Ordinary Day, Extraordinary Achievement

LOVE FOR FAMILY DEFINES HEIDI FRIE’S CANCER BATTLE

Heidi Frie’s first thought when she wakes up each morning: her plan for that day. Not that month or that week — simply that day.

Often it includes getting the kids to school, attending their activities, and greeting them when they come home. Other times it’s about doctor appointments, medical tests, and more chemotherapy.

A Devastating Diagnosis

Heidi had just completed the school year as an academic counselor at Concordia College in Moorhead when the unexpected changed her life.

After a couple weeks of vague abdominal pain and fatigue, she spiked a fever and had severe pain. A trip to the Sanford ER on June 2 led to a scan showing multiple abdominal masses. One had wrapped around her colon, causing an infection.

After several more tests, the diagnosis: late-stage ovarian cancer. Heidi was 39 years old.

“Shock is the only word that describes it,” said Jeremy, her husband of 16 years. “Just that morning she was at the gym exercising.”

Heidi recalled her reaction. “Numb,” she said. “It didn’t seem real.”

One Step

at a Time

Reality set in with a daunting treatment plan: nine weeks of chemotherapy, major surgery to try to remove the cancer, and more weeks of chemotherapy.

“Early on, Dr. Snow told us it was important to celebrate steps along the way,” said Heidi. “That approach has really helped us.” Dr. Denise Snow is an oncologist at Sanford Roger Maris

Cancer Center in Fargo.

They celebrated in little ways: going out for a frozen yogurt treat after the infection cleared. And in big ways: participating in an ovarian cancer awareness run/walk after completing the first phase of chemotherapy and just days before surgery.

And after the 10-hour surgery?

“The next day she was up and walking,” said Jeremy.

“She knew the sooner she walked the sooner she’d have the strength to start her next phase of chemotherapy. It began shortly after.”

Meaningful Moments

Twins games, weddings, days at the lake…

Fighting cancer didn’t stop Heidi from good times with family this past summer. With chemotherapy scheduled early in the week, she knew she’d feel best on weekends and planned accordingly.

For now Heidi keeps her focus on the day, relying on faith and appreciating support.

“We have a terrific group helping us — family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more,” she said. “They make life pretty easy with meal preparation, housecleaning, transporting the kids, whatever’s needed.”

Her spirit strong, Heidi struggles with how she feels physically. It varies widely, even hour to hour. But no matter how she feels, she strives to keep the days normal for her children, nineyear-old Anna and seven-year-old Sawyer.

“If I can be upright when they get home, that’s good,” she said. “I’m grateful for that.”

For Heidi, an ordinary day is nothing short of extraordinary. And she achieves it with amazing strength, courage and grace. She says that God will help her through it.