How are you doing? - Kiwi Farms Wellness Check

  • Want to keep track of this thread?
    Accounts can bookmark posts, watch threads for updates, and jump back to where you stopped reading.
    Create account
Well, I saw my doc today. Wanted to thank all of y'all who have been pulling for me. Doc said the disease is now uncurable. The spots on my brain are resistant to platinum based chemotherapy which is why it's continued to grow. They're going to keep doing radiation therapy to slow the spots from progressing and taking away my motor functions, but doc says I have a 5% chance of long term survival (long term being 2+ years.) He said I realistically have a few months. Going to put in my two weeks on Monday so I can make a few trips to see friends and family. Already set up my will and life insurance payouts earlier this year just in case it came to this. He recommended I tell my family sooner rather than later, but I cannot even begin to figure out how to tell them I don't have a lot of time left.
im so sorry. i wish i had something better to offer than meaningless platitudes from a random stranger, but i am thinking of you, and if you ever want to talk, im here for you! im so glad you have family to help you through this, and you arent alone. :feels:
 
i am doing terrible....my kid is sicker than ever, and his doctor wants to try a vagus nerve stimulator, because he is now having constant grand mal seizures...why? we have NO clue. hes had a corpus callosotomy to stop the drops, but now this is happening...it just sucks. hes losing control of his hands, he can barely hold his head up...we are reaching the point where we are out of options.
we knew this was going to happen, but i honestly thought neurology would catch up in time, but no. hes even sicker than he was a few months ago, somehow.

his doctor did want to try this medicine called fentepla, but then we found out i can cause heart attacks, and the risk is enough that it requires regular EKG's so we decide against it.

what guts me is that my youngest..he asked me the other day how he learned to walk and talk, when he was a baby, and i was like why? and he had gathered up all of his toys and other things, and said that he was going to teach his brother to walk and talk again somehow.
i dont think i ever felt as awful as i did then, except for when he asked santa to bring his brother new legs a while back..its all just so wrong. they should be playing together, and fighting, doing kid stuff...not this.

i seriously feel so much guilt over this, because wtf. i dont even know what the hell do say about anything anymore. ive never been in this situation, and it just keeps getting worse and worse, and idk what to do, except watch it happen. my poor husband is in some weird state of denial and shock, so not much communication going on, but i absolutely get needing space to deal with this situation, because it fucking sucks.

we are signing the damn DNR next week, and i feel like a traitor, but i know its the right thing to do at this point.
(:_(
Holy shit, I'm so sorry. Have they tried Keppra yet? They have me on 750mg tablets that I take in the morning and before bed. I haven't had any seizures since starting it, and while my left hand is still shaky, it's way more controllable to where I can actually do stuff like using a fork and knife without it spazzing out on me. It's not fair at all for shit like this to happen to children. They're still innocent and your child definitely deserves to
spend time running around in the yard with his brother and not feeling like the hospital is a second home. Don't beat yourself up over the DNR. I signed the DNR for my situation. My Mom was a bit upset over that news, but I want to be comfortable when my ticket is called, I don't think I could handle the aggressive measures at this point, and that's definitely a lot to ask of a young kid whose already fighting so hard. I know what it's like to feel helpless with medical, so if you ever need to vent, my DMs are open. I pray that someone comes along who can help your son make a full recovery and live the full life he deserves.
You've put a hell of a fight. Thank you for that.
Thank you for the support during the fight. Reading this thread has given me a lot of perspective, and all the other threads I follow provided laughter during my days inpatient. I'm grateful for the farms and all the fine Kiwis I've interacted with over the years.
im so sorry. i wish i had something better to offer than meaningless platitudes from a random stranger, but i am thinking of you, and if you ever want to talk, im here for you! im so glad you have family to help you through this, and you arent alone. :feels:
Thanks! I've had a fantastic support system the whole way. I've had a pretty great life without many regrets. My hope is that my family becomes even closer when I'm gone so they can support each other.
 
Some heavy stuff in here right now. You're all in my prayers tonight and I love you, random strangers.
 
Have they tried Keppra yet?
we have tried it all...he has lennox gastaut syndrome, which is like satans grab bag of absolute shit...literally the only thing that has helped thus far was the brain surgery and the banzel hes on, rufinamide i think is the generic name. they did this nerve conduction study and they tell me that his nerves are destroying themselves...i guess its some weird unknown form of muscular dystrophy, except its his nerves.

we both agreed that we arent pulling any heroics when he gets to the point that its over, and its hard...on one hand, who wants to lose their child?? but who wants their kid hooked up to machines and absolutely miserable, too.

also, i wanted to say that having a kid like this has put me in touch with parents that i personally think just suck...they have websites and fb pages dedicated to their childs suffering, constantly begging for money, and it pisses me off...there are so many sick fuckers out there, and they will parade their kids around in states of undress, or in medical crises...it makes me sick!! (sorry, its just a HUGE thing that pisses me off, because i cant imagine forsaking my kids dignity for a few damn dollars, its insane)

that aside...they told us this would happen and to be ready for it, but im not. im not doing well at all really...i just feel so sad and hopeless anymore. its hard to even get up, some days. im usually a pretty happy woman, i like to look at things in a positive light, but its getting more and more difficult..its going to be ok though. either way, somehow.

i just feel so bad for you, and i hate that you are dealing with this on the holidays, no less. i really REALLY hope you and your family have an amazing thanksgiving with every good thing happening for all of you!! i hope you get some sort of reprieve or something, because i know that has to be rough
:heart-full: :heart-full:
 
sorry, its just a HUGE thing that pisses me off, because i cant imagine forsaking my kids dignity for a few damn dollars, its insane
No need to be sorry, I've seen that a LOT this year and I can't believe anyone can be in these types of situations and just see dollar signs. Ask for someone to check your mail for you, feed pets, maybe bring over a lasagna so they can focus on spending that time saved with their kids. Plastering them suffering on a GoFundMe is just deplorable.
on one hand, who wants to lose their child?? but who wants their kid hooked up to machines and absolutely miserable, too.
I understand. I had to think about it for awhile. I can't imagine how hard it is as a parent to watch these situations play out. On the other hand, the thought of only being kept alive by machines terrifies me. I have no idea how much pain I would be in, and if it's unbearable and I can't communicate that, it scared me.

im usually a pretty happy woman, i like to look at things in a positive light, but its getting more and more difficult..its going to be ok though. either way, somehow.
Some days are definitely harder than others. You seem to be great parents, and that definitely helps in these situations. I definitely couldn't have gone through any of my treatments without my parents support. Your son is loved and has you both in his corner when it feels like the world is against him. I'm sure it gives him a sense of comfort knowing y'all have been with him every step of the way. I know it did for me.

i really REALLY hope you and your family have an amazing thanksgiving with every good thing happening for all of you!!
Thank you :) I'm still going to do my best to remain positive for the holidays. Still going to make my turkey the way my brothers like it, trash talk with them over football, and going to go to church to make sure I'm on good terms with the Big Man before I go. I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving as well, just escape the craziness of life for a few days to enjoy each others company.
 
Well, I saw my doc today. Wanted to thank all of y'all who have been pulling for me. Doc said the disease is now uncurable. The spots on my brain are resistant to platinum based chemotherapy which is why it's continued to grow. They're going to keep doing radiation therapy to slow the spots from progressing and taking away my motor functions, but doc says I have a 5% chance of long term survival (long term being 2+ years.) He said I realistically have a few months. Going to put in my two weeks on Monday so I can make a few trips to see friends and family. Already set up my will and life insurance payouts earlier this year just in case it came to this. He recommended I tell my family sooner rather than later, but I cannot even begin to figure out how to tell them I don't have a lot of time left.
Well. If you have a loving family and true friends you will get by.

My wife has a inoperable brain tumor around the main artery to her brain. Life expectancy was no good at all. Maximum Radiation Therapy for 26 weeks. Took over a year for her to recover. That was 13 years ago. She should have been dead. So far, God willing, the tumor has not increase in size, but the damage to her body is always there. The situation made her fully disabled and will continue to be there always.

What I am saying is my wife should have been dead years ago, but every day when I make her breakfast I see her smile and she is coherent and eating normal foods. And I accept her for who she is, back then and right now. That's what love is all about.

What I'm going to say is yes, get your things in order, but never give up... never give in. If you have love ones and real friends that can care for you then it is not the end. Things will be hard. I'm not going to sugar coat it. It will be hard... but I got 13 additional years with my wife instead of a death sentence back in 2012.

And I hope to get more years in the future.

So good luck. And Fight the good fight. And I hope you make it longer than what the doctors say.
 
Well, I saw my doc today. Wanted to thank all of y'all who have been pulling for me. Doc said the disease is now uncurable. The spots on my brain are resistant to platinum based chemotherapy which is why it's continued to grow. They're going to keep doing radiation therapy to slow the spots from progressing and taking away my motor functions, but doc says I have a 5% chance of long term survival (long term being 2+ years.) He said I realistically have a few months. Going to put in my two weeks on Monday so I can make a few trips to see friends and family. Already set up my will and life insurance payouts earlier this year just in case it came to this. He recommended I tell my family sooner rather than later, but I cannot even begin to figure out how to tell them I don't have a lot of time left.
Oh my friend that is harsh. That two weeks notice, do you really need to work it? I dont think anyone’s going to think badly if you if you don’t, and I wouldn’t. Telling family will be tough, I dont envy you
There’s something after all this, I’m convinced of it, and it’s better. Does it sound weird or awful to wish you a good and peaceful end? I will continue to pray for you. I hope you get to see the people you love, the places you want to see. Don’t worry about having a cigarette either.
lennox gastaut syndrome
Oh that’s a tough one. And one I do actually have some knowledge of.
Forgive me if this is invasive or rude in any way, perhaps you have already been this route, but I’ve seen some fairly promising RNAi trials for LG. Have your doctors spoken to you about trials? Not everywhere does it.
I think you see the best and worst of humanity under that kind of pressure. It just sort of exposes the core of people. You get to see them unmasked.
Parents using their kids to grift is the worst side I hope you see some of the better side too.
 
Last edited:
This really puts my problems into perspective, I need to try harder at this whole life thing..

I'm a sinner and not the most religious person, I don't know how much my prayers are good for, but I'll send them your way. @WASR96 @Banquet Meal
 
RNAi trials for LG
can you tell me more about this??
unfortunately....and this is what sucks so much and is so damn maddening...if we just had like this ONE thing, we could be alright i think...we literally moved across the damn country for this brain surgery, because the drop seizures were so bad, like ive never seen anything like it....i hate to make this comparison, but it was like those fainting goats, except with horrific injuries..and so we had the surgery, dealt with a bad infection, but we made it...and then we found out that this was only a symptom of this bigger and even more fucked up thing, the nerve issue for which they dont have a name...i asked if they could just treat it anyway, but they said that they cant treat something without knowing the cause, and that was when i knew it was not going to end well...they have ran all these tests, and they are all normal. and now hes declining so fast, and having constant seizures....idk. its so awful. wish it could be me instead. ive lived my life..but the universe doesnt make bargains, im sad to say.
 
That two weeks notice, do you really need to work it?
If it was any other place I definitely would just quit and never show back up again. I love my job and I've been grateful that I've been able to do work I actually enjoy the last few years, my previous jobs had no idea how to manage us and always eventually tried turning us into IT help desks, which is never what I agreed to do when taking the positions. This place has been good to me though, they've given me all the time I needed to deal with this when they could have just fired me, and I want to at least make sure I can provide turn over to the person who will replace me. He's a good dude and really smart so I don't think he'll struggle, I just want to make sure I teach him a few old tricks I've used over the years that'll make his life slightly less stressful :)
Does it sound weird or awful to wish you a good and peaceful end?
Not at all. I'll consider myself lucky if I can just lay down to go to sleep one day and pass painlessly. At the very least, if I get really bad I just want them to hit me with enough dilaudid that I won't be able to feel it. Shit, at this point I should probably see if they'll give me a medicinal mj card since I won't need my security clearance anymore.
 
can you tell me more about this??
so LG can be caused by about 50 different genes. Possibly even more but those are the ones we know of.
The goal of rna therapy is to cure very close to genetic source. So say you’ve got a mutation, that mutation is on a gene. The gene ‘works’ by reading off a little transcript of rna, which gets fed, like a punchcard tape, into a protein machine that makes the protein. RNA therapy aims to hit that bit of punchcard tape. Let’s say there’s a spelling error in the middle and it creates a duff protein - well you can design an rna that binds to it and send it to be chewed up. Now the ok copy of the gene is the only one sending transcripts to turn into protein.
There are only a couple of mutations so far that have had specific therapies made. I think scn2a is one. If you dont know the underlying mutation then it’s not an option.

There are other trial option. two trials open in Sf (I have no idea where you are, dont dox yourself ) for example, https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu/lennox-gastaut-syndrome
They also have other locations. One looks like some of brain stimulation stuff and the other is drugs.
If you search on this site you’ll see everything - important to note that a lot of trials don’t aim at all to be curative. They may just be looking at disease progression or equivalent treatments. It’s worth asking your doctors if there is anything open you feel your son might benefit from. And there may not be. It’s not something I think we will have a cure for soon (I think the rna stuff is promising, but the wheels grind slowly…)
You are already doing the most important thing which is being there with him and loving him. At the end of the day, that is what matters.
 
I'll still keep fighting until the end to at least have the hope of being in that 5%
@WASR96, I hope you will be, too. It happens. Meanwhile, please do whatever the hell you want to, and the hell with everything else. It will be hard to not take in the reactions of those around you when they know, but remember that they are responsible for their own feelings, it's not your job. Do whatever makes you feel okay. You have a really sane, commendable attitude about a bad situation. And yes, your cat will miss you. They feel more than we can know.
My hope for you is that all will be well, whatever this will mean for you. The rest of us will have to shift for ourselves. May you be contented, pain free and whatever else you want.
 
I lost a really good friend today. Not to a disease or an accident but rather me being done with her constant lies. The context is that she told me that she's had a minor surgery but I've recently been told that that's bullshit. She was also having some trouble paying rent so I helped her out but I've been told about how much she's been spending on gambling apps and weed.

She's always told little lies here and there but this takes the cake. Maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion but I don't think surgery minor or not is something too lie about especially considering she's only done it to get some time off work. I also can't believe she had the fucking shame to take my money while wasting hers on shit while her jobless loser boyfriend sleeps all day.

Honestly I'm done, she can fuck off.
 
I learned today that you can basically "poison" yourself by taking too much vitamin C. Multiple people were sick in the office, so I started to slam vitamin C gummies to prevent getting sick. Turns out when there's too much in your system, you get nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, among other shitty symptoms. Almost passed out in the grocery store and spent hours on the toilet.

So don't abuse vitamins, and stay hydrated fellas.
 
I learned today that you can basically "poison" yourself by taking too much vitamin C. Multiple people were sick in the office, so I started to slam vitamin C gummies to prevent getting sick. Turns out when there's too much in your system, you get nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, among other shitty symptoms. Almost passed out in the grocery store and spent hours on the toilet.

So don't abuse vitamins, and stay hydrated fellas.
Too much of anything can kill you. You can die from water poisoning, even though your body has a very high water content.
 
Well, I saw my doc today. Wanted to thank all of y'all who have been pulling for me. Doc said the disease is now uncurable. The spots on my brain are resistant to platinum based chemotherapy which is why it's continued to grow. They're going to keep doing radiation therapy to slow the spots from progressing and taking away my motor functions, but doc says I have a 5% chance of long term survival (long term being 2+ years.) He said I realistically have a few months. Going to put in my two weeks on Monday so I can make a few trips to see friends and family. Already set up my will and life insurance payouts earlier this year just in case it came to this. He recommended I tell my family sooner rather than later, but I cannot even begin to figure out how to tell them I don't have a lot of time left.
Brain, lung, colorectal and pancreatic are mostly death sentence cancers. That really sucks. The person I know who has cancer has breast cancer. That can be nether here nor there depending on what is it. They haven't told anyone what stage or anything.
 
Now have a Master’s Degree in valuable field and company I’ve been with for just over 2.5 years does not want to pay or promote. How to make final weeks/month or so tolerable until I can find something? Looking for inspiration from American Beauty/Office Space/Falling Down.
 
Back
Top Bottom