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Name:Mary Dass Age:74
Vancouver BC
Type of Cancer:Colon

Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer 3 years ago. Went through 3 operations and endless rounds of chemo during her battle. She fought cancer with all her might till the bitter end. She finally ended up in Palliative care in Vancouver toward the end. Even there mom kept fighting in her weak condition. Mom passed away in October of last year.

Highlights: (Memorable moments, turning points, favourite memories)
It took us all by surprise to learn of moms illness. From there the process of first denial, then anger then acceptance followed.

Mom made up her mind at a very early stage to fight this disease…and she certainly put up a huge fight. On two occasions mom was given only days to survive. On both occassions mom beat the odds with sheer will power.

After her last operation at Christmas 2001, the doctors called us in and told us to proceed with funeral arrangements as mom was not doing well after the operation. Five days later they were making arrangements to send mom back home!. When we asked the doctors what happened, they told us they don’t know…"your mom was never meant to leave the hospital on her feet they said!

Mom's deep faith and will to live pulled her thru on many occasions. Cancer did many things to mom, but the one thing it couldn’t take away from mom was her dignity…mom never allowed this disease to degrade her to that level!

Lowlights: (Moments of courage, digging deep within)
The days following chemo were the hardest both for mom and the family. Not to mention the last three months when moms body was basically shutting down, was unbearable.

Current Status: Deceased on October 24th 2002