Sunflowers, Family, and Walking to Remember Lisa

“Cooking was her passion. She could open a fridge and make a gourmet meal.”

When Mackenzie thinks back to memories of her mom, Lisa, so many of them are based in the kitchen.

“Being in the kitchen, especially on holidays, meant a lot to her. She would be in there, yelling at her sister: ‘Nope, do this, do this’ – it just felt like home.”

As she grew into her teens, Mackenzie says her mom became her best friend.

“She was like a ray of sunshine. She was funny, she was caring, she had the biggest heart.”

The “bright light” that Lisa carried with her didn’t dim with a cancer diagnosis as Mackenzie entered her freshman year of high school. When she started losing her hair during chemo, Lisa leaned in.

“She was out on a girls’ weekend with her high school friends,” remembers Mackenzie. “They went to CVS, got a box of hair dye, and she came home with pink hair - and never went back.”

It was an eight-year journey fighting cancer, but Lisa didn’t want to be known as a patient, or someone who was sick.

The family was told things were dire, and that there wasn’t much more that doctors could do. Lisa was referred to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, where comfort would be a main priority. Mackenzie said they all assumed “that was going to be it.”

“And then suddenly – a couple days later - she was home Christmas Eve, helping cook Christmas dinner,” recalls Mackenzie. “It was like a drastic change in her.”

While Lisa was discharged from the hospice house, she remained on hospice, receiving care at home. Mackenzie notes: “That’s really where she wanted to be.”

Over the next several months, the Care Dimensions clinical team visited often, both to manage symptoms and to talk through social and emotional needs. Medical equipment was delivered to keep her comfortable, and – with the encouragement and support from her hospice team – Lisa was even well enough to get away to Cape Cod for a short trip with her sister Kim.

Added Mackenzie: “In my mom’s true fashion, they ended up renting a Lexus convertible to cruise around in all weekend!”

But as Lisa’s health continued to decline, they realized Mackenzie’s college graduation that spring could be out of reach. So, working with the college leadership, they arranged for an early graduation ceremony – livestreamed to their home.

“It was me, my family, friends, all my professors and department heads. The college president even spoke. And my mom could watch it all on TV.”

After the ceremony, Mackenzie headed home to be with her mom for the celebration party. The Care Dimensions team helped to arrange for a photographer, so Mackenzie could have graduation photos with her family – complete with cap and gown.

“It was a big milestone moment and something I'll cherish forever.”

Not long after, Lisa was moved back to the Kaplan House, where she spent her final couple of weeks. The family put up photos on the wall and visited often.

“We got a nice corner room with a great view of the birdhouse. She loved to see the cardinals, because her parents and one of her sisters had passed, so she always liked to think that they were visiting her.”

Friends and family will all be in custom t-shirts, decorated with sunflowers, Lisa’s favorite –frequently displayed on Mother’s Day or her birthday.

Mackenzie describes Walk Day as a “roller-coaster of emotions,” but there’s an overall sense of community.

“It's comforting in a way to be surrounded by people who've experienced what we've experienced.

“There's a lot of dogs, a lot of kids, and a lot of big-hearted people who are passionate about Care Dimensions and supporting the organization that helped their loved ones through hospice.”

For Mackenzie, Walk Day is a chance to be surrounded by people who understand what her family has experienced – and to make sure Lisa is remembered.

“It's the one day I know we’ll all be thinking of her, and we can do something to honor her and the people who supported her.”

Click here to support Lisa’s Legacy at this year’s Walk for Hospice.

Who will you walk for? Learn how to start a team at CareDimensions.org/Walk