Hello Friends,
Many of you know that I have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I have a tumor that is pressing against my esophagus and windpipe, making it very difficult to eat or drink. For the last month while getting tests and meeting with docs up at Stanford, I've been making trips to Urgent Care and the E.R. 2-3 times per week for IV fluids. A swallowing study showed a very narrow opening in my esophagus for anything to pass.
I was in the hospital for 5 days after have a feeding tube surgically implanted in my stomach for hydration, nutrition, and any medicine I might need. Feeding pump is running from 7:00 a.m until 10:00 p.m. along with continuous IV fluids.
They discharged me to a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy rehab for a week or two. The tube will remain in place until treatments allow me to eat and drink on my own again, possibly several months from now.
I have a couple more tests then docs will decide course of treatment. Originally my ENT Stanford surgeon was going to remove thyroid and three effected lymph nodes in my neck. But after the larger Stanford medical team conferred, they feel surgery might be too risky, as it might result in needing to reconstruct my esophagus and windpipe afterwards. So they might try to shrink it first, then surgery. They are still deciding on the most effective and least damaging course of treatment.
I've been working sporadically through this, so have burned through all my sick time and PTO. Went out on medical leave without pay on April 1st. Sounds like I can get back onto Social Security Disability, but it takes time for it to kick in and even after it starts, it will not cover my current living expenses.
Besides spiritual and emotional support, I would be grateful for any financial support. Treatment and recovery could take months, and will likely exceed the limits of my insurance.
In addition to this GoFundMe campaign, a very creative friend of mine from India named Kadambari Maa has also created a crowd-funding page that will include a beautiful frame drum course for those of you interested in drumming. She is graciously contributing the proceeds to help with medical and living expenses during my treatment and recovery. If you are interested, there is a link on my Facebook page for the drumming class. I am so grateful for her generosity and have learned that other friends are following K's lead and are also donating proceeds from classes they are teaching. I am deeply humbled by the generous love that surrounds me from all corners.
I am blessed with an amazing support system of friends who I love dearly. Thank you so much for your love and various forms of support.
Many blessings to you all my friends.
Love,
Bobi
Many of you know that I have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I have a tumor that is pressing against my esophagus and windpipe, making it very difficult to eat or drink. For the last month while getting tests and meeting with docs up at Stanford, I've been making trips to Urgent Care and the E.R. 2-3 times per week for IV fluids. A swallowing study showed a very narrow opening in my esophagus for anything to pass.
I was in the hospital for 5 days after have a feeding tube surgically implanted in my stomach for hydration, nutrition, and any medicine I might need. Feeding pump is running from 7:00 a.m until 10:00 p.m. along with continuous IV fluids.
They discharged me to a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy rehab for a week or two. The tube will remain in place until treatments allow me to eat and drink on my own again, possibly several months from now.
I have a couple more tests then docs will decide course of treatment. Originally my ENT Stanford surgeon was going to remove thyroid and three effected lymph nodes in my neck. But after the larger Stanford medical team conferred, they feel surgery might be too risky, as it might result in needing to reconstruct my esophagus and windpipe afterwards. So they might try to shrink it first, then surgery. They are still deciding on the most effective and least damaging course of treatment.
I've been working sporadically through this, so have burned through all my sick time and PTO. Went out on medical leave without pay on April 1st. Sounds like I can get back onto Social Security Disability, but it takes time for it to kick in and even after it starts, it will not cover my current living expenses.
Besides spiritual and emotional support, I would be grateful for any financial support. Treatment and recovery could take months, and will likely exceed the limits of my insurance.
In addition to this GoFundMe campaign, a very creative friend of mine from India named Kadambari Maa has also created a crowd-funding page that will include a beautiful frame drum course for those of you interested in drumming. She is graciously contributing the proceeds to help with medical and living expenses during my treatment and recovery. If you are interested, there is a link on my Facebook page for the drumming class. I am so grateful for her generosity and have learned that other friends are following K's lead and are also donating proceeds from classes they are teaching. I am deeply humbled by the generous love that surrounds me from all corners.
I am blessed with an amazing support system of friends who I love dearly. Thank you so much for your love and various forms of support.
Many blessings to you all my friends.
Love,
Bobi