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Supporting the Chatfields through RuthMarie's Cancer Treatments & Recovery

Wheaton, IL

Story

We are starting this page to help us communicate with our friends and family more often and more efficiently. We are frequently overwhelmed and calling and texting is difficult but we really appreciate when our friends and family reach out and send us kind messages and ask how they can help. This page coordinates a lot of links to stay updated and also ways to help with things like food, our daughter, and medical expenses. RuthMarie was diagnosed with rectal cancer in June of 2022. The following weeks involved being let go from her job, pregnancy loss, and then egg retrieval shortly followed by beginning radiation and chemotherapy, port placement, and then 8 rounds of chemotherapy. Surgery followed a few months later which had major complications leaving her bedridden for 3 months and going to multiple PT and pain appointments every week for the following year. Navigating Jonathan starting a new job, raising a toddler, and dealing with treatment's physical and mental side effects has been very difficult for RuthMarie, Jonathan, Vivi, and their family support system during that time. We always appreciated everyone who checked on us throughout that time, offering help with food, transport, trips, gift cards, Venmo for self care, and things for Vivi. After the surgery, prognosis looked good with clear margins and nodes- however in May 2024 a small but significant lung nodule was found. In June the surgeon did a partial lung resection to remove it and it was found to be the same cells as the original tumor. A new oncologist recommended another course of chemotherapy in case there were cells not being picked up by current scans and lab technology. She is currently completing 12 rounds of chemo over the next several months. Some of our friends and family have asked how they can support mentally, physically, or financially so we feel this type of website is great to do all of those things easily- there are links on the page showing where to click to support us with messages, care cards, venmo, etc. As far as funds- Yes, after a surprise job loss a week after RuthMarie's diagnosis and her holding the insurance at the time; loss of dual income, COBRA payments, surprise fertility bills after being given wrong information (long story, we were able to get them to to cut the bill by 50% for their error but the bill was still quite high), and of course prescriptions, chemo, surgeries, PT, pain treatments, wound care treatments, etc. bills stack up quickly and emergency savings are drained very fast. I'll list below areas where help is appreciated if anyone is able and wanting to help: Examples any funds gifted will go towards include: - outstanding fertility clinic bill - current hospital bills - Embryo storage fees - chemotherapy - physical therapy - chronic pain management - hormone therapy - medications - hair loss solutions and wigs - childcare - traveling expenses - upcoming quarterly scans, procedures, and treatments - counseling We appreciate everyone who checks on us! RuthMarie has had some friends and family keep up with regular check-ins and it really helps her mental and emotional health! Thank you to everyone who reaches out and thinks of us 💗


Special Notes

💖 REGARDING VIVIANA: If you want to do something for Vivi she LOVES mail- sending cards or care packages with her name really brightens her day. She is starting to understand more and does get sad about mommy being sick, but she is very sweet taking care of mommy and has fun with other family members when mommy is resting. Mail (especially during chemo weeks) (noted in our calendar on this page!) would really brighten her day and she'd love it. Some of her favorite things: Bluey, Gabby's Dollhouse, Dinosaurs, Pokemon, Craft supplies, Frozen, Disney in general, anything spooky/Halloween, American Girl, Mario/Sonic/Kirby, Lizards (Geckos specifically), Dogs, Butterflies, Flowers, Rocks, dark chocolate M&Ms, cookies. She also loves Target and thus target gift cards if you really want to send her over the moon 😆

Care Calendar

MESSAGES