Losing a child is a heart-wrenching experience that no parent should ever have to face. As I held my daughter’s hand during her final breath, I felt a mix of sadness and relief. My vibrant, brave daughter, Deborah, was gone, and so was her pain. Grieving the loss of a child is an ongoing journey, and though my heart still aches, I find strength in honoring her memory and the legacy she left behind.
Deborah’s battle with bowel cancer began when she was just 35 years old. A mother of two young children, she had no history of smoking or eating poorly. But after experiencing symptoms like unexplained weight loss, bloody stools, and fatigue, her life was forever changed. What was initially suspected to be stress or IBS soon turned into the devastating reality of stage 4 bowel cancer.
Despite the diagnosis, Deborah’s indomitable spirit shone through. She not only focused on her own health journey but also made it her mission to raise awareness about cancer, its symptoms, and the importance of early detection. Through her blog, Bowelbabe, and her podcast You, Me, and the Big C, Deborah became a powerful advocate, helping countless others confront their health and take action.
Her courage and determination were inspiring, but the most important thing in her life was always her children. She moved in with us, and during that precious time together, we created lasting memories, including movie nights and an impromptu engagement party for her brother. Despite the heavy weight of her illness, Deborah was always thinking about how to improve the future for her kids, hoping that they wouldn’t have to worry about cancer as she had.
When she passed away, I was there, holding her hand in her final moments. The pain of losing a daughter is immeasurable, but I take comfort in knowing that her last moments were peaceful. In the years that followed, I focused on supporting her family and keeping busy to cope with my grief. However, the anniversary of her death brought intense emotional turmoil, including panic attacks that made it difficult to leave the house.
Eventually, I turned to antidepressants, but I also found solace in talking about Deborah, sharing stories, and looking at pictures of her. As time passed, I began to heal, even though I still miss her deeply. Her legacy continues to live on through her children, the awareness she raised, and the love she left behind.
Such a beautiful woman and also, a lovely child… I am so sorry for your loss Madam… and the two of you in the photo wearing the same pajama’s, with the little dog, smiling for camera is beyond belief…!