Heather’s Fight Against Cancer

Hello everyone,

My name is Nicole. As many of you now know Heather Stough has been battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma this entire year. She completed chemo in July and went to her scheduled PET Scan in September with every ounce of hope that she was cured. Unfortunately her scan didn't come back clear. This was absolutely heartbreaking and devastating not only for Heather but for all of her family and friends as well. The scan showed a very large area in her lymph node in her neck. Heather's oncologist had her consult with an oncologist at John Hopkins on 11/2/2023 to discuss their findings. As if being told she still has cancer wasn't enough she was advised her lymph node has a tricky more aggressive Hodgkin's Lymphoma that is not of the classical type.

Due to this recent finding Heather will start a much more aggressive chemo treatment. She will have 3 cycles: 3 days of chemo and then 18 days of rest, 3 days of chemo and then 18 days of rest and then 3 more days of chemo and 18 days of rest. After this is complete they will take another PET Scan to make sure this is working. She will then be moved in early 2024 (most likely January/February) to Baltimore to live for 3 months onsite at The Hackerman-Patz facility at John Hopkins as she undergoes stem cell transplant. She will need 24/7 care where a family or friend is with her at all times. Frank (her husband) will have to continue to work as this facility does cost and obviously their household bills will continue as usual. He will be with her as much as possible in between work and the children. They have 4 amazing children; the oldest is grown and married but they still have 3 children at home. Family and friends will be taking shifts to be with Heather during this time.

The treatment, fuel for getting to and from appointments/Frank getting to and from Baltimore, the housing facility plus their everyday bills for their household are the last things I want them to have to worry about right now. They all need to focus on keeping Heather well and positive. I am asking anyone that can possibly donate or atleast share this to please do so. Heather is one of the most caring people I have ever met in my entire life! She would literally give the shirt off her back! She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and soon to be grandmother to her and Frank's first grandchild as well as my BEST friend in the entire world. Even if you only have $1, no amount is too small! If you aren't able to donate I do understand that too but please share this link with everyone! We can all work together to help alleviate some of the stress from her and her family's shoulders. Please continue to pray for Heather, her family and the medical staff! Thank you in advance!

#StoughStrong