Current:Home > StocksMama June Shares Why Late Daughter Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell Stopped Cancer Treatments -×
Mama June Shares Why Late Daughter Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell Stopped Cancer Treatments
View
Date:2025-04-27 17:57:14
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! (1663)
Related
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Focus on the ‘Forgotten Greenhouse Gas’ Intensifies as All Eyes Are on the U.S. and China to Curb Pollution
- Judge orders US government to leave Wisconsin reservation roads open
- Philadelphia’s district attorney scores legal win against GOP impeachment effort
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Former Denver Broncos QB John Elway revealed as Leaf Sheep on 'The Masked Singer'
- ANSWERS Pet Food recalled over salmonella, listeria concerns: What pet owners need to know
- Don't ask the internet how much house you can afford. We have answers.
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Georgia-Alabama showdown is why Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck chose college over the NFL
Ranking
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Civil society groups nudge and cajole world leaders from the sidelines of United Nations week
- Federal government to roll back oversight on Alabama women’s prison after nine years
- Lady Gaga draws inspiration from her ‘Joker’ sequel character to create ‘Harlequin’ album
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- SpaceX Crew-9, the mission that will return Starliner astronauts, prepares for launch
- Kelsea Ballerini Reveals the Most Competitive Voice Coach
- Menendez brothers' family slam 'grotesque' Netflix show 'Monsters' for 'outright falsehoods'
Recommendation
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
How RHOC's Shannon Beador Is Handling Ex John Jansson's Engagement to Her Costar Alexis Bellino
Macklemore clarifies remark made at pro-Palestine concert in Seattle: 'Sometimes I slip up'
Lana Del Rey obtains marriage license with Louisiana alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
New judge sets expectations in case against man charged with killing 4 Idaho university students
A New England treasure hunt has a prize worth over $25,000: Here's how to join
California man faces federal charge in courthouse bomb explosion