A year ago, we considered that we were blessed. Our beautiful daughter, Deana, was happily married to a wonderful young man, Adam, and they were parents to a bright green-eyed 3 year old boy, Nixon and blonde curly little mop head, Reid. Deana had just returned to work as a respiratory therapist after her one year maternity leave when she discovered a lump.
Deana was diagnosed with breast cancer. The range of emotions is undeniable – shock, fear, hope, frustration, questioning, anger, desperation, sad acceptance and overwhelming sorrow. It was incredibly difficult to see Deana battle through chemo, surgery, radiation and all of the agonizing side effects that accompanied these treatments.
On Deana’s last Instagram post on Easter Sunday, she posted a picture of her, Adam, Nixon and Reid with the caption “these ppl are my world…..”. On April 23, 2018, Deana left us – 2 days short of her 32nd birthday and less than one year after diagnosis.
This has been a most difficult road to travel for all of us – but there are ways that we remain blessed. There have been people who have been a shining light for us in a variety of ways and we are truly humbled. We would like to express our thanks and appreciation, in no specific order, to:
My Willowgrove family for thoughts, prayers, support, calls, emails, cards, food, and generous donations to Tracey’s Dream and SAH Critical Care Unit and Cowley Boys’ Education Fund. Special thank you to Rev. Zub for the touching tribute to Deana at the private family service.
Group Health Centre physicians and co-workers for your support, care and understanding. Thank you to the physicians who provided moral support and information. Thank you to everyone for your generosity in donations, cards, food, gifts, calls, emails—the list goes on.
Sault Area Hospital – ICU and RT Department – for the care and support second to none for Deana during her last days in ICU. Special acknowledgment to: ICU staff – Kent, Ashley, Inger, Katie and Oncology staff – John, Kate and Shauna for your care for Deana during her darkest hours.
Angela Young, Shawna O’Toole, Kate Teresinski, and Lauren Nasby for arranging the Benefit to raise money for Deana’s travels to the Princess Margaret. We were truly overwhelmed by the response, with tickets selling out in a day and a half! Due to the number of requests to provide support, a GoFundMe was set up. The monetary support was humbling yet again. The generosity of people in providing donations, selling tickets and buying tickets and finally donating generously to the GoFundMe is most sincerely appreciated. Unfortunately, Deana didn’t have the chance to get to the Princess Margaret and so these funds have been set aside for Nixon and Reid’s education fund.
Thank you to everyone – family and friends who have walked this road with us. Your generosity has truly humbled us and is greatly appreciated.
Adam Cowley, sons Nixon & Reid
Nancy & Hugh Juby
Kyle & Ashley Juby
Logan Juby
