A painful separation
FOR Salote Lagilagi, losing her sister was the most painful feeling.
Adi Fulori Naisogokoukou Vulikiigiladi Lagilagi — the youngest of three siblings — was a victim of cervical cancer in March, 2016.
She is survived by her son and two daughters.
“In early 2015 she complained of heavy bleeding daily and was attended to at the Lautoka Hospital,” Salote said.
She recalled her sister’s early complaints were dismissed as irregular menstruations.
“After several complaints and hospital checks, she was finally diagnosed by a Cook Islands obstetrics and gynaecology specialist doctor based at Lautoka.
“He confirmed that she had stage four cervical cancer and was referred for further treatment at the Oncology Unit in CWM Hospital, Suva.
“Flo, as she was commonly known, attended her clinics and tried every suggested herbal and traditional healing, but to no avail. The cancer had deteriorated her state.
“She refused chemotherapy but took only pain relief and other medications.
“Through the pains and sleeplessness she continued to care and nurture her three children with the help of her parents and siblings. Her husband had left for another woman soon after the birth of her youngest daughter.”
Salote said the cancer soon spread to other parts of Flo’s body.
“She started to have trouble walking even for short distances. Her feet started to swell.
“She was always gasping for breath and was refusing to eat.”
Salote said Flo’s children meant the world to her and they gave her so much joy.
“Towards the end of her life she was openly discussing her state and her reminders to her kids and her family.
“She openly declared that she was not going to get any other chemotherapy, that if God was going to take her, she would like her elder sister to carry on caring for her children.
The week before Flo died, Salote was working at an NGO in Nadi.
“She called me and asked me to note her bank card pin number, her Facebook account details, email and passwords. I asked her why I should do that because she should have faith she would pull through for her kids.
“She replied, keep it for the time being because Buna and Lola, our cousins in Sydney, will be in contact for her kids’ stuff and she is finding it hard to run her errands.”
Little did Salote know that Flo was handing over her responsibilities to her. Flo knew her time was near.
“Her youngest, Talei, was to start preschool soon and I had only wished if she could have lived to see her off to school.
“But the Lord had seen her pain and struggles and called her to rest.
“Cancer is a very invasive disease and affects not only the patient but also the families.
“Her children miss her and I wish she could have seen them grow up.
“They are an image of her love and care.”
Salote thanked the oncology unit and staff Mareca for her support.
She also thanked the Wainibokasi Hospital staff members for accommodating Flo whenever she needed help.
She added even though Flo may not always be by her side, she will always have a special place in her heart.
“It’s a very painful time when we lose a loved one, the world changes in a heartbeat,” Salote said.
“You may be feeling like there isn’t anything good left in the world because your brother or sister had died, and sometimes you don’t want to do anything or see and listen to anyone.
“But it’s the power of love, prayers and the support that keeps moving us forward.”