pannelli

Pannell services Graveside service for Martin J. Pannell of Iola, whose death Monday was reported in Tuesday’s Register, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Highland Cemetery in Iola. Memorials to American Cancer Society may be left at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapels, Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. He was born Jan 21, 1959, in Liberal, to Harold Wesley “Hal” and Joanne (Campbell) Pannell. He grew up in several communities before the family moved to Iola in 1969 from Lockwood, Mo. He was graduated from Iola High School in 1977. He served in the U.S. Army for eight years. He returned to Iola following an honorable discharge from the service where he worked as a local and over the road truck driver. He worked for Werner Truck Line, SEKan Asphalt and Price Truck Line before his health failed. He enjoyed reading, fishing, gardening, grilling outdoors and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his longtime companion, Peggy Smith, Iola; his father of Iola; three brothers, Dr. Brian and his wife, Jill, Leawood, Kirk and his wife, Sandy, Fort Worth, Texas, and Dave and his wife, Debbie, Paola; and three nephews and two nieces. His mother died earlier.

Thank you again for all your help and support. Marty passed away at 5:07 pm today. My husband and Marty's girlfriend were at his side. This is such a dreadful disease, my heart just aches for all that could have been and yet I'm joyful for all that was. Thank you and many prayers for all your journeys. Deb and Dave Pannell

Hi Rochelle, Thanks! We are in Kansas. Marty lives in a very rural area about 2 hours from Kansas City. Hospice is there right now, visiting with my husband, Marty and his girlfriend. Marty is having a little better day today, a few more alert/aware periods of time. I'm glad I "came out of lurking" too! --deb

Thank you all for your kinds words and welcomes. It has been a difficult day as Marty has made a steady progression from bad to much worse in the past 48 hours. He is bedridden and unable to support any of his body weight. Hospice will be out tomorrow to do an evaluation and determine what needs to be done. Marty has been quite incoherant for most of the day but did perk up briefly for a visit from some old classmates. My husband, Dave, seems to be keeping busy with caretaking tasks, he sounded tired on the phone but kept his emotions in check. I suppose he worries about staying strong for those around him, and to keep himself going. He had a call from a good friend today, I'm so glad he called to offer support to Dave. We don't really know what Hospice will decide. It is becoming quite difficult to care for Marty at home as they are not able to maneuver him properly for positioning, bathing and keeping him comfortable. It's a very tiny, cramped house with little room to move around. We don't really understand the entire role that Hospice has in all of this, I guess we will learn tomorrow. It all seems to be going so fast.

ooops didn't mean to get that emoticon when I typed in Marty's age. He was 48 at the time of diagnosis, he just turned 49 the end of January. I don't know how to put the history information in my signature line so I'll just add a bit here: August '07 Diagnosed Stage IV Lung Cancer with metastasis to the psoas muscle causing intense pain in the groin and hip. September '07 Chemotherapy every 3 weeks. November '07 No improvement with chemo. new drug recommended that women have used for breast cancer, I don't know the name of the drug. Marty has gone from 170 to 140. No appetite, started marinol (?) helped at first. January '08 Radiologist feels he could provide some relief using radiation to the tumor on the psosas muscle. Daily radiation treatments for 5 weeks. 180 mile round trip daily for treatments. March '08 Completed radiation, no improvement in pain. He continues to take Tarceva daily. No appetite, down to 125 pounds. 3/4/08 Fell, unable to walk unaided. He is on 3 types of Morphine, has been since November, a long acting, short term and immediate. He sleeps most of the time, drinks water and a can or 2 of ensure a day. We fear that the end is near....

Hi, I've been lurking here for exactly 6 months, reading, learning, crying and rejoicing with all of you. My brother-in-law was diagnosed in late August of 2007 with Stage IV Lung Cancer. Marty is my husband's youngest brother (48) and they have been estranged for many years. All the past became null and void the day Marty was diagnosed. My husband has been with his brother every single weekend since then. He lives an hour from us, and my husband leaves on Friday and returns on Monday. I will do everything in my power to make sure he's there to help out Marty's long-time girlfriend and companion and to most importantly have this time with Marty. Today we received a call that Marty is now unable to walk without full assistance and needs help through the day while his companion is at work. My husband left this morning, we have no idea how long he'll be gone but he will do everything he can to keep Marty comfortable. Tomorrow he will look into hospice help and talking to Marty's general physician about his well being. My husband, Dave is Marty's durable power of attorney and has been to radiation, chemo and most Drs. appts. I am so proud of my husband he has truly been his brother's keeper. I want to say thank you to all of you here who share your stories. I have sought comfort, information and just a feeling of belonging from this site. Sometimes the weekends are long and lonely and I want to be there to help him, comfort him. It's good to come here, to seek solace and always find others who are there or have been there. Thank you very much.