How Did You and Your Family React to Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Family shocked and concerned about diagnosis not fitting the profile, but supportive. Main character maintains a positive outlook, acknowledges the reality of the pathology, and is certain about the diagnosis. Despite being active, the diagnosis comes as a surprise. Friends and family provide support and conduct research on prognosis. Main character rejects negative prognosis, remains confident in recovery, and is determined to beat the illness by following medical advice.
I think they were shocked. They were like, what the hell? What do you mean? Are you are are you kidding me? It was it was disbelief, really. And I think I was in the back of my mind, There was a little bit of disbelief, but I know the reality of pathology. It's it was it was there. It was clear as black and white. And even though I didn't fit the profile, I thought I don't think that a board certified surgeon pathologist, they're not gonna put their name on something if it's not what it is. Regardless of me not fitting the profile or someone thinking, oh, you're too healthy. I I used to do half marathons. I mean, I wasn't like an late, obsolete, but I did have marathons. I was active. I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. I, you know, I worked two jobs for ten years. I have a I have a ton of friends. Like, my annual girls weekend and we do stuff. And and so and I was working full time. It just didn't seem real. I think my mom having lost her husband at fifty five, you know. Vietnam award veteran and, and, I think she thought, oh my gosh. Am I gonna lose my kid? My sister was Like, no way, Kimmy. There's no way. My friends I had one friend who went online immediately and started researching and said, Kim, you know, there's a terminal disease that prognosis is fifteen to twenty two months. And I thought to myself, oh, I don't wanna hear that. And she's like, I don't want you to die, Kim, and, you know, I'll be there for your children. I'll be there for your husband. And I said, well, first of all, Stace, I'm not gonna die at I don't they're gonna take care of me. I'm I I feel confident that I'm I'm gonna be okay. And I really sort of put that whole, reality of the the disease and of treatment and prognosis. And all of that, I kind of had this pollyanna ish type of mentality. And aside from my children and my family and friends, I was very honest and open about everything. And I said, I'm gonna beat this. I'm I'm going to, I'm going to utilize resources. I'm gonna do whatever they tell me. I have to do.
