This is a report for Mission 345 by Grace on Wings.
Departure: Jacksonville, Florida
Arrival: Memphis, Tennessee
Date: June 16, 2015
Mission Report
Mission 345 was done this past Tuesday June 16, 2015. I feel that the only way to truly express this mission report is through the family’s own words. That they used on Facebook.
She passed away the very next day.
Dear Friends-
Many of you know my sister has battled cancer for the past year. Last summer she was diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer and immediately began chemotherapy to attack “Bertha,” the name she jokingly assigned to her tumor.
After impressive results, she was able to shrink Bertha enough to undergo a lumpectomy in October. She began radiation treatment soon after, but had to halt treatments because more cancer cells were found in her spinal fluid in December. Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis. (You can read her blog at https://whenkillerboobsattack.wordpress.com.
A port was surgically placed in her head and more rounds of chemotherapy began. Unfortunately, “Bertha’s Buddies” have spread to her spine, rib, pelvis, and brain. She’s only 37.
Kim has declined severely during the past two weeks and was hospitalized on Wednesday, May 20 following an onset of falling and seizures. The cancer has progressed and due to the cells attacking her cranial nerves, now has visual deficiencies and excruciating pain in her head, neck, and shoulders.
This is terminal.
The median survival rate with treatment is ~7mos, without treatment: weeks. She is in the 7th month since the new diagnosis. Chemotherapy and further treatments will not prolong her life.
Kim absolutely does not want to be placed in hospice and without family in Florida, wants to go home to Millington. However, to get her from Florida to Tennessee safely is tricky, as she will require medical transportation. Commercial air is not an option in her condition.
The medical air service has quoted us $11,300 to fly her home. Insurance will not cover the cost. While we are looking into all options, we need to act quickly.
Some people wish for new cars or fancy vacations, we wish for Kim to pass with dignity and peace in her hometown, surrounded by her family and friends.
June 15, 2015
Hey ya’ll –
This update is a mix of good news and not so good.. I’ll start with the latter.
Kim’s condition continues to fade. She sleeps the majority of the day and her vision is pretty much gone. When she is awake, it’s a toss up if she’s able to form understandable words/ sentences.
Sometimes its just jibberish, other times she’s able to hold conversation with ease. She is completely bedridden now, as her strength does not allow her to safely get in/out (even with a few staff members helping) and remain in the wheelchair.
We found out that her insurance will not cover hospice when she flies to TN. We’ll have to pay out of pocket for her care going forward… but thanks to everyone’s generosity, we have a good cushion so we’re not overly concerned about that.
She flies with Grace on Wings tomorrow to TN. My mother and her dog, Riley, will accompany her on the flight. This service is such a blessing to us and they’ve been amazing throughout the entire process. Kim has had so many friends and family visit her over these last few weeks and even more have called/text/FB messages – she knows that she is loved by everyone. Thank you all. I will post tomorrow with photos of the flight.
Quick note- Kim and my mother made it safely to TN this afternoon! I’ll have more photos soon, but this is just a glimpse of how amazing Grace on Wings is.
On the side of Nellie (the plane) reads “Showing Christ’s love through aviation ” and it is evident in their actions. Before they boarded, Hal (the pilot), gathered the paramedics and his crew around my sister and prayed over her.
June 17, 2015
Hey folks,
Kim has gone to be with the Lord and I imagine my dad was there at the gates to welcome her in with a big hug and kiss. I truly believe she held on long enough to be home and to see her best friend. While it is an incredibly sad time, we are at peace because she’s no longer in pain and her body is finally free of the cancer she battled.
Thank you for all the prayers, encouragement, and support you’ve shown our family. Kim was loved by everyone she know and she left this world knowing that. Once we have final arrangements made, I will let you know.
Kim and her dad.
Grace on Wings post to the family on June 17, 2015
We are sorry to hear this news but Kim is in a better place with our Lord and Savior no longer in pain, no longer in fear but now free and walking the streets of gold. WE will see Kim again when it is our time and our Lord calls each of us home.
It was a great honor to been able to serve Kim and your family with her final wish to be home around everyone that loved her so much. My prayers are with you and your family. May the Lord comfort and bring you peace during this time.
Kim is now with the Lord thou we are sad since you will miss her but listen to the words of our savior.
Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
and in John 16:33 Jesus said: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Quick note- Kim and my mother made it safely to TN this afternoon! I’ll have more photos soon, but this is just a glimpse of how amazing Grace on Wings is.
