In winter, it’s not uncommon for people to catch a cold or flu. Often, we dismiss these symptoms as something temporary, not realizing that they could be indicators of a more serious condition. This is exactly what happened to 16-year-old Shayla Mitchell.
For months, Shayla suffered from a persistent cough that wouldn’t go away. At first, she brushed it off as sinusitis. But one day, she couldn’t ignore it any longer and asked her dad, Tom, to take her to see a doctor.
Tom didn’t hesitate to accompany his daughter to the hospital. Little did they know that this visit would change their lives forever. Shayla was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that had spread and occupied almost two-thirds of her breasts. The tumor had even caused one of her lungs to collapse, explaining her prolonged sickness and unstoppable coughing.
Despite the shocking news, Shayla and her dad decided to carry on with their plans to eat out together. However, due to the circumstances, they had their dinner in the hospital instead of a restaurant. Little did they know that countless meals would be shared in the pediatric oncology unit over the next few years.
Shayla’s battle with cancer was not an easy one. She underwent numerous tests, blood transfusions, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and even experienced a cardiac arrest. Throughout it all, Tom stood by her side, supporting her in every way he could. He witnessed the pain and strength of his daughter, holding her hair while she vomited, crying and laughing with her.
But as the years passed, the doctors concluded that there was nothing more they could do. Shayla’s body was not responding to the treatment, and a bone marrow transplant had failed. It was a devastating moment for both father and daughter.
In a heartfelt post on the Love What Matters Facebook page, Tom expressed his anguish and the difficulty of having to tell his daughter that she was going to die. However, he knew he had to be brave for her. And so, he gathered the strength to have that heart-wrenching conversation.
To his surprise, the conversation turned out to be an incredibly beautiful and profound experience. When he asked if she was still brave, Shayla whispered back, “Am I still brave, Dad?” In that moment, Tom realized the immense pain his daughter had been enduring. She had fought tirelessly not just for herself, but for him.
A few days later, Shayla passed away. It was a crushing loss for Tom, but he took solace in knowing that his daughter had fulfilled her promise and had remained brave until the end.
This story highlights the indomitable spirit of Shayla and the unbreakable bond between a father and his daughter. Let’s remember Shayla and honor all the children who have lost their lives to cancer by sharing this story with our friends on Facebook.
