In Memory of Shannon K Daharsh: A Loving Mother and Wife

Hi, my name is Don Daharsh. My wife Shannon and I met twenty five years ago. Prior to our meeting she had had a tough life filled with turmoil and pain. We had a long courting and a beautiful relationship. Truly the kind that people dream of. We married and raised three healthy amazing children. A handsome son and two beautiful daughters. They are now all adults. She was an incredible mother and wife who loved us all fiercely and would do anything to protect and keep us safe, always putting her own needs last as many mothers do. She was compassionate and loving. She was beautiful and full of life. We all had many adventures together. Throughout her time with us she became very ill and was in and out of the hospital a lot over the last many years. We almost lost her 6 years ago due to liver failure, however she was stubborn and pulled through. She went through physical therapy and some medical treatments and stayed with us to enjoy life once again. We were all very grateful. She was able to watch our children finish school, celebrate birthdays, go fishing, enjoy the outdoors and more.

Unfortunately earlier this year she became ill again. She started taking better care of herself and was following her doctor's orders. We drove accross country to move our youngest in with her boyfriend. She was very weak during this trip and was again having a hard time medically, but, she enjoyed our trip and was happy to have made the journey. When we returned home I was offered a job that we together decided I should accept. A little over a month ago we moved to a new state and were excited to begin a new chapter in our lives. She talked about all of the new adventures and places she wanted to visit. She was excited about the upcoming holidays and our children coming to visit and spend time together. However after we moved she was again in and out of the hospital needing many different procedures to remove fluid from within her abdomen and torso. Due to this fluid she came down with a severe case of pneumonia. Her liver again began to fail and her pneumonia would not go away. Without her children she endured all of this. I was at her side every day when I was not at work. This last week she was able to come home with me. We spent the weekend together, talking and dreaming of our future. She seemed to be getting better. We enjoyed meals together and each other's company. This last Monday night she began having a very difficult time breathing, even on oxygen. We were awake through the majority of the night, her telling me that she was scared and that she wanted to go the hospital again. We drove to the hospital using oxygen to keep her oxygen levels semi normal. She was admitted into the Emergency Department and the staff began assessing her. We thought it would be another routine visit that she had had so many times before. I stayed with her until mid morning until I had to leave for a while for work meetings. I kissed her and said that I would see her in a few hours. I kissed her again and told her that I loved her, then left for work. When I left work to go back and see how she was feeling, I received a call from the hospital saying that she was asking if I was on my way back. I told them I was about 30 minutes away and I would be there soon with a bag of stuff for her to make her comfortable. When I arrived at the hospital I walked into the ER, a nurse wrapped her arms around me and told me that she was actively passing. Her room was full of medical staff and she was already unconscious, I broke into tears and dropped her bag, sobbing uncontrollably. While I sat at her side kissing her, stroking her face, hair and arms while the doctor explained that she had declined very rapidly over the last hour. Her pneumonia had become so severe that the pressure from her lungs was affecting her hearts ability to function. He said that after explaining to her that the only procedure that would keep her alive would leave her in constant medical care, unable to live a normal life. She made the decision herself to have them let her go. A decision that I had already told her I would respect, reluctantly, in previous conversations, if it came to that. The nurses said that as they made her comfortable she began telling them about me, our children, and our kitty. Telling them how much she loved us all and how great our lives together had been. Telling them about all of us and how proud she was of all of us.

I sat at her side crying and contacted our three children and told them what was happening. They all immediately began sobbing and screaming in disbelief, asking if there was anything that could save her. I told them all that it was her choice based on the what the doctor had told her. They all understood, but were still in shock. I put each of them on speaker so that they could tell their mother how much they loved her and say goodbye. I cried with them while they talked to their mom. All of them immediately figuring out how to get here within the next couple of days.

I stayed at her side kissing her, stroking her hair and face. Telling her how much we all loved her and were going to miss her. How amazing and beautiful she is. Praying for her that she is no longer suffering and is at peace. Still crying uncontrollably. A nurse and doctor came in, did an ultrasound of her heart and listened for a heartbeat. Her doctor looked up at me and said he was so sorry and began unhooking her from equipment. I wailed, and cried out to god. In this state, I stayed with her for another hour, talking to her the whole time. Thanking her for the life and love she shared with me and our children. For her unconditional love and commitment to her loved ones and family. She was a beautiful woman and an amazing human. She was dedicated and fierce in her love of family and life. She was the most beautiful sole I have ever met the love of my life and our everything, and she is soo terribly missed. Shannon K Daharsh, Thank you for your love and the life that you shared with us. We appreciate every moment that we had with you, and will never, ever let you out of our hearts and souls.

Be at peace Shannon K and we will all see you again.