Help Sue Fight Cancer

Hi All,

We come here as a rally behind our mom, Sue Hawk, who is bravely battling unspecified stage 4 cancer. Our mom has always been a pillar of strength, resilience, and unwavering support in our lives, and now it’s our turn to provide her with the support she needs during this challenging battle.

On Tuesday, May 2nd, Mom went to the ER with stomach pain, and was told she had cancer in her abdomen. This was shocking as she had just had a clean colonoscopy and had no prior signs or symptoms other than a week-long stomach ache. She was kept in the hospital to identify the origin of cancer and make sure she was as comfortable as possible. After many diagnostic tests, a visit to Texas Oncology, and MD Anderson, they all stated that the origin of the cancer she had was unspecified, but likely gastric (stomach or colon). The best route would be aggressive chemotherapy to give her quality of life. Both oncologists at TX Oncology & MD Anderson stated with treatment, her expected survival would likely be 6 months - 3 years, but that 1 year was the average with successful chemotherapy. In true Sue fashion, she responded to her doctor, "Okay! Let's do this!"

On Wednesday, May 31st, she began her 1st round of chemotherapy at Texas Oncology. After 1 immunotherapy, and 2 chemotherapy medications were administered in office, she was sent home with a pump to be removed on Friday that contained FOLFOX, her final chemotherapy medicine. Thursday, June 1st, around 9:00 PM, Mom began having shortness of breath, where her blood pressure would spike and she was in extreme pain and stated it was difficult to breathe. She didn't want to go to the ER, so I called her oncologist’s after hours number to ask for advice. They stated if it happened again to take her to the ER. At 12:30 AM, my husband and I woke up to her screaming my name. I quickly rushed her to the ER where she was immediately taken back and had blood drawn, EKG ran, and was placed in an isolated room due to be immunocompromised. Around 3:30 AM, another "episode" happened and I ran to get the nurse. He ran 2 EKG's back to back and sprinted to the ER doctor. Next thing we know, a crash cart and 5 nurses race into the room stating she was having a heart attack. She was immediately taken to the cath lab to look for a blockage. No blockage was found, and her lungs were clear. It took several more tests before the doctors would remove the pump and state that this was an extremely rare side effect of FOLFOX.

What was a less than 1% chance of happening...has become our living nightmare. FOLFOX caused heart failure in our Mom. Heart failure that will take a minimum of a month to heal, if it does. She is now unable to receive the chemo treatment her doctor recommends due to the reaction. Her only conventional options are a less effective chemo treatment, which also may not be tolerated due to the current state of her heart. We're looking into a holistic clinic in Mexico in hopes to extend her life, but it is not covered by insurance and will be nearly $30,000 - $40,000 out of pocket. In addition, we also want to ensure she can do any "bucket list" items that she feels she wants to do during her fight. After the events that have occurred over the last week have shown, no one is promised tomorrow.

We have faith that God has a plan that is greater than any of ours. He knows what the future holds and He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

We are so incredibly grateful for your continued prayers, best wishes, and support as Mom faces the days ahead.

With all our love,

Kelsey & Katie

(Sue’s daughters)