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Shannon Grasso was already used to the life her daughter Hope was living as someone who was born with Chronic Kidney Disease and only one working kidney.
However, the Sutton mother never imagined she would have to deal with this diagnosis again, but with her beloved dog Archie.
"I can’t stomach the thought of her losing one of her best friends to this disease. Not ever - but especially not right now," Grasso wrote on a GoFundMe page organized for the duo.
"I need her and her siblings to know that this battle can be fought, and won," she continued. "That Hope and Archie can both be admitted into hospitals - but come home, safe and sound."
Hope has had "dozens" of surgeries in her life, with her most recent operation in March ending with her in the ICU with a severe kidney decline and sepsis, Grasso said.
It was during this time that Archie, who is also 4 years old, stopped eating and lost a ton of weight. The concerned mother brought her pooch to the vet where she received news that nearly paralyzed her.
"When the doctor came back with not cancer results but Kidney Disease, and a sudden decrease in function, I think I went into shock," Grasso wrote. "When I stuttered 'that was exactly what we were in the hospital for with Hope in the first place,' it was her who said “Oh God, I could throw up, I'm so sorry.'"
The current goal for Hope is to help her adjust to her new emergency tubes and bag at home while fighting her chronic infection. She is expected to have major surgery in June and August before hopefully getting her to attend preschool in the fall.
While Hope is a long way into her journey, Archie's has just begun. Grasso said she already put down a $3,000 deposit at Tufts Animal Hospital for his treatment, but is struggling to stay afloat with all of her daughter's medical bills and living solely off her husband's income.
"We need your help," Grasso wrote. "We’ve survived on one firefighter’s income somehow since I became Hope’s full time caregiver. I hate to ask. This is just too much."
The campaign is looking to raise $4,000 dollars. People interested in donating can click here.
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