Hey Sasha,
This is a huge undertaking and I respect you tremendously for taking this one on.
I am not a HUGE expert (as I said earlier, I learning a LOT now and as I go) so I can only tell you what I know.
If you join that Yahoo Group (I posted the link earlier), there are SEVERAL people on that group who have traveled to UT to get the surgery. PLEASE join the group and there are experts there that will be able to give you more directions. Many of us on this forum are a member of the group as well.
I am not a vet and I do not know how severe your baby's condition is. She may be fine to wait til next summer, she may not be.
I think that is something that you would to talk to a vet about and see if you are willing to take that risk. I just don't know, so I can't say "yay" or "nay". My advice would probably be "better sooner than later".
I do remember that the estimate for surgery that they gave me about 2 weeks ago (we are having surgery in less than 2 weeks) was 1800-2200 and recovery is usually 2-3 days (in hospital that is). I can let you know exact $$ after the surgery so you can better budget.
Does anyone know if a minor can sign up for Care Credit (if they have an adult cosign)? I don't know very much about it but I do know with UT you cannot make payments. You have to make the payment in full whenever you "check out".