Nurse just put in for an appointment for the oncologist. I looked him up but found nothing interesting, other than he is foreign. Could not even begin to pronounce his name.
Well it is a stunning morning, warm already and supposed to be in the upper 70’s. yard work calls! 
3 Likes
Thank you Busy!
1 Like
Just a thought, Sannois is dead, has been for 6 years now, god rest his crazy Red headed TB soul.:lol:
Call me Kim
6 Likes
((Hugs)) for KIM !
1 Like
You scared me with those first words, oh, my!
Glad that you have a good grip on things.
Best way to handle life as it comes along, good for you!
Now on to see what the Drs tell you.
Go have a blueberry muffin first.
1 Like
That’s what it is, Kim – our urging that things get better – it’s caring and support. PLEASE don’t interpret such talk as any kind of argument with you or your choices. I think we all get how personal this is, and that you are the best person to make your decisions for yourself. Those of us who say “Fight!” and those of us who say “Wait” and those of us who say “Rest” aren’t disagreeing with you. We’re hoping for you. You’ve made public a personal and delicate thing, and the printed page is a poor substitute for a hand on your shoulder.
8 Likes
Is that him with you in your userpic? He looks sweet!
I’ll just echo what others have said - cancer treatment and chemo is so much more advanced from even the last 5 years. My project manager was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which is so often a death sentence, four years ago. The longest she’s taken off work was when she was initially diagnosed and had surgery pretty much pronto. She’s still in remission and has a VERY busy and active life! There are a lot of drugs available now that mitigate the nasty side effects of the chemo.
Whatever choices you make are yours and yours alone and we have nothing but respect for that! You’re an intelligent, independent horsewoman and I know you won’t reach any decisions lightly and until you have all the information at hand.
So many hugs, Kim…
2 Likes
I have nothing to add to the good advice already here, so I’ll just say that I’m wishing you strength whatever decisions you make. Be kind to yourself Kim, and know you have a support team here when you need one or all of us.
2 Likes
Start looking into a Living Will, too in the event you do refuse treatment.
And plan your funeral arrangements, too, before you can`t function fully anymore.
Also plan for your cats and distribution of your stuff.
4 Likes
Kim, another thing on the table is a clinical trial. The standard protocol is to accept a patient into a trial after chemo and surgery. But if surgery is off the table, and you are not open to chemo, then you’ve met the conditions for consideration for a trial. The best one would be the NIH in Bethesda, MD, but there are many very strong trials around the country. They pay the costs.
In general Phase I trials are harder on you, because they’re trying to establish dosing and toxicity, as in, how much can a person take? But late Phase I and Phase 2 trials are more promising, because dosing has already been figured out, and the protocols are showing promise. You’ll need good liver function to qualify.
But you don’t have to do anything. You can decide to enjoy what time you have left, and ask to be kept comfortable. Hospice is a wonderful support system for you, and will help your Ex, too.
Share what you choose, and as many others have said, know that we support and care about you.
3 Likes
Kim, whatever you decide to do, please pamper yourself as much as circumstances allow. This is a time for your very favorite things. We all wish we could be there for company in whatever those things are! Champagne, chocolate truffles, binge-watching whatever, a campfire under the stars, you name it.
Hugs, mega-jingles, the whole megilla!
4 Likes
OH God I am sorry!~!! LOL Good thing I put in the Crazy red headed TB soul thing! :lol::yes:
1 Like
Yes that was him at an event. Looks were deceiving. But him and I got along great!
aregard! I totally know that you guys are in my corner. Not one of you has made me feel dumb or anything, nothing but love and support. Oh to have friends like this in my life. I guess I do, even if it is not face to face! :sadsmile:
2 Likes
About 10 years ago, the news was talking about cancer treatments, and they said that cancer is being changed from an acute, and deadly disease, into a chronic , manageable disease.
I still remember a woman who had stage 4 breast cancer, and with her personal history she thought that was untreatable. She enrolled in a clinical trial (I think at Vanderbilt), and took a pill or two a day. That was it, and her disease was changed into a manageable condition.
Wait and see what the doctor says, and then decide what you need to do to have the life you want.
1 Like
Kim [Sannois], thanks for keeping us updated!
I’m another who has been reading this thread (and the other one) but want to chime in tonight.
You are pretty amazing. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you will let us know. And why. And how you feel about it. Your story matters. But always, it belongs to you. Tell it your way.
8 Likes
That ^.
Just talk here when you feel like it.
You matter to all here.
Hope you feel the hugs.
3 Likes
This is hugely selfish, but your open conversation about your story has truly helped me navigate my own. Thank You, And know you matter, and we are cheering for you and support your decisions.
8 Likes
My son’s ex/now good friend was diagnosed with cancer when she was 11 years old. She’s been going through different treatments, remissions, more treatments and remission again…she’s 26 now.
1 Like
Kim, sent you a PM earlier and not sure you got it but in the event it disappeared in the ether…
{{Kim}}
You are much in my thoughts!
1 Like
