A selfie in a hospital cap of my funny, sweet friend Kim Michie Jackson came through my FB newsfeed earlier this month.   She'd had a recurrence of cancer and was being wheeled into surgery.   Later came the news that her surgeons hadn't been able to take only the tumor. 

Pelvic Exenteration.   Google it.   It isn't for the feint of heart.

Meet Ira Jackson, Kim's husband.  He's That Guy, the kind of partner you hope you'll have when the rubber meets the road.  

Together, Kim and Ira care for their grandson, Ian.    If you know Kim, you know Ian!   Kim's first thoughts when she woke up - were of Ian.  Concern for his emotional well-being in the wake of all these changes.   Here they are Facetiming from her hospital bed.

Kim is one of those "six degrees of separation" friends, through Skyline High School, through John B. Hood Jr High... and then came Facebook!   Her first cousin turned out to be the sister of my first crush.  We know everybody in common, it seems.  She and Ira are good people.  If you're a Skyline alum - Kim's class of 1978.

What I did not know:

Spring 2013 - Kim Jackson was diagnosed with cancer. 

Fall  2013 -  Ira Jackson was diagnosed with cancer, and survived his own treatment and radical surgery. 

Fall 2014 - Kim's cancer was back.  Vaginal cancer is rare.   A recurrence of vaginal cancer is almost unheard of. 

What they've been through the past year is unimaginable to me.

Kim and Ira have health insurance!   What they do not have?  Is income.  

Ira is on Federal Medical Leave, with a job waiting - but no income until Kim's treatment is over and she can take care of herself.    She requires 24/7 care now and for the forseeable future.

Kim and Ira were still paying off medical co-insurance and expenses related to their 2013 cancers.  Now this.

She's not shy - if you wanna know what's out, what's in, and what's brand new? She'll tell you.  And she'll crack a joke at her own expense in the midst of great physical pain, coupled with the emotional toll and the enormity of challenges in her daily-day life going forward.  

But that's Kim's focus:   Life.    Life with Ira.   Life with Ian.

I asked Kim if I could set up this gofundme site for her.  This, from Kim:  

"I'm used to being the one who does all the nurturing, so this has been a humbling experience.   Asking for help has never been my strong suit, but for my husband's sanity to not have to worry about every little dime spent, I will ask.  I have a long healing journey ahead of me. I have my boxing gloves on, I will fight this! I have too much to live for not to do so! I continue to be grateful.  I continue to give this to God and I continue to choose joy!"

Kim resting at home with her sweet Ian by her side.  There's a long road ahead.  A road that includes transportation and housing expenses from Dallas to Houston.  Co-insurance.  Prescription co-pays.   Household bills.

Let's help.  No amount is too small.  

Shelley