Help Heidi Battle Stage IV Cancer

Help Heidi Fight Stage IV Cancer

This journey began in the beginning of 2024. She wasn’t feeling “right” for quite some time, and the doctors just couldn’t figure it out. It started as a blood pressure/heart problem, then it moved to a fungal infection of the lungs, and in the end she was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.

The pain in her stomach and lack of eating had worsened to the point of a Monday morning ER trip to, once and for all, see what was wrong. They were almost out of answers, so they did one last MRI of the brain. The results of that test changed our plans immediately. She had a tumor on her brain that was positioned on the brain stem and would need a neurologist to look at it immediately. She was sent to Northwestern Hospital via ambulance where they preformed a gamma knife surgery on the tumor. While they cannot remove the tumor, the plan is that the procedure will stop it from growing. We will know more on the results after her follow-up in 3 months.

At this point, the cancer began in the colon/GI tract. It has since spread to her adrenal glands, liver, stomach, lungs, and brain. She had her port installed last week and is scheduled to start chemotherapy next week. Unfortunately, due to the brain tumor, she is not allowed to drive nor work.

In order to stay in the Northwestern Medicine group, she will be doing her chemotherapy in Palos Heights, IL. She is scheduled to do chemotherapy every other week to start, and it will be a 160 mile round trip on top of the 5-6 hour process itself. With her being unable to drive, someone will have to take her to these treatments and any follow-up appointments in Chicago.

This is where we are asking for your help. We understand that times are tough, even without a situation like this, but any help along the way could make a difference. Beating this is our number 1 priority, but she still has a mortgage, utility bills, a car payment, fuel costs, groceries, and medicine to account for. This will not be an easy task without her working and my father needing to take unpaid time off to care for her when needed. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help offset some of the costs/bills that will continue to roll in.

She has had an AMAZING outlook on this entire situation and we could not be more proud of her spirit. She has lost over 50lbs and her energy is at an all time low, but her fight has never been stronger. Kicking cancer’s ass should be the only thing on her mind, and with your help and generosity, hopefully we can help her accomplish this!