Her Fight is my Fight

Hello all…my name is Kristy. I’m sure most of you know Heather, and the battle she has fought; but I will give a brief overview of what I’m raising funds for, and how the funds will be used.

Rewind about 3 years, and that is where this journey started. Heather Vandiver 41, mom of three teens; Reagan 15, Landon 16, and Addisyn 19, and wife to Justin, began having back pain. They ended up finding a fibroid tumor, and plans were to remove it, with the assumption it was benign. Unfortunately, it turned out to be Uterine Leiomyosarcoma.

Uterine LMS is a very aggressive cancer with only a 12%-5yr survival rate. It has been 3years since Heather’s initial diagnosis. She has fought so hard, and will continue to fight until the end. After multiple surgeries, metastasis all over the body, and 5 different types of chemo; her specialist feel at this point there is no other options left for treatment. The chemo cannot keep up with the tumor growth, and how aggressively it is spreading.

This past week Heather decided to transition to comfort care, and withdrawal from all treatment. It breaks my heart knowing that she had to make this decision, but she has stood so strong and fought so hard. She is a true inspiration to all.

We are all called to show and live a life that will invite others to find the love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ in us. We have a story to tell. We can tell this story not only through our words but through our live as well. The way we love and serve is another living way of telling our story. While Heather has battled LMS, she has continued to work as a Nurse in the hospital, up until a few months back.

Heather is a true Healthcare Hero, always putting the needs of others before her own. A few days ago her oldest daughter, Addisyn reached out to me. She wanted to see about getting a fundraiser started. Her one wish was that her Dad could take off work to be there with her Mom.

I invite you’ll to give back to someone who has continued to serve, until she wasn’t physically able. Heather has made an impact on many. Her inspiration, compassion, commitment, and walk with the Lord is what we all see in her.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33