The first time I saw Olivia's mother after I was told "the news," I was shocked and surprised. Somehow the mental image I had built up of her was a frail and sickly invalid extracted from the real world to be confined to bed, a lone solider in combat with the arch enemy that threatened her life. I was not prepared to see a cancer sufferer diagnosed with seven months to live clad in a …showed first 75 words of 707 total…

…showed last 75 words of 707 total…After witnessing people, events and incidents that were unspeakably heartbreaking and appalling, I feel as if I've aged a thousand years. Olivia's mum's journey has changed my perspective on the world, I feel as if I'll never experience hope, innocence and optimism with the same passion ever again. From this journey I have learned that life itself is an uncertain commodity which will end no matter what your lifetime, whether you achieve success or not.