Main fundraiser photo

On the road to healing

November 7, 2018

5 months and 7 days since Ken was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer.

My families story has evolved and taken so many turns, in this time, it has been hard to keep up. Living with cancer is our new normal and from where our journey has taken us so far, we understand this new normal will exist for hopefully many years to come. I say hopefully, because Living with cancer is a damn site better than the alternative.

After many turns this is what we now know. The pancreatic cancer Ken has is Neuroendocrine cancer also called "islet cell" tumors. It is stage four because of the spread. He has been on two types of oral Chemotherapy for four consecutive months now.  The first CT scan since treatment started was done on October 17th, and all reports indicate that he has had an AMAZING response to treatment. The tumors are shrinking some with significant decreases in size. Kens blood work has consistently shown near perfect liver and pancreas functioning and an uncompromised Immune system to date. The stage of disease still remains as stage four; however, the medical team at the Moffitt Cancer Center were very enthusiastic and we left carrying a huge sense of relief in the knowledge that  he is responding to treatment and that no additional treatments are being recommended at this time. We returned home to Cayman with a clearer mindset . Ken has to complete three more rounds (one just completed) and will return to Tampa in January for another scan.

Ken has returned to work; reduced hours at first and now full time. Dylan makes sure to demand lots of play time with his dad, and gets it! 

I wanted every one who has helped us, here on GOFundMe, out there with fundraisers, on the road with charity cycles; in thoughts and in prayer, with cooked dinners, hugs (I love hugs), taking care of my darling Dylan, in messages, emails (even when unanswered) - to know that you helped. Every single one of you helped keep us afloat. 

My mother thankfully offered to keep track of the financial donations that came in and the expenses that have been incurred. She has collected and kept receipts, converted currencies and has kept us in line! (That's the accountant in her). Our first 12 weeks saw a cost to us of over $25k - Costs for transport while in the US (rental cars, trains, Uber rides, Petrol), food, gallons and gallons of drinking water, Accommodation (not covered after USD$1,000 by health insurance), flights, co -pay costs for non-chemo medication,  un-covered costs by insurance, Accupuncture, Reflexology, US Visa costs, travel to US Embassy in Jamaica, food and accommodation  while attaining US VISAS in Kingston. Just to name to name the bulk of where the costs came from. ....( although ....we're still waiting on her report from the last hospital visit trip to Tamp in October :) )

Of course we still took care of our regular costs at home in Cayman for mortgage, strata fees, car loan, costs for Dylan's upkeep, and utilites etc etc. and did this with our own income.

At this time, with Ken back at work full time; and a balance still remaining in the donation account that will remain there for medical related costs as they arise; we feel that things have slowed down enough for us to manage the arising costs for Kens continued treatment, travel and accommodation back and forth for re-scans and his continued alternative treatment here in Cayman. So we've decided to discontinue the GOFundMe campaign and will keep the faith that all will work out. I always believe that whether I can clearly see every aspect of how, things have a way of working out. And they will.

I started this GoFundMe  campaign as a very vulnerable, terrified and distraught wife and mother. Now I'm going to discontinue this campaign as a deeply grateful, honored and strengthened person. We only have one life, once voice, one heart - Live it as best you can in health & happiness, use your voice to make a difference no matter how small, spread the love in your heart.

Much Love and the deepest respect to you all.

Ceili xx 
 
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I met Ken, my husband, four years ago in 2014. We were a surprise in each other’s lives. Loving each other has been erl we have known despite the adversaries of life. We travelled, we laughed, we married, and in 2016 brought into this world the boundless spirit of joy - our son Dylan. He’s almost two. On May 31st 2018 our world was shattered. We received the news that ken has pancreatic cancer ; metastasized to his liver and other surrounding soft tissue and vertebrae. 
The day before we were finalizing house plans for our new home and picking kitchen tiles with such excitement (Ken is a chef for over 20 years), our son had just recently started nursery and we’d just decided to start planning for baby  number 2.  Now we were facing the devastating possibility of worst case prognosis. 
We left our life in the Cayman Islands; and are now in the USA seeking treatment. We are ready to fight. We need to fight, We must fight. We believe we deserve our life together and we know that our baby deserves a life with his dad. We are uncertain of tomorrow but are certain our love can see us through-regardless.
For any and all support that comes our way ; We thank you, We respect you , We are forever grateful to you. 

Ceili Heffernan


For all those who have graciously donated we wanted to let you know that we have made arrangements with my Aunt Gayle to receive the funds into her bank account on our behalf. She will then be able to ensure that we can then directly receive the money from her.  Because we are in the USA and this campaign was set up in the USA, only an American citizen with a bank account and residential address here can be set up to receive and withdraw from the Go fund me campaign. Of course we trust Aunt Gayle implicitly and will now be able to start using the money you have all sent us to start paying for our accommodation, food, transport, fees for our visas (to allow us to remain here for treatment), travel to obtain our visas, continued care for our son Dylan, and all the various costs arising due to Kens medical treatment. 

Kens doctor at Memorial Sloan Ketterin - Dr. Sharokni - has requested further scans to be done before a final decision is made on his complete treatment regime. We see him again on July 16th. This is when we will have a better picture of what's ahead. For now, Ken is doing ok. Managing symptoms with medication and we are finding moments to laugh in each day. Ken and I are both positive and are focused only on getting him better so we can get back home. Our baby boy is being flown back home tomorrow. We are distraught but know that it is the best decision for Dylan. This is no environment for him. He will be back at nursery next week and will hopefully find comfort in the familiar, even without us being there. 

We still do not know how long we will be here in the US, but the strain and fear of our lives being thrown into limbo, income for our family being effected during this time and the sudden increase of costs of all sorts; has been made bearable by the kindness, compassion and understanding of so many of our friends, family and even strangers. There is a lot of love in this world and its at times like these when it really shines. 

Much love 

Ceili & Ken

Organiser and beneficiary

Ceili Heffernan
Organiser
United States
Gayle Ebanks
Beneficiary

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