At the tender age of three, our lively little girl, Zoey, was diagnosed with cancer. She was a bundle of energy, filled with life and joy like countless other children before the devastating disease took hold.
Zoey was raised in a home filled with love. She was warm, playful, and brought joy to every day. One day, while playing, Zoey took a tumble and within a few weeks, she lost control of her hands.
Noticing these alarming signs, we immediately sought medical attention for our daughter.
The news we received was heartbreaking, a message no parent should ever have to hear. Doctors diagnosed our vivacious little girl with DIPG, a rare and aggressive brain tumor.
“We were lost, clueless about our next steps. We were basically told it’s a death sentence,” recalled Zoey’s mother, Casey.
Our family was thrown into a tragic situation, a nightmare no one would ever wish upon their worst enemy.
Despite the dire circumstances, we managed to keep our composure and muster resilience for Zoey’s sake. Over the following two years, Zoey underwent multiple treatments to fight her cancer.
We found a radiation therapy center in Germany where Zoey initially responded well. However, her health gradually declined, and she stopped responding to treatment.
As her condition worsened, we prepared ourselves for the unimaginable. On July 4, 2018, Zoey peacefully took her last breath in her American home.
Despite the immense sorrow caused by the impending loss, we realized that we could still share some profoundly special last moments with our little girl.
Zoey was a beacon of happiness up to the very end. Before time ran out, we invited family and friends over to visit and spend time with her.
Now, Casey has courageously chosen to share these intimate moments on Facebook.
“I shared it because, as painful as it was, it was also a beautiful moment for us,” Casey noted.
In the photograph, we are seen holding our precious girl, with the family dog by our side, settled on the couch. We spent the day singing Disney songs. A Harry Potter movie played on the television and amidst the calm and peace, Zoey slipped away. Her heart stopped beating midway through the film.
“I had seen other families sharing such moments and initially I didn’t think I would share ours. But then I thought, ‘I want a photograph like that. I want to capture those moments so I can remember them forever, even when my memory fades,'” she explained.
Through Zoey’s Light, a Facebook page dedicated to our daughter, we hope to share the hope and light that Zoey brought into our lives. We want Zoey’s memory to serve as a reminder of how we can love each other deeply and sincerely, cherishing every ordinary day.
To Casey and Ben, you’ve been incredible parents. My prayers for you will never cease. Zoey is now an angel watching over us all.
Rest in peace, dear Zoey.
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