Teacher, 32, tells loved ones ‘enjoy life and don’t stress the small things’ – in own obit after dying from cancer
SPEAKING from beyond the grave, Ashley Ann Kuzma had one powerful last message. The 32-year-old told her family and friends, “don’t stress the small stuff”, in the obituary she wrote, before she died from cancer. Ashley, from Pennsylvania, passed away on September 22, after being diagnosed with laryngeal cancer two years ago. In her self-written […]
SPEAKING from beyond the grave, Ashley Ann Kuzma had one powerful last message.
The 32-year-old told her family and friends, “don’t stress the small stuff”, in the obituary she wrote, before she died from cancer.
Ashley, from Pennsylvania, passed away on September 22, after being diagnosed with laryngeal cancer two years ago.
In her self-written obituary, published by Erie Tines-News, Ashley pleaded with others to relax and spend as much time as they can with their loved ones.
She wrote: “My wish for you is to stop letting insignificant situations stress you out.
“Do what is important to you.
“Relax and enjoy the company of those around you.
“What do you value in your life? In the end, that’s what matters.”
Ashley died at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio from laryngeal cancer, which affects the voice box.
According to the clinic where she was treated the disease kills around 3,700 people per year.
Speaking about her fight with the disease in her obituary, Ashley said: “When you have recurrent laryngeal cancer that just won’t take no for an answer, you have a lot of time to think about death.”
Do what is important to you. Relax and enjoy the company of those around you
Ashley Ann Kuzma
And despite knowing she most likely would die from the cancer, she embraced the end with dignity and even humour.
She added: “The good thing is I no longer have to worry about saving for retirement, paying off student loans, or trying not to get skin cancer???
“One positive outcome from having recurrent cancer was that it taught me to let go of the insignificant things and to just enjoy the people and places.”
Ashley grew up in Beaver County in Pennsylvania and had a degree in History and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
She also completed her teaching certificate and Master of Education degree at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
After teaching for a few years, she moved to Erie with her family, “to plant my roots and became a gifted support teacher at McDowell Intermediate High School”.
It was during her time at the school in February 2017 that Ashley first noticed symptoms of the cancer.
She had started complaining of a chronic sore throat, and her voice had become progressively hoarse.
An ear, nose and throat specialist discovered growths on Kuzma’s vocal cords, which would prove to be malignant after a biopsy.
The tumours went away after 29 radiation treatments at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside, but returned a year later.
She then had a partial laryngectomy in March 2018, and was able to return to work for the final day of school in June while while still using a feeding tube.
Then the cancer returned once more in August of that year, and showed that it was mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a cancer of the salivary glands.
What is laryngeal cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx (voice box).
The larynx is part of the throat found at the entrance of the windpipe (trachea). It plays an important role in helping you breathe and speak.
In the UK, there are more than 2,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer each year.
The condition is more common in people over the age of 60. It’s more common in men than women.
The main symptoms of laryngeal cancer include:
- a change in your voice, such as sounding hoarse
- pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing
- a lump or swelling in your neck
- a long-lasting cough
- a persistent sore throat or earache
- in severe cases, difficulty breathing
Some people may also experience bad breath, breathlessness, a high-pitched wheezing noise when breathing, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue (extreme tiredness).
You should visit your GP if you have had any of the main symptoms for more than 3 weeks.
Source: NHS
That’s when she decided to have a total laryngectomy at the Cleveland Clinic, along with 30 radiation and five chemotherapy treatments, and sacrificed her vocal cords.
She continued teaching, speaking by pressing a prosthesis that covered the permanent opening in her neck from her surgery.
But by March the cancer came back once again, for the final time.
She wrote in her obituary, referring to the ancient pyramid site in the state of Yucatan: “After I found out my cancer was back for the fourth time, I went to Mexico and saw Chichen Itza.”
She said she’d loved spending time, “reading, cuddling with my cats, wine tasting, relaxing on my dad’s boat, watching movies, golfing, decorating my house, watching football (go Steelers!), appreciating a good sunset, and watching TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, the original Will and Grace, and Friends”.
Her obit recalls that she spent a term abroad in London and was “able to travel to Paris, France, Krakow, Poland (it had been a goal of mine to visit Auschwitz for many years), Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome, Italy”.
She added: “Some of my favourite family vacations include experiencing the awe of the Grand Canyon and enjoying the sun, sand, and family time in the Outer Banks.
More on cancer
“I am extremely grateful for the life that I lived. I was fortunate to have a loving family, supportive friends, a stable and meaningful job, and a house to call my own.”
Ashley is survived by her “wonderful parents, John William Kuzma and Vicky Lynn (Barron) Kuzma of Fairview, Pennsylvania,” she wrote in the obituary.
She is also survived by her sister, Kristen Marie Kuzma, also from Pennsylvania.
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