The strongest person in the world is a struggling mother that wakes up and keeps going every morning. I struggle to find the right words to describe what our mother means to my siblings and me. Then, I realize there are no words that can truly depict the love we have for her. My name is Rome, and with a heavy heart and humbled spirit, I am reaching out to our family, our friends, our community and our village, on behalf of our mother, Kristin Buttel.

On April 11th, 2022, our mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. She began feeling sick in October of 2021 and was initially diagnosed with Celiac disease. She was prescribed a lifestyle change of her diet to treat the symptoms and manage the disease. She completely changed her diet and began educating herself on how to successfully live with Celiac disease. After a few months, her symptoms got worse, bringing her back to the hospital. A more extensive assessment revealed an obstruction in her colon, a large mass 0.5 cm in diameter, and several growths throughout her liver.

 Doctors strongly urged starting a treatment plan of chemotherapy and radiation to “treat” and slow the progression of the cancer. Due to the metastatic nature and severity of the tumors, surgery was no longer an option. Losing this battle was never an option in our minds. As we began to conduct our own research, exploring alternative possibilities, and combining the facts with faith, we were reminded of the power of healing. About 35 years ago, our mom’s mother Sonya Brague was diagnosed with Liver Cancer. Guided by our heavenly father, grandma chose a holistic approach, paired with alternative therapies to fight her cancer. To this day, grandma has been a healer within our family and continues to prove there is always a fighting chance.

After much thought, prayers and discussion, our mother is following in her mother's footsteps. She has decided to fight this battle the way our bodies were designed to fight diseases, the natural way. A holistic approach is healing that considers the whole person – body, mind, spirit and emotions – in the quest for optimal health and wellness. Although it’s been successful for many individuals, most insurance companies still do not cover alternative care. 

Diagnosis of stage 4 cancer not only limits the number of options available but greatly restricts the time we have to explore them. Having exhausted all other options, we are bound by these restraints. It has made life for our family extremely difficult and stressful. As hard as it has been, giving up is not an option, but we can’t do it alone. We are hopeful that with your support, we can help our mother pay for some of these alternative care options and explore other therapies available.

Whether it is a donation of any amount, prayers, positive thoughts, healing words, or even just sharing our campaign, we would be eternally grateful and promise to pay it forward for the rest of our lives. We believe in miracles and that the power of faith and hope is real. 

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU and may our loving Heavenly Father bless you!!!