Support for Kimberly and her family

Hi, I am Saige and I am Kimberly’s eldest daughter and I am are writing this on behalf of my family. This was something we hoped we wouldn’t ever have to resort to and we know if we single handedly could take this on ourselves we would, but have realized it’s not always possible and community is here for that. There are people that love and care for this family and would do anything they could to help, though we know it’s something our parents weren’t asking for or thinking of asking for.

Like most of us, Kimberly is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She has worked her entire life for her children and husband and the pain she must feel knowing she is leaving us is something A lot of us can’t even begin or bare to comprehend. The suffering that comes along with cancer is beyond torturous, to the one being taken because of it, and to the ones watching their loved one be taken away right before their eyes because of it.

Our mom, Kimberly, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in August of 2020. She began receiving treatment shortly after her diagnosis, undergoing many surgeries, countless days of sickness and fear and was finally deemed cancer free in May of 2021.

The following August, just 3 months later, scans revealed a brain tumor. Immediate surgery was called for and they were able to remove most of the tumor. My mom has been seemingly fearless throughout all of this. Immediately after her surgery she was much more coherent and responsive and it was a huge relief to our family and us, we thought we were FINALLY done. About a month after her brain surgery, they found that the triple negative cancer had not only metastasized to her brain more, but also her lungs. They had to prioritize giving her radiation on her brain to try and get rid of any cancer left in the area. Once radiation was done, they did scans to see the progress on the rest of her body.

This was when further complications arose, in November 2021. Our best friend was diagnosed with Leptomeningeal disease (LMD). LMD is extremely rare. This is when the cancer spreads to the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. We also discovered the cancer had moved into her bones. These two things have affected our moms ability to walk; she either has to walk with a cane now or simply does not walk anymore at all. It has also affected her ability to work, since she is often nauseous, out of energy, and in pain. Our dad has to help her do simple day to day activities and take her to all of her daily appointments. She needs his care 24/7 and despite trying to continue working, he has had to leave to be there for my mom. All of this while still raising my little brothers who are 8 and 12.

As of this month, the cancer is now basically everywhere; her brain, her lungs, her liver, her pancreas, her bones…Any treatment is no longer working and she has stopped receiving any. Our only goal is to keep her comfortable and out of pain, at peace and living her best days to the extent her body is allowing her. We do not know how our parents do it, but they’re managing. Without the help of our dad at home, it would be impossible. In the almost 2 years of this battle they haven’t asked a single soul for help and have gotten a lot covered alone but everything is happening so fast and there is worry for my brothers and step dad after my mother goes. We are creating this fund and asking for help because it is important for our mother to spend as much time together with her family on our short timeline and it’s important to Zoe and I to take the stress off my mom and dads shoulders in her final weeks about the fear of the medical debt she will be leaving her husband with. Our sweet mom deserves all the amount of peace this world has to offer right now.

Anyone who knows Kimberly and Chris knows the love they have for each other and everyone around them. They would welcome anyone with open arms and their door was always open for old friends and new. Chris has been the backbone for us all through this. Kimberly is the most loving, forgiving, strongest and kind woman most people have ever met.

My sister and I humbly ask that if you feel called to help in any capacity, our family would greatly appreciate it during this difficult time. While biology and prognoses aren’t perfect, my mother is and deserves a perfect ending. Any good energy or prayer sent our way is received with such love and gratefulness. Thank you on behalf of my family for all of your support, whether it’s been throughout this process or whether you are giving it now, our hearts are full knowing we have such a supportive community.