Nicole Stout Memorial
Donation protected
Let me tell my story about Nicole Stout...
A little over 2 weeks ago she called Chris and told him that the doctor has informed her that chemo is not working and to enjoy the rest of her life because the cancer has spread just so that she only has a few weeks left. We quickly rearranged our lives to make the rest of hers as comfortable as possible. What could've turned out to be just another devastating tale has transformed into a beautiful story... A story fit to be told for an amazing lady.
This woman has been in my life as a mother longer than my own mother who passed away when I was 9. I met her when I was 19 years old and she opened her heart to me from the moment she said "hello". I would have never guessed the battles she had overcome. Over the years, I've watched her struggle financially, battle dead end jobs, crazy situations, care for her grandchildren, give money she didn't have to anyone struggling. I watched life knock her in the belly time and time again but her climb uphill began well before my 23 years as a Brown. She was a single mother of 3 in a country she didn't know, away from her family in France, failed marriage after failed marriage, abused and taken advantage of and her faith was always kept intact, ever unwavering, always a smile on her face.
From being faced with the knowledge 2 weeks ago of the possibility of losing her, to the reality of watching her fading away within the last 72 hours has been both heart wrenching and beautiful. Beautiful because I get to bear witness to seeing the souls she brought into this life hold her hand as she is being ushered out. What started out as what we thought would be weeks turned out to be days and has quickly changed to hours. Mama musters the strength the give us soft kisses and even though she struggles to form words, her eyes show that she is saying she loves us too.
We are nearing the end of this bitter/sweet journey. We have given up our bedroom and camp out next to her in the living room. The room is filled with the whirring sound of the oxygen, soft conversation, her favorite music or movies, laughter from favorite memories, and many many many tears. Thank you all for letting us share our story with you. As we come to a close, we appreciate your contribution to the celebration of life for our angel and helping to offset the cost of her final expenses those of you have generously contributed to and we are especially grateful for the all the thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult and beautiful journey.
A little over 2 weeks ago she called Chris and told him that the doctor has informed her that chemo is not working and to enjoy the rest of her life because the cancer has spread just so that she only has a few weeks left. We quickly rearranged our lives to make the rest of hers as comfortable as possible. What could've turned out to be just another devastating tale has transformed into a beautiful story... A story fit to be told for an amazing lady.
This woman has been in my life as a mother longer than my own mother who passed away when I was 9. I met her when I was 19 years old and she opened her heart to me from the moment she said "hello". I would have never guessed the battles she had overcome. Over the years, I've watched her struggle financially, battle dead end jobs, crazy situations, care for her grandchildren, give money she didn't have to anyone struggling. I watched life knock her in the belly time and time again but her climb uphill began well before my 23 years as a Brown. She was a single mother of 3 in a country she didn't know, away from her family in France, failed marriage after failed marriage, abused and taken advantage of and her faith was always kept intact, ever unwavering, always a smile on her face.
From being faced with the knowledge 2 weeks ago of the possibility of losing her, to the reality of watching her fading away within the last 72 hours has been both heart wrenching and beautiful. Beautiful because I get to bear witness to seeing the souls she brought into this life hold her hand as she is being ushered out. What started out as what we thought would be weeks turned out to be days and has quickly changed to hours. Mama musters the strength the give us soft kisses and even though she struggles to form words, her eyes show that she is saying she loves us too.
We are nearing the end of this bitter/sweet journey. We have given up our bedroom and camp out next to her in the living room. The room is filled with the whirring sound of the oxygen, soft conversation, her favorite music or movies, laughter from favorite memories, and many many many tears. Thank you all for letting us share our story with you. As we come to a close, we appreciate your contribution to the celebration of life for our angel and helping to offset the cost of her final expenses those of you have generously contributed to and we are especially grateful for the all the thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult and beautiful journey.
Organizer
Ellen Rico Brown
Organizer
Temecula, CA
