With the heaviest heart on behalf of the Berman and Peery Families:

Kimberley had some concerning symptoms in July. After an in office appt and ultrasound, it was determined that the symptoms she had been experiencing were a result of a fibroid growth. The fibroid appeared to be on the external outer most part of the cervix. It was anticipated to be a seemingly straight forward removal and scheduled for September 4th. After some extreme blood loss and concerning vitals on Thursday Kim was taken to St. Joseph’s after a local urgent care advised her to go straight to the ER. It was determined within a few hours that Kim’s hemoglobin levels dropped from 10.3 to 7 and that she would undergo an emergency procedure to remove the fibroid, receive a blood transfusion, and biopsy for pathology. The doctors uncovered that the fibroid had grown to one of the walls and therefore a hysterectomy excluding her ovaries would be done the next morning (Friday). This was obviously very emotional news and new set of changes for Kim to navigate. After losing both Brayden and Carter during mid pregnancy, St. Joe’s already holds a sensitive and heavy place in Kim’s mind and heart.

Surgery was scheduled for 9 am on Friday (8/29) and then got pushed back to 10/11am. Shortly after, Kim and Josh were notified that surgery had been cancelled. They anxiously awaited updates from Dr. Fiorentino (her OB) as to why it was cancelled.

Kim was given the most heart-wrenching and debilitating news, her results came back and she has cancer. After an MRI and CT scan, it was concluded that she has cervical cancer and abnormal issue in another area. A far cry from having a fibroid removed or hysterectomy. The weeks leading up to Thursday, Kim had a nagging concern in her heart of hearts that something more serious may have been ahead of her.

There is a whole new set of projected plans and new set of prayer requests. Our first prayer is for her surgery in the morning of Tuesday 9/2. The surgery will be much more invasive than the initial thought of a c-section incision when only the hysterectomy was on the table. Our prayer is for the surgery, medical team and very clear margins in order for the oncologist to remove her uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and cancer on the abdominal walls safely with a smooth and uneventful recovery.

There are two lymph nodes that are slightly enlarged which could be due to inflammation, but biopsies will be done for both in order to rule out if the cancer has spread to them. If the lymph nodes are cancerous they will consider Kim’s cancer to be stage 3 and if they are clear of cancer then she will be considered stage 1. In the case that it’s stage 3 she will have to undergo chemotherapy in addition to her 5-week radiation, but she would have to wait 5-6 weeks to heal from the invasive surgery before she can begin. In the case that it is Stage 1, she will undergo radiation and will not need chemotherapy. This is our second prayer. Please God let it be stage 1 and the abnormal issue in the additional area be clear of cancer, in Your name!

There are a lot of unknowns and Kim has a lot to consider as next steps, but with time off and less income the Berman’s are faced with a lot of financial shifts, ongoing medical costs and homeschooling set backs. She is a server at Hanna’s in RSM, which doesn’t include a true PTO and her return to work is still unknown at this time.

We ask at this time if you can and are able, that you can first pray for tomorrow’s surgery at 9/10am. Secondly, if you are able to give to the Berman family in this unfortunate time, we ask that you only do it if you feel called. If you unable to donate, sharing her story can also help reach others in prayer or donation. We are so grateful Kim and Josh feel comforted by God, which has allowed her to have trust in her medical team while making the best informed decisions. She and her whole family are so well loved and I know we are already rallying behind them. Kim, Josh and the kids WILL get through this, in Jesus’ name, Amen!