I have been quiet for awhile now and a few of you are aware of what has been occurring in my life. Eight weeks ago today on April 6th my beautiful wife Stacey lost her battle with multiple myeloma cancer. We had fought this with chemo since January of 2013 and even spent a month at City of Hope undergoing heavy chemo and a stem cell transplant. Stacey was in remission since September of 2013 and we thought we were on track with the rest of our lives. Then in February of 2014 she had a mass on her spine that was treated with more chemo radiation. The nature of multiple myeloma resulted in more masses and despite the chemo and the continued radiation they progressed in growth. The 14 months of fighting the cancer were taking their toll on her physically but she was always smiling and happy.
- True1.JPG (33.21 KiB) Viewed 2245 times
- True3.JPG (23.05 KiB) Viewed 2245 times
- True2.jpg (18.27 KiB) Viewed 2245 times
We had been trying to keep life as normal as possible and kept the whole cancer thing rather private. When we told the kids of her relapse it was probably the most difficult conversation I have ever had to initiate since they thought Mom beat cancer and all was well.
In late March an MRI revealed that the multiple myeloma was spreading again in her spine and we made the decision to stop chemo and radiation when the oncologist’s told us of these results and that she quite likely had a few months to live. The support of my family, Stacey’s co-workers and my brothers on the job gave me the ability to spend this priceless time with her creating memories and doing some of the bucket list items she wanted. In the following days it became apparent how quickly the few months were to be a few weeks.
Hospice, I cannot say enough positive of how they helped us deal with her final days. The care and compassion of the people who helped us on a daily basis was truly amazing(they are outstanding human beings) and this huge resource allowed us to have Stacey comfortably at home. In those days many conversations took place, we shared stories, confirmed final wishes and had a time for people to share with her those precious last days.
In the end she passed on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with the family here at our house. The emotions and the pain that come after a protracted fight are many. The lesson learned on this journey is that each day is truly a gift and not to be taken lightly. My outlook has forever changed and I will continue to follow through on the bucket list things she and I began. I miss my friend and companion.
- True4.JPG (28.24 KiB) Viewed 2245 times
In her memory and to help others in the fight we set up this fund raiser with all proceeds going to City of Hope. http://www.razoo.com/story/In-Memory-Of-Stacey-Hudson
