The Official K Chronicles and (Th)ink Website

*MORE!! MORE!! MORE “C-WORD” EMAILS…

>Thank you for cheering or inspiring my Wednesday mornings. After reading this morning’s strip, though, I’m sending good thoughts and love to you both. You’re in my prayers. May you be rejoicing in a good prognosis soon!

J, Seattle

Dear Keith;

>I’m a white 42-year-old male and I absolutely love your strip and your sense of humor and frustration. I just read the one about your wife and the c-word and I’m hoping and praying that this will all turn out all right. Your experiences strike very close to home for me and it’s so damn hard when all you can do is take things one day at a time, and hang in there.

Please know that there are many of us out here who are with you both during this time.

A fan

>I hop everything works out buddy that’s a nasty blow! Your both in my payers. Beyond that I don’t know what to say
R.

>Hi

Long-time fan who just wanted to express her condolences during this awful time. I’ve always enjoyed your comics, and the way you depict your wife is so sweet and loving. She seems like a great person. Tell her if she wants some cheerier websites, you can’t go wrong with:

www.dailypuppy.com
www.dailykitten.com
www.cuteoverload.com
or even www.chucknorrisfacts.com

Cheers & Best Wishes,
C., Ontario Canada

>Keith,

Just read the latest ‘K Chronicles’ on Salon, and was
shocked to read about your wife. My best hopes and
wishes go out to the both of you, I fervently hope
that this all turns out well.

Sincerely,
J.

>Keef,

Thinking hard about you back here in the Boston Area.

This is the game age plays. You used to go to the doctor and they’d bang
your knees and look up your nose and ask you about how many people you’ve
had sex with in the last six months. Suddenly that number drops to one and
hangs there and on a later visit the doc puts on a rubber glove and his and
your relationship changes forever.

From there it’s a long parade of cysts, spots, swellings and tests. You
remember how much people who could talk about nothing but their health
problems used to piss you off, but now it seems like a natural topic. That
and real estate.

I can’t say “welcome”. What I can say is that these doctors can do amazing
fucking things nowadays. Have faith and know that there are zillions of
people out there pulling for you.

Much love to you and your wife,

D.

>Keith-

Just read your 25jan06 strip in Salon–even though we’ve never met, I’m sorry to hear the news. My wife and I went through a similar situation a few years ago: She had an “indolent carcinoid” on her lung. After surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung, she’s been clear without needing any chemo or radiation therapy, and we now have a beautiful daughter (not directly related to that medical situation :^)

I wish you and your wife just as clear an outcome. Stay strong.

pg

>Keef,

I expect that you are probably getting a fair amount of “I’ve been through this too” type of messages, but I thought that I would write anyway.

About eight years ago I started to have a pain in my shoulder that I thought was a pulled muscle. After a biopsy, multiple CT scans, MRI’s, bone scans and everything else the doctors could think of, they diagnosed me with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I was 25 at the time and it just about wrecked me. My saving grace in all of what followed (chemo therapy and subsequent hair loss – I got it back, radiation, etc.) was my wife.

She was a pillar of strength and support that I couldn’t have done without. She never left my side, never turned away when I started to pity myself. She made it possible for me to believe that I could beat cancer and that it wasn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to me.

I have a clean bill of health now and a slightly deflated view of my own invincibility, but I’m not afraid anymore. Throughout the entire ordeal she never allowed me to be afraid. I hope that everything turns out well for your wife and that you will both look back on this in ten years and think, “that was some freaky shit, huh?”.

I guess I’m trying to say that as much as your wife may need medical attention and treatment, she will need you that much more. Try to be strong for her, and for yourself. At the end of the day, you both represent what is best about the other.

Regards,

R.

>Mr. Knight-

First, my prayers are with your wife and with you. Thanks for producing such a great and honest strip.

Second, as a small and hopeful attempt to provide reassurance, I’ll tell you my tale of chest tumors. I faced a very similar situation when I was 17 years old. I had a bad cough and a chest x-ray revealed a “concerning mass” that warranted a C/T Scan. Well, the CT scan revealed a tumor about the size of a grapefruit–mine between my esophagus and my aorta. Facing that at 17 was not easy… and doctors have a very annoying habit of couching hope and the possibility of good news with the warnings of just how horrible and swift death may come.

My doctors decided not to take it out (because that would have meant taking my heart out of my chest to get to it…) without a biopsy first. I endured a needle biopsy, which involves a large needle, going through your breast bone. It was every bit as fun as you might imagine.

I’m very glad they did that, though. It turned out that my tumor was a calcified lymph node–probably the result of an untreated histoplasmosis infection from when I was a kid. Because it wasn’t malignant and the surgery to remove it was so risky, they left it in. I have C/T scans every few years to make sure it doesn’t grow, but that was 17 years ago… I’m now 34 and doing just fine. Okay, I need to lose some weight, but I’m generally healthy and happy. I hope your wife’s adventure has a happy ending as well.

-D.

*EMAILS, EMAILS, EMAILS ABOUT THE “C-Word” STRIP…

I’m sorry If I haven’t replied to you, but there’s just too many. From the U.S., Europe, South America…EVEN CANADA (gasp!). Thank you. I wanna post em all. I hope you don’t mind…

>Hey. I’m a huge fan of your work, only that I can say. You broke my heart with your wife’s illness. Please receive all the good will and love I and many many others are capable of giving at you.

Best of luck on this,

—
S. M.

>Hi Keith-
I’ve been following your comic for a few years now, and I just read the one about your wife’s cyst. I’ve been through a couple of cancer scares, with my wife and with my sister, and while both turned out to be fine and benign, it was terrifying at the time. I wish you and your wife all the best, and I hope that everything turns out well for you both.

Take care,
-m.

>Hi, Keef,

I just read today’s comic. I am sorry you are having to go through this.
Good luck to you both, and keep us informed.

Most sincerely,

R.
Columbus, Mississippi

>Hello Keith,

I’m sorry to hear that your wife will need a biopsy. As I’m sure you both
know by now, there’s a long path ahead of her with many possible HAPPY
outcomes. I went through all this myself a couple of years ago, and although
I was scared, I had a lot of support from family and medical people. And
even though I turned out to actually have cancer, it turned out to be very
treatable. The only difference in my life now is that I have to take a
hormone pill every day to replace what I lost with the gland.

I just wanted to say that you should take heart in the support of your
family, friends, and doctors, and don’t beat yourselves up about being
scared. Scared is normal, and hopeful can often follow soon after. Good luck
to you both.

A big fan, and two-year thyroid cancer survivor,
B.
Redondo Beach, CA

>Keith, I was so sorry to hear of your wife’s health worries. Thank you VERY much for sharing it in your strip so we can all tell you how much we’ve come to care for Kerstin through your strip. I hope it all turns out great and am sending healing thoughts down SF way.

Love,
L.

>Keith,
Just read this week’s K Chronicle. Wow, you must have quite an arm, I’d guess that pen felt like ten tons. I’m sorry for your worry. If you take a hiatus you’ll be in our thoughts.
May I share my own brush with the C-word? Nine years ago my wife Martha had a precancerous lesion removed from her cervix. Followups were negative, so that was the only treatment she received. She’s still fine. Considering that there were moments back then when I’d find myself wondering how on earth I’d adjust to single parenthood — our first child was nine months old — I’m amazed now to realize I’d almost forgotten about it. Obviously, I’m wishing the same for you two.
Please give your wife my concern and best wishes, and also keep some for yourself.

T.

>Dear Keith,

I’m sure you don’t remember me – I spoke briefly with you at either APE or Wondercon last year. I just saw the comic dealing with your wife’s growth, and I wanted to send you guys my best wishes. Good luck to both of you. Your strip brought tears to my eyes, and I can well imagine the terror you are both feeling. I hope that everything turns out well. Please give your wife a hug for me.

Sincerely,

L.

>Keef,

Your comic this week stopped me cold. My and my wife’s thoughts and prayers are with you and your lovely wife. I can tell you that we’ve had some scares in my family this year too. My wife’s father is battling cancer and so is my boss. But my father got lucky and his wasn’t cancer. You just never know. I know that right now must be crushing for you and your wife, but I try to live by the simple rule that don’t worry about something until there’s something to worry about…I know that’s easier said than done, but it does help.
I’ve been a Lance Armstrong Foundation volunteer and fundraiser for the past 5 years. It was my way of helping those I care about fight the disease. They’re still slugging and so am I. I’ll throw a punch for you guys too…and hopefully you won’t need it.

Take care and best of luck. Your comic has always been something I look forward to every week. I look forward to hearing that god was just trying to scare the shit out of you for all the sheep jokes. I hear he can be bitchy like that.

Sincerely,

M.
Austin, TX

>Thinking of you and the wife and sending good thoughts your way. My best to you both.

J.

>Dear Keef,

I’m probably like the millionth person to say this, but let me be the million-and-oneth (million-and-first?) . . .

Sorry to hear about your wife’s condition, and I wish her a speedy recovery, and to you, as much peace of mind as possible.

Your work on Salon.com is part of what makes me pony up the money to subscribe to that magazine — I always enjoy it.

I gotta say, the line: “if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this ordeal so far, it’s that nothing positive is gonna come out of Googling ‘cyst,’ ‘tumor,’ or ‘lesion.’ …” is just about the baddest thing that I’ve read in a while.

Keep up the good work. And your chin.

B.
Northampton, MA, USA

>Keith – or Mr. Knight, since you’re now grown up – I’ve been a fan for years and had the joy of seeing you at the San Diego Comic Con back in 2000. I know that another e-mail from a stranger won’t solve anything and may just add to the clog in your inbox, but if it helps then here’s my contribution to your pile of well wishes. By sharing your life through your strips, it’s like you’ve grown a nationwide (international?) family. if I may speak for the fam, we’re all hoping for the best.

>Hi,

Your comic today hit me really hard. I had testicular cancer 7 years ago, and I remember going through a lot of what you depict.

If it’s not too presumptuous of me to offer you and your wife one piece of advice, take advantage of your friends and family: ask for their help and support when you need it, and accept it when it’s offered. I guess that’s probably a no-brainer for most people, but it wasn’t for me.

Best wishes,

D. from Emeryville

>Keith Knight:

I spent New Year’s Day in a hospital with my father, who died about 90 minutes after I left. I thought my 2006 started off lousy, but I think you have me beat, judging from today’s cartoon. Both my dad and my sister-in-law have been dealing with cancer, so I have some small idea of what you’re going through, and all I can say is be strong and let your concern show. I’m a big fan of your work and just wanted to say something to be supportive … be good and best of luck to both you and your wife.

Cheers,
M.

>Hiya.
I write from Turin, Italy.
I wanted to order a calendar as it was written on your site that for international orders you have to be directly contacted, but it got everything ok wiht paypal, so the order is already on.
I always read your strip on Salon (I find it more difficult to locate (Th)Ink in other mags), today I wish I hadn’t. I don’t know the exact slang words to say, so… good luck man! Gee, won’t sure it be a big little victory? In my city there are going to be Winter Olympics, if you two are in for a trip drop a line for a guide.

Best wishes :-D
D.
Turin, Italy

>I have been reading your comic on salon.com for years, and I always look forward to your irreverent take on life and the world. I was taken aback by today’s installment as it was much more serious than one comes to expect. But, my hat’s off to you for your ability to deal with such a personal subject with just the right balance of funny and sad.

And, my best wishes to your wife and yourself. I look forward to the laughs you will provide when this is all resolved and safely behind you.

-k.

>Keef, I was horrified to read today’s strip!

You and Mrs. K are in my thoughts, and I’m hoping they find it’s nothing serious and she gets well soon.

G.

>Keith,

I know that there is nothing I can say that will really help, but I am
sorry to hear the bad news that I got from this weeks strip.

Just add me to the long list of people that are hoping that this all works
out well in the end. There are many possible happy endings to the bad story
you and your wife are living right now and I really hope you both have one
of them.

Thanks for all the happiness and laughs that your strip has given me.
People who make a living by smiles are rare, so keep going.

With much concern.

A.

>Hey Keith
all my best to you and your wife
I hope she’s OK
love the strip

C.
Mpls

>Keith,

I know at times like this it is difficult to keep smiling, but please know, that whatever happens, you and your wife will manage to deal with it. Also know that there are many people, people you may not even know, such as myself, that have your family’s best wishes in their heads and hearts. I wish you love and strength during this time.

Sincerely,
J.

>Bastard. I look forward every week to a new “Chronicles” and now I get a kick in the gut. In all seriousness. My best thoughts for your wife.

It hits home because my wife is going to have surgery on her thyroid. And she/me are nervous. And why do women have to go on the internets to look stuff up? It doesn’t help.

Anyway, I really love your work.

>M.

SO MUCH MORE TO COME….

Cheers!