Help the Hillyards
Donation protected
Mark was diagnosed with a sacrococcygeal chordoma earlier this year.
This is a very rare form of cancer that is typically slow-growing, but in Mark's case proved to be quite aggressive. Due to the cancers rareness it is difficult to treat, the doctors in Idaho Falls referred treatment to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.
After extensive testing and imaging the doctors decided to attempt daily targeted radiation for 6 weeks. Radiation was difficult on Marks body, and the tumor continued to grow. They were able to pull the tumor away from key areas enough that the doctors felt surgery could be successful.
The hope was that with surgery they would be able to remove the now massive tumor. The surgery would be done in two parts over two days, spanning a projected 22 hours total.
The first day would be 8 hours of prep work to make removing the tumor an easier endeavor. This surgery went very well!
Unfortunately, during the second surgery, after 12 hours under, Mark's heart stopped beating. After 10 minutes of CPR they were miraculously able to get his heart restarted using electrical cardioversion. They were unable to remove the tumor or even properly close the surgical site. They were hoping Mark would stabilize enough to possibly finish the surgery over the next couple days, but because of the time he went without oxygen his organs began to fail. Attempts were made to save his life, but Mark passed away the morning of Friday December 18th.
I am hoping that through this go fund me we can help relieve some of the financial burden that medical bills and travel and other past and future expenses place upon Mark's wife, Glenette.
The Hillyard's are some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure to know and every little bit helps! So many people are struggling right now, so even if you cannot donate just sharing would be a huge help.
Thank you so much!
Katie Hillyard
This is a very rare form of cancer that is typically slow-growing, but in Mark's case proved to be quite aggressive. Due to the cancers rareness it is difficult to treat, the doctors in Idaho Falls referred treatment to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.
After extensive testing and imaging the doctors decided to attempt daily targeted radiation for 6 weeks. Radiation was difficult on Marks body, and the tumor continued to grow. They were able to pull the tumor away from key areas enough that the doctors felt surgery could be successful.
The hope was that with surgery they would be able to remove the now massive tumor. The surgery would be done in two parts over two days, spanning a projected 22 hours total.
The first day would be 8 hours of prep work to make removing the tumor an easier endeavor. This surgery went very well!
Unfortunately, during the second surgery, after 12 hours under, Mark's heart stopped beating. After 10 minutes of CPR they were miraculously able to get his heart restarted using electrical cardioversion. They were unable to remove the tumor or even properly close the surgical site. They were hoping Mark would stabilize enough to possibly finish the surgery over the next couple days, but because of the time he went without oxygen his organs began to fail. Attempts were made to save his life, but Mark passed away the morning of Friday December 18th.
I am hoping that through this go fund me we can help relieve some of the financial burden that medical bills and travel and other past and future expenses place upon Mark's wife, Glenette.
The Hillyard's are some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure to know and every little bit helps! So many people are struggling right now, so even if you cannot donate just sharing would be a huge help.
Thank you so much!
Katie Hillyard
Organizer and beneficiary
Katharine Hillyard
Organizer
Roy, UT
Glenette Hillyard
Beneficiary