FFHT - Fractured Friday Hairy Tails

Once again, we're joining Murphy and Stanley for this fun blog hop.

Hi, I'm Chico, and I want to tell you the story of why Shiver and I refuse to turn our backs on pumpkins ever again!

As you know, us Chihuahuas are crazy party animals!  Once we get started, it's hard to slow us down.  We were invited to the big Blogville Howl-o-ween party and couldn't pass up the chance to dance the night away with pretty young girls.  I dressed up as Batman and Shiver was Superman.  The girls were all impressed with our big muscles and stuff, and we flirted the night away.  I don't know when we've ever had such a good time!  Sadly, the party ended way too soon.

Not wanting the night to end completely, Shiver and I decided to take our favorite girls to the Haunted House just down the street.  Because it was Halloween, the Haunted House stayed open really late.  We walked in and were immediately were scared to death!!!  The situation called for us to put our arms around the girls to protect them, but we kind of felt like they were protecting us too!  There was all kinds of scary stuffs goin' on, no matter where we looked.  Goblins poked at us, ghosts hollered at us, ghouls grabbed us -- it was seriously scary!  Just when we thought we couldn't stand another second, we finally reached the end.  Whew, safe at last!  

As we walked out the back door, we held our girls' hands and sighed in relief.  We all agreed that while we enjoyed the experience thoroughly, we never wanted to go through that ever again!  The sidewalk back to our Chihuahuamobile was lined with pumpkins.  Some were cool looking, some were happy, some were sad, some angry, some scary, but all were non-threatening and that's what we needed right at that moment.

When we got about half way back to the Chuhuahuamobile, there was a loud scream.  We thought it came from inside, but I turned around just to be sure.  That's when I saw THIS:

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One of the pumpkins managed to ensnare the dog who walked out right behind us.  OMD, OMD, OMD -- what to do, what to do, what to do???  Since Shiver and I were dressed as superheroes, our girls expected us to save that dog!  We couldn't let them down, even though we were more frightened than we'd ever been before.  The dog was waaaaaaaay larger than Shiver and I put together!  We tried pulling him out as he tried to wiggle  himself free.  That didn't work, so we ran to the neighbor's house for help.  Let me tell you, they were none too happy that we were knocking on their door at 2:30 AM.  They wouldn't even open the door for us at first, they just yelled through it that they didn't have any candy left and that it was past our bedtimes so we should all go home and go to bed.  Hmmmph!  We explained that this was a true emergency.  They didn't believe us at first so I told them to come check it out for themselves, but to hurry before it was too late.  We got there in just the nick of time!  With our help, the neighbor was able to get that dog pulled to safety.  The dog was more shaken up than hurt, so we all decided to leave as quickly as possible.

After that, we never turned our backs on another pumpkin!  To ensure our safety the rest of the way to the Chihuahuamobile we stood back to back with our girls and hooked our arms together, hustling our way out of there as fast as our little legs would take us.  Even now when we see pumpkins at the store, we go the other way.  That was quite the night, and we still talk about it to this day!

Wordless Wednesday

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Chico's Blood Work Results

I copied and pasted this directly from Chico's GoFundMe page last Friday so some of you may have already seen this.  

I couldn't stand it anymore and called the vet's office at 11 AM.  Of course the doctor was busy and I had to wait almost three hours for a call back.  Ugh! 

The oncologist says that Chico's white blood cell count was off the charts.  That tells him that Chico has chronic leukemia.  He reiterated that animals with this condition can live a few weeks up to several more years.  Chico's steroid dosage has been increased and he will remain on it indefinitely, probably for life.  Thankfully this medication isn't expensive.  I think I paid a little less than $20 for 50 pills. 

The oncologist wants Chico to go back in about 4-6 weeks for another blood test.  If the results have not improved, there is the possibility of him taking a cancer medication.  The meds are very expensive though, he'd be on them for quite awhile and he would need to go in for a blood test every single month for an extended period of time. 

The oncologist did not say anything today about doing a biopsy -- I think that's because he's certain of the diagnosis from the blood work. 

While this is most distressing news, at least I have some answers now.

Chico's Oncology Visit

So yesterday was Chico's first oncology visit.  A friend of mine went with me because she knew it would be a difficult day for me.  I told her that I wanted to get pictures of Chico's visit but once the oncologist came in, all thoughts of pictures completely escaped me.  I did manage to get some of the outside though and of their fancy ambulance!

The visit really didn't tell me anything more now than I knew before.  The oncologist said that Chico was in good physical condition other than the last of the sores still healing up.  He thought that maybe Chico might have a mite which had caused the sores so they took some skin scrapings and checked him under some special light.  Those results came back negative.  They also took a blood test and we're waiting on the results of those now.  The oncologist said I should have them by the end of the day yesterday or early today.  They didn't call yesterday so I'll give them until noon to call before calling them today.

The oncologist said that he thinks Chico has chronic leukemia.  I somehow missed this part but my friend said last night that the oncologist thought that Chico might have some kind of autoimmune disease rather than leukemia.  I think once I heard the word leukemia, everything else beyond that was kind of a blur.  The oncologist wanted to see if Chico's blood results were any better now that he's been on medication for awhile.  The sores are almost completely healed now, so I'm hopeful the results are better too.  He suggested that after the blood work results came back that he could do a biopsy, which would be another $400.  I have to fundraise more for that because I don't have an extra $400 in my budget right now.  If it was determined that he does indeed have leukemia, we would discuss treatment options then.  The oncologist wanted to wait until we know for sure just what's wrong before we go over any options, which I totally understand.

So that's where everything stands as of this moment.  He'll remain on the steroid for the time being and we may  increase his dosage after the blood work comes back.  The dose won't be decreased at this point, but may be increased.  Please continue to keep my sweet Chico in your thoughts and prayers.

Lotsa HUGS for Butch and Deb, Lucky's GoFundMe page, and an Award

I don't know Three Little Pugs, but I read about their humans, Butch and Deb, on the POTP website.  Butch was injured in a very bad accident and the grandmother has cancer.  They need all the {{{HUGS}}} and prayers they can get right now, so I'm joining Blogville in lending my support to them.  One can never have too many hugs!

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Earlier this week I learned that Dachshund Nola's mom had found an abandoned dog who was covered in mange, and cuts and scratches.  She was quite emaciated and needed medical attention desperately.  Nola's mom has named her Lucky, which seems fitting in that she was lucky enough to have someone who cared enough to take her in.  Nola's mom has created a GoFundMe page to help cover  the vet bills.  Nola's mom only asked for $150 which has already been raised.  However, Lucky will need lots and lots of medical care and $150 is not going to even begin to cover the bills.  I can't help financially, so I'm doing the next best thing in helping to get the word out.

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Thank you for the continued good vibes, prayers, and donations for Chico.  He has his first oncology appointment this morning and I'll update everyone tomorrow with how everything went.  

I especially want to thank Lynne from Sketching With Dogs.  We've been emailing one another for quite awhile now and I've grown to really cherish her friendship.  She's been endlessly supportive and understanding about Chico, and encouraged me to create my own GoFundMe page to raise money for his treatment.  She also held an auction for one of her amazing Mini-Me's for my baby boy.  I know I'm not the only one she's done such thoughtful things for.  

So I am bestowing this well-deserved award upon her.  She truly is a wonderful person!  There are no rules so she doesn't have to pass it on or even post it to her page if she doesn't want to.  

Wordless Wednesday

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Pupdate

Chico's first appointment with the oncologist is next Thursday, Oct. 22nd.  Apparently the vet's office is quite busy.  Every time I've called they've put me on hold.  The consultation is $125, so I'm really worried about how much his treatment will cost.

Lynne's auction for one of her fabulous Mini-Me's ends Sunday.  As I mentioned previously, she does excellent work and one of these would make an excellent holiday gift!

Thank you so much for all the donations, prayers, and well-wishes.  Thank you also to everyone who has shared his GoFundMe page.  Everyone's generosity makes me realize how truly blessed we are.  The steroid and antibiotic have already done wonders for his sores, so I'm hoping and praying that Chico can be easily treated.

On the job front, I had an interview this past Wednesday and have another one next Wednesday.  I would prefer the second job because it'll include benefits and better pay, but I'm at the point where I just need a job.  Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I get hired for one or the other.

Wordless Wednesday

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Thank You!

I just want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone.  I knew from past experience that Blogvillians are generous, and I've been on the receiving end of it more than once.  I'm overwhelmed by the number of well wishes, prayers, and contributions for Chico.

I especially want to give huge shoutout to Lynne for encouraging me to ask for help and to create a GoFundMe page for Chico.  As if that wasn't enough, she's also been kind enough to auction off one of her precious Mini-Me's to raise money for his care.  I can attest that she does quality work.  One of her Mini-Me's would make for an excellent Christmas present if you wanted to get started early on your holiday shopping.

Today is my birthday, so I'll be spending it at the Botanical Gardens with my mom.  It'll be good to have something fun to do and to get away from watching Chico like a hawk every second because I worry about him so much. I'll be around on Tuesday for sure, because I've missed Blogville and am happy to be back.

Thank you again!  I'm feeling very blessed and have so much to pay forward.
If you want to share Chico's  Go Fund Me on  your blog sidebar, feel free to copy and paste this code below into a new Javascript widget.  I cannot thank you enough!

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Chico

Poor little Chico has had a rough year.  Earlier this year he had several sores on his head that took forever and a day to heal.  As soon as they did, more came in to take their place.  It got pretty nasty, so off to the vet we went.  They healed quickly with medication, and all seemed to be well.  Only they returned.  They didn't seem nearly as bad this time so I decided to just watch them.  After discovering a mass of sores by his ear, I knew another vet visit was in order.  There's just no way those sores would heal on their own.  This time the vet ordered a blood test and the results were not good!  Chico likely has either lymphoma cancer or leukemia.  That particular vet does not provide any kind of cancer treatments at all, and recommended a vet two towns over.  I've been told by a friend that this vet is very expensive, but that they put vet care above all else.

I hate asking for help, but I feel like I don't have a choice right now.  I'm not asking for help for myself, but for Chico.  I've applied, applied, and applied for jobs but just don't seem to be getting anywhere.  I've networked like crazy, volunteered for experience and more networks, gone to the school career center for resume and cover letter and interview and job finding help, and nothing is working.  Everyone keeps telling me I'm doing all the right things, but no one is hiring me.  I cannot even afford the most basic medical care for Chico and I want to make sure he's taken care of.  He's my priority right now.  If he can be treated easily, I want to be able to give him every chance possible.  If this turns out to be a difficult cancer, then I want to make his last days comfortable.  Quality of life is more important than quantity.

With much encouragement from Lynne, I've created a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising the money necessary for his care.  Feel free to share his page.  If you can spare even just a dollar or two, I would be forever grateful.  No amount is too small.  Even if you can't contribute anything, please at least keep him in your prayers.  Thank you!