Kimberly Ford and her family’s battle with cancer
Donation protected
My sister in law Kim has been a part of my family for over 30 years. Kim is a 43 yr. old wife and mother of 2. Her kids are her life. Nevaeh is almost 17 and in her senior year of HS, Case Ryan is 11 years old. She has worked most of her career in taking care of the elderly She loved taking care of her patients even though the pay did not match the work. A few months ago, her back started bothering her but like many of us she chalked it up as lifting patients and aging. On Sept 18th while at work she could no longer take the pain and left to go to the emergency room. After a night of testing, she was told that her spine had fractures, her bloodwork was abnormal and to follow up with family doctor. This is where her journey begins.
On sept 23 at the follow up visit she was informed she has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her spine and bones. The cancer caused the back fracture and a disc to collapse. This diagnosis shocked us all. Other members of Kim’s family have had cancer in the past and received great care by doctors at St Joes Ann Arbor. Kim was taken there and within hours admitted to hospital. She spent 2 weeks there where more tests were done and it was determined that the cancer has also spread to her liver. Radiation was started at that point.
Doctors say the cancer is too far along to cure. Kim has decided to do outpatient care in her home. Doctors estimated 6-month life expectancy, she has however signed up for experimental trial clinics with the hope of extending her life. She is currently staying in a hospital bed in her living room where she must wear a shield back brace to keep the collapsed disk from damaging her spinal cord. She requires assistance for any movement out of bed. She will be making trips 5 times a week to St Joes for radiation treatment and chemotherapy to follow.
Kim is a fighter and has been positive as she starts this journey. She has a long road with a lot of unknown curves ahead. Unfortunately, as if this was not enough due to Covid 19 her husband lost his job before this diagnosis along with family medical insurance. Now with both parents not working the medical bills already piling up along with everyday regular expenses.
Our goal is trying to keep Kim and her family In their house so she can fight her battle for as long as she can while surrounded by family. We are also taking into consideration her final resting cost when her fight is over. Our family is very generous, and I assure you we will all do our part to help Kim and her family. No one wants to ask for help but we are humbly asking. We will be eternally grateful for any help that you can provide. If you cannot help monetarily please keep the prayers coming and consider sharing her story. We are just trying to make this journey as comfortable as possible as their life has changed in a blink of the eye. Thank you for all who have sent their thoughts, prayers and donations. Thank you for taking the time to read Kim’s story. We will post updates as they come in
On sept 23 at the follow up visit she was informed she has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her spine and bones. The cancer caused the back fracture and a disc to collapse. This diagnosis shocked us all. Other members of Kim’s family have had cancer in the past and received great care by doctors at St Joes Ann Arbor. Kim was taken there and within hours admitted to hospital. She spent 2 weeks there where more tests were done and it was determined that the cancer has also spread to her liver. Radiation was started at that point.
Doctors say the cancer is too far along to cure. Kim has decided to do outpatient care in her home. Doctors estimated 6-month life expectancy, she has however signed up for experimental trial clinics with the hope of extending her life. She is currently staying in a hospital bed in her living room where she must wear a shield back brace to keep the collapsed disk from damaging her spinal cord. She requires assistance for any movement out of bed. She will be making trips 5 times a week to St Joes for radiation treatment and chemotherapy to follow.
Kim is a fighter and has been positive as she starts this journey. She has a long road with a lot of unknown curves ahead. Unfortunately, as if this was not enough due to Covid 19 her husband lost his job before this diagnosis along with family medical insurance. Now with both parents not working the medical bills already piling up along with everyday regular expenses.
Our goal is trying to keep Kim and her family In their house so she can fight her battle for as long as she can while surrounded by family. We are also taking into consideration her final resting cost when her fight is over. Our family is very generous, and I assure you we will all do our part to help Kim and her family. No one wants to ask for help but we are humbly asking. We will be eternally grateful for any help that you can provide. If you cannot help monetarily please keep the prayers coming and consider sharing her story. We are just trying to make this journey as comfortable as possible as their life has changed in a blink of the eye. Thank you for all who have sent their thoughts, prayers and donations. Thank you for taking the time to read Kim’s story. We will post updates as they come in
Fundraising team (2)
Jenny Vandemark
Organizer
Monroe, MI
Chad Vandemark
Team member
