As most of you know, cancer landed on our front porch for the first time in 2011, kicked down the door and smashed it's way into our home - destroying everything in its path. Just when we thought we'd beaten it back, we found his sneaky little sister hiding in the closet.
These days, it seems that everyone you meet has been affected by the thief and murderer that is cancer.
Cancer absolutely doesn't discriminate.
It doesn't care whether you're a man or woman, young or advanced in age, whether you have children to feed or a corporation to run. There's no escaping once Cancer storms in the front door of your home.
I was deeply saddened to learn that my drummer friend from high school was struggling to overcome her own diagnosis simultaneous to mine.
For Bridget's family, like ours, the monster didn't stop with just one member. Unfortunately, Bridget's step-daughter Priscilla lost her battle to Synovial Sarcoma.
I trust Priscilla's story of hope, love, and courage will travel straight to your heart, as it did to mine.
Priscilla Nichole Halfyard was a unique, beautiful and talented young woman. She was born on May 5, 1992 and accepted her angel's wings on May 12, 2015.
In the words of her loving father, Stephen Halfyard and her step-mom, Bridget Bates Halfyard, this is Priscilla's heroic story of courage:
On March 22, 2014, tragedy struck the Bates-Halfyard family. Our daughter was involved in a serious automobile accident resulting in the death of her adopted step-brother.
Spenser was only six years old. He was an active, cheerful little boy who loved hockey, animals and shared an amazing bond with his siblings.
Understandably, Priscilla, and the rest of us, were absolutely devastated by this loss.
When Priscilla was taken to the hospital with her broken arm and smashed foot, a shadow was discovered on her lung and she was booked for a follow-up.
For Priscilla, this was an incurable illness that would eventually take her life and another devastating blow.
Cancer, however, was just getting started with the devastation it had lined up for our family.
It's said that we're not given more than we can handle, but our faith was truly being tested when Bridget, who had been feeling unwell for a number of years was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia a few months before Priscilla was diagnosed.
Bridget's Hairy Cell Leukemia treatment started the same week that Priscilla and Spenser had their car accident.
Cancer still wasn't done with us.
Our sister (sister-in-law to Bridget), Loretta, was living with us when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, this one - not so rare.
Today breast cancer strikes a staggering one in seven women. Loretta's treatments began at the time Bridget was diagnosed.
As you can image, it's been a challenging few years for the Bates-Halfyard families.
Priscilla began chemotherapy and radiation treatment on her lung. They had planned to remove the lung tumor in November 2014. On October 31, Priscilla was admitted to the hospital for emergency brain surgery instead.
Three tumors were successfully removed. The fourth was deeper and more critically situated.
The surgeon simply could not remove it. They proceeded with radiation surgery to try and blast the brain tumor out.
Despite every heroic effort by her team of doctors, Priscilla's cancer spread rapidly. She had a large tumor the size of a football in her arm, there was cancer in her lung, brain, hips, back, and spleen. We were dealt another devastating blow: this was a death sentence for our daughter and she didn't have much time left.
On April 13, 2015, Priscilla was admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto for a Splenic Embolism and it was determined by her doctors that it didn't make sense to administer any further treatment.
We met with the Palliative Care team who discussed the idea of Compiling a Life List - things Priscilla wanted to do, to see, to accomplish with the little time she had left.
Key Life List items included:
- A trip to Las Vegas
- To marry the love of her life
- A trip to Niagara Falls
- To have a Living Funeral.
We learned so much about "Fearless Priscilla" that evening and how she'd had such a significant impact on the lives of so many people, of all ages, through her generosity, philanthropic spirit and positive, winning attitude.
Several friends and family members shared stories about Priscilla, her faith and her unending quest for hugs.
That occasion meant so much to us, and we know it meant a tonne to Priscilla.
Click to view more images and video from Priscilla's Healing and Humour Hour.
We did manage to take Priscilla to Niagara Falls with Nick and the two of us...gorgeous, panoramic views included.
The highlight of the trip, aside from the stunning falls themselves, came on the second evening when we all dared the Niagara SkyWheel. Bridget's terror and Nick's fear aside, the event was unforgettable for so many reasons.
We are so thankful for the beautiful treasures she created. Each item, a piece of her, remains close to our hearts.
Priscilla was admitted to Bethell Hospice in Inglewood on May 7, 2015. She was so brave. It was an honour for us to be by her side as the medic-van transported her to her home for the final few days of her life.
We are thankful that Priscilla was at peace and we were so proud of her for the strength, and even the humour, she shared during this time. She continually gave us the strength we needed to be able to walk through this with her even though our hearts were breaking knowing this was where our Priscilla would take her final breath.
On Friday, May 8, Nick and Priscilla decided they'd fulfill their dream of getting married.
The final week of Priscilla's life spent at Bethell Hospice was filled with peace.
The incredible staff deserves commendation for the amazing care they provided - not only for Priscilla but for all of us who knew that time was running out.
Our Priscilla slipped away peacefully on May 12, 2015.
She was surrounded by her family and we believe she was welcomed into Heaven by her adopted step-brother, Spenser.
To honour her wishes, more than four hundred people attending Priscilla's funeral were greeted with her beautiful wedding video.
Everyone was given a white limestone rock and asked to do something with it in memory of our beloved daughter - take it on vacation, wear it as jewelry, place it somewhere special - anything to remind people of Priscilla's generous, loving spirit and how she affected those around her.
Upon our return to Alberta, we, along with Nick, took some limestone rocks to Jasper. To honour Priscilla and how her infectious spirit brightened the lives of so many who loved her, we each threw a rock in the water at Spirit Island.
Just as the rocks were tossed, it started to rain lightly...creating even more ripples in the water...reminding us of the positive effect we all have on others with our words, and with the attitude we choose.
In the anniversary month of Priscilla's passing, these bands were sent to friends and family to honour her memory and raise awareness for Synovial Sarcoma. We are so grateful for the continued love and support extended to our family.
Despite the pain of losing her, Priscilla gave us all hope. Hope and belief that through our faith, we will meet again in heaven.
Please visit her website: www.fearlesspriscilla.com for more images of love and hope, to read more of her story and how it has affected others.
It is our hope that Priscilla's indomitable spirit, along with the sharing her story, will increase awareness about the disease that took her and will inspire others to be faith-filled and fearless in the face of life-threatening illness. Like raindrops on the water, Priscilla's story continues to spread ripples into eternity.
Andrea Raco, Certified Professional Coach, Founder of Coach for Life, Curator of Gold Key Club and Creator of 'Cancer is a Word, Not a Sentence' ~ a program designed to support people overcoming cancer or those with loved ones going through it. She is also the wife of a Lymphoma Survivor, a Breast Cancer Survivor herself, a dedicated Mom of 4 and lover of LIFE.
Cancer takes lives. Cancer destroys relationships. Contact her for your Complimentary 'Cancer Is Just A Word' Support Session if you, or your partner, is battling this demon.
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