MUSCATINE, Iowa —Her blue eyes told the love that Kathy Fuegen-Hines didn’t have the right words to say about her friends Sunday.

She pressed her lips together as she searched her thoughts, then shook her head wrapped in a bright orange scarf — a sign of the radiation treatment that took her hair.

“It’s just mind boggling, all these people. I was just shocked,” said the 47-year-old who was diagnosed in October 2008 with lung and brain cancer.

A benefit was held in her honor Sunday at the American Legion.

Fuegen-Hines underwent radiation treatment that reduced nine cancerous spots on her brain down to just two. Doctors tell her she will require chemotherapy for the rest of her life to ward off stage four cancer in both lungs.

“Her family and friends organized a little event to help them out with medical expenses,” her brother, Jeff Fuegen, 42, said.

Kathy, who, until her illness had worked at Allsteel for 23 years as a team leader, and her husband, John, have two children: Lucas, 22, at home; and Gretchen, 20, a student at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

“It’s been a true challenge for the whole family and all of us,” Jeff said.

The benefit included a meal, bake sale, raffle of a Harley Davidson motorcycle donated by Doug Buster of Muscatine, and silent auction.

“We decided from the get-go, with the tough economic times, we weren’t going to ask any businesses for any donations,” Jeff said.

“But people just came out on their own,” John said.

Both described the response as “overwhelming.”

John’s family appreciates the financial assistance, he said, but “just the pure support and encouragement for Kathy is the most important.”

Kathy positioned her wheelchair near the doorway, where she greeted friends from Allsteel and her quilting club.

John said Kathy temporarily lost her sight due to the brain cancer and was not able to quilt until she regained her vision a few weeks ago. Not being able to return to her job at Allsteel is “just devastating” for her, he said.

“That would be the best thing, to go back to work,” Kathy said. “I don’t think you’d hear that out of my mouth before.”

A smile formed on her mouth, though, as she told friends she is feeling well.

“It’s a good day,” she said.

how to help

Donations to help Kathy Fuegen-Hines and her family may be made to an account in her name at Community Bank in Muscatine.