Heather's Dream offers support for cancer victims
By BURLON PARSONS bparsons@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Misty Tyler, center, visits with Rev. Harvey and Sue Abke, parents of Heather Abke Barbee who died of cancer on Dec. 6. Tyler is making one of Barbee's dreams come true by creating a cancer support group here called Heather's Dream. The first meeting is Monday night.

When Heather Abke Barbee struggled with Hotchkin's Lymphoma her 25th year of life she had two dreams.

One was that she would be healed for the sake of her husband Keith and two sons, Ashton and Ian.

The other was to be able to comfort and support others who were going or had gone through what she was going through.

She lost her fight with the disease on Dec. 6 at age 26. But her second dream is coming true.

Heather's Dream a cancer support group is starting Monday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wharton County Library.

The group facilitator will be Barbee's close friend, and cancer survivor herself, Misty Tyler. Helping out in the group will be Barbee's parents, Rev. Harvey and Sue Abke.

The group is for families, survivors, patients or anyone who has had cancer touch their lives. It is open to all ages and will be held the first Monday of each month.

Barbee had graduated from Terry High School in 2000. While attending Wharton County Junior College she met future husband Keith Barbee.

Barbee and Tyler met through attending a concert in Palacios together. Their husbands also knew one another and the wives became friends.

Tyler was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004. Barbee was there to offer words of encouragement and prayers whenever they met.

"One time Heather went with me to a cancer treatment in Houston," Tyler said. "We tried on wigs together and had the best time."

About the time Tyler became cancer-free Barbee was diagnosed with her cancer.

"My heart went to my stomach when she told me about the diagnosis," she said. "We supported one another after that."

Her parents describe their daughter as "a fighter."

"She was an outgoing and silly person," said her dad Harvey. "She was strong and never gave up hope. She was truly loved by others and so many people stepped forward to give platelets for her when she needed them."

Barbee drew strength from her faith in eternal life and those who had fought or were fighting cancer supporting her.

"Heather mentioned how she was blessed by being in the company of those who were walking the same journey she was on battling cancer. She always told me that having cancer made her a better person," said her mom Sue. "Heather wanted to see a support group of this type in this area. I know she and Misty talked about it and thanks to Misty, Heather's dream is coming true."

The Abkes said they had been praying about having Heather's dream become a reality here and they say God has answered their prayers by using Tyler to get it going.

"I just want people who have been touched by cancer directly or indirectly to know that there is hope and support there for them," Tyler said. "Cancer knows no race, gender or age when it strikes."