Mother, 38, announces her own death from ovarian cancer in heartbreaking pre-written Instagram post describing her ‘magical’ final months
A mother has announced her own death in a heartbreaking social media post, written during her final days to reassure friends she knew how “deeply” she was loved.
Mother of one, Casey McIntyre, 38, of New York, died on November 12 from stage four ovarian cancer.
Casey’s death was announced on Instagram via a post she wrote before she passed away, which was then shared by her husband Andrew, alongside a carousel of images of his wife throughout her life – as a child, at their wedding and with their daughter.
‘A message to my friends: if you are reading this it means that I have died. I’m so sorry, they’re horses*** and we both know it,” the statement began. ‘The cause was a recurrence of my previously diagnosed stage four ovarian cancer.’
To ‘celebrate’ her life, the mother of one planned a touching tribute to help pay people’s medical bills. Pictured: Casey with her husband Andrew and their daughter Grace
Casey McIntyre (pictured) tragically passed away on November 12 from stage four ovarian cancer
“I loved you all with all my heart and I promise you I knew how deeply I was loved.”
Prior to her death, Casey, who worked in publishing, spent five months in a hospice in Virginia, Rhode Island and New York, surrounded by her family and friends – a time she described as “magical.”
Tragically, Casey didn’t get the chance to finish her post before she died, with her husband Andrew adding an ‘editorial’ in which he paid tribute to his wife and shared his ‘heartbreak’ that she didn’t get the chance to finish her . last goodbye.
“Casey wanted to end this post with a list of things that brought her comfort and joy during her life, and I am heartbroken that I will never see that list,” he wrote.
“As she got sicker, she couldn’t finish it.
‘I imagine it also means our daughter Grace, whales, ice cream, her beloved friends, her presence on the beach, her niece and nephews whom she adored inexorably, who read ten books during a week’s holiday, her beloved parents and sister and their wonderful extended family, swimming, a perfect roast beef sandwich, and me, her sweet, sweet honey.”
He added, “Oh Casey! I don’t know how we’ll do it without you, but we will.’
Casey described her final months as “magical” in a heartbreaking final message written before her death, which was shared by her husband
Andrew then asked Casey’s loved ones to share “a note that was a comfort or joy you shared” with her, before sharing details about her memorial service, before revealing that his wife had come up with a plan to “celebrate” her life . by setting up a fundraiser for money to pay off the medical debts of others.
“We will celebrate her life by anonymously purchasing and then forgiving medical debt anonymously, hopefully with a bonfire if they allow it,” he wrote.
“If you attend (her memorial service), please wear something that expresses your deep sorrow for our loss, and also something that expresses the joy you feel for ever having known Casey.”
Take to XFormerly called Twitter, Casey shared further details about the initiative, writing: ‘To celebrate my life, I agreed to buy the medical debts of others and then destroy the debts.
“I am so fortunate to have had access to the best medical care at @MSKCancerCenter and am acutely aware that so many in our country do not have access to quality care.”
Titled: ‘Casey McIntyre’s Memorial and Debt Jubilee’, each donation was made anonymously, at Casey’s request.
With a goal of $20,000, Casey’s fundraising goals have been surpassed in less than a week, with the current total standing at $20,908.50, leading to a new goal of $30,000.
Casey’s sweet sentiment was welcomed on social media, with the tribute touching many.
Casey kept a positive outlook while battling the disease, and even had a cancer-inspired fashion account
Social media users took to the comments section to share their thoughts on Casey’s heartwarming fundraiser
Why ovarian cancer is called a ‘silent killer’
About 80 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease.
By the time they are diagnosed, 60 percent of ovarian cancer cases will have already spread to other parts of the body, reducing the five-year survival rate to 30 percent, compared to 90 percent in the earliest stages.
It is diagnosed so late because of its location in the pelvis, said Dr. Ronny Drapkin, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who has studied the disease for more than two decades.
‘The pelvis is like a bowl, so a tumor there can become quite large before it actually becomes noticeable,’ Drapkin told MailOnline.
The first symptoms that occur with ovarian cancer are gastrointestinal because tumors can push upwards.
When a patient complains of gastrointestinal discomfort, doctors are more likely to focus on dietary changes and other causes than suggest screening for ovarian cancer.
Drapkin said it is usually only after a patient has endured persistent gastrointestinal symptoms that he or she will undergo a screening that reveals the cancer.
“It is often said that ovarian cancer is a silent killer because it has no early symptoms, when in fact it does have symptoms, which are very common and can be caused by other things,” he said.
‘One of the things I tell women is that no one knows your body as well as you do. If you feel something is wrong, something is probably wrong.”
One said: ‘What a beautiful and strong final gift to give to someone. Rest in peace Casey.”
Another wrote: ‘I can’t breathe because of the lump in my throat. What a legacy. This will be a change to my will when I update it.”
A third said: “I didn’t know you Casey, but your very generous donation to buy up other people’s medical debts as a memorial touched me.
“You won’t see the impact of your legacy, but your family will, and that includes the families of all the people you help. I didn’t know you, but wish I did! Fly high.”
A fourth added: “This is perfect and a great idea and a tribute to a beautiful, fierce warrior.”
Another said: ‘This is so beautiful. Sending so much love to the family. What a wonderful woman she clearly was.”