Help Rome Hines Beat Brain Cancer

On Monday September 21, 2020 Rome did not wake up in the morning. Her 15 year old son Thomas found her lying on her side in bed unresponsive with blood coming out of her mouth. She had had a seizure during the night and bit her tongue. 

Thomas is our hero, he knew what to do. He called his dad to tell him he couldn't wake up his mom and Dan called 911. Thomas usually stays with his dad on Sunday's but we are so glad he was there because with out him Rome would not be with us today.

The paramedics arrived and rushed Rome to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. There she received a CAT scan and MRI and a 8x6.5cm brain tumor was discovered. It is the size of a peach on the right side and crosses to the left side of her brain and wraps around into it. (the tumor is the white part in the photo) 


She was taken by ambulance to KU Med (Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City) for further testing and had another CAT scan. The doctors were not able to tell what kind of brain tumor it was and that brain surgery would have to happen as soon as possible. Brain surgery was scheduled for Thursday and the Unruh, Hines, Kracke and Stout families waited 2 tense, scared filled days waiting to find out more. Because of pandemic safety protocols only 1 person was able to visit each day so thank goodness for all the social media online capabilities. 

Tuesday Rome sent us this text:
"Just saw the doc. The tumor is in both sides of my brain. Not all of it will be able to be removed with surgery. They are going to remove as much as they can and then test it for cancer...Surgery is still on Thursday." 

On Wednesday Ione was able to spend the day at the hospital with Rome. She sent us this text:
"New news... surgery will be around 1pm tomorrow and probably last about 5-6 hours. Then equal time in the ICU. If all goes well she can leave here one day after being in her room. All this depends on what they find etc. They won't know about cancer for a least a week because it all has to go through the lab and alot of testing has to be done. They said the tumor is about the size of a peach and is on the right side of her brain flowing back and then over to the left."

Thursday September 24 was surgery day. After a 5 hours surgery and many anxious moments texts and calls. Ione was able to report to us:
"Here is the news from from the doc. She is fine. They did all the removal on the right side and left the left side alone. She has to go to recovery and then after she is awake they take her up to ICU. They don't know what kind of tumor it is or the level of cancer. Doc feels all tumors are cancer and its just finding out what level it is. The treatment after diagnosis from pathology will be determined by the level, 2...3... etc... he said his guess is 2 or 3. They will also know what kind of tumor it is then as well. If she is walking, talking and handling the pain meds she might go home Saturday but again... that's to be determined as she recovers. She will be seeing an oncology neurologist to determine treatment when the time comes."

After a few more hours Ione was able to tell us this through text and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"She woke up enough to recognize me, squeeze my hand and tell me "I love you." I am headed home now."

Day 1 after Surgery - Still in the ICU

Day 2 after surgery - Sitting up in a chair after walking down the hall!!! YAHOO ROME!

Day 3 - getting ready to be discharged and go home.


We are all in a state of shock, numb, scared and unbelievably relieved that Rome is alive. She is now recovering for the moment at Ione and Del's and now the long road of recovery begins. 

Home at mom and dad's - starting the long road of recovery. 


That process is more complicated now because before the pandemic hit Rome lost her job and was not able to apply for the unemployment benefit package. Due to this she was having a hard time finding a job and had gotten behind on bills. Thankfully she did find a part time position a month ago and was starting to get back on track. Then the brain tumor hit and her financial situation is now on very unstable ground. 

She is not able to drive or work for a minimum of 3 months and we don't know what her course of treatment is going to be. If the brain tumor is cancerous there will be more medical bills and treatments that have to be covered and the last thing we need her to do is worry about keeping the house, car and paying her medical bills. We just want her to recover and get better. All of our family is chipping in to help but we know we don't have enough to cover everything. The medical bills alone will be astronomical. 

The Unruh, Hines, Kracke, and Stout families are starting this fundraiser to help Rome recover and be able to not worry about covering the bills for the next 6-12 months. We are asking everyone to please consider contributing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you do not feel comfortable making a financial donation online you can send one to;

Rome Hines
c/o Ione and Del Unruh
916 W. 20th Terr
Lawrence KS, 66046

Please feel free to reach out to us at anytime. 

Please come back here and our social media pages to keep up to date with Rome's recovery. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/731599504111771/

Thank you! 

Ione and Del
Dan and Thomas
Julia and Kurtis
Emily, Tim and JP

Rome's Team
#BrainCandyForRome