Many of you have been contacted directly and I apologize to those that have not, but this update bears the burden of being a final one in reference to Bobbie's battle with cancer. She passed away on Thursday of last week, July 30th, in the early afternoon.
Shortly following my previous update, she had a very difficult weekend during which she developed breathing difficulties and was placed on oxygen permanently. Four days later the nurse assessed her condition and modified the previous 6-10 week expectancy down significantly to 1-2 weeks. Bobbie and I began fervently planning the next week in an attempt to get as many of the visitors that she particularly wanted to see to her side as quickly as possible in hopes that she would have a chance to say goodbye in person to at least a significant few. Unfortunately, she had a very difficult Tuesday night, Wednesday and Wednesday night and Thursday brought the end.
Killian had the opportunity to give his mommy a hug and a kiss goodbye on Thursday morning before they took her to the hospital, and for that I am thankful. For that matter, I count many of us as exceptionally fortunate to have had the extended time with her that we did once her condition was known. She was an amazing woman in both sickness and in health. I loved her dearly and am exceedingly proud to have claimed her as my wife. Even more so to have her as the mother of my child. Killian's chief misunderstanding in this short time after her passing is that "I don't have a mommy anymore." To this, I consistently reply with "She will always be your mommy. You will never be without one."
He and I, no doubt, have a difficult road of grieving and healing ahead of us as we face life as single father and son, but I have no doubt that the memory of her strength will continue to lend us our own as we find our way along. And to the many of you that have offered your unyielding support thus far and continue to offer to do so, I thank you each dearly.
Several people have inquired as to wanting to send flowers or do something for the family. We ask that you do not send flowers for, though the gesture is most appreciated, the result is but temporary. Instead, we ask that if you wish to contribute something that you do so in one of the following manners:
- send a donation in the name of Killian McRae to our home address which will be put toward Killian's future needs (college, etc.)
- make a donation to one of the following foundations/charities working on the disease which took Bobbie's life
- http://www.melanoma.org/ (research oriented)
- http://www.melanomaprevention.
org/ (this foundation is dedicated to preventing melanoma in children) - http://www.
foundationformelanomaresearch. (research oriented)org/
I hope to be able to view this as a release from sickness and suffering for Bobbie rather than and end to life and would ask that you try to do the same. We will each endure this news and experience in our own fashion and I encourage you to embrace whatever that brings you and to recognize the value of your own life and of your loved ones as you do. It is so very easy to take them for granted.
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