Help local longtime educator fight stomach cancer

Life can be unfair, uncertain and unexpected for many of us. We all have our story to share and ours comes at a difficult time. I want to share my step-mom’s heartbreaking story with you. As many of you know, Kathy has devoted her life to teaching others. While raising five children on her own, Kathy put herself through college and became a beloved teacher. She began her teaching career in Clancy and moved to Boise, where she taught special education. After shaping many little minds in Idaho, she decided to move back to Montana and settled in Butte, not far from where she grew up. It was there that she reunited with an old family friend, my dad. After a long-term friendship, they eventually married in 2008. It was here that Kathy continued to devote her life to educating our children, while preparing for a much-deserved retirement in 2017. Like anyone, Kathy was able to enjoy all of life’s milestones with her children, grandchildren and even her great-grandchildren - while rarely saying no to her calling and continuing to teach whenever she was needed, well into retirement.

This was supposed to be her golden years, and she and my dad planned to travel, while spending time with her family. Something wasn’t quite right though and she hadn’t been feeling well, was losing weight and could barely eat. She eventually insisted on an endoscopy (upper scope). It was then that she had to face the most unbelievable reality of life. She was diagnosed with gastric (stomach) cancer. It was like a nightmare for her, her family and everyone else who cared about her. It was impossible to believe. Yet, she had been diagnosed with a very rare and serious form of cancer.

Because her cancer is rare, aggressive and does not form tumors like typical cancer, we discovered that her specific treatment would be difficult. After extensive research, she was accepted to the Gastric Oncology Program at Mayo Clinic in to Rochester, MN. In May, she left her life as she knew it behind, and began to fight for her life. In this short time, she has endured more than most, with grace and bravery. Simply put, she is our hero. After countless chemotherapy treatments, tests and procedures, she will undergo a total gastrectomy in October, where surgeons will remove her entire stomach.

Throughout her life, she has selflessly done for others, while putting her own needs behind. As you can imagine, this was not how she envisioned her life after retirement, but she has fought it with both feet on the ground and refuses to let it knock her down. Nobody can ever plan for something like this. Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine the havoc cancer places on families - not only physically and emotionally - but financially as well. Due to COVID, all cancer housing is closed at Mayo. This has forced our family to come up with extra money for housing and other astronomical medical expenses. Nobody likes to talk about this part of the disease, maybe for fear of shame. But, this is the difficult reality of fighting for your life. Kathy deserves to live her best life, while focusing on getting better so she can come home. We miss and love her. If you can donate, all funds will go to her care. We are so appreciative of all of your love and support.