Caregiver Stories

Lynn Untangles the Layers of Her Mother’s Love

I had a deeply personal experience that began in 2011, when my mom was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer. Over the years that followed, we shared a journey that, in many ways, was transformative.

My mom passed away on May 1st, 2017, but in the time we had together, we were given the unexpected gift of peeling back the layers of our relationship. We learned so much more about each other—both the beautiful and the challenging.

We were able to shed old, sometimes dysfunctional patterns and embrace a new understanding of one another.

Even after her passing, my mom’s legacy continues to shape me, and I’m still learning from the experience we shared. I hold her memory close, and the lessons she taught me still guide me today.

Through my book, Out of Love: A Daughter’s Journey with Her Mom to the End, I aim to open up a conversation about the often unspoken realities of caregiving. It’s my hope to normalize the difficult, sometimes uncomfortable feelings that many caregivers face, like shame, stigma, and the overwhelming waves of emotions that can feel isolating.

The purpose was to create a source of emotional and logistical support for caregivers, as I walk beside them in spirit, sharing what I’ve learned from my journey.

I hope my story helps them feel less alone in theirs. To all the caregivers, I just want to say that I’m with you, and you’re not in this by yourself.

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