Current:Home > MyMama June Shares Why Late Daughter Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell Stopped Cancer Treatments -Trailblazer Capital Learning
Mama June Shares Why Late Daughter Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell Stopped Cancer Treatments
View
Date:2025-04-24 18:14:17
June "Mama June" Shannon is reflecting on a difficult time for her family.
The reality star detailed the last months of her eldest daughter Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell's cancer battle and decision to enter hospice before she died in December at age 29.
"It was difficult watching her have to go through chemo," June told E! News in an exclusive interview. "Having to go through radiation and having to do immunotherapy, and then trying to get into hospice long before we actually could."
"It wasn't the fact that she was tired of fighting because even to her last day, she fought," the 44-year-old emphasized. "She was a feisty one even during her last days."
But June recognized the emotional and physical toll fighting stage 4 adrenal carcinoma was for Anna.
"I think she was just over it," she recalled, "and she just wanted to spend her last days doing what she wanted to do."
The Mama June: Family Crisis star—who is also mom to Jessica Shannon, Lauryn Efrid and Alana Thompson—admitted it was difficult convincing Anna's doctors to approve hospice care.
"Watching her try to say, 'Okay, I'm done with treatment, I just want to live the rest of my life the way I want to live it,'" June shared. "They wouldn't listen."
Anna—who was mom to Kaitlyn, 11, and Kylee, 8, the latter of whom she shared with ex Michael Cardwell—continued her pleas until doctors relented.
"She said, 'Okay, I'm just not coming back and I want to do home health hospice,' and they finally signed off," June explained. "We tried to for a long time before that."
In January, June and her husband Justin Stroud were granted temporary custody of Kaitlyn, who she said moved in with her a month before Anna died and that she's been caring for her since.
"I tell Kaitlyn all the time, 'I'll never replace your mother,'" she told E! News. "I say this all the time, but Kylee shouldn't have to be raised by Kylee's dad. I shouldn't be raising Kaitlyn. Anna should be here raising her children. It's not fair for any of us that Anna's gone, especially for her children."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (9465)
Related
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Russia hits Ukrainian grain depots again as a foreign ship tries out Kyiv’s new Black Sea corridor
- Former West Virginia coach Bob Huggins enters diversion program after drunken driving arrest
- Horoscopes Today, August 16, 2023
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Jennifer Lopez's Birthday Tribute to Husband Ben Affleck Will Have Fans Feelin' So Good
- Target's sales slump for first time in 6 years. Executives blame strong reaction to Pride merch.
- Questions raised about gunfire exchange that killed man, wounded officer
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Amid record-breaking heat, Arizona wildlife relies on trucked-in water to survive summer
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- 'I was crying hysterically': Maui residents search for missing pets after deadly fires
- Britney Spears and Sam Asghari Break Up: Relive Every Piece of Their Romance
- 14 more members of Minneapolis gangs are charged in federal violent crime initiative
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- US looks to ban imports, exports of a tropical fish threatened by aquarium trade
- Deadly clashes between rival militias in Libya leave 27 dead, authorities say
- 16-year-old left Missouri home weeks ago. Her dad is worried she's in danger.
Recommendation
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Plea negotiations could mean no 9/11 defendants face the death penalty, the US tells families
Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming opens up about mental health toll of dementia caretaking
House Oversight Committee member asks chairman to refer Snyder to the DOJ for investigation
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Transportation disaster closes schools, leaves students stranded in Louisville, Kentucky
Stock market today: Asia shares decline as faltering Chinese economy sets off global slide
Horoscopes Today, August 15, 2023