My Nonprofit Reviews

My baby boy, Georgie, was in desperate need in August, 2019. It was one of the most horrible days I will remember for all time. I took him in because he wasn't eating for a few days, so I knew something wasn't right. They did blood work, that cost me upwards of $600! The next day I got the call that it was indicative of cancer and that an ultrasound would need to be done to determine the type and location. I broke down in tears while driving after getting this news; it was awful. I felt like my heart had been ripped out and I couldn't breathe. That ultrasound quote was $900! I knew I didn't have that kind of money, so I started searching around everywhere I could, it didn't matter. I started a GoFundme, asked for help on Facebook. I called local organizations and shelters to no avail. I came across FTLOA on Facebook and reached out to apply. Abby contacted me and said they weren't sure they could help without a diagnosis, but they wanted to see what they might be able to do. Their process is once a diagnosis is made then they decide if they take on the case and it has to have a positive prognosis. So, already I'm thinking they won't be able to help because there's no diagnosis and if it's cancer it obviously doesn't carry a positive prognosis. I felt hopeless. But Abby got back to me and said FTLOA agreed to take on the cost of the ultrasound for Georgie. I couldn't believe it; I was in shock and so unbelievably grateful I couldn't even think straight. Georgie went in for the ultrasound and the aspirates were extracted and sent into pathology for review. We got the diagnosis back that was indeed cancer, Plasmacytoma. A rare cancer that affects so few cats that only one Oncologist locally could handle this case. Luckily she's not far from where we live. I met with her and even though I was crying and blubbery with her she told me that if a cat was to have cancer this would be the one she'd choose, because it's highly treatable. I asked the prognosis and lifespan, which honestly I was terrified to even hear the words come out of anyone's mouth. She said it's anywhere from 1 to 2 years. She has a rare patient that has just surpassed the 2 year mark. I couldn't believe it, only 2 years or less left with my baby boy. He just turned 10 September 16th, right after his diagnosis was done. I felt cheated, even though I'd had all these wonderful years with him. This cat has a personality larger than life!!! I've had him since he was 2 years old, but I was there when my mom adopted him from SPCA when he was a kitten. He's got more spunk than most cats, he loves dogs, he's highly sociable and follows me around like a dog when I call him. He talks to me with his voice all the time. I couldn't bear the thought of putting him down. That option was presented to me by the last vet who gave me his blood work results. It still doesn't sit well with me, the way that Dr treated Georgie and myself. He told me well, you can opt to put him down if you can't afford the treatment. I said, we don't even know what it is yet, no I'm not putting him down! So, when I met with the awesome Oncologist she laid out the whole treatment plan for me: all the estimates, the chemo, everything. It was a really hard decision to put him on chemo because I was terrified of all the adverse reactions that could happen, I mean come on, it's chemo after all. Humans don't exactly have the best side effects from it. I went back and forth over it, but what made the decision for me was his larger than life quality of life, because that's really all it's about. I would never make an animal suffer just to keep them around for my benefit, nor could I afford the treatment. I opted to go forward with the treatment. I sent over all the info to FTLOA and after a couple days they agreed to take on all of his cancer care. I was floored!!! Just floored!!!! It's the most amazing thing, the kindness of others and what it can do. It's now February 6th, and I still have my baby thanks to FTLOA and the ongoing care of Georgie's Oncologist. It's been almost 6 months since his diagnosis and while I'm scared about his future, I am immensely grateful for all the time I've been awarded because of FTLOA! He's gotten routine blood work and everything is looking good, but this is a result that wouldn't have ever been possible had it not been for all of the members at FTLOA! Georgie is the most amazing cat, and yes, I might be a little bias but I believe this is something all pet owners would say about their own furrbaby. The overwhelming generosity and kindness showed to Georgie and myself in our desperate time of need from FTLOA will NEVER be forgotten! Thank you so much for everything you've done for us.