{"id":5937,"date":"2026-02-02T01:49:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T06:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.palliacco.org\/?p=5937"},"modified":"2026-03-23T12:30:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T16:30:18","slug":"one-last-trek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.palliacco.org\/en\/one-last-trek\/","title":{"rendered":"One Last Trek"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"une
Isabelle with her pet compagnon Charlot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

by Martin Dumont<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Read time : 4 min<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Have you ever had the impression that it takes a brush with death to make one appreciate life?<\/p>\n

Isabelle Lavall\u00e9e, 54 years old, from Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, knows this feeling well.<\/p>\n

In the spring of 2025, she learned that her colon cancer<\/a> was progressing -\u2013 yet again.\u00a0 It was not the first time she received such news. She had confronted this illness three times before and thought she had beat it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time it was harder to take. I really thought I had come through this thing.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to die. I\u2019m doing what I can to continue living, but the cancer continues to spread,\u201d she confides with disarming clarity.<\/p>\n

Following an impressive number of surgeries and treatments -\u2013chemotherapy, radiation therapy — after changing her diet, exploring mediation, yoga, positive thinking, Isabelle decided, gently, to let go.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did everything I could to get better. Now, there are the beautiful moments with the people I love, that make me happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Staying True to Herself <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Isabelle could still do palliative chemotherapy, which would perhaps extend her life. But the treatment is tiring and mood-altering and most of all \u2026it consumes what remaining energy she has to be herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m in treatment, I don\u2019t recognize myself. I lose contact with my spirit, the very energy which allows me to meditate. And it is precisely the meditation that helps me remain stable and enjoy the small pleasures of daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among those small pleasures is Charlot, her dog, with whom she still walks about 15 minutes a day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really good for me, but I have to conserve my strength\u201d, she explains. One time she did 30 minutes of snow-shoeing and it took her two days to recover.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Give\u2026and Receive<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Isabelle is exceptionally grateful for the help she receives.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf my children were not here, I would not have the energy to do all that I do. The presence of my family and my friends\u2014that keeps me going. We share such beautiful moments together.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also continues to receive services from Palliacco.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiliane comes to see me every other week. She gets my news; we talk about everything and nothing. She is so warm and caring.\u00a0 Her presence does me the world of good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

One Last Trek<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the past, Isabelle had walked to support the Quebec Cancer Foundation<\/a>. This year, she decided to put together her own team for A Trek Under the Stars<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, taking place on February 14 in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts.<\/p>\n

Her team is called \u2018Les Flamboyant.e.s<\/em>.\u2019 (The vivacious ones<\/em>) Family, friends, loved ones from here and afar\u2026they will all walk for her, with her, even if she cannot physically be with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that my loved ones will get organized. They will do it for the cause, but also for me. It\u2019s a good feeling to have a project\u2026to give a meaning to life, in spite of my situation.\u00a0 I cannot walk beside them, and yes, that will be a very emotional moment.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Toward a Gentle Passing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Isabelle speaks about the end with a peace that truly warms the heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to experience a gentle, joyful passing.\u00a0 The people around me say that it makes them feel good to see me in peace, even though we all know what\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

She goes on,<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a long time, I lived without thinking about death. But now I believe that the best gift one can give oneself is to prepare for it, so that it will be gentle, filled with light. Nothing is permanent\u2026one must accept that fact. And when one manages to stay peaceful, in spite of the end that is approaching, it gives hope to our loved ones. It shows them that there is always light, somewhere, even in difficult moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever had the impression that it takes a brush with death to make one appreciate life?<\/p>\n

Isabelle Lavall\u00e9e, 54 years old, from Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, knows this feeling well.<\/p>\n

In the spring of 2025, she learned that her colon cancer was progressing -\u2013 yet again.\u00a0 It was not the first time she received such news. She had confronted this illness three times before and thought she had beat it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":5936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-get-inspired"],"yoast_head":"\nOne Last Trek | Palliacco<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It was not the first time Isabelle Lavall\u00e9e received such news. 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