Mama June Shannon Is 'Hoping' to Move Out of Home Where Daughter Anna Died: 'A Constant Nightmare' (Exclusive)

"It's been a struggle," Shannon tells PEOPLE, reflecting on the loss of her oldest daughter in December

EXCLUSIVE: *NO WEB UNTIL 3PM EDT 18TH APRIL* Mama June Shannon was reunited with her family as she attended her daughter’s second chemotherapy session. The reality TV star, 43, was present at a hospital in Georgia to support Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell as she received treatment for stage 4 adrenal carcinoma, a type of cancer affecting her liver, kidney, and lung. At the emotional chemo session was June, her husband Justin Stroud, her other daughter Jessica and Anna’s boyfriend Elridge Toney. Mother-of-two Anna, 28, first reported experiencing stomach aches before undergoing a series of tests that led to the terrifying diagnosis in January. She recently completed her first round of chemotherapy, and doctors are said to be monitoring her progress before making any further decisions. Images show Anna hooked up to medical equipment in a hospital in Georgia while one photograph shows her hair after it fell out. Sources close to the family said the family have been rallying around Anna as she embarks on her treatment. A source said of June’s visit: “The family are rallying around Anna and are doing everything they can to make her feel comfortable. “June has been by her daughter’s side and is supporting her completely through this terrible ordeal she is facing.”. 15 Apr 2023 Pictured: Mama June Shannon was reunited with her family as she attended her daughter’s second chemotherapy session. The reality TV star, 43, was present at a hospital in Georgia to support Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell as she received treatment for stage 4 adrenal carcinoma, a type of cancer affecting her liver, kidney, and lung. Photo credit: MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342
Mama June Shannon and daughter Anna Cardwell. Photo: MEGA

Mama June Shannon says living in the Georgia home where her daughter Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell died is a “constant” reminder of the family’s loss.

“We're hoping to be able to move soon because Anna passed away in our home, and for me and Justin and Kaitlyn it's just a constant remembering,” the Mama June: Family Crisis star, 44, tells PEOPLE. 

PEOPLE confirmed in March 2023 that Anna had been diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma two months earlier. She died at age 28 the following December.

Cardwell’s daughter Kaitlyn, 11, now lives with Shannon and her husband Justin Stroud. Shannon confirmed to PEOPLE in March that Cardwell’s other daughter, 8-year-old Kylee, was living with her biological father, Anna’s ex-husband Michael Cardwell.

 Mama June Helps Granddaughter Kaitlyn – Anna’s Daughter – Prepare For ‘First Grownup Dance’
Mama June with Kaitlyn.

mama june/instagram

“This is where everything happened,” Shannon continues. “We are living in a constant nightmare, but for me, for the last six months, it's been a struggle. I got emotional earlier today.”

“It is just really, am I going to wake up from this nightmare?” she adds.

Shannon's second oldest daughter, Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon, 27,  also weighed in, telling PEOPLE, “I think it's kind of like that for all of us.

“There's moments that I do feel sad,” Jessica said. “Anna wasn't a really emotional person, but for me, it is just trying to remember her in all the good ways. I want to try to erase all of the bad couple of days.” 

Anna Cardwell
Anna Cardwell.

Anna Cardwell/Instagram;

In May 2023, PEOPLE confirmed that Shannon and Stroud would be leaving Alabama for Shannon’s native Georgia to help care for Anna amid her battle with cancer.

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Shannon said parenting Kaitlyn also evokes memories of her late daughter.

"Kaitlyn is Anna's twin through and through," said the mom of four, who also has daughters Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird, 24, and Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Shannon, 18. "She reminds me constantly of Anna. The way Anna was at 11, Kaitlyn is."

"The way that Anna was growing up. I mean, again, looking at Kaitlyn sometimes, it's not difficult. I wouldn't say it was difficult, but it is kind of like, 'You look like your mama,'" she continued.

"It's just things like that. I'll catch myself or she'll do something like Anna would've done. I'll be like, 'You act just like your mama.' She's like, 'No I don't. I act like Kaitlyn.' And I was like, 'No, you are still.'"

Mama June: Family Crisis airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on WEtv.

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