Before my only daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer at 4 months old I couldn't have cared less about pediatric cancer. Sure, it was sad. But it was rare. I didn't know anyone personally who had dealt with pediatric cancer in their family so I had no reason to get behind the cause. My daughter, … Continue reading This Is Why Pediatric Cancer Matters
brain cancer
Even If
The past 6 years have been a rollercoaster that has completely changed who I am as a person. What began as a rather shaky faith in God has morphed into a full belief that has shaped my very being. I wish I could say that faith came easily. But it has been through trial and … Continue reading Even If
Beautiful Reminders
There are days that being a grieving parent is so hard that even the simplest tasks feel like too much. Something as easy as getting dressed and brushing teeth can be overwhelming. Those are the days you just want to hide from the weight of it all. It is easier to hide than to face … Continue reading Beautiful Reminders
Mommy’s Little Girl
A few days ago we reached 17 months since Olivia passed away. Life feels more normal but my heart aches because I still miss her with every ounce of my being. We had 20 months and 3 days with our baby girl. It kills me far more than I can explain that she is no … Continue reading Mommy’s Little Girl
Moving On
Our family has gone through a lot of changes in the past few months. We moved to a new city. Brett started a new job. We sold our family home in Rawlins where we lived with Olivia and bought a new house in Casper. And we are just a few weeks away from welcoming another … Continue reading Moving On
June 6, 2013 A Day Never Forgotten
One year ago today we were sitting in a small conference room with Olivia's neuro-oncologist to go over the results of her brain MRI. We were holding our breath... waiting... hoping that we would receive good news that she was still cancer free despite the return of seizures and sleepiness.But that day our prayers weren't … Continue reading June 6, 2013 A Day Never Forgotten
New Beginnings
We are incredibly excited to announce that Olivia and Wyatt are going to have a little brother or sister in early December! This is a time of immense joy for our family but also a time of sadness of what could have been if we had not lost our beautiful daughter to brain cancer 7 … Continue reading New Beginnings
Behind a Grieving Mother’s Smile
Today marks 7 long months since I watched my little girl take her last breath after a long battle with brain cancer. My heart is just as beaten and broken today as it was the day she passed away.During these 7 months I have learned to put on a brave face. I can smile, laugh, … Continue reading Behind a Grieving Mother’s Smile
A Grandmother’s Loss Times Two
When your granddaughter dies from cancer, a grandmother’s loss is twofold. There is the loss of your granddaughter, of course, but in addition there is also the loss of the person your daughter was before she buried her child.It is impossible to measure the loss of a granddaughter. Where do you begin? I could begin … Continue reading A Grandmother’s Loss Times Two
Mother’s Intuition
Mothers have an uncanny ability to sense trouble when it comes to their children. I often find myself jolt awake just a few minutes before Wyatt or Olivia would wake up like I could sense that they were going to need me momentarily.This amazing intuition was even more prominent when it came to Olivia's health. … Continue reading Mother’s Intuition