This is an extremely personal, sensitive and heavy topic I have not shared publicly yet. There is a video at the bottom I’d love for you to watch.
My family endured something I wish upon no one.
Mid 2017, my 3 1/2 year old niece Audrey, my sister Stephanie’s daughter, had been complaining of headaches for a few weeks. Before starting dinner my sis thought, ok let’s just get this checked out real quick then come home and have our evening.
Life was never the same after that trip to the hospital.
The Doctor communicated what he discovered in the CT scan to Stephanie, “Would you like us to share the results with Audrey in or out of the room?” My heart still drops thinking of what went through my sister’s mind.
Out of the blue, in literally a split second, an aggressive malignant brain tumor threatened Audrey’s future.
They admitted her overnight, not knowing then, she wouldn’t be back home for months. The following afternoon Audrey underwent a 6+ hour brain surgery with my immediate family supporting from the waiting room.
This journey for Audrey, her 5 year old brother Blake, Father Johnny, and our whole family has been extremely difficult. Many rounds of continuous weeks of chemo in the hospital, complications, multiple surgeries and countless lifestyle and cognitive side effects little Audrey endured.
Utilizing our experience to help others.
My sister’s family, The Coon Family, produced a 14 minute documentary to give you a glimpse into Audrey’s fight against her aggressive malignant brain tumor. “We are opening up our lives and sharing our daughter’s journey, not to bring attention to ourselves, but because we are on a mission to increase survival rates and elevate the quality of life for these kids after treatment.”
Turning affliction to advantage
Johnny and Stephanie have created a fund in Audrey’s name to assist other children with pediatric cancer and much needed research through The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. Sincerely any donation amount is invaluable in supporting research to improve the recovery and survival rate for current and future children with cancer.
I know, it’s a lot. I’m vulnerably open if you’d like to talk about any of this.
All my love,
Jill
https://cure.pcrf-kids.org/campaign/audrey-coon-fund-at-pcrf/c315470
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to invest your emotions and heart. We genuinely all need each other and we take turns being strong. Even if you didn’t know what we have all been going through, your kindness and love has helped and means more than you know.
