Stories

My Sister, Her GBM: Our Loss My sister, Sandra S., was decimated by glioblastoma (GBM) in 2022-2023. At the age of 55, she passed away, leaving a husband, two great adult children, two dogs, and yours truly. Every day, I took her to her doctor visits: oncology, radiology, chemotherapies, physical therapies. Week after week, I witnessed her brilliant mind dull. I […] July 19, 2023

Eryn Rose Strong The summer my sister died was the most challenging time of my life. I graduated nursing school at UNC Charlotte in May, planning to leave on a cruise with my older brother, his fiancee, and my little sister Eryn Rose Shaw — known as Rosie — in June. I had never been on a cruise. […] July 14, 2023

Why Can’t I Talk? I love to drive 2 – 3 hours to somewhere new to me, take my 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and my camera, and go on a combination dog walk and photography trip. I rent a place that allows pets for a couple of nights. This time, May 2021, I rented a cottage in Eastern […] July 14, 2023

My Jeff In September 2021, the love of my life was diagnosed with a glioblastoma. For 11 months, he fought a battle with this horrible cancer. He never once complained through all his appointments, chemo, radiation, and being stripped of his quality of life right from the get-go. On August 22, 2022, God took him out of […] July 14, 2023

#MarthaStrong At Christmas 2022, my mom seemed off; not talking, pretty lethargic. We had just taken a trip to New York City on December 3, and she was fine. We had a blast walking all over Manhattan! But she was not herself just three weeks later. My mom, dad, and I talked about getting her to […] July 14, 2023