Kim and Jim vs Stage 4 Colon Cancer

Hi. Meet Kim and Jim Schroeder. Kim is a RN whos spent most her career working to save other folks lives. One day, she met this cool cat, Jim (aka Jimmer, aka Papa Bear) who swept her off her feet (after mowing the lawn at his landscaping job) and that was it... a love I have never witnessed before was born.

Whenever life gets to be too much, they take a minute up north at "da hut" with their rescue dog, Moe... to live, laugh, love.... every single second they can get with each other.

Through the years, Kimmie has struggled with health conditions (like Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis) but has always worked full time to help support their family and to keep health benefits. The last few years have been especially hard... losing both their fathers and Kimmie's mother... just to start.

In December 2020, Jim started feeling unwell. Of course, he got tested for COVID and Kimmie had to call in to work just in case he was positive.

Which he was. And, shortly thereafter, so was she.

We were terrified with all her health conditions, Kimmie would not fare well with COVID. We knew she would end up in the hospital... and we just did not have high hopes.

We couldn't have been more wrong (fortunately, but not).

After a rollercoaster of feeling well, not feeling well... we found out Jim was admitted to the hospital. He was dx with double pneumonia (COVID and bacterial, cause you know, one isn't enough) and kidney failure. He spent 6 days being treated with a slew of meds including Remdesivir and convalescent plasma, and finally was being released back home.

Kim was a wreck all 6 days. Couldn't visit him, couldn't eat, sleep... cried all the time. She was lost without him. I went to visit with her one day and while I was there, she got a call from his physician.

Jim was recovering well from COVID! He was coming home!! With a new diagnosis of CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia). Wait. What?

Yeah. Would you believe I'm going to say thank goodness for COVID? Without it, they may still not know he has CLL, it wouldn't have been treated and he wouldn't be in remission now!

Yes! He's in remission! And just in time to be diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Stage 4.

In January 2021, no mass in his colon. In May 2021, mass in colon has spread to liver. Chemo the rest of his life. His doctor told him he's now a retired landscaper... and thank goodness because he's a fighter (or stubborn) and would have mowed them lawns till the mower quit.

So why am I here writing this? Because, bills. Yes, we all have them I know. But I'm asking for help for these two people who have the most incredible love. I'm asking you to please donate, even just a little, so Kimmie can go down in hours to spend what time Jim has left on this planet with him, making memories to cherish before it's time to say goodbye. And Moe. Moe loves his rescue dad so much. So freaking much.

The hardest part for me in all this was reading a text Kim sent.... how do you prepare to say goodbye to the love of your life?

I'm hoping the answer to this is with lots of faith, love, and help from folks out in the world looking to contribute to the gift of time to an amazing love story.

White Light and Love,  

Jesi and Dawn ❤