Donna D.

Thank you so much for this post. I thought that there was something wrong with me for I have not had a real good cry yet myself. My husband fought a good and hard battle for almost 2 years, and I was right by his side. He was in the hospital for 6 days and seemed to get better, we thought he was going to come home. I think he waited for everyone to go home and then gave in on his own. I talked to him twice on the phone the morning of his passing. He kept telling me he was just so tired. I told him to take advantage of noone being there and get some much needed rest. (He had someone by his side for 6 days). I will never forget the phone call I recieved that day (I never knew they just called and told you on the phone) I was in shock and disbelief and had to call back the hospital to make sure what I heard was true. While our family was falling apart I was strangley calm and collected. I felt guilty for not beaking down, and at the same time kind of a release if thats the right word. I felt like I needed to explain myself to everyone even though noone asked. I am at peace knowing that he is in a place with no pain or suffering for he went though so much. I am not a stone, I cry at sad movies and certain songs can send me off. I truelly think my grieving started on August 20th, 2002 when we heard for the first time his diagnosis. After 26 years, 3 children, and 5 grandchildren I am left to be a 43 year old widow. So sorry this turned out to be so long. Please know that you are not alone.

Thank you so much for this post. I thought that there was something wrong with me for I have not had a real good cry yet myself. My husband fought a good and hard battle for almost 2 years, and I was right by his side. He was in the hospital for 6 days and seemed to get better, we thought he was going to come home. I think he waited for everyone to go home and then gave in on his own. I talked to him twice on the phone the morning of his passing. He kept telling me he was just so tired. I told him to take advantage of noone being there and get some much needed rest. (He had someone by his side for 6 days). I will never forget the phone call I recieved that day (I never knew they just called and told you on the phone) I was in shock and disbelief and had to call back the hospital to make sure what I heard was true. While our family was falling apart I was strangley calm and collected. I felt guilty for not beaking down, and at the same time kind of a release if thats the right word. I felt like I needed to explain myself to everyone even though noone asked. I am at peace knowing that he is in a place with no pain or suffering for he went though so much. I am not a stone, I cry at sad movies and certain songs can send me off. I truelly think my grieving started on August 20th, 2002 when we heard for the first time his diagnosis. After 26 years, 3 children, and 5 grandchildren I am left to be a 43 year old widow. So sorry this turned out to be so long. Please know that you are not alone.

thank you all

He fought a long battle and now he is at peace. thank you all.

Davis, Larry A., 48 of Ruskin died on August 4, 2004. He is survived by his wife Donna; son Christopher; daughters Melissa Birkhead and Shannon Davis; His mother Grace Barber Davis and stepfather Johnny Horne; brothers Bill and Richard; sisters Margaret Carlisle and Ada Cannon;Best friend James; five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 10, 2004, 6p.m. at Zipperer's chapel. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

...My husband of 27 years, fought the beast, and won the battle. He left this earth on August 4th at 2:04 p.m. on his own terms. He leaves behind a loving family, wife, son, 2 daughters and 5 beautiful grandbabies. In honor of Larry, we held a beautiful picture/video memorial last night that I'm sure he would be proud of. He will remain in our hearts forever.

I am so very sorry.

I too am very moved by your writings. Please accept my sincere condolences and congratulations also.

Sorry so late in replying I haven't been on in a few days. Thankyou both for your response. I will call the number toget more info. Thanks again.

My husband was diagnosed in August of 2002, he was found to be disabled in June of 2002 therefore put on disability and recieved first check in January 2003. As I have read here you have to wait 2 years to be eligible for medicare. My questions are: 1. Is he now eligible? 2. Do we have to apply or is it automatic? 3. Do we still have to meet a share of cost on medicare? ( at this time we have a share of cost of 1400.00 to meet each month before medicaid pays anything)? 4.Are high cost presciptions and testing covered? 5. Where can I find information on this subject? Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

If you really want to pass up the donuts, try my job but it won't help you lose weight! I am a bakery manager and I fry donuts 2 days a week. Although I can't stand the sight of them anymore I am still overweight. I believe that the grease in the air from frying them soaks through the pores of my skin and helps me to stay this way.

Our doctor refers to hot spots in my husbands case as areas that he is keeping an eye on for bone mets. He has a few "hot spots" on both thighs, elbow, wrist and hip. As I am reading from what you wrote from your bone scan, (I am not a doctor) it looks like yours is an old injury and not thought to be a met. Sounds like this is good news to me.

When I first heard my husbands diagnosis I too went on the net in search of statistics. The doctors told us there was no cure, and along with what I found I was sure that it was a death sentence. Now we are 20 months out and still going strong and stable with minor complications here and there. When I found this site in Sept. 2002, everyone here has since taught me that statistics are only numbers, and not reliable ones at that. Let me be one of the first to congratulate YOU on not being a number but a SURVIVOR! Here's to many more years of life, love, and laughter!

What wonderful news! I am so happy for you both!

My husband was taking Oxycontin for pain since he was diagnosed. With all of the treatments, scans and proceedures he had done it was no problem meeting our share of cost (medicaid) to cover his meds. When he was found to be stable with appointments and scans every 3 months, we couldn't meet our share. His Oxycontin cost 1300.00 (not counting other meds) a month and we had used up all other resources for help to cover this. His doctor then switched him to methadone in place of the Oxy due to finances ( it was about 60.00 a month). He took it for about 2 months with no side affects. He said was as good as the oxy. Now he is back on the oxy through the patient assistance program from the manufacturer with no cost at all. We had applied for this when he switched meds. Mind you when I first heard Methadone I thought WHAT, thats what they use for heroine addicts. I never knew it was a pain medication too. Sorry this is so long.

You've got my prayers as well. Please know that you will never be alone in this fight, I as well as everyone here is standing right beside you holding your hand.

Berisa, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Take heart in knowing, your father passed in peace, with you right by his side, as you have been through this long journey. Your father must have been so proud to have such a loving daughter. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

My husbands oxycontin runs about 1300.00 a month and that is only the oxy not the other meds he takes. That was way too much for me to handle. With the help of our doctor and social worker at the cancer center we applied to the manufacturers for assistance. He was approved for 1 year and now we recieve meds via fed ex once a month and all we have to do is send in a new script 2 weeks before needed. Contact the manufacturer many of them have patient assistance programs worth checking into.

Peg, My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family in this time of great loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am very sorry for your loss.

This really does help. Our social worker and pain management doctor at Moffit helped us to get through the application process for oxycontin. The cost to us was going to be about 1300.00 a month. We sent in all of our information and got accepted into the patient assistance program for free meds for a year from the manufacturer. We just have to send in new prescriptions every 30 days. I don't know what we could have done without this help.

Norme, It just breaks my heart to hear this news. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so very sorry. My heart goes out to your family. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry for your loss.

I am praying for you both.