Here’s the first update from March 17 for some context.
Dear Family and Friends,
I have some not so good news to share. This time it's about me, not an older family member.
A bit of background.
I've been feeling tired and having trouble concentrating for the last 2 months. I put it down to middle age and menopause, just pushing through with work. Then last Friday, I noticed a bit of weakness and a balance issue in my legs. On Tuesday, it was clearly my left leg with the problem.. So I made a doctor's appointment for Sunday.
Then I woke up yesterday, and the skin on my left hand and forearm were slightly numb, and the balance issue was more pronounced. That combination was freaky, so I went to the academic ER with the shortest published wait time.
I got there at 9 am. At 2 pm, I had a diagnosis: brain cancer. It's called glioblastoma and it's not a good one. It's what John McCain had, as did Joe Biden's son.
The good news is that I already have an appointment with a good neurosurgeon at one of the best cancer centers in Quebec, if not Canada. Patients rave about her on the review sites (which means she has a good bedside manner). She has publications in glioblastoma,. And she did her residency at UCSF, which is rated No 2 for neurosurgery and neurology in the US (so she has a good network).
The best news of all has been the outpouring of love from everyone who knows so far. I cannot tell you how loved I feel. My kids are here now. We had pizza for dinner. We're settling down to cookies in the living room. We have Arlo, Jasper's dog with us - and our cats have disappeared as a result. We will spend the weekend together and tell each other how much we love esch other until we are blue in the face.
And we will take it one step at a time, reveling in life for as long as we can.
Dear Sovita,
You are an amazing example of strength and courage. Your Prompt family will also be with you every step of the way. Warmest wishes, Karen