This video was created over a one-year period. At first, it was just random use of a video camera, plus a few pictures taken during a visit in September of 2006. Of course, this was before we knew that Mom had a collapsed lung. She went in for tests, and it was discovered that she had Stage IV Lung Cancer. As we learned of the cancer diagnosis in October of 2006, we tried to get Mom down to California (from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada). It was a race against logistics and paperwork (i.e. obtaining documentation in order to cross a border and travel), which we unfortunately lost. Mom suffered a stroke, ironically on the same day as she received her birth certificate, which would have allowed her to travel to Southern California. The stroke left her left side completely paralyzed, and she was stuck in the hospital, no longer the independent woman she once was. We were summoned to fly up immediately, as we were told by her doctors that her death would not be far behind. Mom proved them all wrong, and lived for four more months. Of course, the quality of life was minimal at best. There was no treatment, since the cancer was discovered so late, and due to the stroke. We have since learned that often times, a biopsy can knock loose cancerous material within a tumor, which can cause a stroke. It was extremely difficult to watch her suffering in a hospital bed, and wondering why her last months had to be made that much worse due to the stroke. So, Mom never did get to come see where we live in California. We continued to videotape the entire ordeal, so that family (who couldn’t be with us at that time) could see everything. We ended up with approximately 90 minutes of raw footage, which has been edited down to the 10 minutes allowed here. First, we have done this to honor Mom’s last wishes: tell people not to smoke. Second, we have completed this very emotional project to honor her memory, and to help us as we continue through the grieving process. Finally, we are aware that much of the anti-smoking media is not so real to life–it doesn’t show the suffering, what the families go through, and the pain that cigarettes actually cause. This documentary is “non-Hollywood”. We have omitted certain things that one might find offensive, including her IV, vomiting, bodily functions, and her actual death itself, which was obviously painful. Instead, we have brought many different segments together, which still conveys our overall message: DON’T SMOKE!
In a letter dated September 24, 2006, from Mom:
“Try not to worry about my health. I go for a CAT-SCAN on October 4th. I should have the results about a week later. The appointments are taking a long time, so I must not be in such dire shape, or they would rush them. I’m glad you never really had the desire to smoke. What do your lungs look like after all of those years of second-hand smoke? I can’t wait to see you and Patti more often. Gotta go for now. Love Forever, Mom”
To conclude, one can compare smoking cigarettes to a slow-motion car accident. At any time, you can get out of the car before it crashes. It is your choice. Furthermore, you may be driving your own car, but please remember that you take passengers along for the ride.
Duration : 0:9:58
Im so sorry, i am …
Im so sorry, i am 12, and i lost my grandmother from tobbaco when i was 6, and i still think about her and miss her, even though this was half of my life ago…. now my mom, dad, aunt, and uncle smoke and chew, i swear never to put my hand on that death stick, ever!!! If those stupid death sticks were never made, we would all be happy and healthy… :’(
I’m sorry man
I’m sorry man
my god
that was so …
my god
that was so painfull looking im sry i feel for u bro
oh man thats sick, …
oh man thats sick, i stopped smoking 2 days ago i dont wanna end up like this..
I’m sorry for you …
I’m sorry for you and your mom. It was really courageous from you to share the film and the last moments with her.
It should be seen by all smokers who hesitate to give up smoking…
Peace
The U.S. Government …
The U.S. Government makes 100 billion every year from tobacco. Yet they pretend to be so anti-drug. Twenty percent of deaths in the United States are related to tobacco. Pretty messed up.
I’m so sorry
I’m so sorry
I’m sorry
I’m sorry
i started cryin …
i started cryin when she coughed that first wheeze D: im so sorry for your loss. she must have been so glad that you stuck with her til the end. some people don’t have that bond with their parents, oh gawd i couldnt look when you were cryin.. no one deserves this!!!
sonicbondage, I …
sonicbondage, I want you to know, disregard all the stupid comments from about how your mother deserved it and all that. I am 28 and have smoked for 11 years. I quit 9 days ago, and it is videos yours that reinforce my decision to quit smoking. I have shared this video with many friends of mine who are trying to quit smoking. Just know that your mother’s message is being shared.
sorry for your loss …
sorry for your loss dude…she seemed like a great women
Tobacco didn’t kill …
Tobacco didn’t kill her. She did.
I feel for you dude but that’s like saying guns kill people. It’s one in the same.
Sorry for your lost. I’m currently trying to quit right now.
Poor lady
Poor lady
Oh my gosh, what a …
Oh my gosh, what a powerful video. I am not a smoker but I am thankful that you made this to pass on to other viewers who need to open their eyes and stop destroying their body with tobacco and all the other chemicals..glad your mother wanted this just as much as you did
i just can’t put it …
i just can’t put it n words. i cried through the whole thing! Jesus… and your story is one of many..
I am currently a …
I am currently a smoker i am aged 17 that video has just made me QUIT for life thank you.
I’m so srry, I just …
I’m so srry, I just went through a loss too, my mother also died…but I’m only 11…I made a vid about her too, but it’s just pics…<3
i am so sorry aout …
i am so sorry aout your loss.. my uncle died from smoking too when i was little. i watched with the tubes etc until he died. he suffered… stupidly it didn’t stop me from smoking my first cigarette.. but i didn’t think i will get addicted.. it took me 8 years trying to quit.. I quit a few days ago hoping this time i don’t get weak again. ADVICE DON’T EVEN TRY 1 CIGARETTE. please. it’s highly addictive
@scientistwriter …
@scientistwriter not her fault the stupid people made nicotine
best vid on youtube
best vid on youtube
wow, what a heart …
wow, what a heart wrenching video.. this video definitely put me to tears. i’m terribly sorry for your loss!
ok i am a 17 year …
ok i am a 17 year old kid.and i am pretty immature sometimes, but that is all you have to say about this movie? go yourself. burn in you dumb fuck. look at the bigger picture. dumbass
Your a good man.
Your a good man.
i hope thats aimed …
i hope thats aimed @scientist…coz i totally agree with you….i have stopped smoking 8 days ago and was advised to watch this….its truly awful but a shining example of what good comes from something terrible
Omg i have so much …
Omg i have so much respect for you man. thanks for uploading and making this vid.