In the last week of June my wife Heather Morrow was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer . It has now made its way to her back, heart and lungs. She was taken from our home on July 20th by ambulance and checked into Mercy Hospital that night. She stay there undergoing multiple surgeries for 38 day's. At that point she moved to a private room in Springfield Villa where she remains today.
For 28 years I have been blessed with a strong woman, loving mother of 3, grandmother, sister, daughter, amongst all, my best friend… truly the most amazing person I have ever met. Over the past 10 years she has lived her life with a heavy heart for others, sharing her compassion as a CNA in a nursing home in Kimberling City. My wife has always fought for others, whether it be family or friends new and old, and now she has her own fight ahead of her. I am hoping you all out there, will fight alongside us. The only way we will get through this is together.
I have created this fund to help support her and our family with medical bills and living expenses as she has now reached the point of bed rest unable to continue work. At the end of August, she was no longer eligible for health or life insurance. Our main concern right now is to keep her focused on living the fullest life she can building beautiful memories with the time we have left together.
Our gratitude towards any help you can give is immeasurable. Please share and stay tuned for updates…
UPDATE 10-27-2019
Thank you to those of you that have been there for Heather thru out this life changing time. It has now been over 100 days and nights without her in the house. Sammie and I drive up to Springfield and spend as much time with her as money allows. Heather’s mom and sister came down from the upper peninsula of Michigan a few weeks ago. We spent an amazing day together going to the mall. This was the trip that Heather got her first hair cut like this in over 30 years. After getting use to it we went back and cut it again. I think she likes it, I hope.
Since the last update Heather has moved into a skilled nursing facility in Springfield. She has now undergone more than a dozen surgeries, from nephrostomy tubes put in her kidneys to stents in multiple locations a port in her chest and the catheter.
As for Heather’s treatments, we did one round of radiation and she has now completed 3 rounds of chemotherapy. There will be a scan done soon to see if the chemo has shrunk anything. Her leg has gotten a lot better with no more infection. Although still a bit of swelling in both legs and with about a month of physical therapy, she is now able to walk holding on to things and with her walker. We can only hope that she continues to get stronger with each day.
UPDATE 12-5-2019
My wife and I celebrate our 29th anniversary on December 14th. I hope to have the gas money to get to spend the day with here. however, as this may be our last Christmas together I am doing everything to bring her home for a few days. She has been doing good staying up beat thru out all this. I am so proud of her. Thank you to all of you that support her in so many ways. We could never get thru all this without all the help.
UPDATE 01-20-2020
First thing, Heather and I would like to say thank you to everyone that helped make Heather’s 2019 Christmas the best ever. It could not have happened without all of your help.
As of right now we have been told Heather needs to come home. There is nothing more that can be done. So we are planning on moving Heather home from the nursing home by the end of the month. This after more than 6 months without her in the house. I have been working day and night getting the house ready. (I am way over my head) I however have know clue how we are going to afford all the things that she will need just to get through the day to day life. We have Medicaid, however those wheels move way to slow. They just will not be able to provide the things we will need from the start. It is the worst feeling that she can come home, but I may not have the money to make it happen. I wish I could have done better, I was not ready to do this myself. I was not the best husband I could have been, but I promise I will be the best man ever to her last breath.
Her last scan showed things to be at bay for now. Heather will be going to chemo for the rest of her life or as long as she wants to keep going. 29 years and I never gave her a honeymoon or even a vacation, but I will do everything in my power to make your last times with me the best times ever. My Heather is the best part of my life, now and forever. I love you sweet girl, keep up the fight…
UPDATE 02-19-2020
Well, lets see here; After I got home I was only home for about 2 weeks before I ended up in the hospital. I ended up there because I had a massive infection in my kidneys. That infection caused my left leg to swell back up also. I ended up having to have a bunch of tests to figure out which antibiotics were going to work; with that being done I had to stay in the hospital from February 19th until march 9. The antibiotic that they found that would kill the bacteria could only be given through an IV. (oh great fun, NOT!),. I had to get a midline (a stronger IV tubing and longer lasting) put in so they could run the antibiotics through there. So while being in the hospital that threw off my chemo schedule.. Oh great fun…But we got it all worked out and made a new schedule.. So really no harm no foul. While in the hospital on top of the test that they ran they also did a stent replacement surgery.
After getting home on march 9th..( so glad to be home) I had chemo on Wednesday. Man that was a long day. Then a follow up appointment with the primary doctor to discuss what all happened in the hospital…
I was just getting settled and this stupid covid virus hit and changed the world. So the spring time is springing and it's always fun to watch the leaves come alive; but man oh man the pollen sheesh…April rolls around and April fools day I am suppose to get treatment, I get my lab work done first thing like normal; while waiting in the waiting room the nurse comes out calls me back and tells me that nope your not getting treatment today.. You have to go to the hospital right now. ( internally starting to freak out). I asked why and she said I need blood… Oh ok…. So I called hubby to come and get me and take me over to the hospital and then get to the floor I needed to be on and get all settled and was there for about 4.5 hours.. I had my nephrostomy tubes changed the following Tuesday . was not able to get treatment until the following weds. It was a crazy way to start a new month and season…. Plus since covid hit I really have not been going anyplace… and if I do I try really really hard not to touch thing, but that doesn't always work.
UPDATE 05-11-2021
Heather lost her betel with cancer May 11th, 2021.
Please click the DONATE button below to help out.
If you have any questions or concerns on how to give a helping hand to our family please contact me at HeathersCancerFund@gmail.com
Donations can also be sent to our PayPal
Sincerely,
The Morrow family.