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tkelley

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Posts posted by tkelley

    hospice

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Don,

    I have always been so inspired and impressed with the way you have handled your cancer care. You were so involved in what was going on and have made many well thought out and informed decisions over the years. I have no doubt that although this one was a difficult choice you have made the best choice for yourself. I will be praying for you and your family in the months ahead. Enjoy your time without treatment :)

    Tammy

    Good News/Bad News

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Hi Patti,

    I'm glad there are no brain mets :) As far as staying on the Tarceva, I know that one of the times that my dad was scanned while on it they did say there was maybe some slight progression and they had him stay on it a little while longer so that they could re-check and see if it was staying stable. Now, I don't know if that helps or not but that was our experience. Hang in there! I hate cancer too!!

    Tammy

    Prayers needed for Mom!!!

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Hi Sue,

    I'm so sorry you and your mom have to start dealing with this again. I have been thinking about you both. I am sending lots of prayers and good vibes your way. Please keep me updated and let me know if there is anything else I can do for you since I am in the area ;)

    Tammy

    Big Firsts Without Dad

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    Well, as you all know, some days are good and some are bad...... August 12th was Erin's second birthday and the first one for my kids without my dad. My brother and his wife just moved to Indiana so it was just my mom. I remember when it was Connor's second birthday and EVERYONE was here........Erin didn't know the difference.....but I did. We got through it though.

    Then, it was my birthday. My mom took me out one day, just the two of us, shopping and lunch. It was great but of course it was bittersweet. It was wierd reading a card that only said "Love, Mom" Its the last of the 30's so I wasn't really counting the birthday anyway :)

    Connor had to make a "me box" for the first day of school and I suggested we put a picture of his family in it. He chose the picture that I made the new avatar. He doesn't always talk about my dad but choosing that picture said so much.

    Then, my uncle was in town and decided to take my son fishing. The first thing my dad said to Connor in the hospital after he was born was "we're going fishing". He bought him his first fishing pole and taught him how to fish. Well, Connor wound up catching a sea turtle the other day!! It was huge and wouldn't let go of his pole and the turtle snapped it in half.......At first I was just so sad about the fishing pole......then I felt bad for the huge sea turtle that was swimming around with half a pole sticking out of his mouth and then I laughed like crazy because I knew my dad would've told everyone that story and he would've been cracking up!!!

    Last but not least, if you all remember the Super Bowl.....those Giants pulled out a miracle for my dad. In fact, he told me mom a few months before he died that he had prayed that the Giants would win the Super Bowl before he died (you'd think he would've prayed for good health :shock: ) so when the Giants won he figured it was just a matter of time before he was gone.... The day my dad died, after saying goodbye to him at the house, I went into the closet and took the Giant jacket I had bought for him right after his second lung surgery. He wore it all the time. I took it home and put it in the closet. This week with the new season starting, I felt the need to put it on. I stuck my hands in the pocket and there were 3 wrapped mints in the pocket. He was always eating them... I think I laughed and cried at the same time. Last night at game time, right at kickoff, I had such a knot in the pit of my stomach but then I realized that he was watching too. My mom and I got through it. She had gone out and bought the 52" HD LCD TV that they had shopped for together and put a picture of my dad on the side table. Together we cheered those Giants on to their first win.

    The point is, some of these last few months have really sucked but we made it through, my dad would want us to move forward and enjoy what he enjoyed doing with us. Thanks for listening.

    Tammy

    Well, the Other Shoe Fell

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Hi Patti,

    Sorry its not the news you wanted but my dad was a smoker and Tarceva worked for him for I think about 9 months He did have some skin issues on his back, face and head but it was not as bad and he had quite a bit more quality of life because he didn't feel as sick as he did on chemo. Hoping it has good results for you. Keeping you in my thoughts.

    Tammy

    Did he smoke?

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    I wasn't sure if I should post this in the general forum or this one but finally decided that I felt more like a grieving daughter at the moment. This article just really hit me today but I felt it was well written and worth sharing. I don't have much else to say right now. Just taking one day at a time. One of these days I will post about my father's beautiful wake service and funeral. Just not ready yet.

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24844538/

    My Dad

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    Well after 6 long years of battling cancer, my dad passed away yesterday afternoon. Unbelievably, it was shortly after receiving a chemo treatment. He had just seen his doctor and everything seemed ok. They gave him his treatment and he went home with my mom. A little while later he was sitting at the kitchen table about to eat and my mom turned around and he was slumped over. I am so thankful that it was not long and drawn out and he was not in pain. His greatest fear was dying in a hospital or from a heart attack. IF there is anyting that is helping me get through this, it is that.

    The sad part is that my brother was coming from New York this weekend with his kids so that we could have a Father's Day with all of us together. Needless to say, my brother is feeling quite angry right now. For me, this is just surreal. There were so many times that we thought he wouldn't make it. I never thought he would meet my daughter and she is almost 2. One of the hardest things was telling my six year old son this morning. He is handling it well as I knew he would. Kids are so resilient. We will be traveling back to New York for his funeral and burial.

    I want to thank everyone here for all of their love and support over the last four years. I will try to check in when I can.

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