Cape Town, South Africa, 2008.
Rather than letting her hair fall out, Philipa insisted on cutting it off and shaving her head, South Africa, 2008.
Her chemotherapy treatment will continue until April 2009.
Philipa looks away as a nurse attaches her chemotherapy drip, Christiaan Bernard Memorial Hospital, Cape Town South Africa, 2008.
Philipa is in hospital for a mastectomy of her left breast, Christiaan Bernard Memorial Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2009.
After 6 months of chemotherapy, operations, physiotherapy, and radiation, Philipa undergoes surgery for reconstruction of her left breast. She begins the long road to recovery with a road trip, South Africa, 2010.
Philipa is diagnosed with 5 brain tumors. Two, the size of golf balls, are operable. The other three have to be treated with radiation. Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Philipa has to undergo a 10-minute radical radiation therapy every day for 6 weeks, Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Philipa's mask, Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Watching Philipa, Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2011.
Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Philipa’s hair, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Philipa finishes radiation therapy and continues to be on chronic medication, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
In november 2011, Philipa is diagnosed with several brain tumors again. One, the size of a walnut, is operable. All the other small lesions need to be treated with chemotherapy, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
Philipa’s daily routine, Cape Town, South Africa, November 2011.
Philipa on her balcony, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.
A CT scan shows that the cancer has continued to spread in Philipa’s brain. Soon after the diagnosis she checks herself into hospital with severe stomach pain. The doctors decide to hold Philipa’s chemotherapy and she is released 5 days later. At home, she collapses and is brought back to hospital.
She has lost the ability to speak, no longer has control over the majority of her body functions and is in constant pain. She stops eating, and shortly afterwards falls into a coma, South Africa, February 2012.
Philipa dies on the 28th of February 2012, at Vincent Palotti Hospital, the same hospital where she was born 44 years earlier, Cape Town, South Africa, 2012.
Philipa’s Story.
Philipa’s Story.