Welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs. I’m Dawn Klem, and today’s episode invites you into one of the most unforgettable patient journeys I witnessed during my years in the brain tumor clinic. This story isn’t just about illness—it’s about the human spirit, the ways we cope with devastating news, and the quiet strength that carries families through the unthinkable.

Before we meet the patient we came to lovingly call “the mayor,” we’ll take a moment to explore the five stages of death and dying—those emotional currents that shape the experience of anyone facing a terminal diagnosis, as well as the loved ones who walk beside them. These stages aren’t neat or predictable, but they are deeply human, and they form the backdrop for the story you’re about to hear.

In this episode, you’ll meet a man whose warmth and charisma lit up every hallway he walked down, and a wife whose fierce devotion became both his anchor and his shield. Their journey is one of hope, denial, courage, and love—and ultimately, a reminder of how fragile and precious our time together truly is.

Let’s begin.