Heather (Fowler) Rickard is one feisty, strong, determined, selfless and loyal human. She is literally salt of the earth and one the best people I have known since 1994. My name is Kristy (Aldous) Porterfield and Heather and I were suitemates at Greensboro College. From day one we were both bold and sarcastic and we have been soul sisters from that day on. I am starting this fundraiser to help the one that would never ask for help. Heather has been fighting for her life quietly. She wanted to protect her family and friends from her fate so much that she keep this news very close to her until there was no other choice. Most people had no idea she was taking this on. This insanely brave woman continued to care for her live-in parents and her children like it was just another day. Below are the details of what this fighter has been tested with. This has not just impacted her, but her whole family. I would love if we could come together and help Heather and her family find the peace they will need in the upcoming transition and beyond. The amount of financial obligation now and in the future is a large burden for them to tackle. We can help with that.

In September 2024, Heather experienced what looked like a stroke. Her youngest daughter, Anna, found her standing frozen in the kitchen, not moving and called for her older sister, Riley. She was taken to St Mary’s Hospital where a mass on the right side of her brain was found. She was transferred to Georgetown University Hospital on DC where, a few days later, surgery was performed and portions of a tumor were removed. Immediately they knew it was a Glioblastoma and after the biopsy learned it was a stage 4 tumor…a terminal diagnosis. To be very frank, this is a very dismal disease that doesn't provide a optimistic lifespan.

Since September of 2024 she has battled the cancer bravely and with determination. Through combined Chemo and Radiation followed by two more craniotomies to try and improve her condition through tumor removal and swelling remediation.

During all of this she has remained a dedicated caregiver to her parents (she has been their caretaker since 2018, even quitting her job to care for them full-time), her children and those around her. Even when not feeling the greatest and right up until her most recent hospital admission, sitting in the stands to support their son, Tucker’s, almost perfect high school soccer season. Supporting him with advice as he was accepted to Methodist University after graduation to play college lacrosse. She continued to support their church, Libertad Baptist Church. Finding friends and family there that have supported her and Les all through her fight.

After a recent planned MRI on a weekend at Georgetown Hospital they were advised that she had fluid developing on her brain and she needed to go immediately to Georgetown Hospital’s ER. Within an hour of arriving she was being moved to the ICU and a plan was already in motion for an additional surgery. On Thursday November 6th a shunt was placed and we learned the tumor had grown again in two short months, putting pressure on the opposite side of the brain as well as growth over ever top of the brain onto the other half.

Since her admission on November 3rd her condition has progressively gotten worse. It was discovered she was, and still is to some degree having small “sub clinical seizures” which are also impacting her brain and its functioning. At my last visit the day before her shunt surgery she was in a great mindset and had partial ability to walk to the restroom. Les informed me that she has taken a hard turn for the worse since my visit.

We made every attempt to discharge her into an acute care Hospice facility. But she doesn’t meet the eligibility at this time based on insurance requirements. She is scheduled to be discharged into in home hospice care with St Mary’s County Hospice in the early hours of Thursday the 13th.

As her family prepares to take her home for care it is very obvious how difficult caring for her will be as she continues to decline. While she didn’t meet the standard at an acute care where insurance is the method of payment, she does meet the eligibility to enter the St Mary’s Hospice house as it’s strictly pay to stay. This is $200 a day.

This Gofundme is about helping her family secure a safe place for Heather to finish her journey on earth and to a place where she is healed of all her problems and can be at peace. It is also to provide some relief in the physical, emotional and financial burdens that will arise for the family as a result of her diagnosis.

Thank you on behalf of her family; Les, Riley, Tucker, Anna, Buck, Jackie, Rusty, Jamie, Matthew, Trish and Carmen.

With so much love and peace,

Kristy Porterfield