Kay’s Story

Site created on July 18, 2022

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. Mom’s journey began on June 25th, 2022.  It was a Saturday and she had just returned from a family vacation to Lake Chelan.  She had been experiencing some sharp pains on one side of her upper abdomen as well as nausea.  After the pain continued for 2 days, she decided it was best to go to urgent care at Skagit Valley Hospital.  The PA listened to her symptoms and felt her stomach - she didn’t feel anything but recommended an abdominal ultrasound to rule out gallbladder complications.  It was a complete shock to all when the PA returned and shared with my mom they had found “innumerable liver lesions,” suggesting metastatic cancer.  Mom had a follow-up CT scan the following morning which reported metastasis on her lungs, liver, lymph nodes around her heart, and thickening of her gastric lining.  


Almost immediately, mom was directed to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to see an oncologist.  On Thursday, July 14th, Mom had a liver biopsy in hopes it would point us toward the original tumor source.  The biopsy contained markers that can be traced to the esophagus, gastric tract, or pancreas.  Mom is scheduled for an endoscopy on Wednesday, July 20th in search of an esophageal/gastric tumor.  If it is not found, she will have a specialized CT scan of her pancreas.


Mom has met with her oncologist and together they have decided to begin chemotherapy treatment next week (Monday, July 25th).  She is scheduled to have a port placed on Friday, July 22nd.  The chemotherapy treatment will be every 2 weeks.  She will receive the chemo via a pump that she will have at home for 48 hours.  Chemo treatments will be received at Evergreen Hospital.  We will update this “story page” as we receive more diagnosis and staging information. 


Mom remains hopeful that treatment will be effective and grateful for the wonderful support she has already received from friends and family via thoughtful cards in the mail, supportive texts, and caring phone conversations. Although she is fatigued and in pain she continues to be positive.  We understand that many are looking for ways to help.  Right now, we want to get her started on her chemotherapy treatment - more to come on that later. In the meantime, we appreciate your prayers, support, words of hope, and encouragement. Phone calls are always welcome, but please text before you call.  Thank you for visiting. 



Newest Update

Journal entry by Erin Heathers

Romans 14:8 - For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

 

It is with great sadness that we let you know that Kay has made the journey home this morning to her Lord and Savior in Heaven.

The Heathers’ Family would like to thank everyone for your continued prayers and support through this difficult time. We have appreciated the love and care everyone has provided. We found the term “Brutiful” to be the best way to explain this. It has been brutal to lose the matriarch of our family but the beautiful moments and conversations that we have been able to experience are truly a blessing.

Mom touched the lives of so many and we will be planning a Celebration of Life befitting a woman of her impact. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CHILDREN OF VALLEY, an organization near and dear to Kay’s heart - www.childrenofthevalleymv.org/donate.

As she loved so deeply and gave so freely, we ask that in her memory you do the same. Hug your loved ones and take a moment to tell them what they mean to you. Send a note to someone or smile at a child as you pass in the grocery store. It was small acts of kindness that were unseen by the masses but felt by one that made Mom happiest- make a difference in one life and you will in return impact thousands, just like she did.

Mom, hug your boy- he’s got you now until we meet again. 💕

* The song below was Mom’s song - she requested it nightly to be sung as her “Blessing” please listen in remembrance of her. 

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