Hi, my name is Morticia Marie Toe-Tag Thompson,

But most people just call me 'Ticia.

My mom found me outside a county coroner's office. I was a small, abandoned kitten, and someone had splashed tar on me.

The people at the coroner's office were calling me Toe-Tag. Mom scooped me up and flew to our vet. It turned out I was pregnant, although I was so thin you couldn't tell. My vet said my only chance was losing my kittens, and she wasn't even sure I could make it through the surgery. But I did, and aside from having lost a few teeth from tooth resorption, I've never been sick in my life.

Until now.

Mom noticed some lumps on my chest, and took me to a veterinary specialist, who found out I have Stage II and III breast cancer. I had my first radical chain mastectomy on January 29th, and my second on February 11th. I had a bad allergic reaction to the sutures from the second surgery, and my wounds remained opened longer than normal. But I got through that, and got ready for chemo.

But my mom and I have a problem now,

and we are hoping some of you can help. Taking care of all the diagnostics, surgery, and aftercare, as well as one session of chemo has left us flat broke. Look at my first bill for chemo!

There are three drugs, one to stop possible allergic reactions, one to control nausea, and the actual chemo drug. The doctor says I need four treatments before I'm done, and a week after each treatment I need a CBC (Complete Blood Count) to make sure my white blood cells are still okay, but I can do that at my family vet to save money. Here are his recommendations.

Doxorubicin is the chemical name for Adriamycin, and is the exact same drug they use on people.

Will you please help?

'Ticia's story is only one of many. I love her more than words can say, and she has so much fight left. I am so proud of how good and patient she has been through her treatment. Like most people I live from paycheck to paycheck. I've maxed out my cards, including CareCredit, and drained what little savings I had to get both of us this far. Our story is only one of many, but I hope and pray that we'll find the help we need.

Thank you so much for your time, and any help you can give.