Episode 18: We Have It Planned Out: Andrea "Mimi" Ankerholz

6 Months or Less

After being cancer free for several years, Andrea “Mimi” Ankerholz found out that her breast cancer had come back and had spread to her bones. It was terminal. Her oncologist told her she had six to twelve months to live without treatment and maybe a little longer with treatment. After feeling like a “complete mess” while on radiation and hormone therapy, Mimi decided to discontinue active cancer treatment and instead began to explore Colorado’s End-of-Life Options Act. In this episode, you will hear more about medical aid in dying and why it’s so important to Mimi to have the option to choose how she dies.

While public opinion polls show that the majority of Americans support medical aid in dying, the issue remains controversial. I want to be clear that this episode is not about the debate itself. It’s about one woman’s story.

Music: “Springtime” and “Constellation” by Podington Bear, “Dolly and Pad” by Blue Dot Sessions, and “Ice Skating” by Borrtex

A big thank you to Mimi Ankerholz for opening up and sharing her personal story with us.