Mother whose five-year-old daughter is dying of terminal brain cancer pens post about her final days

A mother whose five-year-old daughter is dying of terminal brain cancer has written a heartbreaking post about what really matters, saying she is spending “every minute” she can hugging her little girl and making her feel comfortable in her final days.

Delaney Krings, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), an incurable pediatric brain tumor, on October 31 and given six to eight weeks to live.

In celebration of her fifth birthday on December 16, thousands of people from all over the world sent her cards and a local parade was organized in her honor.

Delaney’s mother, Heather Krings, 43, shared an update on her youngest daughter in the family. CaringBridge page on January 23, 12 weeks after receiving his devastating diagnosis.

‘Normally, I would apologize for the length of time between my updates. However, from here on out, I won’t. I will not apologize for spending every minute focusing on providing as normal a daily life as possible for B and C,” she wrote, referring to her eldest daughter, Brooklyn, 12, and her son, Carson, 11. .

I will not apologize for every minute spent serving Laney’s needs. I will not apologize for every minute I spent talking, hugging, snuggling, and looking at this precious little girl. Her texts, calls from her, emails, posts/comments/FB messages from her may go unanswered, but it’s not because I don’t love and appreciate her concern. It’s because I just can’t.

Krings shared how she tries to ‘keep [herself] together’ during this incredibly difficult time, but ‘there are There are more and more moments of unstoppable tears, of rage against the universe, and of simple empty impotence.’

She explained that they are doing everything they can to keep Delaney “as comfortable and as pain-free as possible,” including medication, 24-hour monitoring, and “making sure she’s warm and wrapped in clean bandages and the softest blankets and pillows possible.” .’

“Every time she’s awake, which is getting more limited and more distant, we make sure she sees our faces and hears us gently telling her how much we love her. We still get the occasional dot, wave, or snap to let us know her preferences. Very rarely do we hear a squeaky version of his little muppet voice,” she wrote.

‘It’s been about a week, but this afternoon I heard “Mom, hug.” I immediately rested my head on her chest and she hugged him, patting. When I raised my head I was graced with her beautiful wide hazel eyes. All I could do was smile and tell her how much I love her, then a quick kiss before having to pull away so she wouldn’t see me crying.

Delany’s illness began with an ear infection that would not go away. After taking her to the pediatrician, a CT scan showed that she had a tumor on both sides of her brain, all the way down to her brain stem.

He doesn’t deserve that much in life. She has been the easiest baby, the sweetest little girl, the most loving, energetic and curious little girl. She has brought so much love and happiness into this world and has had such a positive impact on so many,” Krings wrote.

Watching her slowly walk away from us in a body that defies the light of her soul is devastating. The only consolation we can have near her is that we are doing everything possible to keep her as painless as possible, surrounded by warmth and love to weigh the evil that is taking her from us.

The mother explained that Delaney’s cancer, DMG, has “very little positive response to any current available treatment.” She has been reading medical textbooks and research articles “for months and has found very little hope in any of them.”

Although the news of her inoperable brain tumor was heartbreaking, Krings and her husband, Jack, were determined to make her last birthday special.

Family friend Sharon Tomlinson suggested they organize a card drive and began spreading the word on social media and local media outlets. Her office volunteered to pick up the letters.

In an interview with Today Last month, Krings shared her appreciation for Tomlinson, saying they had already received “hundreds and hundreds” of letters that made her daughter overjoyed.

Love for Delany has poured in from all over the world and she even caught the eye of NFL star JJ Watt, who joined in on her birthday celebration.

“Happy (early) fifth birthday, Delaney!” the Arizona Cardinals defensive end tweeted, along with a photo of him holding a card that read: ‘From Arizona back home to Pewaukee, hope you have a fantastic birthday surrounded by family and friends!’

She also received a message from research scientists in Antarctica, who sent her love via email because it would take ‘months to receive a card from Antarctica’.

Delany’s grandmother created a GoFundMe to help the family with medical bills with a goal of $200,000. So far, they have received 2,300 donations totaling more than $144,000, and people continue to send their thoughts and prayers.

Krings wrapped up her emotional update with her hopes for her daughter and a reminder to treat each day as if it were your last.

“We as a family can only take solace in the fact that in the 4 1/2 years we were blessed to be with her, we gave her the best life we ​​could have. Loving family, great school, adoring siblings, Farm and Lake adventures, fairs and festivals and water parks and even Disney World,” she wrote.

‘Though I wish, from the bottom of my withered little heart, that we could have given you more, I hope that what you have seen of this life has been good and happy. By the grace of God, I hope she knows how much she is loved. Now and always. She hugs your people, she loves your people. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.