Photos courtesy of Eric Morton Sr.
Pancreatic cancer patient Kim Eyler enjoys a rare trip to the beach surrounded by friends and loved ones on 130th Street, Saturday, Oct. 13.

By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(Nov. 1, 2018) The Ocean Pines Fire Department and Ocean City Beach Patrol worked together to fulfill a terminally ill woman’s wishes to see the beach, Oct. 13.

Kim Eyler, 48, of Ocean Pines was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer earlier this summer. When her husband, Eric Morton Sr., heard her express her desire to see the beach one last time, he immediately went to work to fulfill his ailing wife’s wishes.

“This woman is the most caring, heartfelt, ambitious and very loving person you would ever meet,” Morton said. “She was a certified med tech, she was also a certified nurse’s assistant, and I’ve known this woman for 13-15 years. I’ve been with her 10 years. She is all about giving and caring for others. This is an amazing woman and I’ve been blessed to have her in my life.”

Morton reached out to his community in order to make his wife happy.

“She just made a comment to me that she was upset because she was so sick she wouldn’t be able to go to the beach, so I ran with the idea,” Morton said. “I reached out to the Ocean Pines Fire Department and the lieutenant there said he’d pass my information on to the fire chief.

“The fire chief called me within 10 minutes after I left,” he continued. “He wanted to know what was going on and he said, ‘I’ll see what I can do for you.’ In a matter of days, he’s back and told me what he’s got set up and [asked] what date was good for me.”

The Ocean Pines Fire Department reached out to the Ocean City Beach Patrol to arrange transportation and supplies needed to get Eyler on the beach. The Ocean City Beach Patrol provided a handicap wheelchair suited for the beach and a beach chair for Eyler to use.

The entire setup was kept as a surprise for Eyler, who was understandably shocked and excited when the plan was revealed to her.

“We didn’t have to do a thing for her,” Morton said. “The Ocean Pines Fire Department gave me the time they’d be here and they were right on time. The fire chief walks in and introduces himself to Kim and they took her in the ambulance, and [drove] her to 130th Street. They put her in a handicap wheelchair, wheeled her out and put her in a beach chair.

“These guys were awesome. It was very emotional,” he continued. “Steve [Grunewald – Ocean Pines fire chief,] said, ‘Take however long you want to take. One hour, two hours, three … just call me when you’re ready.’ They did not leave. They stayed there in the parking lot. Before they walked away, I said to them, ‘Hey guys, from the friends and family of Kim, thank you.’ From what I gathered, they started shedding tears.”

Surrounded by her friends and family, Eyler enjoyed an hour and half listening to the waves, soaking up the sunlight, and celebrating her life with her loved ones.

“She looked good and happy. She looked really at peace,” Morton said.

Eyler, Morton and friends and family surrounded her and released purple balloons thanking her for all the memories they had with her. Purple balloons represent the color for pancreatic cancer awareness.

“I spoke up and I thanked her for the nine wonderful years she’s given me,” Morton said. “I poured my heart out. Everybody went around and said what they wanted to Kim, then it was Kim’s turn. She got really emotional, said how she loved everybody, how much she appreciated them and how much she appreciated everybody being there [for her].”

As a result of this event, Morton and Eyler also gained new friends in the Ocean Pines Fire Department.

“At the next company meeting we’re going to put a platter together and send it to them,” Morton said. “I’ve called Steve a number of times, we’ve talked to him since then. He said, ‘Eric, I’ve been thinking about you and Kim. You’ve been on my mind for the past day or so. I’ve got a question for you; would you mind if I come by and visit Kim?’ I told him my door is always open to him.”

Morton is grateful for the generosity and kindness displayed by everyone involved and those who have been helping to make Eyler feel more comfortable.

“I personally would like to thank all the friends and family that were involved, and I appreciate them,” he said. “I especially want to say thank you to the Ocean Pines Fire Department and Ocean City Beach Patrol. The family loves and appreciates Coastal Hospice because they’re the ones taking care of her.

“I also need to shout out to Pam Neal, [Eyler’s sister],” Morton continued. “She has given her life in Florida to be here to help take care of Kim. Since this has gone on, Pam has been here. If it wasn’t for her sister, I don’t know what I’d do.”

Eyler and Morton urge residents to be more aware of symptoms which can lead to pancreatic cancer, and to reach out to primary physicians to test for the condition.

“If it would save one life, Kim would love it,” Morton said. “I don’t want anyone to go through what I’m going through now.”

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. The disease has a 97 percent fatality rate, unless discovered early. Many symptoms of the condition are overlooked or self-medicated, leading to diagnosing it far too late.

The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen that lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine, with two main functions: digestion and blood sugar regulation. Pancreatic cancer begins when abnormal cells within the pancreas grow out of control and form a tumor.

Symptoms include constant heartburn, pain in the abdomen or back, weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), loss of appetite, irregular bowel movements, development of diabetes and blood clots. Once the blood clots form, the cancer becomes terminal.

For more information about pancreatic cancer symptoms, symptom and side effect management or any other disease-related information, contact a Patient Central Associate at 877-435-8650 or patientcentral@pancan.org.