The last of the fall leaves turn beautiful shades of burnt orange and red; they serve as a reminder that the days are getting shorter, and so are our lives.
Rachel Pearline’s family and friends laid her to rest yesterday, but her joyful smile will stay will us forever, thanks to a video she made (see the bottom of the article!) before she passed at the young age of 38. Rachel made the video while in hospice care, surrounded by her family and close friends at her home in St. Louis. She hopes people will remember her when they see the color red, eat Oreo's, and go swimming. All things she loved.
Rachel was inspired to become an oncologist, or a doctor who specializes in treating people with cancer, at the age of 13 when she lost her mother to breast cancer. She then went on to attend Brown University and NYU Medical School. Rachel worked as a fellow at UCSF in the oncology unit when she was diagnosed with terminal Stage IV gastric cancer.
Rachel's video has already inspired people she’d never met, like this family from Michigan, to post tribute messages.
While in hospice care, Rachel's loved ones arranged a special visit for her during her last days. The 4-week-old puppies from Gateway Pet Guardians came to cuddle with Rachel and her family for a few hours at her home. Rachel Pearline's contagious smile is documented in the precious photos her family was kind enough to share.
A message from Rachel’s sister Sarah: “My father and I would like to thank the amazing team of doctors, nurses, and staff, many of whom were Rachel’s adored colleagues at UCSF, for the amazing care they provided for her. Since her diagnosis, and especially since we had the privilege to return to our family home in St. Louis last month, we have been humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard, read, seen, felt and most deeply appreciated, and they have brought Rachel and all of us so much comfort.”
Rachel's attitude in the face of dying from the disease she was trying to cure proves that life isn't about how many days you live — it's truly about how you live while you're here! Please watch Rachel's powerful message below.
