Belgian Mother with Terminal Cancer Prepares Final Goodbyes to Children After Morocco Diagnosis

"I asked the doctor how long I had left to live. He told me I had about three weeks left," Catharina Cuomo, a single mother of Yorbe (15) and Deliah (10), confides to Het Belang Van Limburg. In 2018, while on vacation in Morocco, she was diagnosed with skin cancer. "My hairdresser noticed a spot between my hair while I was in her salon. I had it examined, and the verdict came down while I was in Morocco. I had to come back as soon as possible, it’s a melanoma and it’s very smart," she recounts. Over the years, her condition has worsened: "My skin cancer had metastasized to my liver and lungs." Other vital organs have also been affected.

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Today, Catharina tries to make the most of the three weeks she has left: "On Sunday, I’m going to the sea with the kids. That’s my last wish. In the meantime, I’m preparing my own funeral. I play the piano. I’d like to play some of my own songs during my goodbyes. I’m also preparing a box with all kinds of messages for the kids. At special moments in their lives, when they get married or have their first child, they can open a letter from me. That way, I’ll still be there a little bit at those important moments. For their birthdays, I make lists: I write down, for example, which cake to buy at which bakery." The one who would have been 41 on August 4 wants to "fully enjoy life. It’s so beautiful, but it can also end in the blink of an eye."

Her story touches the community. In order to allow her children to cover the funeral expenses in anticipation of her death but also to allow them to lead a decent life, pursue their studies, etc., a kitty has been launched. "Our dear friend Catharina unfortunately will not win the battle against cancer, after years of fighting this disease, fate has decided otherwise. She only has a few weeks left to live. She has always been a true fighter, we would like to raise funds to cover the expenses that will surely follow."