Strong. Fighting. Surviving.

Below are two transcripts read at Kate’s funeral service: Bethany Kim Fernandez The New York Times also did a follow up to the story from 2008

A funeral service for Kate will be held this Friday 6/11/10 @ 2pm. Hilton Funeral Home 22111 Beallsville Road, Barnesville, Maryland. http://www.hiltonfh.com/ We are having a gathering after at the house to celebrate her life. 15321 Barnesville Rd Boyds, MD 20841

Dear Kate’s friends, Thank you for supporting Kate over the past 3 1/2 years with your comments and notes here and directly to her. She fought a hard battle, and deserves the peace she now has. Kate passed away this morning, with her family at her side and knowing beyond a doubt how loved she [...]

I wish I could adequately describe the feeling that hit me when my doctor suggested that it was time that I discontinue treatment. It was about four months ago and my current chemo regimen had stopped working and so he thought it was best that I discontinue treatment and let the disease simply run its [...]

I’ve been gone for a very long time, I know, and I’m sorry. Everyone has been so supportive during my hiatus – sending me emails, tweets, etc. of encouragement. I would really rather not relive these past few months, but I believe I owe you some kind of explanation. I was excited when I reached [...]

I used to be such a morning person. I loved to get up just before dawn, walk Remy down to the edge of the lake, and watch the sunrise. Then it was off to Boot Camp class before heading to work. It’s weird to think that that really wasn’t very long ago. In fact, it [...]

I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m very excited to have been able to participate in New York Times’ Patient Voices: Pancreatic Cancer. There are a few inconsistencies in my story, but I’m simply thrilled that I was able to help spread the word about pancreatic cancer. A special thanks to the New York Times [...]

Hi folks.  Lucky here again. One of my favorite places in the pond is over on Lily Pad 7, where you can find the Hop Chocolate Candy Shoppe.  As a tadpole, I used to go there all the time, always leaping home with a mouthful of tasty treats.  I dreamed of working there, and imagined [...]

Remember how I talked about the joys of my upcoming summer vacation? I assumed my new treatment would be ‘a breeze’ because it was a pill…an innocent little pill. As it turns out, I spoke too soon. I was completely wrong. Instead of enjoying a nice summer vacation, I’m stuck in summer school – studying [...]

I have received some really wonderful birthday presents before, but the one my health insurance unknowingly gave me tops them all. It’s time for me to switch treatments and my doctor recommended a trio of oral and IV meds. The side effects of the new combination would have been very similar to my last treatment [...]