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Writer's pictureBrandy Menefee

COPING : LEYA'S STORY PT 2

A MENTAL HEALTH STORYTELLING SERIES



“Matthew was diagnosed on his sixth birthday. He died when he was seven, right before Thanksgiving.

 

He’d gone through chemo and was declared cancer-free. Then his cancer came back in full swing, and it was spreading.

 

Doctors did a biopsy on his liver. Soon after, Matthew had pain, a distended stomach, and wasn’t eating. But doctors kept saying to wait until his oncology appointment. The day Matthew was brought in, he had a massive heart attack.

 

I was at work and called to check on my nephew, my boy. My mom answered the phone, and she was screaming: ‘He's gone! He's gone! He's gone!’

 

My co-workers booked my flight. I left with the shirt on my back. I had no luggage, no nothing. My friend drove downtown to pick me up from work, drive me to the airport, and walk me to security. She got an airport employee to walk me to the gate. He was just a kid, and I remember holding onto him.

 

At the gate, there was nowhere to sit. I was sobbing, and nobody gave me their seat.


I remember thinking, ‘How do these people not know that the best little person in the world isn't here anymore?’

I just sat on the floor by the gate, crying, and I couldn't stop.

 

After we boarded, the airplane couldn't take off. We were stuck on the tarmac waiting for an hour. It was a flight to Vegas and everyone on board was ready to party. This couple next to me was making out the whole time and being really cutesy while the flight attendants handed me tissues.”

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