The King Family’s Bladder Cancer Battle
Update 6/5/2019:
We are heartbroken to share the news of Heath's passing on Wednesday, June 3rd. Plans for a memorial service are uncertain at this time. The family appreciates all your support as they grieve this tremendous loss.
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Just before Christmas 2019, Shaunna and Heath King received the news that Heath is suffering from bladder cancer. Instead of simply undergoing a minor outpatient procedure for kidney stones as they expected, Heath underwent surgery to remove part of his bladder and to discover the extent of the cancerous invasion. While most bladder cancer doesn’t spread to other organs, they found that Heath’s case is more aggressive and has invaded his lymphatic system. Heath and Shaunna know they have a long, difficult fight ahead of them, and they are committed to beating this disease!
Shaunna and Heath are grateful that they’ve been able to access the oncology experts at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, just a few hours from home. While they are awaiting more news about a treatment plan, they anticipate many long months of chemotherapy and eventually additional surgery. In addition to the worry about Heath’s health status, financial concerns weigh heavy on their minds these days - time out of work, travel back and forth to NYC, insurance co-pays, and more. Fighting this disease will take strength and resources.
Throughout it all, Heath and Shaunna are working hard to maintain a “normal” life for their family. From their daughter Hannah’s upcoming 16th birthday, to their son Ian’s last year of elementary school, they are looking forward to many milestones. Please join us in helping this wonderful family weather this storm and enjoy many more years together.
We are heartbroken to share the news of Heath's passing on Wednesday, June 3rd. Plans for a memorial service are uncertain at this time. The family appreciates all your support as they grieve this tremendous loss.
************
Just before Christmas 2019, Shaunna and Heath King received the news that Heath is suffering from bladder cancer. Instead of simply undergoing a minor outpatient procedure for kidney stones as they expected, Heath underwent surgery to remove part of his bladder and to discover the extent of the cancerous invasion. While most bladder cancer doesn’t spread to other organs, they found that Heath’s case is more aggressive and has invaded his lymphatic system. Heath and Shaunna know they have a long, difficult fight ahead of them, and they are committed to beating this disease!
Shaunna and Heath are grateful that they’ve been able to access the oncology experts at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, just a few hours from home. While they are awaiting more news about a treatment plan, they anticipate many long months of chemotherapy and eventually additional surgery. In addition to the worry about Heath’s health status, financial concerns weigh heavy on their minds these days - time out of work, travel back and forth to NYC, insurance co-pays, and more. Fighting this disease will take strength and resources.
Throughout it all, Heath and Shaunna are working hard to maintain a “normal” life for their family. From their daughter Hannah’s upcoming 16th birthday, to their son Ian’s last year of elementary school, they are looking forward to many milestones. Please join us in helping this wonderful family weather this storm and enjoy many more years together.
