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Nurse Battles Cancer While Caring For Others
Andy Fillmore / Ocala Star-Banner
August 22, 2008
OCALA – Cassidy Krick was asked at school to compose a dream last Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The 10-year-old girl’s dream wasn’t of being a princess or having a room full of toys.
“I wish my Mom was cancer free and didn’t sleep so much,” Cassidy wrote.
Cassidy’s mom, licensed practical nurse Una Krick, is a caregiver. She is likely more ill than most of her geriatric and rehabilitative patients.
Krick, 36, of Ocala, has fought colon cancer that spread to her lung and now is in the bone of her lower back (sacrum) area. She has had two major surgeries removing parts of her colon and lung.
“About three years ago, I didn’t feel 100 percent. I was tired and cold even on a hot summer day,” Krick said. Soon after, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.
“You’ve got to stay up, especially for the kids,” she said. “Fighting cancer is my life.”
The single mother of Cassidy and Nathan, 6, works “when possible,” usually one or two days a week. She said her employer, Palm Garden, a skilled care and rehabilitation center, has been liberal with her hours and co-workers have contributed personal time off hours so her full-time status and insurance can be maintained.
“Una exemplifies what nursing is all about every day,” said Tina Vanaman, a registered nurse and director of nursing at Palm Garden. “She has had several types of cancer, and this time she has bone cancer and there are days she can just barely walk down the hall.”
Vanaman said Krick’s dedication to those in her care exceeds the pain that “most could not bear” as she goes from patient to patient.
You can only imagine what her medical expenses are, and with two small children she is struggling just to make ends meet,” Vanaman said.
She added that fellow employees and friends are cooperating to support Krick.
“That’s what it’s all about, coming together like family to help,” said nurse Vera Huggins of co-workers’ efforts to aid Krick, which have included a porch sale, raffles of artistic items and a poker tournament held last week.
Krick endures two daily radiation treatments and regular chemotherapy. The cancer had been in remission for about six months in 2006. She said although there is a family history of cancer, “it usually wasn’t at this young age.”
Previously, she would take day trips or outings to the movies with her children. “I now do a lot of sleeping,” Krick said.
“We used to hop in the car and go, and now we can’t.”
“It’s hard to maintain a normal lifestyle,” said Carol Newman, Krick’s mother, who lives with her daughter and grandchildren.
“Cassidy is scared and sees her mom in bed, ill and getting therapy,” Newman said. “The 6 year old, Nathan, only knows his mom as being ill. It would be like saying ‘Mom has red hair’,” she said.
Krick is a 1989 Vanguard High School graduate and was in the second graduating class of the Central Florida Community College nursing program.
“I have a lot of good friends, and hopefully I will beat this,” she said.
“I plan to see my children get married and have their own kids.”
Surgery cannot be performed on the bone cancer. It is hoped that aggressive treatment will shrink the tumor, yet it may be “lifetime maintenance” for Krick, who emphatically states: “I still have some fight left in me.”
(c) YellowBrix 2008
Kristinaveale
2 months ago
44 comments
You go girl! My grandpa recently died of cancer and I know first hand how hard it can be living with cancer. Truely you're an angel, who puts yourself above others. GOD bless you! I wish you the best of luck.
Ohioartist
2 months ago
8 comments
Deae Cassidy, I am also an LPN, and as I decided to read about this nurse working and struggling with cancer, I sat and cried. My dear husband also was diagnosed with colon cancer, and I had just lost my sweet father 9 days prior to his diagnosis, so i went throught every emotion imagineable, from total fear, to grief, and so much self pity, and the "what's gonna happen to me/" garbage, all the while trying to find something very encouraging to say to my husband of only 6 years. Could God be that mean to take away my Dad, and then my husband??The part i didn't tell you was I became a nurse 15 years ago, but after one year of working I blew two discs in my lower spine, and I suffered the devastating injuries i was dealt from my first husband, that destroyed my jaw, my nose, and eventually my neck. Only by the grace of God, am I not a quadarplegic. Back to the colon cancer, I learned not to be so self involved, and I became strong for Paul, he struggled through the surgery, came out with 2 feet of colon missing, but did not require a colostomy, for which we were both prepared, and has not needed chemo, or radiation. In April of this year, I returned to the work force, working in the HH field, caring for first a baby, then an 11 year old with CP. I suffer from my injuries, and I also agree with your one correspondent that if you need the medicine, take it. I do, and some days are so hard for me, I can't turn my head, I can barely get up their stairs, but i do it.I can never compare my self to someone like you, because your courage and determination is mind boggling, but it is human nature for the strong to fight, and to survive, and there are stranger stories out there about people with horrific cancers, and still they seem to miraculously survive. My most sincere prayers are with you, I am a Christian, and find such great peace in prayer. and the quiet of knowing that he is there. Take all of the well meaning things that have been shared with you, and feed off of that . Nurses are not just nurses, we are also survivors, and I pray God will continue to touch your life, and the lives of your whole family. Please find peace, dear Una, and know that we are out there praying for you. Jenny from Ohio
Ohioartist
2 months ago
8 comments
Deae Cassidy, I am also an LPN, and as I decided to read about this nurse working and struggling with cancer, I sat and cried. My dear husband also was diagnosed with colon cancer, and I had just lost my sweet father 9 days prior to his diagnosis, so i went throught every emotion imagineable, from total fear, to grief, and so much self pity, and the "what's gonna happen to me/" garbage, all the while trying to find something very encouraging to say to my husband of only 6 years. Could God be that mean to take away my Dad, and then my husband??The part i didn't tell you was I became a nurse 15 years ago, but after one year of working I blew two discs in my lower spine, and I suffered the devastating injuries i was dealt from my first husband, that destroyed my jaw, my nose, and eventually my neck. Only by the grace of God, am I not a quadarplegic. Back to the colon cancer, I learned not to be so self involved, and I became strong for Paul, he struggled through the surgery, came out with 2 feet of colon missing, but did not require a colostomy, for which we were both prepared, and has not needed chemo, or radiation. In April of this year, I returned to the work force, working in the HH field, caring for first a baby, then an 11 year old with CP. I suffer from my injuries, and I also agree with your one correspondent that if you need the medicine, take it. I do, and some days are so hard for me, I can't turn my head, I can barely get up their stairs, but i do it.I can never compare my self to someone like you, because your courage and determination is mind boggling, but it is human nature for the strong to fight, and to survive, and there are stranger stories out there about people with horrific cancers, and still they seem to miraculously survive. My most sincere prayers are with you, I am a Christian, and find such great peace in prayer. and the quiet of knowing that he is there. Take all of the well meaning things that have been shared with you, and feed off of that . Nurses are not just nurses, we are also survivors, and I pray God will continue to touch your life, and the lives of your whole family. Please find peace, dear Una, and know that we are out there praying for you. Jenny from Ohio
LJACKLPN
2 months ago
8 comments
Wouldn't be simply as brave and strong as Una. God bless her and her family, and all who know and care for her too.
Amock156
2 months ago
6 comments
That's very touching! Nurses have strong, huge hearts and she is just another one of us! Love the story!
Nursesgina913
2 months ago
2 comments
This story is one that really hit home for me i to suffer from cancer and i am a nurse as well my children are grown but i do have my grandson to care for and everyday i get up and struggle to go to work and take care of other people i was always told there is someone out there that is worse off then you are but when the pain hits you or your having treatment sometimes its hard to think about that ! what keeps me going is knowning my grandson depends on me as well as my patients my heart and my prayers are with you Una Kepp up the fight Gina -Dover, Del
KMerenyi
2 months ago
6 comments
Ok, so how inspiring is this story?!?! No more complaining from me on different issues. This is a real woman and an inspiring one! Good bless her, her family and friends and to all the nurses that inspire others with their strength and courage!
AbusyRN2go
2 months ago
3486 comments
Nurses are strong people I think and as long as there is a patient that needs her care, she will keep going forward.
laura59
2 months ago
414 comments
A truly amazing lady. I am glad she has such a good support group at work. It will make a difference (and already has). God bless you and all that you do.
basiajune
2 months ago
72 comments
WOW!!! That is all I can say... this lady is very strong and inspiring! I hope she gets better for herself and to take care of her children. My prayers go out to her and her family! It's great to hear that her co-workers and boss are helping her through this!!!
ag_merly_anwar
2 months ago
2 comments
Dear mother dear,
I pray for you everyday, even though i am very far,but god always be with u, i have also patient i care for her, every 12 hrs, she has breast cancer she is 60 yrs old, more two years i handle, i did as long she need me my services, both of you, will better soon, we love you a lot,
take care, god help u.
best regards,
Merly from Philippines,
Rine
2 months ago
4 comments
wow that's an amazing story. you are a strong person. i will keep you in my prayers. keep fighting god will make a way for you.
u_nice81
2 months ago
0 comments
this is touching, i pray God intervenes.
iwanna2
2 months ago
2 comments
Wow, what an inspiration she is! I am a 51.y.o. LPN who has been inactive for the last four years. While I do not have cancer(but, what misdiagnosed after kidney removed), I do have atypical sarcoidosis. I have been out of nursing due to my chronic illness. However, I am trying to get back into it. My family all thinks that it will be too much, but it is what I WANT to do. I never really got a chance to practice nursing much, as my darn diseae kept interfering. I did not graduate from nursing until the age of 40. Reading stories like this just confirm my belief in that I need to return to nursing. If only, two days a week in HH. To Cassidy Krick and all of the other nurses who have battled illness while remaining in nursing, thank you for your inspiration.God Bless you all! Hang in there Cassidy, you are a trooper. I am printing out this page and will read it when I need some encourgement.
pmahaff
2 months ago
8 comments
God bless you and others that are going through these hard times. I was dx. years ago with cervical cancer after having my son and I can remember those feelings to this day. Take care and I can say I am proud to be a member of a group of people who care about their own.