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Karla Van Kessel died this year of cervical cancer. After a frustrating path to a diagnosis that involved a misinterpreted Pap test, she became an advocate for better screening in Ontario, and three days before her death, recorded her own eulogy. https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2020/09/24/i-believe-i-won-at-life-she-wrote-her-own-eulogy-after-a-misinterpreted-pap-test-and-a-cancer-diagnosis-and-her-fight-for-better-screening-will-help-countless-ontario-women-after-her.html
She’d been writing it for a while, hoping she could use it as fodder for her 25th anniversary speech. She was 43, and she had experienced an incredible life, she said. A happy marriage, two kids, a big extended family she loved, a fulfilling career.
“The same healthcare system that failed me eventually gave me compassion, hope and outstanding care," she said.
To her mother, who had already endured the death of Karla’s father and brother, she said: “When I was diagnosed all I wanted was to outlive you…. You know how to carry on and you will carry on because you know there is so much more to live for.”
To her sons, she knew her death would shape them, but she knew their love would too: "I hope you remember our laughter....how your father would kiss me, call me sweetie and lift me up and swing me around the kitchen in a joyful embrace, while you sat and watched and giggled.”
“Please don’t refer to me as having lost the battle because I believe I won at life. I lived in this world the same way I leave it: Believing in the transformative power of the human spirit. Believing that we are all more capable than we give ourselves credit for...
“...knowing that love is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others.”
Hundreds of people listened to this speech at her celebration of life in February, before COVID-19 changed the way we live and grieve.
To learn more about Karla and her impact on cervical cancer screening in Ontario, here is the full piece: https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2020/09/24/i-believe-i-won-at-life-she-wrote-her-own-eulogy-after-a-misinterpreted-pap-test-and-a-cancer-diagnosis-and-her-fight-for-better-screening-will-help-countless-ontario-women-after-her.html
And here is the link to the audio of Karla’s powerful speech: https://soundcloud.com/rob-whitmill/karlas-message-1
And here is the Canadian Cancer Society’s page about cervical cancer symptoms, treatment, and screening: https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/cervical/cervical-cancer/?region=on
Also, in March 2019, Karla told her story to @NightShiftMD on White Coat, Black Art. They will have an updated episode with the family this October. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/why-a-mom-with-cervical-cancer-needs-women-and-their-doctors-to-hear-her-story-1.5063389
