A dying teenager on borrowed time is determined to live life to the fullest and is even making her own funeral arrangements – including choosing her own casket, dress and putting together a playlist.
Eden Lewis is just 17 years old and suffering from bone cancer, which 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% of one lung.
The teenager lives in Oakdale, Caerphilly, South Wales, with her mum Tess, 39, her stepdad Cameron, 39, and her younger siblings Logan, six, and Faora, two.
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.
“While I was in hospital and missing school it felt like my friends had grown up and moved forward in life without me,” she told Jam Press.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“My brother and sister keep me going and always make me laugh and smile.
“I try my hardest to do things with them, so when I’m no longer here they’ll have some lovely memories of me.”
Pictured: Eden was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2020. (Credit: Jam Press)
Since April 2022, Eden 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.
She said: “I’ve already spoken with a local funeral director about my funeral plans.
“I’ve 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.
“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.
“I was treated on the Rainbow Ward at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff for my cancer, so rainbows mean a lot to me and it’s important that they feature in this stage of my life.”
Pictured: Eden says life is for living, not wanting to die. (Credit: Jam Press)
As for her playlist, it will, of course, feature her top artist.
Eden said: “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.
“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.
“I listen to his solo music on repeat all day.”
The superfan saw Styles in person on 21 June, when he performed at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
She says she loves Harry for his “floppy hair, his cheeky smile and how he not afraid to be himself”.
Her mum, Tess, who surprised her daughter with the concert tickets for her birthday this month, said: “In 2022, Eden was declared terminal.
“We were devastated but she has made us so proud with her attitude.
“She says life is for living, not for waiting to die.
“In March 2022, Eden had 40% of her left lung removed and went on to do her GCSEs.
“She got 5 C’s and 5 B’s and even went to her prom with a police escort.”
Despite her harrowing future, Eden is focused on the here and now with a list of things she wants to do before she dies – but she doesn’t call it a “bucket list” as that “seems too final” so she calls it her “f**k it list”.
Eden added: “I’d love to go to Disneyland, but unfortunately it’s not possible due to my health.
“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.
“I have a list of things I’d love to do, from glass-blowing, sitting in my dream car (Bugatti Veyron), to 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, so instead I have a f**k it list.”
