Save Bianca: Surgery & Cancer Treatment Needed

Update 10:35am on 10/3/24

Hi Everyone,

This is Bianca’s 8 day post-op update. We received her pathology results today, and they were not what we wanted to hear. Unfortunately, her splenic tumor was positive for hemangiosarcoma. This is the super aggressive, vascular cancer we didn’t want to see. We are heartbroken, but thankful to have answers. We are grateful for the amazing surgeons who have already set us up to talk with oncology. No decisions have been made yet on treatment or life expectancy. It was noted that this cancer is not usually found in small breeds like Bianca’s and that the liver node showed zero signs of cancer- no tumor/mass spread. The oncology treatment would be to prolong the cancer spread, tumor growth, and tumor rupture while maintaining the highest quality of life for her. It’s not the same as in people.

The positive news is that she is almost back to her normal spunky self. We’re so thankful to have our sweet girl again. She’s been barking at our neighbor’s handymen, chewing on her giant stuffed bear, eating, and giving us kisses. She even rode in her stroller to Pickett to watch the end of the Orioles’ game last night. She is the best thing in my life and I love her more than words.

I’m heartbroken all over again, but it’s not as bleak because I know I have my sweet baby here with me for at least a little while longer.

Thank you all for your kindness, love, and support. Our road isn’t over, just not as long as we thought it’d be. Once we have some more information and she’s more mended, we’ll share some plans for her to see everyone and visit. I know people have been excited to see her.

Thank you for everything. She wouldn’t be here without you. And, I wouldn’t be here without her. Truly an amazing cycle of love. I’m so grateful.

Love,

McKenzie

UPDATE 5:35pm on 9/27/24

SHE IS HOME! I picked her up around 3pm today and drove her back. She is certainly not the normal Bianca we all know, but she did have major surgery. She’s panting, crying, whimpering, and generally uncomfortable, but she’s resting in her crate with a mug of water. We feel so grateful, thankful, and lucky. Bianca survived all the odds against her thus far and we are BLOWN AWAY by our community’s kindness. Thank you all from the bottom of our paws to the tops of our fluffy heads. When it was the darkest, you all were there with light. My thanks cannot be put into words. I’m so, so thankful. We love you all so much. We are hopeful that Bianca will continue to improve as she heals and comes off her pain medicine. She actually just barked at one of the neighbor dogs she heard outside barking - I let out a little giggle of joy. There she is. She’s coming back!

We are still waiting on pathology to tell us malignant or benign on her nodule and spleen. We should know within the next two weeks and Bianca will have her follow up with surgical then, too. We aren’t out of the woods yet on bills or health, but we’re getting there and every single one of you has helped beyond measure. Thank you.

6:05pm on 9/25/24

Bianca made it through surgery and she’s in recovery. She had the rest of her blood transfusion and her red blood cell count it holding. She is considered stable, but is in the ICU. She’ll likely have to stay until Friday under the care of the nurses and doctors. Her spleen and a single liver nodule were removed and will be sent to pathology to find out malignant or benign in the coming weeks. We have t seen her, but the updates have been promising. This is the best case scenario. We are currently at $13005.66 for her treatment and are expecting another $600-$2000 potentially. She’s tough and she showed us she wasn’t ready to pass. We feel so lucky, not just for her living, but also for your support.

Hi,

I'm McKenzie, Bianca's owner (dog mom). Bianca is a 9-year-old Bichon living in Baltimore, Maryland. Bianca came into my life nine years ago this month and saved me. I was on the brink of a mental health crisis, and she appeared, changing my whole world back into color. She has been the reason I get up in the morning, the thing I love most in this world, and the best friend I needed.

But now she's facing her own extreme health situation. I noticed her abdomen swelling a month ago, but she went to the vet and was "fine" two weeks ago. After four weeks of no answer and her being withdrawn, short of breath, lethargic, hiding from us, lacking joy, clearly in pain, and sick, I decided it was time to get another opinion and headed to a veterinary ER. She was found to have low red blood cells, high immature blood cells, and "fluid" in her abdomen. Turns out that fluid is blood. She's bleeding internally and has been for at least a month. Her spleen looked bad on the ultrasound, so it's suspected to be the cause. We don't know if it's cancer (very aggressive and spreads quickly) or a benign hematoma. She will need surgery to remove her spleen and see if there are other lesions. The costs are already adding up: $1300 for initial ER, $500 for meds, $2500 for ultrasound workup, and $9000 for surgery. This is not the norm for us, but we know how loved she is and wanted to give people a way to help. While we aren't fundraising the full amount because we feel like it is our responsibility as she is our dog to pay, anything people want to give is so very appreciated.

She's such a light in this world, not just for her owners, but everyone she meets. She is my very best friend, and I am a complete wreck right now trying to do whatever I can to get her the help she needs to live. It's a scary, dark road, but thank you in advance for your thoughts, prayers, love, and any donations if you choose to give.

Thank you for helping to save my baby.