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I’m Jenni Wilson, author, speaker, wellness educator, and natural oil mom. I teach people to be confident in using natural remedies for their family’s health.

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Remembering Raquel Wilson: Her Last Days

Our dear daughter and sister, Raquel Wilson, just passed away from a terminal illness. We are so sad, and already miss her terribly. You can read more about Raquel’s story on my blog HERE. Here’s how Raquel passed…

We believe she had a choice in September of 2014, whether she would stay with us or go to heaven. The doctors did not think she would come out of the surgery and she did suffer a brain trauma from it. We believe she knew how hard it would be. But that she wanted to stay because she did have a chance to make some more memories and to touch more people with her light.

Race Against Time

Over the last couple months as I was trying to save her life. I felt like several things happened that were out of my control. I kept feeling that she had a chance to stay and heal. But it was definitely a race against time in fighting this most aggressive illness she had. There were just enough factors and things I didn’t know that stacked the deck against us. When it was all said and done, I really felt that it had been the Lord’s plan for her to leave. Raquel and I were both stubborn and didn’t want it to happen. I wanted to keep fighting, but when she was gone I realized what a huge relief it was for me and especially for her.

I had prayed that God would prepare us and give us time to say goodbye. With many tender mercies, he answered my prayers. My parents had come to stay with us for just a few days, and their timing was impeccable. It was a great blessing to have them there. The previous afternoon, we had taken her to St. George for some medical appointments. She was so tired and weak. I felt sorry to have to drag her around in the heat and put her through it. But my husband came and met us, and she was able to repeat the words that she said so many times before, “I love you so much, I love you so much.”

Sweetest Moment

It was a sweet, sweet moment that we were able to connect with her, in love. After that appointment was done, and Mike helped us get her back into the car. He left to return to our children in Cedar city for the night and my parents returned with Raquel and I to Mesquite.

A couple nights before she had thrown up a little food after we fed her in the evening. We were worried that she had aspirated a little into her right lung. And that it was going to compromise her strength and respiratory system. That night before she passed, she threw up a few more times, and it worried me even more.

I called Mike and he suggested we put her on her right side so that the less-likely-affected left lung would function better. We had a suction machine that I was using to suction out some of the mucus she had in her nose and throat. That she was not able to spit out. She still had some paralysis in her cheek, mouth and throat from the last surgery in September. Which made it difficult, if not impossible, for her to get the mucus out of her throat.

I fought my hardest for Raquel’s life, but when I realized that she was getting really distressed and might not make it. So I called my husband up in Cedar city and told him to get in the car with the kids and come right then. They arrived at the perfect time. They didn’t have to watch her struggle as long as I did. We are able to sing songs to her as she was taking her last breaths.

Her Last Breath

Even then I was still not going to give up. I asked my husband if he thought her brain function was all the way gone. He believed it was, as her pupils had been unresponsive and different sizes for several hours. For the past month, her jaw had been clenched shut but sometime in the early morning, it had loosened and opened. But she had still been responsive. I thought perhaps there was still one more thing I could do to help her. So I asked my family to go out of the room for a few minutes. As soon as they were out of the room, she immediately stopped breathing. I gently called them all back in to give her one last kiss and say goodbye.

My husband came and gave me a big hug and told me not to fret or worry about what had happened. He assured me that I had done all I could for her, and that now she needed to be in a better place. Mike helped me let her go. For me, at that moment, it was a bittersweet goodbye. But for my other family members, it was a loving, happy goodbye. They had not had to watch her day-to-day in her decline. They had not had to experience the worry and the sadness of those two months, seeing her get weaker and weaker. I think the Lord was preparing us, preparing them to not have her around. And preparing me to be ready to not have her suffer any longer.

Heavenly Father’s Plan

Once she was gone, I couldn’t help but shed tears all that day and the next. But every hour after her death gave me greater feelings of relief for myself and for her, and also greater understanding. I realized that it really was our Heavenly Father’s plan for her to return to him. But that He had gifted us an entire extra year with her, to make some amazing memories. To share her love with so many, and to prepare to give her back to Him.

God taught us so much, about so many different things. I received a huge education in health. We feel that if she had had any other type of illness, with all the things we did for her, we would have knocked it out of the park. But hers was one of the most aggressive and pernicious of illnesses. The majority of people don’t live more than one year. And we felt that we really were blessed to have her as long as we did. Those who know me, know I am a big believer in natural remedies. In this case, radiation therapy definitely helped extend her life, and for that I am grateful.

Raquel Was A Great Example

But more importantly then all the knowledge I gained about healing, we learned so much about loving. We were able to experience the grandest out-pouring of love from so many people, time and time again over this year.  And we learned about true compassion and service, because we experienced it. We were the recipients of so many thoughtful messages and acts of love. People visited, brought flowers and gifts, sent loving messages on Facebook, brought food to our family, invited my kids over to play, cleaned our house, and so many more things that I can’t list them all. I wrote a whole blog post about it (here).

Raquel was a huge example to me through all this, as she patiently worked through her trials and never complained. It was only one time that I remember, with one of the myriad of tough things she endured, that she said the words, “this is so, so hard.” That was it. She never said it again. She never complained or asked, “why me?” As my husband said, she soldiered through the challenge that was ahead of her, with determination and positive attitude. She was an example and inspiration to us, a true warrior princess.

Read about Raquel Wilson’s Memorial Services HERE

  1. I’m sorry to hear about your lost. I did not know. Was very busy. You will see her again in the new system. Our heart goes with you.
    Cindy and Family

  2. Kimberly says:

    Thank you for your story. As a mother, I am deeply hurt for you in the loss of your daughter. My prayers go out to you. Raquel was a beautiful girl inside and out and I’m sure she’ll live in many hearts until you meet again.

    • jenni says:

      I appreciate your sweet words, Kimberly. God prepared us with His many tender mercies, and we are at peace knowing she is close and we will see her again. Thank you.

  3. mandie says:

    Im so sorry to hear about the loss of Raquel I know of you because of the Lawrence Welk show. I’m only 15 and have health problems as well. I have a vascular issue in my upper right arm that really cannot be removed it will stay with me the rest of my life. Just remember “Whatever Obstacle You Must Face, You Can Do It By God’s Amazing Grace.

  4. Rhonda H. says:

    My prayers are with you. I, myself, lost my husband to this same type of brain tumor. Blessings to you.

  5. Robin says:

    You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my mom to the same thing 16 years ago.

  6. Sharol says:

    This was so sweet Jenni, we will always remember Raquel as the sweet big sister in our carpool 🙂 I am sorry for the loss to your family here on earth and so thankful that you know that Raquel is and will always be a part of your sweet eternal family for ever. {{{HUGS}}}

  7. marcelo says:

    Que el Señor les de fortaleza, y mucho amor para seguir adelante.

  8. Deniece Allred says:

    this was such a beautiful tribute to Raquel. thank you for sharing. You have an amazing gift with words. You all are still in our prayers and we love your family so dearly. We loved Raquel and it was so hard to watch her go through this trial, but she was amazing and I think she taught all of us some great lessons about life. May you continue to find joy and peace as you find those amazing little treasures she left behind for you all, and thank you for sharing them with all of us. We love you.

  9. Joanel says:

    Your thoughts are wonderful. Raquel’s journey has been a part of my journey. She and you have given me strength and courage. She is a shining light. You Jenni are an incredible mother. You put your heart and soul into caring for her, loving her and enjoying her. Her LIFE blesses many. I pray you and your family find the comfort you need.
    Warmly,
    J. Read

  10. Leanne Peterson says:

    Jenni, I don’t know you but I know Mike. I used to work at DRMC however, I saw this post that was ‘liked’ by a mutual friend. You are an amazing, strong woman and mother. I don’t understand how you feel but I imagine your emotions are raw and labile. We know that it is those left behind that feel the pain and that Raquel is no longer in pain or discomfort and is smiling and active. It sounds like you did the things as the best of nurses would have done. Prayers for your family. All the best to your future.
    Leanne Peterson

  11. Craig says:

    Thank you so much so sharing this link. It is helping me to read it.

    I, like Maddie, was shocked and devastated when Anne told me. I wish, like everybody, that I could have done something meaningful to express our feelings and help you and your family in any way.

    I immediately mentioned to Anne about the times Raquel and your whole family sang Carols at our house at Christmas. She burst into tears.

    I can’t believe these things actually happen. I brings up my fresh memories of Anne’s cancer and Carlyn years of touch-and-go surgeries. But Anne had experienced so much life and Carlyn was not expected to live at birth. Almost understandable. But Raquel was something difference and so special. Maddie, and Anne, are taking it pretty hard. I don’t think it fully has sunk in for Gavin either. He isn’t talking.

    Thank you for sharing your family with ours. We love you all.

    Craig Jakus

    • jenni says:

      Craig, I’m glad this post helped you. We have had a year to grieve about losing our daughter. We fought a good fight, and feel so blessed to have had an extra year with her. I’m sure she is enjoying life in heaven without the restrictions of a dysfunctional body. For that, I rejoice. I miss her, but I know she is close. I know that families are eternal, and we will see her again, sooner than we think. We would love to catch up with your family and visit. Let’s get together sometime soon, and we can share some wonderful memories with you. We love you too. ~Jenni

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Share natural solutions

Then let's help the people you love the most? What health issues are they having?

learn more

Find Jenni on Social

Protect Yourself (and your family) with All Natural DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes!

Download HERE

All natural

I’m Jenni Wilson, author, speaker, wellness educator, and natural oil mom. I teach people to be confident in using natural remedies for their family’s health.

Essential oils will enrich & improve your life so much, you'll want to share the LOVE

Change the world