Support Kim Woodbridge
Stage IV lung cancer is hard enough on its own. Help her get through the next six months.
Kim's story
Our beloved and brilliant friend Kim Woodbridge, known to her online friends as kwbridge, has been diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer, which has metastasized into her bones (spine and ribs). This is causing considerable pain.
While she has good doctors and insurance, the financial burden of copays, transportation, and lost income is overwhelming. She needs our help to pay for medical and living expenses as she is no longer able to work.
Donations will help her get through the next six months until she may qualify for disability assistance. Any contribution — big or small — will make a difference in her journey.
Timeline
In her own words. The journey so far, what she’s learned, and what she hopes to share with others.
MAY 12, 2026
Kidney numbers coming down
I had blood done yesterday and the numbers related to my kidneys have come down considerably. They are still high but everything is moving in the right direction. One of the kidney specialists from Dartmouth called me today and said it was “incredible” how much the number had dropped and that she was confident that we would be able to reduce the medication faster than originally anticipated.
I’ve been on a really high dose of steroids and have been shakey, jittery, and unable to sleep. The other night I started rearranging furniture because the medication had me so wired. It was hard to take but now that I can see it’s working so well, it’s easier to put up with.
I am still very weak and recovery is going to take some time but I feel like I am seeing the other side of this recent setback.
I mentioned putting color in my hair, here are the light purple streaks.
MAY 11, 2026
A rough year, still kicking
Well, it’s been a rough year but I’m still kicking. I went through chemo every 3-4 weeks for 9 months. I finally couldn’t take it anymore and needed a break. Scans show that the cancer is contained and it has not spread any further.
I stopped treatment December 2025. About a month later I was very ill with pneumonia. Once that cleared up, part of Feb and March were pretty good overall. In Feb, I took a trip to Philadelphia to visit my daughter.
Beginning in April I got very ill. At first I just thought it was a stomach bug or a minor flu and that I would soon feel better. I continued to get worse. After a couple of weeks I finally went to the emergency room. My kidneys were not functioning properly and I ended up being hospitalized for a week. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage to my kidneys and I am currently drugged up and recovering from that. Part of my chemo included an immunotherapy drug, and sometimes when people stop taking it issues start up with the kidneys, something related to immune checkpoint inhibitors. I thought it was odd that it happened 4 months after I stopped taking that drug, but studies show people having kidney issues even a year after discontinuing the drug.
The kidney specialists do not recommend that I continue with chemo unless I have a kidney biopsy and change drugs. I, however, was not planning on continuing with the chemo treatment. I was sick all the time and really had no life. I will just try to enjoy myself, be happy and hope that the cancer continues to chill.
I’ve always wanted to color my hair. My friend is going to put teal streaks in it tomorrow, I’m pretty excited. And once this kidney issue clears up I am hoping to take a short trip to Southern Vermont with a friend and maybe spend some time in Maine this summer. Oh, and my daughter is coming to visit next month.
Thanks to all.
MAY 7, 2025
Halfway through chemo
My first and only planned radiation treatment seems to have been effective and reduced/removed pain. Whereas a month or so ago, I would have said the pain was a 7-8, now I say 1 maybe 2.
I had my 2nd chemo treatment today. After the first one, I was really sick for a week, and then I felt better and mostly ok for the next two weeks leading up to the next treatment. I will have a scan before the 3rd treatment and we will see if I have the cancer retreating in this battle.
I was approved for disability very quickly. But you have to be disabled for 5 months before receiving payments, which seems arbitrary to me. With this fundraiser and your generosity, as well as assistance from extended family, I should be ok financially until October as long as I am very careful.
After the 4th chemo session (I’m halfway there) I will no longer have the worst of the chemo drugs and the treatments should become more bearable.
Thank you all so much.
I went to a craft fair in town this weekend. A woman was taking Mother’s Day portraits so I did them. I think the pics came out great, make me look healthy and don’t show all my grey hair, LOL.
APRIL 13, 2025
Radiation done, chemo this week
Thanks so much for all the support, I really appreciate it. It is going to help me get through this time until I have disability insurance.
I have had a radiation treatment and have a doctor that specializes in pain management so physically I am feeling much better than I was a couple of weeks ago. And I am finally sleeping more than a couple of hours at a time. I start chemotherapy this week. I am nervous about that but am hopeful that it will help contain the cancer.
With much love and gratitude ~ Kim
How donations help
Insurance covers most of the treatment. Donations cover everything around it.
Medical copays
Copays add up fast. Each treatment, each scan, each prescription. Your donation goes straight to keeping care uninterrupted.
Transportation
Frequent trips to appointments and treatment centers. Gas, parking, and rides on the harder days. Small costs that pile up over months.
Living expenses
Kim cannot currently work. Disability assistance is months away. Donations bridge the gap so rent, food, and bills stay covered.