Heather's Hope Brigade

The week leading up to Thanksgiving 2022 looked quite normal for Heather. A full-time working mother of two bustling toddlers, Calvin and Norah, and wife to Kevin she was keeping busy juggling the family schedules while managing multiple physical therapy clinics. It is still hard to believe that the life of this previously completely healthy, loves-to-run, strong, independent woman could change so drastically in a matter of days. After going into Convenient Care for what seemed like the start of influenza, the next day (Thanksgiving) she was quickly found to have very low blood counts and within hours was being transferred to Barnes for a more detailed workup. A bone marrow biopsy soon confirmed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Treatment started immediately and Heather spent the next six weeks in the hospital.

Thanks to the miracles of modern medicine, Heather's overall good health, and maybe a dash of stubborness she was able to come home shortly after the new year. While this disease and treatment have taken their physical toll on Heather nothing compared to the emotional strain of suddenly being separated from her husband and children for more than a month. One can only imagine how good it was to be able to be home with her family for several weeks while she continued outpatient treatments.

It is important to note that while Heather's diagnosis and treatment certainly took the front stage, Kevin had been anticipating a much-needed Achilles repair surgery the same week Heather was diagnosed. This, of course, had to be postponed until things were more under control. Thankfully Kevin was able to have his surgery done and recover at home at the same time Heather was recovering at home.

Fast forward to the end of March when Heather returned to Barnes but this time for planned interventions. She underwent additional chemotherapy and total body radiation to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. She feels very fortunate that her brother Brett was able to be her donor! At the time of this post Heather is still in the hospital recovering from these most recent procedures and waiting for her body to rebuild itself from the inside out.

Along with the emotional and physical strains associated with Leukemia are certainly some financial burdens and thus the reason for this page. There are obvious associated medical costs. And while Heather has been blessed to be able to work part time remotely when she has felt well enough to do so, she and Kevin have had to take a substantial amount of time off work for appointments, procedures, and recovery. The travels back and forth to St. Louis also come with costs of fuel, food, and lodging just to name a few expenses.

While Heather is the one fighting, healing, and rebuilding many have asked how they can support her and her family and you are invited to donate on this page to help decrease the financial impacts acquired along this journey.