IN TRIBUTE OF DEBBIE GUNDERSON Debbie, you lived a rather simple life. You had no spouse or children and were a nature girl by heart. Local residents often referred to you as the “Blueberry Lady” because you would sometimes sell fruits and vegetables on the side of the road outside your home. You loved to garden, read and watch TV, but most of all you loved making crafts. Those who have come to know you knew that you could never throw anything out. Most often, through your creative gift, you would turn an ordinary object into something entirely different. You loved children, babysitting and telling stories. You enjoyed the time you spent with your best friend, your boyfriend and your cousins. You admired your sister and looked up to your younger brother. You adored your nieces and nephews and hold dear to your heart your departed parents. You were 45 when your mother passed away suddenly. This was a turning point in your life as we watched you gain independence. At 45, you enjoyed driving for the 1st time, visiting your boyfriend, and becoming a vendor at Collingwood Auction selling your own crafts. This was a dream job for you. However, at 46, just one year later, your life changed dramatically when you were diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. Your cancer had spread to multiple parts of your body including your lungs and bones. We were told at the time, if you lived a year it would be considered a victory. You were also told by physicians at that time, that you should consider putting your affairs in order as you may only have 2 weeks left to live. After receiving such terrible news, most people would have sunk into a deep depression. However you ignored the physicians and went about your life as if there was nothing wrong. Despite the terrible pain you incurred from the cancer and the terrible side effects you experienced from chemotherapy and radiation, you never became depressed, nor did you ever worry or complain. Your biggest concerns were - when you will be able to make the next trip to Wal-Mart, if you had enough beads to make your craft or what kind of soup they were offering at the hospital. Now, amazingly, 4 years after you were diagnosed, we were ready to celebrate your 50th birthday, a day in which the doctor’s assured us you will never see. A large celebration was planned. However, just 1 week before the date, you underwent a surgical procedure to drain fluid from around your lungs. You were told that this surgery is risky and that your lungs may collapse during the procedure. You may even go into cardiac arrest. You bravely opted for the surgery and told the doctors if necessary, to do everything possible to save your life. The doctors were not optimistic. Your lung collapsed and all measures were taken to save your life. You were placed on a ventilator and feeding tube and were told you will probably never come off of them. We called family and friends together as we thought you would not pull through. But shortly thereafter, you fooled the doctors again when you were able to come off both the ventilator and feeding tube. After the surgery, you were admitted to Kensington Manor for rehabilitation. There you made many lasting friendships and even became the President of the Resident Council. Not only did we celebrate your 50th birthday, but a year later for your 51st birthday, we had that big party that you missed. Now skip forward 4 years later from the time of your surgery. It is now 8 years since you were first diagnosed. During these 8 years I have told your story to many family and friends. I have offered an understanding ear to those who are or have been suffering from this awful disease. Your story is an amazing story. It has given others comfort and an uplift of hope when before there was none. Your ability to bravely battle such a devastating disease and to continue your regular life for 8 years despite such a dismal prognosis is truly awe inspiring. Although eventually your body grew tired, your spirit to live never diminished. Even towards the bitter end, you continued to communicate to your brother with small nods or a squeeze of the hand that you wanted to keep up the fight. Perhaps it was your “ignore it and it will go away” attitude that allowed you to fool the doctors for so long. Or perhaps it was the choice of a higher being. But what ever the reason, we have considered it a victory that we have won 8 times over. We hope that we will never again have to tell your story to others who are suffering, but if we do, know that your story will continue to offer peace, comfort and hope to those all around you. You will be forever in our hearts – may you no longer incur suffering and rest in peace. Love, Brian, Linda, Chris, John, Lisa, Stephen, Tom, Monica, Christine, & Christopher
