January 2015, a whole new year to look forward too. So many adventures to explore and a life to lead.

 Unfortunately for this beautiful family, the year holds  a harder, more challenging path than this family ever wanted. Let me tell you a little more about them. 

Shannon fell in love with Coray the first time she set eyes on her. She knew that Coray was meant to be her companion for a life time. It is definitely a "You complete Me" love story.

One that wouldn't be fully complete without Shannon's son, Jaden.  Shannon had Jaden from a previous relationship, but has always been the ONLY parent he had. She did everything she could for her little boy. Including working 40+ hours a week while she grew that handsome boy in her body, to a completely natural, NO pain med, delivery.

From day one he become her heart and soul. She has been the number one in his life. And he was hers. Shannon always protected Jaden from anything she could like any parent would do. And sometimes it was lonely for Shannon. Being  full-time mom and dad to this boy and a full-time provider, she had no room to fall in love.

But fate had different plans and brought Coray into Shannon and Jaden's life 7 years ago. Their fairy tale romance become a commitment in August 2011. So much love and so many adventures this family began and so many more to look forward to.  

Last October, Shannon began to get sick. Thinking it was the flu or a common cold, she kept to her routine of working long hours as a dietary aide in a retirement facility, parenting her now 13 year old son, and loving her wife.  But her "cold" never went away.

Losing weight, unable to eat, vomiting daily, Shannon thought her recent gallbladder removal in July was now catching up with her and maybe a diet change was in order.  But even with no acidic or greasy foods, whole grain, fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats,her body was getting worse.

Now losing significant weight, vomiting uncontrollably every time she ate or drank anything, unable to stand or walk for a short distance, having no energy, unable to work, Shannon had seen numerous doctors, all telling her this and giving her that.But no relief, no help, no cure for this "cold". Finally in January of this year she met a stomach specialist, in hopes to put an end to her last few months of pain.

The doctor gives Shannon the news that a mass is blocking her esophagus where it meets her stomach and removal of the mass will "fix" the problem. They referred her to the University of Washington for a procedure to give some relief to her and to do tests . Now, an answer to her illness. Now something that can be treated and she can go on with her life.

Again another turn in the road, while doctors were putting a stint in her esophagus, test were ran, and showed up that a tumor was growing in her esophagus, stomach, and part of liver.  More tests ran, more doctors seen, more answers to her months of suffering.