever to pay for Penny’s bills. I would honestly go to the end of this Earth for my girl, she deserves the best life and I will do anything to give her that.

I have never been one to want to ask people for money as truthfully it makes me uncomfortable, but realistically I cannot do this on my own.

I would be eternally grateful for any kind of donation no matter the amount as it all adds up and any help will help me to keep caring for Penny.

Thank you for taking the time to read Penny’s story and thank so much for your generous donations!

Kerry & Penny xox