It is almost time
Dear PostHope friends,
I am STILL back at home and under the medical care of Hospice of Lubbock, supervised by Mom, Jason, and Aidan. (Jason is the ghostwriter, for an unconscious Shannon.) This hospice group is full of truly wonderful people, and they're now also my family. I recommend non-profit hospice services to anyone. It would take far too long to express how extraordinary they have been. Take my word for it. I have a lot of experience and I know what I'm talking about.
Stepping out of character now...
Shannon has been in and out of consciousness for several days, and has not been able to speak more than a word here and there for about a week. She has managed to say "I love you." to her Maid of Honor and dear friend, and to her immediate family a couple times in the past few days. She is expected to pass in the next 2-3 days, but it will probably be even shorter than that. However, Shannon has never met an expectation she couldn't defeat, and I think she is listening to these conversations. Nonetheless, it is clearly time for a final note.
Shannon is as comfortable as she can possibly be, and she is not suffering visibly. She has probably had ...around 120 visitors since this time last year, dozens of which have been here in Lubbock since she began hospice care. Her family is eternally grateful to all of you who have followed this journey, and I know Shannon is eternally grateful to all who followed her entire life's journey and her journey to the end of life with glioblastoma. Going through any traumatic experience is buffered by how much social support we have, and so Shannon has fared very well, with all of your YEARS of help. Her last few months have been more peaceful than many of the prior years, and she has been open to simply accepting love and help.
When I think hard about what Shannon would want to write, or want me to write, it isn't that difficult. She would encourage you to live fearlessly. She would remind the world that she has had a rich and rewarding life, full of great friends and family and amazing experiences and travels, and that she has had absolutely incredible students who are going to make the world better. She would probably also tell some stories that would make you laugh and still show off how smart she is.
We will all miss her endlessly.
Comments (36)
Sending all my love to my dear friend Shannon... and especially to Aidan and Nana... there are no words, just lots of love and hugs.
Oh, dear Shannon. She has been on my mind so frequently. She’s even been IN my mind, with her wit, fearlessness, spunk and contagious love for her Aidan. She was my welcome to the scary world of cancer in the summer of 2017, and set the bar high for riding out the storm with spunk. Our stars aligned only briefly, but we agreed we were forever sisters (she also mentioned a send-off with drag queens and high spirits). She will live on with me as a tattoo (hers, broken into two parts—one on each wrist). Godspeed, Shannon. Love to the family a this hardest of times, and a tender goodbye to a very dear friend. Linda Thomas with Greg Schultz, Lafayette, Indiana
Oh Jason, Thank you so much for posting this update. My heart literally ACHES for you, for Aidan, for Shannon, for all your family and friends ... and for all of us that have followed along on this incredible journey. Shannon is a unique, unrepeatable miracle who has inspired each of us to be all that we can be ... to fight hard and find the humor in the process. A life well-lived. A job well done. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. And Shannon will always be my hero.
Thoughts of love to you, Dear Shannon. And to Aiden, Jason, Nana, and all who love Shannon.
Holding you all in our prayers! She was and is a fighter! I've known her since elementary school and can confidently say she always has been!
Thank you for keeping us in the know - all my love and sincere admiration to my sweet friend Shannon. I'm thinking off you all!!
You all have been on my mind lately. Sending love and good thoughts and prayers as you continue to make a new normal for you all. My heart is heavy for sweet Aidan. I know he has greatly cherished his time with his beautifully brilliant mom and will continue to amaze us all. Jason, if I can help in any way please let me know. I can not even begin to fathom how incredibly difficult this has been. Much love.
I’ve been thinking about Shannon a lot lately. Thank you for the update, Jason. And, thank you, Shannon, for letting us be a part of your journey. We are holding all of you in our hearts. I hope you all truly do know how covered in love you are. Peace, dear friends.
Much love ❤️ Shannon is a special soul, and whomever met her was lucky to have cross path. She is a true warrior and a genuinely good soul. Miss you much already. 🙏
Sad update. As if she can hear your wishes and love, and right on cue, Shannon has now passed. Love to you all -Jason, on behalf of Angie and Aidan.
Just thought of a stellar Shannon moment: The summer of 2017, when I was treated at MD Anderson and met Shannon, my husband and I went with Shannon to Moody Gardens in Galveston. It was hotter than hell. Shannon eyed the zip line and suggested we do it. I thought my radiation oncologist would have a heart attack, if he found out. But I was game, if she was. We both considered the long flights of steep stars to get up to the launch pad and the killing heat, and agreed to forego it. It was the real threat of heat exhaustion on the steps, not a fear of the adrenaline rush of the zip that killed our plan. We then took the ferry to Port Bolivar, drove on the beach (who does that?), had a memorably awful dinner at a Cajun restaurant, and returned to Houston late at night with full hearts and a ton of laughs. Partner in crime. Memory of a lifetime.
We are so sorry. We are also so glad we got to know Shannon. Peace.
Prayers to all thru this difficult time..God please watch over then with open arms
Love and tears for Shannon. Shannon was a great Mother, wife, daughter, sibling, friend, student, Professor and role model. My heart goes out to everyone. She can now Rest In Peace and know she lived her life her way.😘
Goodbye my sweet friend. I will miss you so much....all that sass, spunkiness, unique humor. You were an amazing friend, Mom and daughter. Give them hell up in heaven. Big hugs to Nana and Aidan. They are who they are because you loved them. 💔💔 🥺😭😭
Shannon. You are the most awesome fighter for life, I have ever known. But it is my belief, that you will love all that you find on the other side. When you return in the next life, you will probably start wearing battle armor as soon as you can don it. Love, Leonard Rinaldo
Prayers for her journey home to be peaceful. Her legacy will continue to live on. She is loved by so many and will be desperately missed . Until we see you again.
My heart goes out to all of Shannon’s family and friends. I will always remember how she was one of the first people to open up her arms to me at UK. I will forever be in awe and admiration for the way she has lived her life and has handled these impossibly hard few last years. Didn’t get to meet Aidan, but much love to him.
Rest In Peace dear Shannon. You will be missed by so many and always in my heart and mind. You definitely lived life with strength, love, compassion and humanity. I was fortunate to have known her. Blessings to all of her family and friends. Lois Kidd
Shannon has been on my mind so much lately. I appreciate the sharing of her journey and has given me a better understanding of brain cancer - after all, she's an educator. I'm sending my love and holding all of you up in the Light. Godspeed and Blessed Be. Love, Lou
Dear Shannon; thank you for letting me be a part of your journey fighting this devil! I have enjoyed ever minute of your enduring spunkyness; have learned so much from you about expressing ones self! You have inspired me to tell the world how I feel. May I see you in our after life! God take care
Thank you so much for this update! I knew Shannon as a sweet kindergarten student at Maceo Elementary School. I was blessed to be her teacher while never knowing what a phenomenal teacher she would become! I have followed Shannon’s journey via her posts on Caringbridge. While reading these posts, I began to know Shannon the woman, wife, mother, daughter, sibling and friend! Such an amazing warrior for life emerged for me to love in addition to the little girl I once knew and loved. Prayers continue for Shannon and all the family. Please give her a kiss from me. Vicki Ross Riley—Owensboro, Kentucky
Shannon, thank you for being in my life. Thank you for opening your arms and heart to me. You've always been so kind and supportive to me and I will be forever grateful. Seeing you in conferences was one of the only reasons I went. You've been a great mentor and friend. I ache for your family. I ache for everyone who has had the privilege of knowing you. You will be missed. I will miss your wit and humor. I will miss your smile. I will miss your warmth and kindness. I will miss everything about you. I am so lucky I got to visit you last summer, but I should've come this summer too. Jason, Aidan, Angie, and all her loved ones, my heart is with you. I am thinking of you all during this difficult time. Love and prayers. Rest in peace, Shannon. All my love.
My heart aches for Angela, Jason and Aidan. Shannon was a pioneer for her tumor for sure. Many people have and will continue to be helped from her knowledge and her fight for healing. God was with her and her family all of the way and will continue to be with them.
My heart is with all of you. I just lost my sister to a brain tumor in March and I know how difficult this time is for everyone. Shannon truly changed my life by encouraging me to attain my MBA. I'm eternally grateful for the support, encouragement, and mentorship Shannon gave me with all that sass, attitude, and great brilliance. Wishing you all strength and peace.
Love to Shannon and her family. Grateful to have known her. She was extraordinary.
Jason, I’m so sorry. This has been a long and tough journey for all of you. I’m so grateful to have known Shannon in Kentucky, and Ryan and I think of you all and use Aidan’s child sayings every once in a while. Much love now and in the days ahead. J.
I went to bed last night still with tears still leaking and imagined what her newly freed soul might be up to. An image immediately popped to mind of Shannon whizzing around the world in a happy zig-zag course, with a huge smile on her face and and twinkling lights surrounding her. She was calling to people to be happy, and to be true to themselves and giving to others. Maybe this image was conjured based on something I have read or seen, though I don't recall this being the case. It seemed to be perfect for Shannon, as she moved through the world offering her beautiful smile for everyone, with her wit and wisdom constantly present. I am so grateful to have known Shannon and will miss her dearly.
Shannon was a bright star in so many people’s lives. We in the marketing education world will miss her so much!
I've thought of Shannon many times over the past few months, wondering how she was doing. My heart breaks for her, Jason, and Aidan, as well as her Kentucky family. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to know Shannon very well, but from her posts as well as the comments left by her loved ones, I understand she was such a special person and a true fighter for herself and others. Jason, please know that I'm here if you need anything during this difficult time. Love to you both, Grace.
Hi Shannon, although we have been separated by distance, for so long now, Linda and I already miss you even more now. May your loving and dedicated husband and sweet wonderful son both continue living life to the fullest, as what we absolutely know you would have them do. Thank you for being there for them all these years, and for being the major part of their light and joy. Thank you for being a great friend & relative to us also, during that entire period.
I have great admiration for you Shannon. I’ll never forget your zest for life, quest for justice in all areas, love for your family and friends, and ability to explain and educate others. Heaven is gaining an amazing warrior, Aidans guardian angel. Anyone would be honored to have you in their corner. Peace out sister. ❤️
There are no words to express the depth of your love & inspiration. Endless Love & Peace, Nanci
Rest in peace dear Shannon!! You have been such a fighter through this journey!! May your time on the other side be filled with peace. Love you my dear friend!! Until we meet again...
I'm so sorry to hear about Shannon's passing. She was clearly loved so much and so fiercely by her many friends and family - we should all hope to leave such a legacy. I'm sending my condolences and best wishes to Jason, Aidan, and all of Shannon's loved ones for comfort and peace during this incredibly difficult time.
I am a much better person for knowing Shannon. In her "youth" prior to going off to UK, then reconnecting through Facebook after her move to TX. She was brilliant, funny, and a bad ass. My prayers are for all left behind. <3