Thank you to the wonderful people who work for and watch North Dakota Today – it was an incredibly beautiful morning to talk about the healing journey of Heidi Muus, and an opportunity to help some good pups at The Red Hydrant.

If you are interested in helping out with the foster dogs at the Red Hydrant in Grand Forks, email them here. In the words of owner Genevieve Spicer, “This program is so rewarding and so many lives depend on it! The more dogs we can take in here, the more room there is at the rescue for all the new dogs waiting to be taken in!” They currently have five foster dogs at the Hydrant, and volunteers feed them, walk them, play with them, watch movies with them, and take them to Starbucks and Petco (also, if anyone wants to do those things with me, I’m available).

For those of you who want to read the Heidi Muus story in her own words (my mom certainly did), here you go:

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in February of 2022 at the age of 56.  I have always been pretty healthy so it was quite a shock to me and my family.  I am a teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary and I had to stop teaching in the middle of the year; that was very hard for me. 

But with the illness came so many blessings!  I couldn’t believe the outpouring of love and support I received through this ordeal.  My school community is outstanding.  For example, on the day that I had my port put in the entire staff lined up in front of my house with signs and banners with words of hope and love, blasting a boom box of fight songs in zero-degree weather!  My family and I were in tears!  My student teacher had teal bracelets made for all students and staff to wear that said “Heidi’s Hope” on them!  My principal, Mr. Loren Hoheisel even dressed up like the Easter Bunny to come to my front door with a huge basket of gifts from the staff members!  I remember seeing little eggs rolling down the driveway in the cold February wind. 

My family and friends truly helped me keep my positive attitude.  My dear mother, Joey Muus, was my chemo buddy almost every week.  When she couldn’t make it I had my three adult children, brothers, or my aunt ready to step in and go with me.  I was never alone!  My Aunt Sherry would come over every day to walk my beloved dog, Fiona, and help tidy up my home.  It built my spirits to have friends and family members stopping by to say hi and check on me. 

I had to go to Mayo in Rochester for surgery in July of 2022 and I knew I had to be well enough by August to be at my daughter Taylor’s wedding.  My partner, Mike Nelson, was with me every step of the way as I went through two surgeries.  I got through the healing process with the help of family and friends and was able to not only go to the wedding, but I got to dance with my daughter!  In addition, Taylor had her 10-year class reunion, Red River class of 2012.  The committee decided to do their fundraiser to help with my medical bills!  I was blown away!  This community has been so generous.  My three children started a Go-Fund-Me in my name and raised money to offset my medical expenses, as well as donations from Scheels and Trails to Treatment out of Middle River. 

When I was first diagnosed I was encouraged to “get my house in order” so to speak.  My sister-in-law worked at a law firm where they graciously offered to draw up my will and last testament.  It’s funny but I never ever lost hope.  In my heart I knew that this one was out of my hands and with each day I would only let myself think positively.  God would sort this out one way or another.  And he sure did!  Right before this past Christmas (2023), I finished my last infusion through my port.  My hope for all who are going through this is that you never lose hope, be kind to yourself, and let people love and help you.

Thank you again to all of the fantastic people at Valley News Live for the birthday wishes and the amazing flowers from Janae (click here to watch her segment)! What a perfect way to start the morning.

I hope you enjoy this week’s North Dakota Today segment, which you can watch by clicking the image below. Have a wonderful week (and remember that my birthday wish is for everyone to celebrate my birthday by doing something awesome for yourselves)!