Surgeryforgizmo's Blog

So, since she had the surgery, Gizmo has been wearing this t-shirt so that she wouldn’t try to scratch at the incision/sutures. (I bought a couple of them for her.)

Gizmo loves the beach, so I was thrilled to get her a beach themed t-shirt.

As of today, however, she is suture and t-shirt free and lookin’ good.

Thanks again to everyone who helped to make her better. I couldn’t have done it without your help. Gizmo says thanks as well.

I could have sworn that I posted this Friday night. I blame the end of my first semester teaching….)

As on Friday evening…

So Gizmo had a good surgery experience, and I was able to pick her up at 4 pm. She was still kinda out of it when I picked her up, but since then she’s eaten and perked up a bit. She’s got a drain in which will need to come out on Monday, and her stitches will need to come out in about two weeks. She’s having a bit of a hard time laying down, can’t seem to find a way to get comfortable, but other than that she seems quite good. Thank you again to everyone who has helped or been concerned. I’m quite appreciative of all the help we’ve received in the past week.

As of Tuesday evening…

Gizmo had her drain taken out yesterday and is healing quite nicely. I have to take her back on Monday for a checkup, and then she should be able to get her stitches out next Friday, August 7th.

I just want to thank everyone who has read about Gizmo, passed on her information, and/or donated to her surgery costs. I am extraordinarily grateful. As I wrote before, her surgery is scheduled for Friday. I’ll update the site on Friday night to let everyone know how her surgery went.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Staci & Gizmo

We are currently at 97% of our goal, so I went ahead an scheduled Gizmo’s surgery for Friday, July 24. I have to drop her off at 9 am and should be able to pick her up sometime between 3 pm and 6 pm. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this happen! ♥

1 $100 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $1 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $10 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $15 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $2 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $25 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $100 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $100 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $50 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $50 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $25 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $5 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $3.25 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $5 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $20 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $6 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $20 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $50 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $5 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $50 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $50 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 £5/$8.05 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $5 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $100 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $10 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $20 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $10 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $20 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $10 AUD/$8.14 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $5 donation received. Thank you!!!
1 $5 donation received. Thank you!!!

Unless the person who donates gives me permission to mention their name, I’ll keep it confidential.

$883.44 of $865.25 has been raised! (102% of goal!)

Gizmo is a 13-year-old dog of indeterminate heritage (her veterinarian in Washington used to call her the world’s largest papillion).  She is a rescue dog from the Animal Care and Control in San Francisco, CA.  When I first got her in December of 1996, it was estimated that she was about one, and I was told that she was found in an abusive situation where she had been hit, kicked, and threatened with death.

Gizmo has been a wonderful companion for the past 12 years.  We’ve since moved from San Francisco to Everett, Washington, back to San Francisco for a brief stay, and we now reside in Kentucky.  I’m a student pursuing my bachelor’s degree in English, as well as a part-time instructor at the college I attend.  As such, my funds are low, particularly at this time of the year when the summer semester is almost over and the fall semester is a month away.

On Thursday, July 16, 2009, I took Gizmo to her veternarian because the fatty tumor she has had for a couple of years had become infected.  The vet informed me that the tumor is in need of removal, and then she handed me the bill.  The low estimate for the surgery (and related costs, such as x-rays, biopsy, post-surgical pain management, and surgery assessment) is $698.25 US and the high estimate (assuming that surgery lasts more than 30 minutes) is $865.25 US.  The wording of the estimate allows for a 15% rate of error, which means that the surgery could go as high as $995.25 US.

I simply can’t cover that amount of money in the time needed  She currently has a two week supply of antibiotics, and the veterinarian believes that she needs to have the surgery by the end of the two week period.  That means she needs to have her surgery around August 1, 2009.

Had this happened in November, it would be a different story, but it was a struggle to pay the $136 I’ve put out this week for care.  I’m not someone who finds it easy to accept help, especially monetary, but I love my dog, and I am determined to help her however I can.

I’ve set up a PayPal account specifically for her surgery costs.  Please donate whatever you can.  Any help is appreciated.  If you are unable to donate, please forward this url to someone who may be able to help.

I will check the PayPal account daily, and I will shut it down the moment I have enough to get Gizmo the surgery she needs.  I’m not here to profit from the generosity of others.  I just want my dog to be well.  I had to put one of my cats to sleep six months ago, and I’m not ready to lose another, especially when her problem is one that can be fixed.

Thank you in advance for reading our story and for any assistance you are able to provide.

We have reached 102% of the goal amount for Gizmo’s surgery. Thank you so much.