Advertisement She and her chiropractor thought it was a bulging disc in her back. When she went to see her doctor at Gundersen Lutheran two months ago, Heideman never expected to discover a tumor in her leg and cancer in her bones.
She had thought her breast cancer, first diagnosed in 2001, had been successfully treated with chemotherapy and radiation, even after a recurrence in 2006. But that cancer had spread to her hip, ribs and spine.
“I didn’t believe it, and I argued with the doctor,” she said. “I said he must be looking at the wrong test.
“I was pretty numb.”
The 49-year-old woman was alone and about to drive two hours to her home in Fredericksburg, Iowa. But doctors wanted to plan radiation treatments the next day, and they suspected that if she left La Crosse, she would not return for treatment.
“I wouldn’t have come back,” Heideman said. “I probably would have stayed home for a week and then sought treatment elsewhere.”
Heideman had little money and she was in no shape to drive home. And she didn’t have enough money for a motel room.
Dr. Patrick Conway, a Gundersen Lutheran radiation oncologist, turned to Paula’s Purse, a new Gundersen Lutheran cancer patient fund that helps those in need.
The fund is named for Paula Tower, a mammo-graphy technologist who worked in the Center for Breast Care for more than 16 years. She died of breast cancer last year.
Conway called Janette Dawson, a clinical social worker, who booked a motel room for Heideman and bought pajamas and personal hygiene items for her with funds from Paula’s Purse.
Heideman arrived at the clinic the next day and she had radiation treatments for a week. She also had hip surgery March 19. She finished more radiation treatments May 2, and this week doctors will determine the next course of treatment.
“I couldn’t have asked for better care,” Heideman said. “I was treated like family.”
Heideman had health insurance at work, but now she can’t work. Gundersen Lutheran staff have even helped her apply for disability status.
Conway said he realized Heideman could not have been helped without Tower’s inspiration for Paula’s Purse.
“While Paula’s body gave out to breast cancer, her spirit reaches out, inspiring us to help when it is needed,” Conway said.
In January, “Pennies from Heaven,” a Broadway revue, raised $11,000 for Paula’s Purse. But the fund could run out in a couple months because it has helped so many cancer patients.
Consider giving to Paula’s Purse. To do so, you can call (608) 775-6600.
The needs are great, and there’s not a better way to touch people who need your support at a critical time in their lives.
Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at (608) 791-8227 or trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com.
