David, Part 1B: Kindred souls
PHOTO: David with his wife Kirstin.
Spoiler alert: David passed away about an hour ago.
I thought I had time to type up "David, Part 2" before he died (in response to Part 1), but time does not wait for a blog post.
I am ransacking all of my digital files for memories of him.
I went back through all the comments on this blog, knowing David is one of my O.G. (original gangster) commenters.
On November 5, 2009, he wrote:
Hi Liz, I was surfing the web, looking for kindred souls, and found your website. It's been a pleasure to read and I can relate. I too was dx one year ago with a Gemistocytic Astrocytoma II. I DID the radiation thing, and 6 cycles of Temodar. Since only about 200 cases like ours are dx every year, it was great for me to find someone else out there. If you want to read my story, checkout my caringbridge.org site davidsalmi. Take care and stay stong! -David Salmi
I just can't even.
Another comment from David, in response to a blog post where I pondered if owning a pet is considered palliative care... so much more poignant now...
Liz, I have enjoyed the pictures of your cats. I really enjoy and love ours. It is comforting to have a little friend around who listens to everything you say and shows gentle appreciation for you. However, there is a not so fun twist on this. I just found out that my own 4 year old cat has a rare cancer (I know, right). It has brought on many conversations and emotions that we have been dealing with due to my own gemisto. The most stark is the decision to Euthanize or spend 3-6 months of care to possibly extend her life. But the odds are not good, and it will mean much pain for the cat. So many issues to deal with for the cat, multiplied by 1,000 knowing that my wife and I will most likely have to make very similar decisions for me at some point (continue with experimental protocols or bring in hospice). I will never give up hope, but the reality is, at some point, we’ll have to accept a certain truth. My cat has helped me realize this. David S
David, Part 2 will tell the story of one of the best things I have ever done in my life. #LSL
