2016 Team Brenda Walk for Hospice

My mom was an incredible woman. She had a presence about her that was larger-than-life. When she walked in to a room she effortlessly gained everyone’s attention; lighting it up with her radiant smile. She had an inner beauty that was to be envied. She was bubbly and outgoing when she needed to be yet could be private and introverted at times. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends but also enjoyed reading a good book by the fire.

On February 13th, 2014 she went to the doctors complaining of an unbearable headache. She had been having these headaches over the last few months with them gaining intensity and becoming more frequent. After seeing her primary cre doctor she was sent down the street to the South Shore Hospital for some testing. The results of the test would change our lives forever.

My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain Cancer. The next few weeks would be simultaneously the shortest and longest period of my life. She wanted to fight. She wanted to beat this thing. She didn’t want to give up. She was a fighter and a motivator. She started radiation therapy just a few days after her diagnosis. We were told chemotherapy would not be affective at this point in her illness. The cancer was just too advanced and growing too fast. It’s difficult to say whether the radiation helped my mom. I didn’t have the opportunity to ask her.

My mom passed away on April 2, 2014, just shy of her 49th birthday. We had 48 days with her after her diagnosis. It just wasn’t enough time. I don’t know that there would have ever been “enough” time. But 48 days was not it. My heart has this aching empty space in it that I can guarantee will never be filled. She was my best friend and my biggest supporter.

During her short time living with this diagnosis we made the difficult decision to look into Hospice. South Shore Hospice stepped in a little over halfway through her illness. In the few weeks they were present in the home, they gave myself and her other caretakers the confidence to care for her with the love, respect and dignity she deserved. It’s a difficult time for a family on so many levels. With Hospice, the family does a majority of the work; but it is still nice knowing there is a support system out there and you are not alone.

We are walking in memory of my mom, Brenda. We are raising money to help future families, like mine. Cancer diagnoses account for approximately 50% of all Hospice patients. A majority of the funding for Hospice is raised during the South Shore Walk for Hospice. Help Team Brenda Strong raise money for this worthy cause. Buy a T-Shirt today and all proceeds will go directly to the Team Brenda Strong Hospice donation page.

Live, Laugh, Love Xo

Shauna & Family