Love, Kristen
One young woman’s courageous battle against cancer
by
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July 16 – Monday
Transfer from Riverview Hospital to Indianapolis St. Vincent’s Hospital
As the EMTs were loading Kristen in the ambulance, we took photos. The EMTs must have thought we were nuts. They have never had anyone do that. Kristen waved and smiled for the camera as her gurney was put in the ambulance. In retrospect, I wonder if everyone at Riverview Hospital knew how serious this was . . . except us? We followed the ambulance to St. Vincent’s Hospital and went up to the sixth floor. My heart sank as we rolled from the elevator to sixth floor south and went under a corridor sign that read Oncology. The potential reality was now sinking in. Everything inside me tightened up. None of us discussed it, but I felt like we were on a train going wherever it was headed with no say as to its destination.July 17 – Tuesday
Yesterday, Dr. W and Dr. G came in and informed me that I have a large mass by my right ovary. They sent me to St. Vincent Hospital so a Gyn-oncologist can take a look. Dr. F (Oncologist) called and informed me why he made this move. He wants a surgeon to take a look and see what it is. The VP Nursing and the CEO of the hospital came to visit me. Today the Tylenol didn’t make the pain go away so nurse H called Dr. G and she suggested morphine which did nothing. So my new nurse J gave me Vicodin and the pain went away but I definitely feel a little weird! Earlier I asked Dad, Mom and Meg to go check the hospital out because I needed some space.July 18 – Wednesday
After biopsy surgery we all gathered together (except Kristen, who was sleeping a lot, recovering from the surgery) and were told that it was confirmed advanced cervical cancer. We all cried. It was expected, but still a horrible shock. Kristen was told the next day. She cried and asked us to leave the room so she could cry alone and absorb the diagnosis. We went downstairs and stepped outside into the warm July afternoon and everyone had a major meltdown. Then Kristen sent us a text message for us to come back. The nursing staff was wonderful. Dr. F (the oncologist) took charge at this point. I stepped into the hallway to talk to Dr. F and he asked how Brenda and I were doing. I told him we were praying for a healing miracle. Dr. F said we need to watch for the miracles along the way. He was right . . . we were about to embark on a tough but amazing journey.
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About the Book
Kristen Forbes had just opened a new, exciting chapter in her life… fresh out of college, a promising career and then advanced cancer.
Her father and author of her story documents his daughter’s uncommon bravery. She never lost her faith, her sense of humor or the will to fight. Both of them have become activists to share her story to help the world eradicate cancer.
Kristen’s own journal entries provided the framework to tell her story. Walk along with Kristen now and experience her final year and marvel at all the miracles that happened along the way.
A portion of the proceeds for this book will go to fight HPV and cervical cancer.
About the Author
Kirk Forbes is a commercial pilot. He graduated from Purdue University with a MBA degree and a BS in Pilot Technology. He has been married to his wife Brenda for 38 years and lives in Noblesville, IN. They have three children, Megan who is a teacher in Florida, Kristen, and Eric who is a business manager in North Carolina.
Brenda and Kirk hope this book might offer comfort, hope and counsel to patients, parents and caregivers who are fighting cancer. Writing this book was therapy for Kirk, and it became a mission for all women. It is his hope that Love, Kristen will increase awareness of the HPV virus vaccine which has been proven to prevent this disease and save lives.