Kim's Fight for Life Against Grade 4 Glioblastoma
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This is not just another cancer story; this is a tragedy of love and health. Our sister, Kim Jensen and her three boys, are once again battling against the odds to keep their family together. Kim's late husband, Ryan died 5 years ago at the age of 43, after fighting a long battle against a very rare form of cancer. Now, Kim is fighting her own battle against a terminal diagnosis of Grade IV Glioblastoma brain cancer.
- Kim was diagnosed in October of last year, after she had a seizure and fell in her bathroom, becoming unconscious and needing to be intubated upon arrival to the ER. She was transferred to Charlotte, North Carolina for advanced care and testing, where they eventually determined she had a large tumor in the left frontal lobe of her brain. Brain surgery quickly followed and many days of waiting concluded our worst fears: Grade IV Glioblastoma cancer. She then had a couple setbacks in her healing progress, requiring an additional surgery to remove infection and reinforce the infected skull with a titanium mesh plate followed by weeks of intense IV antibiotics. Finally, she was able to begin chemotherapy and radiation.
- Kim was just starting to get back to her business as a massage therapist this month, when her follow up MRI gave us less than hopeful news. This MRI was meant to determine how she responded to the chemotherapy and radiation. However, she was devastated to learn that the tumor has doubled in size since her last MRI in March 2023. This means the treatments have not been effective and therefore will not be continued.
Currently, there is no cure for this type of cancer. The typical life expectancy for this type of cancer is an average of 14-16 months.
- If you know Kim, you are well aware of her fighter heart. She has already found a way to navigate the tremendous grief of losing a spouse at a young age, while also supporting her three boys through the grief of losing their step-father/father at such young ages; Jackson now 24, Alex now 13, and Grayson now 11. It is unimaginable what this family has already gone through, let alone navigating the world of cancer again. Yet, here we are. Her only option now is to undergo another brain surgery to remove the tumor. There are no additional treatment options for her at this time per her Oncology Doctors.
We have started looking into alternative therapies and found a center in Arizona that offers those services. Unfortunately, these treatments are not covered by insurance as they are not FDA approved, so they must be paid for out of pocket. Following a third brain surgery in North Carolina, Kim would travel to Arizona to receive daily treatments for 6-8 weeks to help give her any chance at all with this evil disease.
We are hoping to get her as much help with these expenses as possible. The cost of Kim's treatments, care, lodging, and travel for her boys and husband, to be able to come to see her, are tremendous. We hope to put her mind at ease from worrying about any of the above so that her focus can be on healing and fighting this horrendous disease. ANY help for Kim to overcome all odds is appreciated!
Thank you for your love, prayers, and support! Please consider sharing Kim's story with everyone you can.
With gratitude and love,
Kendra, Ashley, and Shae
(Kim's sister's)
Organizer and beneficiary
Kendra Hertzog
Organizer
Shelby, NC
Kimberly Jensen
Beneficiary