Coffee shop owners find blessings amid the pain of illness

The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.) (MCT) - The warmth felt in the hands _ and hearts _ of two people chatting over cups of coffee hasn't been replaced by high-tech e-mails, text messages and cell phone calls. The coffee connection has moved some from neighbor to friend, some from small ideas to entrepreneurial success, still others from friendship to marriage.

For John and Kim Richards, founders and owners of Higher Grounds, coffee has been their livelihood since 1996. But today, it is much more. Coffee has brought to them a circle of friends _ and strangers _ who are surrounding them with love, support and prayers as they go through the most difficult journey of their lives.

Kim Richards, 38, has an aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. The lump was found in July while she was breast-feeding the couple's daughter, Morgan, now 9 months old.

"I figured it was probably a clogged milk duct," Kim Richards said. She had an ultrasound and needle biopsy. The room they were ushered into for the results was as non-benign as the news.

"They took us into the office with the carpet and overstuffed chair and tissue box in it," John Richards said. "I saw the words 'poorly differentiated invasive carcinoma,'" words neither had ever said before.

"I would have never imagined in a million years this would happen," said Kim Richards, who had planned to get her first baseline mammogram after she stopped breast-feeding. "That's the thing. This kind of cancer affects younger women and you're not recommended to get your first mammogram until you're 40." There is no genetic or hormone link to the form of cancer she has called "triple negative." Treatment protocols are not as clear. It's a somewhat trial-by-error course. Given a 30 percent cure rate, Kim has researched it thoroughly, sought a second opinion and is confident her Fort Wayne, Ind., oncologist, Dr. Lakshmi Aggarwal, is on track with the best treatments available.

Cancer is never considerate or convenient. The Richards have the baby and a 10-year-old daughter, Macy, to care for. They are self-employed, with about 50 employees to oversee in the three stores they own in Allen County, Ind. Thirteen Higher Grounds franchises, owned by other people, are now in gas stations, stores or freestanding spots in Columbia City, Roanoke, Fishers, Indianapolis, as well as Fort Wayne. The coffee served in each is roasted locally by the Richards' company.

The couple got into the business when coffee shops began booming on the West Coast. An uncle in Sacramento told John he should consider starting one in Fort Wayne. Things went well for the young couple. They thrived on getting to know customers and supporting the community however they could. For years, even before the company became known in the community, they sent pounds of coffee regularly to military troops.

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"We've always donated to causes and fundraisers whenever we were asked. It's just what we've always felt we should do," John said.

"We're horrible at telling people no," Kim said.

Then a nationally known franchise came to town. Name recognition drew customers away. It's the nature of American enterprise. But it can hurt the small guy _ and it hurt Higher Grounds. The couple made lifestyle changes to help make ends meet. John Richards sold his boat and trailer he kept at the lake _ what Kim lovingly calls his "lake home." They decided Macy probably could not continue attending St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. A benefactor is helping them pay tuition.

At times, John wondered where all the people were who he generously supported through the years. No bitterness, just disappointment and discouragement, the couple started to think about saying the unthinkable to donation requests: "No." Then came the diagnosis, and along with it tears and fears. But also flooding into their lives were the kind words, caring actions and generosity of family and friends. Someone who wants to remain anonymous started an e-mail campaign, "A Cup for Kim," encouraging people to patronize Higher Grounds.

Kim started an online journal, never imagining how many would respond and how her story and journaling would help others.

"I wanted to do things with my life to impact the world with all these great things. I never imagined I would be doing it this way," she said. "It's been amazing the number of people who don't know me who send comments." Some tell of their own journeys with cancer, others send encouraging thoughts and prayers to the couple. The first week there were 435 hits on the site _ by the following, more than 8,000.

"You can feel really down and you go on there and you're just so uplifted," John said of the Web site.

Business is up. But that really isn't what it is about now.

"This is now bigger than our situation," John said, noting it's about new priorities, confirmed faith in God and solid recognition that the small guy matters to so many more people then he _ or she _ ever realizes. "It's just bubbling over to so many people." In the evening, they have been reading with Macy the bestseller "90 Minutes In Heaven." They talk about the beauty and splendor of seeing it one day. But they talk more of the beauty and splendor of kindness they see each day here.

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"It's not necessarily the journey I would have chosen," Kim said, "but certainly one that's been worth it."

A CUP FOR KIM

To follow Kim Richards' online writings about her journey with breast cancer, visit acupforkim.org. To check out all the Higher Grounds sites and order a Higher Grounds "Brewing for a Cure" T-shirt, go to www.highergroundsonline.com.

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© 2008, The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.).