Grateful oncology patient gives back to Schwarz Cancer Center

To thank the care team who helped treat her cancer, Kim Heiderich-Watson made a contribution to IU Health.

In early 2023, Heiderich-Watson's doctors at IU Health Bloomington Hospital diagnosed a potentially cancerous tumor in her uterus. She and her husband Greg Watson immediately started looking for specialists who could help. They found one at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel.

“We did quite a bit of research, because we wanted to find the best oncologist,” said Watson, a middle school math teacher in Ellettsville. “After reading about Dr. Lisa Landrum’s background, we felt she was highly qualified and that she would be a good fit for Kim.”

Heiderich-Watson was able to get an appointment with Dr. Landrum just two weeks later, and a biopsy revealed endometrial cancer.

Within a month, Dr. Landrum performed a complete hysterectomy and removed a couple of Heiderich-Watson’s lymph nodes she noticed were swollen, a sign the cancer had potentially spread.

“We were at the grocery store when Dr. Landrum called to let us know the lymph nodes were cancer free,” Heiderich-Watson said. “We celebrated in the produce aisle.”

Heiderich-Watson started chemotherapy a month after her surgery. “I had long days at the infusion center,” said Heiderich-Watson. “I’d get there at 8:30 or 9 in the morning and leave at 5:30 in the evening. It was hard.”

She credits the staff at Schwarz Cancer Center with making those long days more tolerable.

“The nurses were so upbeat and positive,” she said. “They really paid attention to the little things, such as providing pillows, warm blankets and snacks. They also recognized that starting an IV in my arm was difficult, as my veins became hard to find. They arranged for a special machine and specialized nurse to start the IV during each infusion appointment. Those things made all the difference in the world.”

Throughout her cancer journey, Heiderich-Watson became close with her oncology nurse practitioner, Jayde Wall.

“I just connected with her,” Heiderich-Watson said. “She was very communicative. Anytime I called or needed something, she was on it. She would call me after each treatment, just to see how I was feeling. I couldn’t believe it.” Heiderich-Watson continues to see Wall for quarterly follow-up appointments.

“When my course of treatment ended, I wanted to show my appreciation,” said Heiderich-Watson. “Jayde Wall introduced me to Leigh Ann Erickson at IU Health Foundation.”

In conversations with Erickson, Heiderich-Watson began to explore giving opportunities that were meaningful to her. She decided to support the general Schwarz Cancer Center Fund for use in two ways. In recognition of her entire care team, she asked Jayde Wall and Dr. Landrum to do something special for the team. Her gift also supports nurse navigation training and education.

“Care navigation was a huge component of my treatment,” Heiderich-Watson said. “I’m not sure every facility has highly trained people in that position. So that’s why I decided to support nurse navigator training. The patient care I received at the Schwarz Cancer Center was phenomenal, I would like to see that replicated in other places. It was such a positive experience for me.”

If you would like to join Heiderich-Watson with a gift to support nursing professional development at IU Health North, or to explore a philanthropic interest that’s close to your heart, contact Senior Development Officer at IU Health Foundation, Leigh Ann Erickson at lerickson1@iuhealth.org or 317.373.0142.