Christmas Joy – Jonas and Lena’s mother Mia is in heaven

The emotional wounds of father Stefan (35) and children Lena Mia (5) and Jonas (18 months) are still open. The pain of losing mother Birgit (44) and grandmother Angela (64) takes its toll on body and mind. The little ones receive psychological care. Stefan – supported by his aunt Sigrid (51) – is now doing everything he can to ease the loss of their beloved female caregivers. “Where is mom?”, “And where is grandma?” Lena Mia and Jonas ask. “You are in heaven now,” is the sad answer. “And when will they come back?” The answer is painful.

Drove from doctor to doctor
It was in August 2022, after the baptism of Jonas, who was only four months old at the time, when the accident hit the family from the Kirchdorf district with all its force. Mother Birgit had severe pain in her chest area. “Rib fracture,” a doctor diagnosed and prescribed painkillers to the 43-year-old patient. But the torment did not diminish, it became more and more intense.

Birgit could no longer stand on her legs, take care of the house or the children and developed asthma. “We went to the doctors continuously for almost eight weeks without knowing what was really wrong,” says the widower. A doctor eventually suggested that you could still do a computed tomography. The result was devastating.

Metastases everywhere
Birgit had breast cancer that had already spread. The tumor spread to the spine and liver. The cancer cells caused pathological fractures in the 1st, 4th and 6th lumbar vertebrae and were also responsible for the rib fracture. “Her body was full of metastases,” says Sigrid.

Birgit spent seven weeks in the Steyr Clinic and had to be transported to Linz every day for radiation therapy. “Unfortunately, the treatment came too late and she had no chance of recovery,” says Stefan. His wife soon realized that she would not live much longer.

From now on, the metal worker only worked night shifts for the company and took care of the house and children during the day together with Grandma Angela. After Birgit was discharged from the hospital, there was also support from family helpers.

Grandma took good care of the little ones
The terminally ill woman’s suffering was alleviated with high doses of morphine. Grandma Angela increasingly became the main caregiver for Lena Mia and Jonas. The relationship between the three was extremely close – until the 64-year-old fell ill with a urinary tract infection in May. This spread to the kidneys and caused blood poisoning that was fatal. “Please excuse me for no longer being able to care for the children,” were Angela’s last words. “The little ones were shocked by the loss – and Stefan was suddenly alone with them and his terminally ill wife, who needed care,” says Aunt Sigrid. The employee had to reduce his working hours.

Birgit’s life finally came to an end, but fortunately the children were still able to say goodbye to their beloved mother. On October 21, Birgit closed her eyes forever and was buried on the 25th. “She was such a kind-hearted and sweet person like no other I know,” Stefan can hardly bear her loss.

Needs a hug
Aunt Sigrid, who works herself and has three children, is now trying to give the little ones the physical warmth they so urgently need: “They really need cuddles.”
Unfortunately, concerns persist. Because Stefan, who earns only 1,400 euros net and still has to pay off debts for an apartment renovation, the costs of afternoon care for the little ones are now causing problems. “We have to do it too, do our best!”