Terminal cancer can't stop Ottawa woman from chasing goals

ChristinaVernon has spent almost 20 years helping people adapt after suffering brain injuries.

"I'mone of the very lucky people who gets to actually love what they do," said Vernon, the long-time behavioural therapist at The Ottawa Hospital.

Vernon also loves to bring fun to workwhich she describes as "so stressful" like spearheading impromptu Zumba sessions at the nursing station.

Then in September 2020, she received a diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

It has nothing to do with me. I just got to be one of the chosen.- Christina Vernon

Vernon, 54, has seen her cancer reach stage four, which means there is no cure, just treatment.

"Yeah it sucks. But I'm OK. I'm at peace now," she said.

"It has nothing to do with me. I just got to be one of the chosen."

Doctor becomes advocate and friend

Dr. Christine Whetter is Vernon's palliative care physician, one who has become an advocate and a friend to a patient she describes as "full of life and energy and joy and passion."

Even on the difficult days.

"Sometimes [she needs] a quarterback,sometimes a cheerleader, and sometimes it's treating constipation," said Whetter.

Vernon now uses a hydromorphone pump to help control the pain. Despite an initial prognosis thatshe had six to ninemonths to live, she planted tulipswith friends in 2020and was there to see them bloom last spring.

Last fall's bulbs have also now sprouted: "It showed me my journey is not done."

'Shewon't live until 2023'

Vernon set herself another goal.A passionate fan of singer-songwriterChris de Burgh, she was delighted to learn he was coming to Ottawa for a concert on April 20.

She and her husband scored ticketsand Vernon was determined to make it to that concert, even if it meant attending the concert in a wheelchair.But COVID-19 forced the artist to postpone until next spring.

The thing that Christina needs most today is not any changes with her pain medication She needs Chris de Burgh.- Dr. Christine Whetter

Vernon was devastated.

"Shewon't live until 2023," said Whetter. "Christina is in her last few months of life."

This concert like planting tulip bulbs had been an important "target goal" that was now out of reach.

ThenWhetter went beyond medical care to find a solution.

"The thing that Christina needs most today is actually not any changes with her pain medicationor to talk about bowels or to talk about hydration," said Whetter. "She needs Chris de Burgh."

Whetter attempted to reach out to de Burgh.She joined a virtual fan club, and sentheartfelt messages that relayed one of the singer's most ardent fanswas running out of time.

'I'm not going out without smiling and laughing'

Vernon grew up in the '70s and '80sand saidthe soundtrack to her life was de Burgh'sLady in Redand Patricia the Stripper.She learned calligraphy by copying out the lyrics tohis songLonesome Sky.

When an email from her idol arrived with a very personal video message, she was undone.

"I opened the email. And there's Chris de Burgh! He was smiling. I pressed play, and he said, 'Hello Christina.'I was, like, he's talking to me!"

In the video, which lasts almost fourminutes, de Burgh explains why the Ottawa concert was put off. He apologizes to Vernonand then performsversions of The Lady in Redand Patricia the Stripper.

Vernon says she startedsinging along, laughing, crying and clapping along, and shouting out, "Woo-hoo! It's Chris de Burgh!"

WATCH |Vernon gets hermessage from her musical idol:

Ottawa woman living with terminal cancer receives message from music idol

2 years ago

Duration 2:30

Christina Vernon, 54, whos living with stage four pancreatic cancer, received a video message from singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh after a personal appeal from her palliative care doctor, Christine Whetter.

This, too, is medicine.

"If you have only six months or nine months, you can spend that time thinking about dying and regret and loss, or you can live," said Whetter. "Christina has been living and she is going to liveevery day to the fullest."

"I have a good life. I have love. I have support, and I'm happy. Yeah, I know I'm near the end. So what? God or somebody wants me for something. But here I am," said Vernon.

"I'm not going out without smiling and laughing."

Vernon, who alsohas a 17-year-old daughter, is planning her own wake and funeral. Chris de Burgh's music will be part of the celebration of life.

"It's Lonely Sky that I want," said Vernon.

She has replayed de Burgh's video message more times than she can count, she said.

"Take care. Lots of love and hugs from me. Bye for now,"de Burgh said when signing off, leaving Vernon in tears.

"Isn't that beautiful? Such a gift," she said.