York Town News
"Holly Family: You don't know how much people care until you need them"
By Melissa Wood
Local residents have organized Holly-Palooza to help local resident Jim Holly and his family as he battles a life-threatening disease. Pictured are Jim and Kate Holly at a Def Leppard and Journey concert they attended last September, just two months before Jim's diagnosis. Kate said the concert was the first the couple has gone to in 20 years.
Courtesy photo
This portrait of the Holly family was taken one year before Jim Holly was diagnosed with leukemia. The seven Holly children range in age from two-and-a-half to 17.
Courtesy photo
Doctors thought he had an aneurism, but he was cleared of any signs of one in a CT scan. Then the doctor decided to do a blood test.
"I literally sat in the waiting room wondering if Jim would come home or if this would be a turning point in our lives," said Kate.
The doctor told them that Jim's white blood count was 56,000 and it was likely leukemia. Kate said she asked the doctor whether it was possible the disease was something less serious, but the doctor said no.
The next day, life for this York resident, father of seven and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employee and his family instantly changed forever when he was transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland and diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, a life-threatening disease for which he has already undergone five rounds of chemotherapy in five months.
"You really have to shift gears really quick," said Kate, who now drives to Boston, Mass., every day to see Jim at the Dana Farber section of Brigham and Women's Hospital.
But the Hollys are not only ones who have shifted gears in response to Jim's diagnosis and treatment. Their church, St. Mary's in Wells, immediately hired a full-time nanny; Jim's coworkers at the shipyard have donated a combined total of 3,000 hours of leave so Jim doesn't have to go on disability, and friends, family and members of the community have been donating financial assistance and services. Kate said one neighbor she has not even met recently donated $700 - that is, $100 for each Holly child.
And now family friends are organizing a fundraiser "Holly-Palooza" on May 5 at Foster's Clambake to help the family as they face staggering medical bills and a long recovery process for Jim. Jim was due to receive a bone marrow transplant in late March, but it had to be postponed because the amount of his cancer cells was too high.
Kate said he was very fortunate because 136 perfect matches were found on the international bone marrow registry and a donor from Europe was lined up. However, Jim's results showed 18 percent blasts - cancer cells - a number much higher than the desired 5 percent required for a transplant.
Jim has now completed his fifth round of chemotherapy, using a third type of chemicals to fight the disease.
"All these standard chemotherapies don't work," said Kate, who said that Jim will have to have a transplant soon even if he doesn't go into remission. "He does have to have a transplant either way. … It's his only chance for a cure."
Kate has already visited the transplant unit and found out that it has the lowest infection rate of any in the country.
Kate said the only thing that will keep her away is if she or one of the children was ill. During last Thursday's storm, when many in the area lost power, Kate had intended to take the Downeaster train from Wells, but the train was canceled because the track had tree branches on it. So she got back in her car and drove instead.
Kate said she mostly drives to Boston because taking the train and subway can take longer, meaning that she'd have less time to spend with Jim.
"I used to love to drive," she joked.
The Hollys, who will celebrate 20 years of marriage this summer, met 23 years ago when they were 16 and 17 years old. At that young age, they discussed how they would raise their children, and it was important to both that she be a stay-at-home mom.
"We made sure we were on the same page," said Kate.
Kate described Jim as a regular, nice guy, who loves to go camping and always puts his family above everything else.
"He's one of those people who work to live, not live to work," she said. "He's pretty humble."
Although not everyone understands Jim's family-first attitude, Kate said recently a coworker approached Jim, who is a nuclear engineer, and said, "I get it."
She said they chose St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wells as their family church because they were aware of the work the church did to help people in the community, members and nonmembers alike.
"They walk their talk," said Kate who called the church "really, really special."
Now, as Jim fights for his life, the church and others surrounding the Hollys have gone all out to help them in their struggle. Two retired teachers, Larry and Mary Lou Ryan, who are members of the church, visit each week with lesson plans for the children, who are home schooled. They also take the 8½-year-old and 13-year-old to a support group at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland.
Kate said people have donated a laptop and webcam for Jim and also donated their time - with volunteers cooking, cleaning and doing laundry for the family.
The shipyard employees not only gave leave time to Jim, which means he doesn't have to go on disability and lower pay right away, but also sent the family $500 gift certificates to Walmart and Hannaford, as well as a box of toys for the kids for Christmas.
"It's been amazing. It's just been amazing," said Kate. "If you want to see the good in people, go through a challenge like this and you will."
Other sources of support they've discovered are CJB Cancer Outreach, started by a woman whose son died the day before his transplant; the online community of www.caringbridge.org, which helps Jim connect with friends, and www.ehope.nu, a Maine-based support service started by ex-marine drill sergeant Jeffrey Wood to help coordinate communities in their efforts to help a neighbor in need.
Kate said her next-door neighbor helps her manage the finances, which can be overwhelming as the family receives at least 30 bills every month from two different hospitals and the numerous pathology labs and specialists.
"Just me paying the bills is a full-time job," said Kate.
Costs will continue to add up for the family as Jim's recovery will include expensive medications and numerous treatments for at least a year, said family friend Lisa Lane, who brings the Holly children to their various activities and is organizing the May 5 Holly-Palooza.
"This is where you see God in people," said Kate.
Kate said that Jim told her he never knew people liked him so much.
"He's a good man," she said. "He does the right thing."
The May 5 Holly-Palooza will take place at Foster's Clambake on Route 1A in York from 4 to 9 p.m. and will feature live music by The Digbees, great food, children's activities, a silent auction and a raffle.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and free for children under the age of 3. Local residents may make a contribution or bid on many auction items at www.burnsbright.com.
Donations for the silent auction are also welcome. For more information, contact Lisa Lane at 363-6695.
