Heather's Hero's: Single Mom's Cancer Fundraiser

Cancer does not discriminate!! We've all heard this statement so many times before. You think it's never going to happen to you or a family member, but it does on a daily. To say we were shocked, saddened, scared out of our minds, and so much more is an understatement. Heather is a 36-year-old single Mom of 2 and has absolutely no symptoms.

Heather's journey....is our journey. She will not fight alone! Her family and friends have already been amazing! Thank you!

Discovery...

After complications from a laparoscopic hysterectomy, approx. 2 weeks post-surgery, Heather began bleeding profusely. I was instructed by her OB's office to get her to the ER ASAP! (You'll learn, it was a God thing) Her OB's partner came to ER, examined her and determined stitches were intact. Everything appears ok from surgery. However, her Hemoglobin had dropped once more and was at a 5 once again. Anemia was the cause of the hysterectomy. A CT was ordered to check for internal bleeding. She was admitted as she would now be getting another transfusion, 2 units. Once she was settled in and they came for her to do the CT. I ran home as we would be here longer than anticipated. I was told it would be at least 2 hours before she was back in her room. Wrong! While I was away the OB came in to explain a large mass was discovered on her colon and a few spots on her liver. Not what anyone was expecting. I was in transit back to her when she calls me with this news. Upsetting, to say the least. Learning this info all alone makes the news sting a little harder. Ugh! We are both in shock. I could not get there fast enough. Never will I ever leave her again! Never! Next up - a colonoscopy/biopsy to determine what this mass is.

What I learned, alone, as Heather was in recovery is life-changing, to say the least. I was led to a tiny cold room. There were 2 screens, the Doctor showed me what I never could have imagined. A 7 cm tumor on her Colon and several small spots in her liver. WHAT? Yeah, I was hit with a baseball bat to the head so to speak. The Doctor felt it was Stage 4 Colon Cancer. He expressed the importance of ACT FAST! He had a 38 yr. old daughter himself. It hit home. He was so concerned he did not want her to leave the hospital until surgery was done. His fear was she was going to have a rupture. Then it would become an emergency. Heather is told she would be having surgery the following day. We questioned that due to it being the weekend. We were told depending on the severity, it is done and would be done the following day. Unimaginable!

The following morning the surgical team comes in and they have a different opinion. It needs to shrink with Chemo and then possibly surgery. What a rollercoaster at this point and we want off! As a family, a decision was made to do Chemo at MD Anderson. Let's get her to the pros! She was then discharged from HCA Kingwood.

We are still awaiting the pathology report. Two days later..the results are in...HCA Kingwood's pathology report comes back pre-cancerous. Oh, how we celebrated! (However, I couldn't let my Mama's heart go there 100%. Could that be after the Doctor who performs these biopsies daily felt so sure?) Thankfully I didn't let myself get too excited. Moms know, that motherly instinct set in.

She gets home and makes MDA appointments. If surgery is necessary, we wanted her at MDA. Heather is now being followed by a Colon Oncology Surgeon, Liver Oncology Surgeon and a Medical Oncologist who determines what Chemo will kill this cancer. We learned on her first visit with them from MDA performing their pathology confirmed, it is, in fact, Stage 4 that moved to the liver and some nodes surrounding these areas.

Thank you Jesus we did not go off of the findings at HCA! Thank God we did not trust Kingwood! Heather received the news no one, especially a 36-year-old is expecting. Unfortunately, it's happening to younger people.

My baby, the one who made me a mom, 36, how could this be? She has two children ages 9 & 12, but they are still Momma's babies. They need their Mom! They already have dads who've abandoned them, but Mom never will! OMG!

Heather has proven to be so very strong, but I was the opposite. She has kept the mentality that she WILL kick cancer's ass with the help of our Almighty God. She has vowed to remain positive and I am so VERY proud of her. How could I not be? I am so proud of her strength. I've asked for prayer for strength and he has provided! No more tears! It's FIGHT mode!

Heather is currently getting her first Chemo of a 2-month regimen that began on 7-11. She carries a take-home fanny pack that will complete today 7-13. She will get these treatments every other week for 2 months. Then a scan will be done. Please pray when scanned these tumors have shrunk and she can have 2 necessary surgeries one to remove the tumor in her Colon & the other in her Liver. I pray for complete healing, please pray with me! God please shrink these tumors or make them disappear completely. He is our healer. He is our miracle worker!

Heather is unable to work. She is weak, has a significant amount of pain now, and is fatigued and nauseous. She is a Kidney Dialysis tech and their days are long. Her day also entails, at times, caring for very sickly patients. Her duties are caring for others and now she needs our help and care.

Your help is needed and appreciated. Co-pays, meds, parking, special foods, 20% financial responsibilities (thankful for insurance) so many changes in her finances. We are working on bringing her and the kids back home. This way I can care for them all.

Fight like hell and "Fight like a girl". Her body is at war. It's doing its work. It's going to save her life. We are claiming it!

Heather's journey to remission will be LONG! With the grace of God, his will, your support, MDA and Heather's strong positivity she WILL WIN THIS FIGHT!

If you can help with her financial burden, trust it's very appreciated. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. She is so grateful. Her care has already proved to be a financial strain. One that we will gladly endure if it will cure my daughter of this horrific disease. Help is so needed. Please help if you can. If not, that's okay, please pray for her. All prayer warriors are appreciated! Glory be to God. THANK YOU!