Kim Drew Wright's Kickass Cancer Fight

So, things have not turned out the way I wished they had...the way I've worked for. After the first chemo, mastectomies, radiation, and hormone therapy I was supposed to be free of cancer. After my recent chemo and auxiliary node removal I was supposed to be free of cancer. Imagine my shock when the colonoscopy ordered as a precaution before starting an immunotherapy trial uncovered a metastatic breast cancer nodule. The followup scan showed an active node in my pelvis. The good news is it seems to be a limited amount of disease. The bad news is it's quickly back, in a far away site, and after multiple treatments. The best case scenario is the next chemo helps keep it at bay to buy me time, then the next treatment after that one stops working, etc...then I might get some years. The worst case scenario is it doesn't respond to treatment and springs up in other areas...then I might have a year. We are devastated. More than likely, I will miss out on decades of making family memories, exploring the world, and writing more stories. Even when we were young and fresh and newly married, I always thought the best part of being with Wen was going to be when we were old people and got to hang out together...turn strangers into new friends while sitting in foreign pubs. I want to see my grandchildren, but, mostly, I want to be there while my children grow up. The most devastating part of this is the hurt I am causing my children. There are really no words for that, simply despair.

I've resisted starting a Go Fund Me until now. Of course we are hoping and fighting for the best outcome and to stay here as long as possible with my children. However, when my time is up...I want my funeral to be a party. I want people to get drunk and say inappropriate things. I want my family to be embraced and supported with love. I'm starting to discuss a burial site at Hollywood Cemetery. I think it's an interesting place and I like the idea of the founder of Liberal Women of Chesterfield County & Beyond, perhaps, still creating conversation between past, present, and future that exists there. I like to imagine a spot that might create community - LWCC members finding their voices, writer friends sharing their voices, but most importantly a physical space for my children to have somewhere they might find a small amount of peace. I envision people, walking, picnicking, plotting lobby days and ways, poets reciting and writing...and I know this sounds strange coming from an agnostic, half-recluse, but I don't really want to be alone. My husband, Wen, always said he wanted to be cremated, so I asked him to please have them cut a finger off first so that it could be buried in my plot (hey, if we ever figure out reviving folks via DNA...I kind of like the guy and would want him along for the ride. Plus, I figured a severed finger would definitely get me on the quirky ghost tour list.)  But, now he's being all sweet and says he will get buried beside me if that's what I want...so he's totally screwing up the quirkiness. However, I do have a list of odd items I want placed in my casket with me...so that might suffice. I, also, have a fantasy of Kehinde Wiley producing a sculpture for my site (a conversation piece between past and changing present), but I know that's a massive long shot as he's a world renowned artist and white ladies aren't exactly his subject matter of choice. 

Of course, I won't be offended if you don't contribute and we picked a random goal amount. Other possibilities for use of funds would be best case scenario...maybe my family gets to go on a bucket list trip if treatment goes well, my energy stays up, and the pandemic ever ends. Worst case scenario we might need help with healthcare and job issues with Wen's constant travel.  Either way, I'll feel better securing the lot and hoping it feels communal (although not in the literal sense...wink). I would like to live forever, but since I can't I will just say that I hope I gave enough of me to this world I love and I wish I could give a whole hell of a lot more.