The reason we fight...

I'm not sure if everyone knows Stacy's full fight with cancer. She was very private and didn't like to dwell on the what-if's, or even discuss the "worst case scenario". Even until her last breath, she was a fighter. She remained strong and hopeful that God would hear all of our prayers and spare us of the pain of her loss. She was, by far, the most courageous and dedicated fighter I have ever known. As to stay true to her valued privacy, yet let everyone in as to why we are fighting so hard for such a vivacious, warm spirited woman, I decided to share a summary of her history with the dreaded illness that took such a beautiful life.
It started in 2008 as a spot on her back left thigh. It was Melanoma. They removed it, without incident. After a few times of being misdiagnosed with Thrush, she was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the tongue in November 2009. After a 14 hour surgery and 9 day hospital stay, she completed roughly 12 weeks of Radiation and Chemo. The treatments alone nearly claimed her. We saw several ER visits and hospital stays. But she began to fight harder and eventually regained her health and a new sence of "normal". During her recovery period, she also had another Melanoma spot come off her back, and she had her Thyroid removed due to signs of Cancer.
For the next year and a half, she seemed content, however it was like she was just waiting for the other shoe to fall, so to speak. January of this year, our mom took her to the ER after several days of running a high fever and having difficulty breathing. It was then that we found out that there was a mass in her right lung. A metastatic tumor, most likely from the cancer that she fought 2 years prior. The affected lung was removed. We were waiting for her to overcome several GI issues and get healthy enough to begin her Chemo. She finally started feeling better. We were hopeful that the next phase would be a success. We knew, though, that it would be another epic battle for her and our family.
In April of this year, we were given the information that we had been dreading for almost 3 years. The cancer was still there, this time as metastatic masses in her left (good) lung and airway. But to make matters worse, they found a tumor on top of her brain. Her surgeon told us there were no surgical options left. So, with our tails between our legs, we searched for words to say to console her. She was oblivious to our concern. At least, her strong front was. She told us she was hopeful, as they immediately started her on radiation for the brain tumor. (As her loving sister, I lovingly nicknamed it "Stella". She would just shake her head, roll her eyes and laugh.)
The end of May met us with a revelation of the fate that we were facing. Upon arrival for Chemo, she was hospitalized for low body temp. It was then that we found out the time had come to face the inevitable: Stacy was given 3 weeks to live. She tried to console us as we could no longer be strong for her. She promised that she would still fight to her last breath. The next 3 weeks were spent with us spending whatever time we could by her side. We all tried to make memories with her, and provide her the opportunity to make as many memories as she could with her children. We prepared ourselves, her children, her friends - anyone that knew her - for what was to come.
In the end, she passed away after fighting with every shred of strength she had left in her frail body. Our mother was by her side. I was in the next room, and went in just as she closed her eyes. One tear fell from her left eye. We stayed with her until the gentlemen escorted her to the funeral home. We each kissed her goodbye, and vowed to keep her memory alive. Her ashes will be spread as she requested.
I share this with everyone so that you'll understand her fight. So that you'll have that drive to fight as hard for all the other survivors and their loved ones as she did for herself. So that no other parent, sibling or child has to say goodbye to someone so dear to them. So that her death will serve a purpose... to remind everyone that this terrible disease has claimed too many already.
Thank you to every single person that has been there for Stacy, her children and our family. Please involve anyone and everyone that wants to make a difference. As an individual, we may not make much of an impact. But as a combined force, we can put up one hell of a fight.
As Stacy would say with every battle she faced... I Got This. We've got this!!!!