Kimberly French Kimberly French

Welcome to Kimberly's CaringBridge site. We feel this is the best way for everyone to receive information from both me, Stacey (her friend who's been there with her since her second Melanoma diagnosis in October of 2017) and Kimberly as she will certainly chime in and share too!

If you're receiving a link to this site you certainly know that Kimberly has been undergoing cancer treatments since June of 2018 by way of Keytruda. She rather quickly saw a reduction in the tumors and no new growths were discovered! We celebrated the success.

Things changed a little this winter when she came down with an upper respiratory problem that was difficult to fight. At that time her oncologist took her off the Keytruda until she could get things under control. It was frustrating, but after getting the right doctors in place, she was able to recover and ready to start back on Kytuda, which she did.

Shortly after that she had a flex-sigmoidoscopy to get an understanding of what was happening with her Ulcerative Colitis. We were all devastated to learn that the melanoma had metastasized to her colon.

Now we were meeting with surgeons and trying to figure out next steps. A great team of a gastroenterologist, surgeon, and the oncologist were put in place. She was in good hands and we felt like there were options.

Shortly thereafter she had a CT Scan and we learned there were new tumors in her chest area and the tumor lodged between her heart and her spine had grown. Along with the growth comes excruciating pain. Clearly the Keytruda wasn't doing it's job.  At this time her oncologist told her that she was out of options. She doesn't qualify for trials and he suggested we start thinking about hospice care.

There were lots of tears from her family and friends for a few days until Connor, Coel, Kimberly, and I met with the hospice intake nurse. We learned so much! Hospice is a wonderful program! They are able to treat her pain with stronger drugs than she could be prescribed by the oncologist.

Of course, it wasn't anyone's vision that she would enter hospice care last Thursday, but after hearing what they can offer, she and the boys decided that now was a good time. We are praying for her to be pain-free. She's met with her nurse, Steve and really likes him. She's in good hands with Steve.
Kimberly is looking forward to reading your journal entries and she will respond as she can.

Thanks for sending your prayer, good vibes and love her way.