chumi / nina
-proship / anti-censorship / don't like, don't read!
-prolific reader-insert author of various fandoms including Devil May Cry, The Avengers, and Tron: Legacy
-creator of the Who Will You Fall For? series titled "The Missing Quartus" (indefinite hiatus)
-slash shipper and fanfic author of various fandoms, most notably Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and the Yakuza game series
-poet and short story author
-beginner digital artist
*Page is still a WIP
Feel free to check out my writing and social media at the links below
ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
8-27-2024
In mid to late 2023, Shinya was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Since it's a treatable condition, we started her on topical methimazole, because she absolutely hates taking pills and I've never been able to get her to take one.
My vet at the time also told me about Radioiodine I-131 treatment. This is a radiation treatment that destroys the gland that releases too much of the thyroid hormone and is a complete cure for hyperthyroidism. There is a chance she could develop it again, but there is a 95%+ success rate, and my vet was adamant about seeing a positive change in cats she'd worked with before who received this amazing treatment.
Before my vet left or retired, she gave me a ballpark estimate of $3000, which also figured in the diagnostics and post-care cost. I started putting money away from each paycheck, and with the help of family and friends, I reached that $3000 goal. Mind you, Radiocat did not give me a solid estimate when I first reached out to them, only a range that went up to $2170. Since I am based in the SF Bay Area, I assumed it would be on the higher or highest end of the range they gave me.
My (new) vet contacted me after Radiocat reached out to them. They put together an estimate for the pre-treatment diagnostics and the cost came out to a whopping $1200. I panicked because holy shit, what the fuck!? That only left me with $1800 of what I'd already saved, which obviously isn't enough to cover the higher end of the Radiocat estimate!
I immediately called Radiocat, and they confirmed the final cost for the treatment only - $2170 - and forwarded me the email they sent my vet. I was still panicky and checked the Radiocat website to see if there would be any other costs I might have to save up for, considering the posts I'd read from other cat owners who did the treatment and mentioned post-treatment vet care.
Of course I knew that Shinya would need post-treatment follow ups, so I asked Radiocat what tests she'd need post-treatment and then reached out to my vet for estimates on those. Shinya would need a 1 month and 3 month follow up, both estimates costing about $250 each.
Cost breakdown:
-Pre-treatment diagnostics: $1200
-Radioiodine I-131: $2170
-Post-treatment diagnostics: $500 ($250 per appointment at months 1 and 3)
-Total cost: $3870
I haven't gotten a raise in about 1 year. I am currently dealing with a rebound bout of Covid after having to take a week off for the initial infection. I do not have anymore PTO or sick time accrued.
So, I created a Waggle fundraiser to raise $1000 more to cover Shinya's treatment and pre- and post-diagnostics. Waggle only promotes actively shared pages so if you can't donate, I would greatly appreciate if you could share the link around to your friends!! +
My cats mean everything to me. I have had them their entire lives and I love them so much. Shinya's ears get irritated with the topical treatment I use now, so although it's still viable to keep her on methimazole, I would rather do this one time treatment to completely cure her.
Thank you for reading this. You can find the Waggle link at the top and bottom of this page along with the cat tax. I have also included links to information about Radioiodine I-131 treatment for cats. ♥
