June 17, 2025

Kyle’s Journey as a Care Partner Through Love and Loss

Jenny Appleford was a beloved YouTube creator who bravely shared her stage 4 lung cancer journey with the world – not just to raise awareness, but to help others feel less alone. Diagnosed at just 33 with no history of smoking, she used her platform to document everything from treatment updates to quiet family moments, offering a powerful glimpse into life with terminal illness. Her honesty, faith, and fierce love for her family inspired thousands.

In 2023, Jenny passed away – but her voice lives on, not only through her videos, but through her husband, Kyle. In this deeply personal interview, Kyle opens up about what it was like to care for Jenny through her illness, the heartbreak of losing her, and the challenges of navigating parenthood and grief without her by his side. He shares how he’s finding strength, honoring Jenny’s legacy, and learning to live again – one moment at a time.

Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Katrina Villareal

Jenny was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer at 33, despite having no history of smoking. Initially, she was diagnosed with stage 3A but even after different treatments that gave her a good quality of life, they found metastases in her brain. She was later diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Losing Jenny was an experience filled with unimaginable heartbreak, quiet strength, and enduring love. As her husband and care partner, Kyle tried to remain strong for her and their two young kids, even when inside he was falling apart. In her final days, although confused at times due to the brain metastases, Jenny never stopped being Jenny — full of love, faith, and resilience. She was positive until the very end, always reminding them that she never gave up and that she loved her family deeply.

After Jenny passed, the grief was overwhelming. Kyle had to find a way to balance his pain while supporting their children through theirs. The house was quieter, lonelier, and full of memories, but the responsibilities of being a single parent didn’t stop. He leaned heavily on family and friends, and slowly, found moments of healing.

Grief isn’t linear. Some days, Kyle felt numb; other days, he felt too happy and guilty for it. Therapy, community support, faith, and exercise helped him start to move from just surviving to living again. He misses everything about Jenny — her voice, her parenting, her presence — but he’s learned that it’s okay to grieve at your own pace.

Parenting without Jenny is the hardest. Kyle can’t lean over and laugh with her about what the kids just said or ask her advice in the moment. But he still talks to her, and sometimes, he feels like she answers. Kyle tries to be the best parent he can be, not to replace her but to honor her.

Jenny’s legacy lives on in the way Kyle parents, in the milestones he celebrates with their kids, and in the love she left behind. She was selfless, even in her final days — writing letters for future birthdays and life moments for their kids. Her strength, kindness, and fight to the end left an imprint on everyone she met. She wanted people to enjoy the moment, to fight for more lung cancer research, and to share their stories to help others feel less alone. And that’s exactly what Kyle and their kids are doing.

Watch Kyle’s full interview to hear the raw, emotional story behind these moments:

Hear how Jenny’s final act of love included writing letters for her children’s future birthdays, weddings, and milestones.
Learn what it was like to sit bedside in the final days, holding on to every breath and every second together.
Discover why grief isn’t a straight path and why feeling “too happy” or “too sad” is part of healing.
See how parenting without Jenny has been both heartbreaking and beautiful, with conversations that still include her voice.
Find out how Jenny’s legacy continues through advocacy, everyday moments, and the promise to never let her be forgotten.