Your Donations at Work
Wish Fulfilling a last
By Amy Wilson Jessica Rivers received the news in September that there were no other options left to treat her Stage IV lung cancer. For this 39-year-old mother of two, the news meant the end of chemotherapy and radiation treatments that had begun in April 2012. Her two children, ages 16 and 13, had moved in with their father in North Carolina when Rivers became ill. She had not seen them for 17 months, instead having to rely on Skype, texts and emails. She was living on her own with very little income, and unable to work because of her illness. With such an aggressive cancer, she required pain medication to control her symptoms, which left her unable to drive. Phelps County Regional Medical Center’s courtesy van brought her back and forth to treatments. Rivers was used to being active, having served in the military and as a paratrooper. When she received the news that there were no other treatments
Jessica Rivers
“How lucky am I to have had this opportunity to validate my life and existence?”
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available, her only wish was to visit her children and attend her 20th class reunion in South Carolina. She knew that with her health deteriorating, the quality of her life would soon change. However, with her limited funds, she couldn’t afford the flight or hotel costs. When the request was made through Jason Sharp, fund administrator for the Joy of Caring Cancer Fund, to help cover the cost of the round trip flight and two-week hotel stay, he immediately signed off on the request. Her family was planning to pick up other costs such as food, rental car, etc. While on her trip, Rivers posted the following on Jason Sharp Facebook: “I have had the best time of my life, spent with friends and family...and even strangers and new friends. What am I taking home with me from this trip? I am so blessed! I cannot truly express to you all how happy and grateful I am right now. The only words that seem to fit are to say that I am full and complete. Yes, I may be young...and especially for someone preparing for the end of their life...but I have had a rich and full life. I haven’t just existed here...I have lived. “Most importantly, I have loved and been loved by so many extraordinary people. How lucky am I to have had this opportunity to validate my life and existence? It has felt more like winning the Ms. Universe pageant than being on a vacation. I have been overwhelmed with so much love, kindness, joy and laughter...enough to sustain a person through an entire lifetime! If nothing else, so many of you have shown me that I have contributed in a positive manner to the world around me, and in more ways than I would have ever thought. I am very grateful to you all. No matter what my body may be experiencing right now...or tomorrow...or next week...I can endure it with a smile on my face and love in my heart. Thank you for such a precious gift.” Less than 48 hours before she was scheduled to fly back to Missouri, she made contact with her best friend from sixth grade. Since her best friend and her husband only lived about 20 minutes from the airport, they made
plans for Rivers to spend the last night before her flight with them. According to her Facebook post, “I went through the unspeakable painful goodbyes with my babies and headed to Chapel Hill for the night. When I arrived, it was just like it has always been with us...never awkward...hugs and kisses...tears of joy. Within 30 minutes, they asked me to spend all of my last days with them as my caregivers. “Wow! Who does that? Who chooses to watch you deteriorate and pass when they have no responsibility to do so? Who opens their life and home to you, and promises all their time and love to your care and comfort? Who promises to be there to hold your hand and smile at you as you take your last breath? Only the truest of friends and family of your heart...they are real angels. “And the best part??? I am exactly 63 miles from my remarkable kids...able to continue to share as much time with them as school will allow. It will be bittersweet having to say goodbye to my Missouri family who has given me so much love and support over the past six years. However, I have peace in the fact that the burden you all have shared in loving and supporting me over the past two years of illness will be lifted as you pass the torch to others who love me,” Rivers wrote. On Nov. 17, Jessica Rivers died, with her family and friends at her side. For the staff at the Bond Clinic, Rivers made a distinct impression. “She touched us so much because she always had such a positive attitude,” said Kaye Sutton, oncology nurse for Dr. Joe Bond. “She was just so remarkable and an inspiration not only to us, but Kaye Sutton to the other patients. Jessica helped me to know that what I do is worthwhile. We can’t win every cancer fight, but we can create special moments.” If you would like to make a donation to the Joy of Caring Cancer Fund please visit giving.pcrmc.com/give or contact Lori Moss at (573) 458-7647.
Foundation In Focus | giving.pcrmc.com
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