Saturday I was able to go to the gym, and then do a couple things around the house. After Brett went for a run, we took the kids to the park, and then over to Andrea's. She was watching them for the night so Brett and I could go out and celebrate our 7th Anniversary (10 years together). We went for dinner and saw Wonderlust. Then we went to get them! We did have a good night!
Running around at the park
Crossing the bridge
Sliding on the slide
Danika finding the mud puddle
And Bryce wasn't far behind
Danika all dirty
My little man
And both of them splashing away!
Then, that night, we went to bed happy. And woke up the next morning to news that we didn't expect, and changed our lives forever. Our phone rang around 8am. I sent Danika to get it, thinking it was my mom. She didn't make it on time, and handed Brett the phone. He told me that it was my dad's cell phone. I said a word out loud that I shouldn't have said in front of everyone, but it is how I felt! I called him back, and quickly learned that my step mom had passed away over night. I told my dad I would be there ASAP and got everyone ready and out the door for Brett to drop me off. Since then, life has been a bit of a whirlwind.
I found out that at about 2 (or 3 with the time change), my dad woke up because he heard Sharon coughing. This was a pretty normal thing. He told us that it sounded like the pneumonia that she had before, so he was thinking they were going to be heading back to the hospital. Well, when he went to rub her back, she fell off the bed and hit her head on the dresser. He got up to turn the light on, and saw her- head to toe in blood. He called 911 and soon they were on their way to the hospital. He said she was talking to him, told him it was hard to breath, and then he heard the paramedics say to start CPR. He started making noises so he wouldn't hear anything. But, unfortunately, she did not make it to the hospital. The doctors told my dad that even if that happened at the hospital, there is nothing that could have been done.
Sharon was doing really well. She was told in January that the tumour in her lungs had shrunk. Then, she went back to work and fell. They thought it was a blood clot, but it turned out that it was a new tumour in her brain. When she went for the MRI, they found some little specks on the front of her brain as well. So, they were going to do radiation on her whole head. She started that on Thursday (march 8). She went thursday and friday. She was due to be done on the 21st. She was feeling fine, and really had no issues.
Well, as it turns out, the brain tumour had nothing to do with what happened. It was the tumour on the lung. It grew, and hit an artery. So, she was hemorrhaging. The doctor said at that point there was nothing that could have saved her.
I sat with my dad on Sunday, and went to their place and watched the hockey game. Then helped at the funeral home yesterday. It is still all surreal. I still can't believe she is gone. She was an amazing woman, and I am glad to have had her in my life. She has been there for me through MANY things. Right now, I can hear her saying "It is only a phase"- when I used to talk to her about the kids, she would say that. When she was having issues with Holly, I would say it back to her. So, it is stuck in my head for now, and I am happy for that.
Last night, I had to tell Danika. I honestly wasn't sure how. But, I took her upstairs to talk quietly. She sat on my knee in our bed, and I told her that I was busy the past 2 days because I was helping Grandpa and Auntie Holly. I told her I had some really sad news. And then told her that Grandma died. She asked if I was sad, and I said very, and that everyone was, because we won't be able to see her again. Then, she hit me with the big question, that I knew was coming, but I didn't know how to answer "what happened?". I am happy with my reply, I said, "remember how mommy was sick? Grandma was sick like that too. The doctors could fix mommy's sick, but couldn't fix Grandma's sick" (she didn't know that Sharon had cancer). I was terrified, because I didn't want her to freak out that I was going to die too. She just looked at me and asked if she was going to die. I told her that everyone dies, but she won't until she is very, very old. Then she looked at me with tears in her eyes- a face I will never forget, and said "I don't want you to die mommy". I told her that I didn't either, and won't for a long time. Then, she moved on- she asked where Grandma is now. I tried the up in heaven watching us. And she re-asked the question, she wanted to know about her body. I told her she is going to be cremated and we can take her with us to Jamaica and leave some ashes there. Then, she asked how it is done. I wasn't going to lie to her, so I told her that she goes in an oven. She was okay with that. Then, she said "Grandma will never get to see me Dance". So, I assured her that Grandma is watching down on her, and she will see her dance! I told her again that we can't see her anymore, but she can see us. Then she looked at me and said, "Grandma is our angel now mom"! Man, I love this kid! She made me feel better too! She told me a bit later that she will see Grandpa and give him hugs to make him happy. She said she doesn't want us all to be sad for long. And that she will miss Grandma.
I am with her! I am going to miss her like crazy! She has been such an important part of our lives for so long. I still can't believe she is gone, but I know she is watching over us!
Sharon, you are one amazing woman. You will be missed by many! Stay strong, we love you so much! Always have and always will!
For those of you who would like, this is her obituary that was in the paper today...
HANSON, Sharon Lynn - (nee Klassen) May 18, 1960 - March 11, 2012 The family of Sharon Hanson is deeply saddened to announce her unexpected passing on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at the age of 51 years. She is survived by her loving husband of nineteen years Ron; cherished daughter Holly; step children Brianne (Brett) and Ryan; grandchildren Danika, Bryce, Taylor and Brooklyn; mother Gladys; brothers Bruce (Karen) and Ken (Kim); numerous nieces and nephews; and many more family and friends. She was predeceased by her father Corneilius and mother-in-law Agatha. At Sharon's request, no Funeral Services will be held. Family and friends are invited to an open house on Friday, March 16, 2012 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at (blocked out for the blog)., Calgary. If friends so desire, donations may be made to either the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (directed to lung cancer research) c/o Alberta Cancer Foundation, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 or Child Find Alberta - Head Office, 3751 - 21 Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 6T5. Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family at www.piersons.ca. Arrangements are in care of PIERSON'S FUNERAL SERVICE. Telephone: 403-235-3602.
I wanted to share some pictures of this amazing woman, and as you can all tell, she LOVED the kids! She was very proud to be a Grandma!
This is us at the baby shower she threw for me while I was pregnant with Danika! I was so happy that she did this for me! It was a day to remember!
This is her, my dad, and sister at Danika's first birthday party!
And this is her with my sister and the kids at Bryce's first birthday! They always came over with Slurpees, and Danika always finished hers!
She was always helping out at birthday parties, or any time you needed her. She would honestly drop anything!
This was last Easter. She decided to let the kids decorate eggs at their place. And yes, that cup she is holding did end up spilling all over! She always had a smile on her face!
This is a day I will never forget. Danika's 4th birthday party at their house. Danika wanted her to draw Rapunzel and her tower, and well, I am sure I posted about the turn out- but it did not look like a tower. And no matter what Sharon did to the picture- it only got worse!
This is last Christmas. She is helping Danika open the million LaLa Loopsy's that she got for her. Her and I LOVED Christmas. She was always buying new decorations! Just writing this, I realized, that I am going to have to carry on her tradition of buying a new Christmas stuffed animal each year. She also mentioned this past Christmas that they were going to have to buy new decorations because Holly is moving to Lethbridge and taking some with her. I guess I have an excuse to buy more things then, because I will have to get some for Dad's tree!
RIP Sharon, We will all miss you, and the joy you brought to our lives. You were an amazing step mom, step-mom-in-law, and Grandma! The four of us will never forget you!
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