Support Remi's Fight Against Stage III Cancer

Thanks for stopping by. If you’re looking for the long answer, you’re in the right place.

Some of you are friends, a few are family, many of you know Remi through their online presence or other spaces - regardless all of you are part of of the intricate network they have diligently woven over the years: here is where we all collide.

You might not know me, but I’m Remi’s, aka Random Street Medic’s, partner. For the privacy of our family I will be remaining otherwise anonymous.

As some of you may know, Remi was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent major abdominal surgery to remove the mass. The surgery went well, the surgeon thought they were cancer free, and it was our hope that this chapter would end there. Unfortunately the final pathology report instead indicated that they had Stage III cancer which had spread to their lymph nodes. It is only due to their insistence on testing and diligence that it was caught when it was in July. By August they had to stop working due to their symptoms. Ultimately you just can’t be an ER charge nurse or provide patient care from a bathroom.

All of this came, as it always does, at an inopportune moment, weeks before the MCAT and amidst medical school applications, but Remi is committed - some might even say stubborn. From EMT-B, to paramedic, then RN, to BSN, through post bacc and on to hopeful MD, it’s been a long path here. On days they’d hoped to focus on important interviews, they’ll be traveling to see oncologists and taking med school interviews between appointments. All of it with the goal of being able to go back to serving the vulnerable populations they’ve demonstrated their commitment to caring for (and making grandma proud, of course).

During the beginning of the pandemic, Remi worked as a paramedic, often coming home exhausted after 36 hours of treating and transporting critically sick patients in differing roles: it was grueling, some days we just cried, but they never stopped - even as the mask lines became permanent and as they grieved the coworkers who didn’t make it. Next they worked as a C19 antibody infusion nurse for high risk patients in our community’s health center, before landing in the ER - with a Skype graduation for their ADN somewhere in there. Between mega shifts, they volunteered with our state’s disaster response to administer vaccines, staff quarantine sites, provide tests, and do whatever else was needed. In 2023 we almost lost Remi to a severe case of COVID, which then spawned some lingering complications. After cardiopulmonary rehab, they were set on getting back to running - hitting many milestones and evading many zombies since.

Over the years I’ve watched Remi dedicate so much energy and attention to the communities they’re a part of: fighting for their values by protecting vulnerable people and enriching community ties. The principle of Tikkun Olam or “repairing the world” features centrally in their Judaism and their activism. Be it fundraising to ensure resources for trans and queer teens don’t disappear, offering community first aid trainings, organizing the largest mutual aid group in the area, patching injuries or physically shielding their patients from violence as a street medic, running the most underserved ER in our region, or educating people online, they have worked tirelessly to help provide resources and care for those in need and who are most often overlooked. And subjected us all to a never ending stream of puns along the way.

We’re pausing amidst the flurry of bloodwork and scheduling second opinions to ask you for help. If you can - and only if you can - please consider throwing a few dollars their way or subscribing to their shiny new (soon to be built/published) Patreon, where they will be posting educational videos about emergency medicine, personal safety, street medicine, and more. Sharing this post along with your stories of your times with Remi will help a lot too and be a welcome reminder of the times we hope to come soon.

Their ongoing recovery from surgery will be a few months long and will continue through their chemotherapy. Chemo will hopefully be 3 months: the goal and expectation here are a cure. In the meantime, they’ve been unable to work since August and have been fighting with the state for the emergency support they should have been receiving this whole time. All funds raised here will go to bridging the gaps during their continued time out of work while obtaining surgery and chemotherapy and covering their medical expenses and bills. It’s the internet and we’re asking you for money: if you have understandable doubts, you can listen to others share the ways in which Remi has impacted them.

They and I are indescribably grateful for the people that continue to show up. You’ve offered meals and rides, delivered things to the hospital, and reached out with so much love and support. We are so touched by everything you have done and continue to do. You have my immense gratitude for taking the time to read my ramblings and the support you’ve shown to my partner.