Family #5 – Jeanne & Sal Cialdella and their 2 Loving Pets; Stella and Dutchess

The Cialdella’s Story:

We move to Texas from WI and in our 1st few months here my husband had a heart attack on the Tollway driving to work! He felt it coming on and came back to our apartment. At that time, he went by rescue squad to Medical City. Both our mother’s were coming to live with us and our son. When we 1st moved into our home my knee gave out requiring surgery which failed and is giving out again. My mother-in-law who intending to return to live with us passed away of cancer Feb. 14th 2007. Following all of that I had a 360 spinal fusion that failed as well. I’m not to lift over 5 lbs. Not in the “real world.” I filed for disability, but was denied at the time because I took care of my parents and I hadn’t worked enough in that quarter. We were so far in debt with medical bills even with insurance we had no choice to file bankruptcy.

It’s been quite the journey! Sometime between 2006-2007 Dutchy had developed arthritis in her hind left leg and she showed signs of less activity and limping. In Dec. of 2008, Dutchess had to be taken off the Previcox for her arthritis as it was affecting her liver. Fortunately, I still have my little frail (88yr. old ) mama with us, however she has a low income sub. yet, charged a few thousand dollars for our girls care when my husband lost his 2nd job. She’s done all she can do for us other than helping w/groc. and gas God Bless her and we’re thankful for that!

In 2009 my husband was laid off for the SECOND time due to the declining economy. He went from a comfortable 6 figure income in a 35 year career as a Creative Director in the retail merchandising industry to unemployment. We survived on unemployment insurance benefits and had to deplete our savings, cash in a retirement stock savings plan and our 401K plan to make our mortgage, utilities and C.O.B.R.A health insurance while he struggled and still is to find another job in his field. Then before his cobra insurance was gone in May a year and 1/2 ago I had an emergency appendectomy then back in the hospital 6 wks later for an abbess from the rupture. Just as his UI benefits and C.O.B.R.A. had expired he was able to find work as an armed security guard. This is only considered a part time job, but he’s able to work 60 hours at a straight time pay rate of $10.00 per hour w/ no benefits. He works 6 days every week.

We’ve had to make very important personal sacrifices. We’ve both had to stop seeing our doctors due to lack of health coverage and told now we are uninsurable! My husband had to stop taking heart, cholesterol and Diabetes medicines due to the high costs. 3 wks ago my car broke down and we can’t even have the problem fixed,they are talking $2,000-$3,000. A week after my car died my canine tooth cracked needing a crown, sigh….. the dentist will take auto deductions from his low income. ( $100 per mo.) We have sold jewelry, antiques and woodshop tools and soon will be liquidating some our other household goods to keep from foreclosure. We tried to sell our house, but the foreclosure rate in our area was so high we couldn’t get any offers and now we are upside down in the value of our home.

We are in financial crisis. So many people that share our strong Christian faith are certain God will see us through this. My husband and I have struggled but have been able to feed our babies Stella, 6 and Dutchess, 9. Stella is having major digestion problems, a cough and I noticed she couldn’t chew her food and bones. I was thinking maybe it’s her teeth and thats when we felt the swollen glands in her throat. Dutchy acquired a large lump on her back this past year. It seemed to have developed from favoring her right rear leg. I so hope and pray my girls can be taken care of.

Cialdella’s Family needs list: Food, Veteranian care, Shots for both Stella and Dutchess and Heart worm meds.

Cialdella’s Family wish list: Stella and Dutchess feel better and get the Veteranian care they so desperately need!

**Update on Dutchess – 12/14/2011:

Dutchess fell down 8 stairs yesterday and was taken to our vet, Parker Animal and Bird Clinic. Bloodwork came back fine and x-rays revealed no broken bones but there were three areas of concern (1) a large mass in her abdomen that was pushing her stomach over (2) an extremely swollen lymphoid on one side (3) and a large mass on her back. She was put on IV fluids over night and was given a barium enema this morning to track her digestion for a blockage that the x-rays might not have detected.

The X-Rays revealed that the large mass in her abdomen has gone down considerably! This means that it is not a tumor or a foreign object. Dutchess was also trying desperately to get to some food this morning when yesterday she could barely hold her head up. The vet is treating her case as severe pancreatitis at this time. She is too weak for exploratory surgery and with the mass going down and her desire to eat increasing, the vet would like to continue fluids, start some meds and see if things progress for Dutchess.

The good news is that both Dutchess and Stella were given HW and are now current on vaccinations:) Dutchess still has a long way to go, but we are hopeful that her issue was caught in time and she will pull through! Thank you for your donations to help pay the hospital bills to save her life! Stay tuned for updates.

**Update on Dutchess – 12/15/2011:

Unfortunately, Dutchess had to be put to sleep. 🙁 She had inoperable and agressive stomach cancer, she is no longer suffering and because of LHS she was able to leave peacefully. God speed Duchess. You will be missed

To make additional donations for Stella and Dutchess’s care, you can contact our Vet at:
Parker Animal and Bird Clinic
2129 W Parker Rd (ste A)
Plano, TX 75023
(972) 985-0036