Students also get community service hours for school

I am a 48 year old mother of three beautiful girls. My husband Gary was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. It was devastating news to me and the girls. The diagnosis was harsh, yet the prognosis was promising, so we kept our hopes up.

I remember that day I admitted Gary in the hospital for a 30-day induction of his first protocol of chemo-therapy. I was confused, anxious, and fearing for how I would take care of my family, home and bills.   Gary had always been the primary source of income.  I had been a stay at home Mom for 20 years.

Gary was put in remission and life went on as normal, until the following March 2009 when we got the devastating news of his relapse.  At that time, there was another 30 day induction which landed us in ICU, dialysis and many more complications.  

One day, I left the hospital wandering around to purchase necessities for Gary’s stay.  Almost as if it was meant to be, I ran across the Hugs and Kisses Center – a place where Palm Beach County residents go to support families like mine who battle cancer.

Once again my husband managed to overcome the treatment and the disease; we thought it was over.

It was during his second remission when we were asked if Gary would do a stem cell transplant to help keep him in remission.  The risk of the transplant was minimal considering the benefit. So, of course he jumped at the chance to prolong his life with his children. During the first stage of the transplant, we lost Gary.

It was devastating, the doctors were shocked and our family in disbelief.  His death on August 14, 2010 was a shock to us all.   But the harsh reality was the fate of me and my girls.   What was I to do? How would I get by?  No income!  A home! No vehicle!

My community stepped up to help us, including everyone who donates buttons, time or money to Hugs and Kisses, Inc.  They were able to help me by paying a month of my mortgage which was a lifesaver.  It’s been five months since my husband’s death.  We are still strongly emotionally and financially distraught – in ways I cannot begin to describe.   But, during some of our darkest moments, when the worrying was unbearable, we were able to get relief from Hugs and Kisses.