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Thomas M. Goodwin GRANDY Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2006 ©The Virginian-Pilot Thomas Michael Goodwin, 60, of the 100 block of Faris Drive, died Thursday, April 20, 2006, at his residence. Born in Durham, N.C., he was the son of Grace Myers Goodwin of Plainfield, Ind., and the late Caleb Walker Goodwin Jr. and was the husband of Linda Simmons Goodwin of the residence. Mr. Goodwin was a building inspector for the Town of Duck, N.C., a former building inspector for the Town of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., and was a member of the Roanoke Island Baptist Church. Besides his wife and mother, Mr. Goodwin is survived by three daughters, Sherry G. Meador and husband Rusty of Oriental, N.C., Danna Michelle Goodwin of Kill Devil Hills and Julia G. Todd and husband Jeremy of Fort Polk, La.; two stepdaughters, Kimberly Carol Scott and Carole Lyn Scott, both of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a stepson, James Wesley Scott and wife Amy of Boca Raton, Fla.; three sisters, Rebecca Ward of Grimesland, N.C., Rachel Allen of Plainfield, Ind., and Grace Leigh Nuffer of Niceville, Fla.; two grandchildren, Mitch and Mariah Anne Meador; and two stepgrandchildren, Beth and Joey Scott. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Twiford’s Colony Chapel, Manteo, by the Rev. Robert Pitsch. The family will receive friends and relatives at the home, 121 Faris Drive, Grandy on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Albemarle Hospice, P.O. Box 189, Elizabeth City, NC 27907 or to the American Cancer Society, 930 B Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834. Mike was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and treasured friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.

Jodi, I'm so sorry. I hate this disease too. Mike's service will be this Saturday. You and your family are in my prayers.

It was a rough night but he died with peace on his lovely face. Both his daughters were with me at the time, we prayed and hugged and kissed him. No more pain now for my love. Today I just want to be alone, I know I can't sleep but I'll take something tonight to help. Thank you for your prayers and kind words, you have all been such a big help to me. It's hard to believe it's only been 2 and a half months since dx. Thank you all, love, linda

Mike hasn't been awake since yesterday afternoon. But today while washing his face I was talking to him. When I said "I love you Mike", I swear to you he said "I love you to"...I'm crying so hard right now I can hardly write this but he said it. It was a whisper but I heard him. He wouldn't say anything else, but I know he said that. His eyes are glazed over and I know he's drugged but he said it, he did, he did.

Yesterday was rough. His two adult daughters came by to see him but he doesn't know anything at this time. The other daughter comes in today at 2pm. It is so hard for them to see their Dad like this. I remember when my Dad died from cancer. I was blessed to be able to hold his hand until the Lord took him. I have his pain under control now but it took most of yesterday to get it like this. Hospice kept having to up the meds. He now takes 2.0 liquid morphine every 1 to 2 hours if needed, 2 valiums every 3 to 4 hours, 2 steroid pills 4 times a day and his seizure pills. I have to crush the pills now and put in a eye dropper to give him. I keep a log with times that I give him all these meds or I would be a mess trying to remember. The hospice team didn't think he would make it through the night but he did. No food or water yesterday but I do use the eyedropper to give him sips of water. He coughs more now and hurts when he does, he moans and sometimes holds his head. His head hurt so bad yesterday morning he was crying to the Lord to take him. I promised him no more pain and I mean it. And I told my children if something like this happens to me, please drug me up I don't want this horrible pain. I hate CANCER, it's horrible, as we all know on this board. I know I have your prayers and I thank you for this. The nights are hard for me because I'm alone. I could do something around the house but all I find myself doing is going to his room and looking at him. Love all of you, Linda

Started him on .75 and the next dose is 1.0. Does that sound normal. She was very nice. Tomorrow she will put a catider (sorry spelling)for urine. He has to have the bar up at night on the bed so he won't try to get up. She says it looks like around two weeks but only God knows. I'm going to have to set my clock tonight so I can get up and give him the morphine. Anyway got to check on him now will write later, and thanks.

Hospice came yesterday and upped the vicodan but he needs more. They are coming today and we will see what they put him on. Breaks my heart to see him in pain and suffering and they better do something. He sleeps more and more and can hardly get up and when he does I have to hold him up from the back. He only got up 3 times yesterday. Hasn't eaten today. The pain pill is big and he is having a time swallowing it. I crushed it (nurse said I could) and put in applesauce and he refused it. Spits the pill back out when I give it to him but after awhile will take it. I wish they would hurry and come. All I'm doing is pacing and checking the computer. His door is open so I can hear if he needs me. He never wanted to be like this but I guess no one does.

Thank you so much for your prayers and keep them coming, please. Everyone has noticed a difference in Mike and not for the better. He walks and moves real slow and his right hand doesn't work and he now has pain in his left shoulder and side. He sleeps alot, and when he has to potty, he has to go right away (urine). I've been washing his face and I have to shave him but haven't shaved him yet. Trying to figure out how to use the electric shaver he has. He's always washed his face but doesn't care now. His children and grandchildren are coming over Monday afternoon so I want to get him cleaned up. Today is our wedding anniversary and he doesn't remember and I'm not saying anything. We have been married 7 years and we aren't spring chickens either and had so many plans together on his retirement this year. But God wants him, it's just hard to have him leave me. He gets weaker everyday and it's hard to see. I know I have to be strong now for him but it's hard. Thanks again for your kindness and prayers.

Yesterday he slept all day and then told me this morning his side hurts on the right. The doctor had told us before that different area's of the body where the cancer is might start with pain. It could be his liver or stomach, who knows. The doctor put him on vicodan pain medication. Mike says the pain pill helps some but still discomfort. Doctor says not to wait until the pain gets unbearable because it will then take awhile for medication to work. This is the first time he has had any pain anywhere. The doctor promised Mike he will make sure he has no pain. Hospice has been called by the doctor and they are suppose to call us today or tomorrow. The doctor was not surprised regarding Mike's ear problem. Can't hear good out of the right ear and feels some pressure. Could be from all the brain mets he has. Keep us in your prayers. I'm getting scared now.

This has been for a month or so but worse now. The doctor looked in his ear last month and saw no wax build-up. But now he can't hear good out of that ear. It all started with ringing in the ear. I wonder if it could be from the whole brain radiation treatment or maybe from the brain cancer. Has anyone else had this problem? I will ask the doctor this week when we go. Thanks

He eats every meal, not alot but he does eat. Love's sweets. Coffee with lots of milk is his favorite now. His taste changes all the time on what he likes. Goes to the bathroom with no problem and has no pain anywhere. Just very very weak. He does not take any pain medication at all. Takes steroids, dilantin, previcit (something for tummy before he takes steroids,spelled it wrong) and sometimes something for his mouth when he gets that yeast infection from the steroids. I'll ask the doctor Tueday when we go.

Went to hospital and they checked his dilantin level and it was very low. He now takes twice a day a total of 4 pills (100mg). Since he has been home he is very weak and fatigued. My husband has always had a tummy (not to big) but last night was the first time I've seen him nude in about 3 weeks (helping him with shower) and his stomach is huge. He says it's because he's gaining weight and thats not true. He has no pain in tummy area but it's really bloated looking. Plus his right ear feels like it's blocked and this has been for over a month. Not sure if it's from the whole brain radiation or cancer. The doctor didn't see any wax buildup. He goes again Monday for blood work on dilantin and Tuesday to see general doctor. Has anyone any idea about a swollen tummy? Thanks

Ginny, The doctors say it won't help at this point to take chemo. Karen, Mike takes 4mg steroids three times a day and will for now on. No options available except to keep him comfortable and in no pain. He has no pain at this time. The doctor said if he does have pain he can do radiation on that spot to take the pain away and that is a blessing to know. He also said he had hoped the whole head radiation would have done more but there seems to be more then 12 tumors now and swelling around all of them. The largest one is 3 cm on the left side. And several more are now on the right side. He seems ok to have all this mess in his head but doctor says he'll have good days and bad until he gets where he will sleep more and more and will probably go in his sleep. I pray if he has to go, he has no pain and will go in his sleep. Thank you so much for your good wishes and prayers.

The results are not good. The radiation only reduced some but lots more are there and there is still swelling. The doctor says the cancer is all over the brain. He gave Mike 3 to 6 months and says it could be sooner. He will be on 3 steroids for the rest of his life and they will only work for so long and then he can up them to 4 a day. I was so hopeful and feel crushed and scared. Mike says "finally, someone is telling me what I already knew." He is not in any pain and thankful for that. He hasn't had a pet scan so we don't know where else besides the lung it has spread to. I felt like the doctor thinks it can be any time. Keep us in your prayers. Thanks

Thank you Randy, how beautiful. I saved site to look at whenever I feel the need.