Sydney cancer patient facing $20,000 bill to save cat's life: 'She's not just some pet'
By Kate Kachor|
When Anna Tarrant's beloved cat Lily hoovered down a scattering of treats, the Sydney pet owner was relieved. The next morning she woke to a concerning scene.
It was March 17 when Tarrant's 12-year-old tabby cat appeared poorly. She had refused to eat for about two to three days and struggled to urinate.
The loss of appetite was out of the ordinary, with Lily up and about the days prior. In an attempt to entice her to eat, Tarrant offered Lily some of her regular treats.?
The cat scoffed the tidbits down, much to Tarrant's relief. However, hours later Lily brought up the food.?
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"She vomited them up that night, and I woke up to bright yellow bile all over my unit the next morning," Tarrant told 9Honey over email.?
Tarrant was immediately alarmed. She became further concerned when she went to check on Lily, who was barely moving.?
The 39-year-old former corporate worker raced her companion to an emergency vet hospital on Sydney's North Shore.?
The pair had become inseparable over the years as Tarrant battled with brain cancer. She was first diagnosed 12 years ago. Her disease is now terminal.?
"Lily has given me more than any human has during this extremely lonely, painful, challenging journey."
She has undergone four major brain surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Lily has been by her side since Tarrant's first brain surgery in 2010 at age 26.
"[She's] my constant companion by my side, comforting me, giving me unconditional love, curling up beside me at night in bed, lays with me when I'm crippled in pain from chemo, often in tears," Tarrant said.
"Lily has given me more than any human has during this extremely lonely, painful, challenging journey. It's been a long 12 years battling this brain cancer on and off treatments, fighting for my life."
At the vet, Lily was assessed and blood tests revealed possible kidney concerns. Tarrant was told her beloved family member needed time in the ICU.
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"They thought she had a kidney stone, cancer, kidney disease, or a blockage," Tarrant said.?
"They weren't sure how much damage had been done to the kidneysกญ if she didn't urinate or eat in the next 24 hours, we were in serious trouble."
The next day, the vet phoned Tarrant to tell her she needed to come in.
"They thought she may not make it through the night. They?told me to come in and say goodbye, and it was either euthanise or keep her comfortable overnight whilst more tests were run."
She would spend the next six hours with Lily, holding her and reassuring her she was loved. It was a heartbreaking goodbye.?
"I have never cried so deeply, my heart literally hurt and I was beside myself," Tarrant said.?
"My only companion who has been by my side since after my first major brain surgery in 2010 at 26, through every painful treatment, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She's helped unbelievably with my anxiety and depression."?
A CT scan revealed Lily had a kidney stone that was blocking one kidney, which had almost doubled in size.
"They were not sure of the extent of that damageกญ the other [kidney] is undersized and riddled with kidney stones," Tarrant said.
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She said Lily underwent surgery, in which a subcutaneous ureteral bypass device was implanted to help treat her enlarged kidney.
Lily's smaller kidney was also removed during the procedure due to its damaged state. Incredibly, Lily survived the surgery and is holding on to life.
The ordeal has taken an emotional toll on Tarrant, who is undergoing her chemotherapy treatment when she should be preparing for a bucket list trip to Europe.?
"I've been struggling to bounce back after chemo and the rounds go on and I've been really unwell more days than not last week, then this all happened," she said.
"She's not just some pet, she's like your husband and all of your kids rolled into one."?
Coupled with her own treatment and medical expenses, Lily's vet bills are also mounting. She has now set up a Go Fund Me page to crowdsource funds to pay for her companion's treatment.?
Tarrant is facing vet bills upwards of $20,000. One bill, sighted by 9Honey, is for more than $19,000 and she's facing a monthly minimum of $500 per appointment for the next six to eight months. It's money Tarrant simply doesn't have.
It's been nine years since Tarrant left her corporate job and regular salary. She's been unable to work for the past 18 months, other than dog walking for her local community.
"But there was no chance I could give up on one of the only things that has kept me alive and wellกญ she's not just some pet, she's like your husband and all of your kids rolled into one," Tarrant said.
"With my bucket list trip I'm trying to get refunds from everywhere, but I was so certain I was going because of my mobility decline. My left leg is now dragging when I'm fatigued and has lost a lot of strength, post major awake brain surgery last year.
"I booked the cheaper options non-refundable. I'm pulling together all the info to plead my case to the accommodations and flight company, with no luck."
Brain cancer is the least-funded of all cancers and the most expensive to treat. Over the years, Tarrant and her parents have spent more than $130,000 on medical expenses. These expenses are ongoing.?
"I had to leave my corporate career when I was at the peak of my career as suggested by my doctors. I had to live a less stressful life, long hours, and managing 700 merchandisers didn't allow for that," she said.
"Lily and I have such a special unbreakable bond, I just cannot imagine my life without her beautiful soul in it."
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