The profound tragedy of losing a loved one has engulfed a Sooke family in heartbreaking grief twice within two weeks.
Bonnie OwsianykB次元官网网址檚 husband, Robert Owsianyk, died on Sept. 7 from brain cancer. He had battled the disease for years, but earlier this year, doctors discovered it had spread to another area of his brain.
His death followed far too soon after OwsianykB次元官网网址檚 daughter, Madison Fotheringham, 21, died after a courageous fight of her own from liver cancer on Aug. 24.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a hard time wrapping your head around losing Rob and Madison so close together,B次元官网网址� said Owsianyk, known to many in the community through her work as a waitress at CathyB次元官网网址檚 Corner Cafe. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been an extremely difficult time.B次元官网网址�
She said her son, Andy, 15, and daughter, Emma, nine, are also having a very hard time.
B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 tell Rob that we lost Madison because the doctors at the hospital said it would have been too much for him because of his condition,B次元官网网址� Owsianyk said. B次元官网网址淲e were together for 20 years, and thatB次元官网网址檚 the only time I kept something from him.B次元官网网址�
Sadly, the couple would have celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary on Sept. 9.
Fotheringham was admitted to Royal Jubilee Hospital in August with abdominal pains, which the family believed was related to her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. Doctors determined that her abdominal pains were caused by advanced liver cancer, which had already spread to her lungs by the time it was diagnosed.
B次元官网网址滻 think that people would be surprised to learn how painful cystic fibrosis is,B次元官网网址� Owsianyk said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a congenital disease known for damaging the lungs, but it affects all organs. Since she was a baby, Madison was constantly in and out of the hospital doing tests and getting stuck with needles.B次元官网网址�
At one point, doctors had to surgically implant a port catheter into her neck when they had trouble putting a line into her arm.
B次元官网网址淭here was so much scarring in her veins from the countless times they put catheter lines into her arms,B次元官网网址� Owsianyk recalled. B次元官网网址淪he put up with all of that and wanted to live a long life.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淢adi was always taking care of other people ahead of herself, so nobody was surprised when she started a GoFundMe page for her dad, but everyone was surprised when we were suddenly discussing if we were going to start one for her.B次元官网网址�
Fotheringham had initially approached Kelvin Wong, a software developer, for help when she started the GoFundMe page for her father.
B次元官网网址淚 promised Madison I would help, and so itB次元官网网址檚 fallen on me since she passed away,B次元官网网址� said Wong, a family friend. B次元官网网址淏onnieB次元官网网址檚 a waitress. The familyB次元官网网址檚 not wealthy, so they can certainly use all the help they can get.B次元官网网址�
Owsianyk is already overwhelmed by the acts of kindness pouring in from the community.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been amazing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪ooke Lions helped get my electric scooter back on the road so I can get to work, and CathyB次元官网网址檚 been amazing giving me time off.B次元官网网址�
If you want to help the Owsianyk family, please go online to .
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