September 23, 2015 at 1:05 p.m.
Benefit for the Huset family set for Sept. 26 at Fisher's in Gleason
Benefit for the Huset family set for Sept. 26 at Fisher's in Gleason
By Kayla Thomason-
Jennifer Huset fought a long battle with systemic scleroderma and cancer before she passed away at her residence Sept. 4, surrounded by her family.
She was the wife of Troy Huset, mother of Max Beck, 18, Emily Beck, 15, Lizzy Huset, 9, and stepmother of Conner Huset, 18.
Huset was diagnosed with systemic scleroderma in 2012.
"Scleroderma is a disease of connective tissues," said Terri Krueger, Huset's cousin. "What it does is you lose all elasticity in the tissues and it hardens everything."
It is believed that the scleroderma contributed to Huset developing lung cancer, which she was diagnosed with in February 2015, according to Krueger.
"The whole very sad part of the story is when she was diagnosed with the scleroderma we knew her life expectancy was shorter - they said 10 years was her prognosis at that time - so we were prepared," she said.
When Huset was diagnosed with scleroderma the family had planned and prepared for that inevitable day 10 years down the road. The youngest child would be 16 years old and the other children would be adults, but with the diagnosis of cancer their already shortened time together shrank even more.
"We expected her to digress and have all these problems eating and whatnot, and in December she said her lower back hurt," Krueger said.
Huset had an X-ray, which revealed a spot on her lung, but the doctors thought it might have been a shadow.
She was placed on antibiotics and a month later she had another X-ray. Unfortunately the spot was bigger and after a biopsy the doctors confirmed it was stage four lung cancer.
Lung cancer is typically caught in the late stages, according to Krueger.
"We were surprised," she said. "We didn't think that it would ever come to the point where she would have lung cancer. We were prepared for her to not be able to use her hands and not be able to swallow. Never did it enter our minds that she could die sooner - at least not in mine and I'm a nurse."
Huset started aggressive chemotherapy, but it didn't help.
"The oncologist said there was nothing more we could do, the tumor (was) massive and chemo (was) not going to help anymore," Krueger said.
Like any good wife and mother, Huset's biggest concern was for her family. She was worried the medical bills would cause them trouble, Krueger said.
Krueger, along with other family members, began planning a benefit to reduce the family's debt.
There will be plate lunches served which will include barbecue, chips and pickles.
Those who like homemade goods will want to check out the bake sale, which will have apple pies, Amish bread and more.
Guests will find a variety of items in the 50/50 raffle. There will be gift certificates from Stein's Liquor Store, Coffee Beans Etc. and Papa Murphy's; hair cuts from Fantastic Sams and Cost Cutters, tool sets, jewelry, speakers from Sounds and Motion, a pool stick from The Pool People, a GPS chip from Fishing Hot Spots, NAPA Auto Parts camo hats, AutoZone car wash soap, sponge; and more.
They will also be selling ribbons and bracelets to raise money. Guests can also participate in a cornhole tournament. The prizes will be based on the number of entries.
Donation may also be made at Peoples State Bank. Ask for the Hope for the Husets fund.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@ rivernewsonline.com.
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