The Advance

Issue date: 12/8/06 Section: News

Senior Arts Education major and Advance Editor Heidi Feyerherm is the mother of 6 year old Chloe, recently diagnosed with a brain stem tumor in early November.

Advance Editor Heidi Feyerherm is a mom of two young children, Chloe and Hunter, and an art major at Kansas Wesleyan University. Her daughter, Chloe Watson who is just 6 years old was diagnosed with a brainstem tumor on Nov. 7.
Salina Hospital doctors discovered that because the tumor is so close to the brain it cannot be operated on. Chloe was referred to the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City where the doctor recommended radiation treatment. She will receive 31 treatments of radiation, which began on Nov. 13 and will continue every weekday until Dec. 27.
The doctors will not know the effects of the radiation until mid-January when they will conduct an MRI scan. Chloe is receiving the 5- minute treatments at the Kansas City Cancer Park. During the week, Heidi and Chloe are staying with Heidi's sister, Keri in Kansas City, and they return to Salina on the weekend. Heidi's son, Hunter, who is 8 years old stays with Heidi's parents in Salina.
Heidi said that Chloe is still her same fun, energetic self and refers to the tumor as "the germy." Heidi spoke of when Chloe saw a commercial for St. Jude's Hospital which showed a girl with a brain tumor, and she said, "I have one of those." Chloe is taking it all in stride and keeping everyone in good spirits.
Children's Mercy Hospital gave Chloe a stuffed bear to do the things Chloe normally does. The "Chloe Bear" sits in Chloe's chair in school and Chloe's friends leave messages and gifts in its backpack for her.
Hunter looks after Chloe Bear and takes it home from school every day. Chloe misses her brother when she is in Kansas City and looks forward to seeing him on the weekends.
Heidi planned to do her student teaching next semester; however, she is postponing it so her graduation has to be moved back. Her final project of a photography exhibition was due to be displayed in the gallery this month, but now it will be exhibited next semester. Heidi is an employee of the Salina Journal, but because she has a part-time postion, she does not qualify for sick leave. Heidi is thankful for the help she has been given so far. The Salina Journal carried out a fundraiser for her, Coronado Middle School, where Chloe and Hunter attend, raised money right away, and Lakewood Middle School organized a penny drive. A benefit fund has been set up in Chloe's name at the Sunflower Bank; details are given below. Donations can also be made in her name and placed in campus box 15 and will be transferred to the Sunflower Bank.

Chloe Watson Benefit Fund
Sunflower Bank
2090 South Ohio St.
PO Box 800
Salina, KS 67401
Bank Office (785) 827-5564

A website for Chloe has been set up at www.caringbridge.org. When on the site, guests can click on visit and type in Chloe Watson and they will be directed to Chloe's site. Visitors can read Chloe's story and her inspiring journal, which she writes regularly.
Guests can also view photos of brave Chloe, taken by Heidi, and sign the visitor book and leave messages for her.
Heidi asks for continued thoughts and prayers for Chloe.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools