No, we weren’t meant to take off cruising. Thankfully, we listened.

Last week I returned home to take Amy to her Tuesday doctor’s appointment (and hopefully chemo treatment). Moments before I arrived at her house, Amy suffered a major stroke. Her son had called 911 and the ambulance was already on its way. 

Her left side was paralyzed and her speech was affected. Still, she was determined to keep fighting; she wanted to “beat this fuckin’ cancer.” But her battle had become grossly unfair. Her blood had become “sticky” causing blood clots, and yet her platelet count was so low that she was at risk of massive internal bleeding. It was the perfect storm: They couldn’t give her the clot-buster drug to address the stroke. She couldn’t have chemo. The ascites was worsening with fluid filling her abdomen, in the pleural sacs of her lungs, and around her heart. Her body was filling with blood clots. There were no treatment options. And so, in much pain and discomfort, and as family members rushed to Grand Rapids to be by her side, she chose “comfort care.” Our warrior girl was not going to survive this.

Amy passed away early Friday evening on July 29th in the hospital, surrounded by her family. She fought so damn hard and she really, really didn’t want to die. But once she let go, she went peacefully and so full of love. She is our Stargazer Warrior. Our hearts are broken at our loss, but Amy taught us that there truly can be amazing grace in death.