A woman in Orland Park, Ill., says she is surprised to have lived long enough to see her 88th birthday fall on Aug. 8, 2008.

Irma Huczek said after being diagnosed with cancer eight years ago, she began questioning if she would ever see her 88th birthday fall on Friday's date, which can be abbreviated as 8-8-08, the (Chicago) Southtownstar said.

I'm lucky that I'm still living, Huczek said. I have said, 'Should I live so long, I'll be able to make these dates.'

Huczek said she is also happy that she is set to celebrate her milestone birthday with 18 people, including members of her family.

The 88-year-old told the Southtownstar that despite her advanced age, she attempts to take care of the little things to keep herself presentable during such rare outings.

I'm always doing something and I tried to keep myself presentable, she told the newspaper. I don't go out much now. I get my hair done and my nails done -- you have to do these little things.

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