Randi Koon – The Fight of Her Life

Hi, that’s me, Jenna, there in the center. Over there to the far right, well, that’s the most loving, patient, selfless person I know. That’s my mom, Randi Koon. And the littles? Those are part of why she’s determined to fight, those are her grandkids.

As some of you may know the last almost 3 years have put our family through the ringer, we have been through some of our darkest times only to come out on the other side as a stronger, closer family. For those that don’t know our story I’ll give a quick recap. End of September 2020, my older brother, Nick, almost lost his life when a firework malfunctioned severing his leg. He was airlifted to Harborview where he remained in a coma and upon waking was listed in critical condition. Two months later, he was released and came home, short a limb but more grateful then ever. July 2022 after suffering back pain and collapsing in her bedroom my mom, Randi, was taken to the hospital. Tests revealed she had a brain tumor that destroyed the nerves needed to transmit a message from the brain to the right leg. Brain surgery was done in August, the tumor non-cancerous, but she had to learn to walk again. The nerves never healed but she fought through learning to walk, although with difficulty, drive, and live life.

June 2023, after some unusual and severe pain she went to see her doctor, fast forward a month later she receives a referral to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research center where she is diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Although not once in her life had she smoked, she was now looking at the most difficult battle yet. The battle to live. The news that it had spread from her lungs to multiple areas of lymph nodes and now to her spine has flipped our lives upside down.

A treatment plan has been put in place to help slow the grows and the spread of the tumors, however, there is no cure for her due to the advanced state. My dad, her husband of over 40 years has been taking her to the weekly appointments in Seattle which has caused him to miss multiple days of work/ income. On top of this there is the expense of travel and then if that weren’t already adding stress about finances, yesterday, we learned that the cost for one month of medication needed for treatment is $14,000.00. Insurance assists with some, which is a blessing, however not all cost is covered, leaving that to be paid out of pocket.

I know that I can’t cure her cancer, or ease the chronic pain she’s enduring daily, and I can’t help with the constant worry she feels – which isn’t for herself but worry for others that are on this ride for her. What I was hoping I could do, with the help of her family and friends is at least alleviate some of the stress of the financial burden.

My mom is without a doubt the most patient, loving, caring, compassionate person I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Some people say that she would give the shirt off her back, but my mom she would. She would give you her shirt, her shoes, and then go to the store and buy you extras just to make sure you were okay. She has never turned away from someone that needed her help, and never has she put herself or her needs ahead of anyone. If you need her, she’s there. If you talk, she listens. If you cry, she cries with you.

My mom has always without fail been my constant cheerleader, constant advocate, my constant support. She is my constant. Now its my turn, I’m hoping that with the help of her family and friends we can come together and hopefully take just a bit of the stress off her plate.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you are wanting to reach out, please contact me and I will be sure to pass your message along, or provide you with a mailing address for cards, letters. Right now, it’s about letting her, and my dad have all the time they have left together as peaceful, and as stress free as possible. We are all struggling with this, but my mom and dad are struggling the most. My goal is not to eliminate the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, but to ensure that when they are together, they don’t feel obligated to respond to messages and calls but instead can focus on what is most important, each other.

Thank you again for your love and support,

From the Koon (and Owens) Family.