Sundby received a lot of support after several posts on Facebook and in an interview, where she was open about her cancer. Her instagram account and pictures speak volumes: http://www.instagram.com/marthe75/
Her sister Cecilie said that, until recently, she insisted on getting out to go for a walk each day.
“Even Monday night, she managed to get out for a small trip, even though she was completely lost. Getting to know the wind in her hair and feeling on nature meant so much to her, “says Cecilie Sundby.
Her sister has planned the funeral to the smallest detail.
“Marthe wanted everything to be clear that the least possible burden should be put on others. Everything she has done for other people, how important she has been to many, makes me very touched, she says.
The funeral is to be in Aurskog Church, where the family is from.
“Marthe was very grateful for all the help, care and support she received from both healthcare professionals and others. She was really sorry because she failed to answer all the inquiries she received.
On the sister’s Facebook profile, some words are conveyed as the family wishes to reach:
“Thank you very much for life,” said Marthe. Love high Grab the day, use nature and live while you can. Positiveness, good thoughts and love ยป.
In the VG interview in August, the practitioner told bodybuilding and fitness about the disease that had hit her hard .
She received broad support for her last wish:
“I have fought and struggled to perform in fitness, bodybuilding, weightlifting and skating. My last big wish is that no one says I lost the fight against cancer when I die that the term is being wound up for all time. This disease has so many unknown factors that it is impossible to fight, “Sundby said.
The next day, she received support from VG at the management site .
She was then admitted to soothing treatment for liver cancer at Ahus. In the interview in August, she praised the staff at the department.
“As an athlete, I have had a high pain threshold. The last year, with tough treatments, has been a painful hell. Getting here is paradise, although I know I’m going to die here, she told VG.
For the most part in her career she managed to lift 240 kilos in knee and 150 kilos in bench press.
“I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time in 2007 and was notified after surgery. Unfortunately, I regained a few years ago, but I have managed to work out sometime and have so far participated in competitions, she said.
“I have fought and struggled to perform in fitness, bodybuilding, weightlifting and skating. My last big wish is that no one says I lost the fight against cancer when I die that the term is being wound up for all time. This disease has so many unknown factors that it is impossible to fight, “says Sundby.
“As an athlete, I have had a high pain threshold. The last year, with tough treatments, has been a painful hell. Getting here is paradise, although I know I’m going to die here, she said.
– How are the prospects?
“From what I know and what the doctors say, it’s talk of days or a week. If I get two weeks, it’s delicious. I enjoy every day I’m breathing, “she says.
She has previously been through an operation and a number of tough treatments. The hope was to get a transplant, but the spread was too big to make it happen.
Constable Chief Tonje Sandblost is responsible for the soothing treatment Marthe Sundby now gets.
– This liver cancer diagnosis is rare and severe. We try to relieve the pain and assist with care, “says Sandblost.
She supports Sundby that the term “losing the fight against cancer” is unfortunate.
“We who work with the palliative field are concerned that no one should feel responsible for being ill. Everybody should be able to get good and soothing treatment and care. By using this term, it can be understood that the person has not been good enough. This is a term we try to avoid”, says Sandblost
Sundby has done well in a series of competitions in fitness, bodybuilding and weightlifting and has been adorned in training magazines. She has often become Norwegian and Nordic champion in bodybuilding.
“The training started when I competed for ice skating. I discovered that I had facilities to build muscle. Standing on stage and competing against other girls around the world has been an adventure”, she says.
At the most she managed to lift 240 kilos in knee and 150 kilos in bench press.
“I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time in 2007 and was notified after surgery. Unfortunately, I got relapse a couple of years ago, but I have managed to work out sometime and have so far participated in competitions, she says.
She is clear that life has been good and rich, that is little she should have done differently. For the last 10 years she has worked as a property manager at Colliers, Oslo, where she lives. Originally she comes from Aurskog.
Marthe Sundby has been at the front of several magazines, here from the Training Forum in 2013. “I have not lived a normal life with husband and children, but have many friends and big family. Now that I’m going to die of cancer, I’m glad I do not have children, she says.
Upon further reflection, she has some good advice:
“Take care of each other and live in the present. Things are not so important. If I had received a few more days, I would pinch more people”, she says.
Assistant Secretary-General of the Cancer Society, Ole Alexander Opdalshei, applauds Sundby’s wish.
The term “losing the fight against cancer” can be interpreted as not enough. We urge everyone to stop saying this.
