I’m terminally ill at 17 and have already planned my own funeral – but I’m still determined to live life to the full
- Eden Lewis, 17, from South Wales, revealed she has a ‘f**k it’ list of activities
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A dying teenager who is determined to live life to her fullest before passing away is planning her own funeral – and even has her dress for the day prepared.
Eden Lewis, 17, from Oakdale, Caerphilly, South Wales – who is suffering from bone cancer – also has a ‘f**k it list’ filled with things she wants to do before she dies.
The illness has seen her go through gruelling chemotherapy and surgery to remove a 13cm tumour from her right thigh.
She has a terminal diagnosis of osteosarcoma and the disease has spread to her lungs – with doctors already having removed 40 per cent of one lung.
The teenager lives with her mother Tess, 39, her stepfather Cameron, 39, and her younger siblings – six-year-old Logan and two-year-old Faora.
Eden Lewis (pictured) is determined to live life to her fullest before passing away is planning her own funeral – and even has her dress for the day prepared
And while she knows her days are numbered, Eden isn’t going to let that stop her from fulfilling her dreams – like studying at college, getting her first kiss and going to concerts to see her favourite pop star, Harry Styles.
‘I’d love to go to Disneyland, but unfortunately it’s not possible due to my health,’ she revealed.
‘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.’
Other activities include glass-blowing, sitting in her dream car, a Bugatti Veyron and ‘trying as many different types of food, drinks and treats from around the world’.
‘I don’t have a bucket list, because it sounds too final,’ Eden said. ‘So instead I have a f**k it list.’
Eden was first diagnosed with bone cancer in 2020. Since April 2022, she has been taking a drug to prolong her life, but the cancer is terminal and there is nothing else to be done.
Although it is an incredibly challenging situation, the teenager is tackling it head-on, even creating her own funeral arrangements – from her playlist to colours and her coffin.
The illness has seen her go through gruelling chemotherapy and surgery to remove a 13cm tumour from her right thigh
Since April 2022, Eden (pictured with her mother Tess) has been taking a drug to prolong her life, but the cancer is terminal and there is nothing else to be done
Although it is an incredibly challenging situation, the teenager is tackling it head-on, even creating her own funeral arrangements – from her playlist to colours and her coffin. Eden (pictured) was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2020
She has already spoken with a local funeral director about plans and picked 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 added.
‘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.’
Eden was treated on the Rainbow Ward at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff for her cancer – so rainbows ‘mean a lot to her’.
And the playlist will, of course, feature her top artist.
‘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 explained.
‘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.
In March 2022, Eden had 40 per cent of her left lung removed and went on to do her GCSEs. The teenager powered through and got 5 C’s and 5 B’s and even got to enjoy prom with a police escort (pictured)
‘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.
‘I listen to his solo music on repeat all day.’
The superfan saw Harry in person on 21 June, when he performed at Principality Stadium in Cardiff after her family surprised Eden with concert tickets for her birthday this month.
She says she loves his ‘floppy hair, cheeky smile and how he’s not afraid to be himself’.
The teenager also opened up on accepting her circumstances with time.
‘While I was in hospital and missing school it felt like my friends had grown up and moved forward in life without me,’ she revealed.
The superfan saw Harry in person on 21 June, when he performed at Principality Stadium in Cardiff
Eden posted a ‘dying wish’ to Harry styles on Facebook ahead of seeing her favourite performer
Eden – who is suffering from bone cancer – also has a ‘f**k it list’ filled with things she wants to do before she dies
‘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.’
But that doesn’t stop Eden from pursuing her passions, such as focusing on her education.
‘Since I was tiny I always wanted to work with animals, so it was only right that I went to college to study animal care,’ she explained.
‘I also have pets at home, three cats and four guinea pigs.
‘I enjoy spending time with them all and using what I learn in college to enrich their lives to the best possible.’
She added that having the support of her family helps a lot.
‘My brother and sister keep me going and always make me laugh and smile,’ she admitted.
‘I try my hardest to do things with them, so when I’m no longer here they’ll have some lovely memories of me.’
In March 2022, Eden had 40 per cent of her left lung removed and went on to do her GCSEs.
The teenager powered through and got 5 C’s and 5 B’s and even got to enjoy prom with a police escort.
Her mother Tess has praised her daughter’s incredible mindset during an unimaginable ordeal.
‘In 2022, Eden was declared terminal,’ she explained. ‘We were devastated but she has made us so proud with her attitude.
‘She says life is for living, not for waiting to die.’
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