Stories of Hope
Tell us your story of courage in the face of cancer and we'll post it here as inspiration to those who are fighting, have fought or are walking. Please submit your story to Chad@butterflyofhope.ca
Robin's Story
Where to start... Beverly was always very energetic, generous, kind and supportive to all causes and ways of life. Everywhere she went, she’d meet people and join them for coffee or something on a whim. Quite the firecracker! In 2000, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through many waves of chemotherapy, treatments, medication and hospital visits, but managed to keep a smile and always being positive. Every year, she participated in the weekend to end breast cancer and rallied people from around the country to support her and others in her situation with the fundraiser and her energetic attitude.
She fought cancer, well, what started as breast cancer, for a little over 8 years before her kidneys gave up. I will never forget the weekend where she was admitted to the hospital on the Friday, for a regular scheduled check-up.
Later that day, I received a phone call from my father asking me to pick up my brothers and join him at the Ottawa General hospital. We weren’t sure what this was about but we all had an idea.
We were told of Bev’s kidney’s not functioning properly but we didn’t know the impact... months, years...? After discussing with my dad (Mark) of what it meant, he basically said that the kidney’s weren’t filtering the liquids properly. 1+1 = 2. So I figured that she had a week or so before her system would deteriorate. That Saturday was very emotional; family and friends had visited a lot, obviously, everyone said their goodbyes with tear-filled eyes. At the end of the night, it was Bev’s two daughters, my father, my brothers and myself. Late in the evening, dad asked all of us to leave and come back in the morning. Bev’s body was basically in shutdown mode; breathing, well, gasping every 5 or so seconds and not responding to us talking to her. And I thought at least a week... not a weekend!!! After arguing a bit, we reluctantly left the hospital while my dad stayed for the night.
Next morning, I woke up around 5.. called my brother to meet us at the hospital and picked up the other one from my mom’s house and stopped quickly for some timmy’s bagels and coffee for dad. Arriving shortly before 6:30, we were relieved that Bev hadn’t passed away that night as we really wanted to be there with dad for support. Time passed by. Bev’s body was shutting down because her breaths were shorter and farther apart. At 8:05am was her last gasp. Although it was expected, and we’d gotten over the fact that she was dying, nothing can prepare you for the emotional impact of seeing your father cry.
After all was said and done, paperwork out of the way, funeral and the rest, it wasn’t over yet. My grandmother (dad’s mom) has been fighting breast cancer as well for the past 12 years. Dad relived the same events with his own father 8 months later, in February 2009.
My Father, Mark Forest, has been brave and indeed supportive to his wife and mother. A true soldier. So I am walking in all their honour, Dad, Bev and my grandmother. Them and all the other good people that leave us early from this earth.
Thanks you all for your support!
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