A dying 17-year-old has planned her own funeral and even made her funeral playlist after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Eden Lewis, 17, from Oakdale, Caerphilly, South Wales, was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2020. The teen does not have enough time to live, but she is determined to make the most of her time on earth and refuses to stop living until her last breath.
After her first diagnosis in June 2020, Lewis underwent several sessions of wearying chemotherapy and even had surgery to remove a 5-inch (13cm) tumor from her right thigh.
After her surgical procedure, Eden needed a metal prosthesis and knee replacement, but unfortunately, her cancer returned after a few months of remission.
Now the teen has a terminal diagnosis of Osteosarcoma, and the cancer has spread to her lungs.
Eden lives with her mom Tess, 39, her stepdad Cameron, also 39, and her two siblings – Logan, 6, and Faora, 2.
But despite her illness and limited time for living, Eden wants to fulfill her dreams, and she has a list of things she wants to do, like studying at her favorite college, getting done with her first kiss like a normal teenager, and attending Harry Styles’ concerts.
“I’d love to go to Disneyland, but unfortunately it’s not possible due to my health,” she said. “So some women my mum knows have arranged a special Disney-themed afternoon for me and I can’t wait for [it].”
“I’m also hoping to see Lewis Capaldi at Chepstow, but completely respect Lewis if the concert doesn’t go ahead.”
She calls her list ‘f*** list instead of naming it as her bucket list like everyone else.
The list includes several other activities like do glass painting, go to her favorite seafood restaurant, learn to make sushi, got to Madame Tussauds, attend anime con on the 9th and 10th of September, and learn how to make donuts.
Eden has also made her funeral playlist in case she dies sooner and talked with a local funeral director about how she wants to plan her funeral and even decided the songs for each stage.
“I’ve spoken of how I’d like a black horse and carriage, with deep purple plumes and rugs, along with a wicker coffin,” Eden said.
“My funeral dress hangs in my wardrobe, waiting for my funeral. I’ve chosen two very special charities for people to make donations to and I want people to wear their favourite colours, so my funeral becomes a rainbow of colours.”
Since the teenager was treated on the Rainbow Ward at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff, rainbow holds a great importance for her.
Speaking of the playlist, Eden said it mostly features the songs of her favorite artist, Harry Styles.
“Harry’s songs Sign of the Times and As It Was, speak loudly to me and feature in my funeral playlist that I’m putting together,” she said. “So many lines in his songs help me with how I feel in this journey with cancer and of when I have to leave this world.”
“My favourite song is Watermelon Sugar, it chills me right out and has helped me focus when I’ve been afraid. He seems like someone you could have a good night out with and feel free,” she added. “I listen to his solo music on repeat all day.”
Last week, Eden attended Harry’s concert and saw him in person after her family surprised her with Harry Styles’ concert tickets on her birthday.
“While I was in hospital and missing school it felt like my friends had grown up and moved forward in life without me,” she said.
“They had boyfriends and girlfriends while I had blood tests and toxic chemicals. They threw parties while I was throwing up. I was no longer me, I was a new me, mentally and physically. Even now I’m constantly exhausted and in pain 24/7.”
“I miss out on so much.”
However, despite everything, Eden vows to live her life to the fullest and not spend it waiting to die.
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