04/27/2023
Many of you are aware by now that my wife Kristi has Stage 4 Cancer of the brain: glioma blastoma, which a couple of years ago was surgically operated on for extraction—the doctors called it a success even though they could only remove/debunk about 65% of the mass, much of in an area too sensitive to touch. She went through a few months of radiation followed by a year of chemotherapy and by and large made an immense recovery post op. However, in early February of this year, things changed very quickly and we learned that there was spinal fluid build up in her head which dislodged parts of the tumor and causing it to spread throughout the brain to very inoperable parts. She had a shunt installed to alleviate the fluid build up/hydrocephalus that had sent her to the ER. Without it, she was assigned “days only” to live, but even with its success and the new rounds of chemotherapy, her Stage 3 progresssd to Stage 4 and treatment has been said to maybe only ensure months, perhaps a year at most😣. This was devastating news for the entire family, of course, but we continue to remain hopeful that imagery will continue to show remission (the last MRI was more hopeful than previous, so we can say that the treatment “is working.”
In her current cognitive state, Kristi now requires care around the clock, and a watchful eye and ear at all times. I’ve had to stop working and have had to eat humble pie more than a few times in asking others, including the American people/taxpayers for help through whatever support programs are available. But it’s been a bureaucratic hassle to say the least and so many things are “pending.” No promises, but I can assure you that your help in any way will not be forgotten, should you feel so inclined as to help.
Kristi would be the first to say it, but from the both of us: we love you and appreciate you all very much.
Matthew (and Kristi) Chamberlin
