Ashley’s Memorable Farewell

Not many times do we encounter people living with life-threatening illnesses and yet bravely embracing them. This is the story of Ashley Noronha, a brave young 28-year-old who valiantly fought CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) for over five years. Brought up in a family that faced constant financial difficulties and health problems, Ashley worked as a receptionist in a hotel in Anjuna – North Goa, even during his cancer treatment at the Goa Medical College.

As his health deteriorated in the past six months, his spirit burned bright, refusing to let pain dictate how he would live the remainder of his life. He had to give up work and stay home. Still, he continued to plow through his deteriorating health and depleting financial circumstances. He did this with the help of his elder brothers – Prince and Royston, as well as the GMC team headed by Dr. Anupama Borker, Sameer Cuncolkar (Cipla Foundation Social Worker), and Sagarika Prabhu Gaonkar (Sabrcare Social Worker).

Needing constant medical attention, he moved to Shanti Avedna Hospice in Loutolim under Dr. Mavis Falleiro. Ashley was definitely one of a kind. He was sharp, bright, entertaining, and humble. He never allowed the illness to get the better of him. He listened to his favorite hymns at the hospice, drew, wrote, chatted, and was kept most comfortable by the sisters of Shanti Avedna.

On the 17th of January, the sisters of Shanti Avedna called to inform us that Ashley’s health was fast deteriorating and was calling for us. We reached there within an hour, expecting the worst, only to find him chatting with all the ward sisters. His family gathered around him with sadness, but neither the pain nor his shortness of breath fazed him. The knowledge that he did not have much time pushed him to do something we did not expect.

He requested a farewell party!

Not requested, but insisted that his parents, siblings, friends, GMC doctors, social workers, and his care team gather for some cake, chips, and juice. He wanted music and decor.

He demanded his brother shave him before the party and groom his hair while his other brother gave him a sponge bath. Sagarika even gave him some makeup touch-ups to make him feel his best.

If someone said they could not make it, he would comically say, “You will deny me my dying wish?”

Thanks to the sisters of Shanti Avedna and Dr. Mavis, Sameer, and Sagarika, we were able to arrange a party in 2 hours. A hall decorated for Ashley, with cake, chips, and juice. We played music and sang songs, and his family and friends came and clicked selfies with him near the photo wall.

He spoke, he joked, and he laughed. He knew he did not have much time, so he kept pushing himself to stay awake. He was scared to close his eyes. He just knew. Ashley saw to it that everyone ate and drank, he kept us entertained with his wit and jokes. He even asked for his favorite drink – rum and coke (his doctor, unfortunately, refused the rum part). Ashley was surrounded by everyone who cherished him and who was on his team.

Finally, around 8 30 PM, the sisters informed us that it was time for him to get some rest. He wouldn’t let us go, and we didn’t want to leave – but we knew he needed his rest.

That night, as Ashley fell asleep, he never woke up again.