We cherish the memories of two of our Contributors who fought courageous battles with the big C.
Since “Death Can Wait – Stories from Cancer Survivors” was published in 2008, I received e-mails from many of the contributors. Two of the contributors shared with me their brave and courageous battles with cancer. When reading those e-mails while wiping off the tears, I came to realize just how courageous and strong human beings can be; courageous in their fight for survival and strong in accepting the inevitable with grace and dignity.
Dona Fitzpatrick (nee Vallieres) wrote in our book in early 2008: “I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) 3-1/2 years ago. IBC is the most aggressive form of breast cancer and the prognosis was really not good several years ago. It still isn’t wonderful, but there have been tremendous developments in the past 10 years or so. I feel quite impassioned about helping raise awareness about IBC and have given many public talks. Early diagnosis is crucial. I can’t say I’m a breast cancer survivor yet - but I can say that I’m surviving happily and able to look at each day as a new beginning. Although the cancer keeps progressing and my doctor has diagnosed it as “incurable”, I’m still optimistic that we’ll manage to get the cancer completely under control or we’ll find a cure somehow. There’s wonderful research being done and new cancer cures being discovered every day. It’s what keeps me hopeful.”
On August 4th 2008 Donna sent me this e-mail: I have good news - my doctor yesterday saw encouraging signs that the Avastin is working. I just came back from chemo where he increased the dosage. Now my bill was $3300; my last treatment 3 weeks ago cost $2200. I have to seriously consider selling my house just to pay for my treatment - a treatment that Ontario covers for colorectal cancer. I think it's shameful that the government of Ontario is not funding this”.
Sadly, Donna lost her battle at the end of April 2009 and was laid to rest on April 29th; her life was celebrated with a special service that was attended by over 200 of her friends, including a group called “Donna’s Divas” which is dedicated to raise funds for cancer research. She motivated all of us to continue raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
Another contributor to our book who recently last his courageous fight to cancer is Bryan Tyrer. In early 2008 Bryan wrote in our book: “Apparently, I am a very rare case indeed. I had what they call «collision» tumours: two different types of cancer in the same spot. There have been only 32 cases reported, world-wide, since the early 70’s, of this anomaly occurring”. Bryan had a great sense of humour during his fight with cancer. He concluded his contribution by saying: “You really have to wonder sometimes; they really want me to gain some weight but I have to fast for 8 to 12 hours each day of the trial. The pill is the size of a football (maybe not quite) but one of the side effects is difficulty in swallowing. The test drug causes diahrrea but the anti-nausea medication is constipating; maybe I’ll get lucky and just break even. Anyway, that’s where I’m at right now; pretty tired and not feeling great but, hanging in”. In his last e-mail Bryan wrote: "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. Life is about learning how to dance in the rain" while at the same time he talked about the items he completed from his bucket list, including going gliding and visiting Tombstone, Arizona on a spur of the moment with his brother. His bucket list would certainly qualify for another movie that would surprise even Jack Nicholson. Bryan rode into the sunset, peacefully, surrounded by family at the Hospice at May Court, Friday July 31, 2009.
Donna and Bryan, we will continue our efforts to raise money for cancer research and will cherish your brave and courageous battles as inspiration to get a cure for cancer.
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