Guest Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Hello - I am the father of Lenny Retske, lenr8. This is to inform you that he passed away earlier this evening, surrounded by family. In the end, he fought valiently, but pneumonia and other complications were just too much for him to overcome. I want you to know that I have been following this board, and appreciate all the support and love you have given him. I know that it meant a lot. I also want you to know that I am well aware of the second class treatment that lung cancer has been given, and I am going to take some positive action to change this. I hope you will join me in this effort, which I will be announcing shortly. In the meantime, please say a prayer for his wife and two children. Gene Retske gretske@solvox.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I am so sorry to read of Lenny's passing. Thank you so much for letting us know. I loved his picture of his two little boys. May you find the strength to get through the coming days ahead without him. I am so sorry for your loss. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, Thank you so much for letting us know of the loss of Lenny. I will be praying for God's grace to be with hime, the boys, his wife, you and other family members. This is such a devastating disease in so many ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyb Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I am so saddened to hear this. I will say a special prayer for Lenny and your family as I write this. God's peace be unto you all. Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debi Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I am so sorry for your loss...for our loss.... This is never fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Seeing Lenny's picture with his son stabs me in the heart, and the tears are blinding me while I type. Lenny was so positive and strong. He gave many of us a great deal of support on this board despite what he himself was going through. H e served as an inspiration to me, nothing seemed to stop him from living his life to the fullest until the very end. He motivated me to get off my duff and do the same!!! It is simply tragic. He would be proud and honored to know that you are not letting his death be in vain, by doing something for the cause. Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I am so sorry for your family's great loss sincere condolences Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelliemacs Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I am at a complete loss of words..... he was so encouraging for me when my mother was gying.... i am so so so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Dear Gene, I am so very sorry. Lenny was way too young to die. He fought a hard fight and you should be very proud of him. The loss of a child I think is the most profound. Please know that I will include Lenny and his family in my prayers. Ginny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, Very very sorry to hear of the passing of Lenny. My condolence to you and your family. Peace, take care and God Bless. Rich ************************************************************* The Power Of People Helping People / The Power Of Knowledge / The Power Of God / The Power Of Believing / The Power Of Positive Thinking / The Power Of Never Taking No For An Answer / That’s The Key ************************************************************* Questions To Ask The Doctor About Lung Cancer http://www.plwc.org/plwc/MainConstructo ... 08,00.html With Every Breath A Lung Cancer Guidebook / From ALCASE / A Wealth Of Information / Free http://www.alcase.org/education/publica ... reath.html The Cancer Survival Toolbox / Free / From NCCS http://www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org Clinical Trails Listing Service / Center Watch http://www.centerwatch.com Lung Cancer In The News / GOOGLE http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&editi ... ung+cancer The Wellness Community / National Cancer Support, Education And Support / Free http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/pro ... /guide.asp Drug Information Online http://www.drugs.com ALCASE / Alliance For Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, Education http://www.alcase.org Unites States / National Library Of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov Health Information / Medical Encyclopedia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html Google / Great Search Engine http://www.google.com R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc. / Please read: A Letter to all newly diagnosed cancer patients http://blochcancer.org American Cancer Society / No Matter Who You Are, We Can Help http://www.cancer.org Cancer Information Service / NCI http://www.cancer.gov Cancer Research Center / A Cure For Cancer... http://www.cancerresearchcenter.org American Institute for Cancer Research; Nutrition Hotline / AICR http://www.aicr.org Cancer Hope Network / Cancer? http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org Association of Cancer Online Resources / Free Online Lifeline For Everyone Affected By Cancer & Related Disorders http://www.acor.org Lung Cancer Information Library / Electronic Library Of Comprehensive Educational Materials On Cancer For Healthcare Professionals And Patients http://www.meds.com/lung/lunginfo.html American Lung Association / ALA http://www.lungusa.org American Medical Association / Physicians Dedicated To The Health Of America http://www.ama-assn.org Doctor’s Guide / Lung Cancer http://www.docguide.com/news/content.ns ... g%20Cancer Healthfinder / Your Guide To Reliable Health Information http://www.healthfinder.gov/Scripts/Sea ... ?topic=506 Medicine Net / We Bring Doctor’s Knowledge To You http://www.medicinenet.com/Lung_Cancer/article.htm Lung Cancer Online / Financial, Legal & Insurance Issues http://www.lungcanceronline.org/support/financial.html Cancer Index / Lung Cancer Resources Directory http://www.cancerindex.org/clinks2l.htm National Foundation For Cancer Research / NFCR Cancer Information Center http://www.nfcr.org/site/PageServer?pag ... ncers_lung Patient Advocate Foundation / Ensuring Equal Access To Health Care For All Americans http://www.patientadvocate.org ************************************************************* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berisa Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I am so sorry. May God comfort you and Lenny's family, strengthen them for the rest of their lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Dear Gene, Please accept my condolences on the loss of your son, Lenny. I am so very sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Karen C Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Dear Mr. Retske: I am so sorry for the loss of your son. He looks like a wonderful person and a kind and loving father and husband. You must be very proud to be have raised such a good person. I have an aunt and uncle who have lost two of their dear children as fairly young adults - one at 38 to breast cancer and one at 43 to depression (via suicide). So, from a somewhat close experience, I see what a painful thing it is. But they take comfort in remembering them both as the kind and loving people they were, and in loving the grandchildren left behind. You take care, and know that my prayers are with your family. You sound like a wonderful Dad. God Bless, Karen C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 That is a beautiful picture of your son and grandson. I am so sorry for your loss -- he was much too young. I hope you find comfort in his memories and his family. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debaroo Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, I was very fond of your son...you must be very proud-you raised a great man. I am so sorry for your loss, and for the loss that Lennys wife and children...You are all in my prayers. We are here if you need us. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, I am so sorry about Lenny. I didn't really know him because I just joined in Oct. but from what I have read he was unbelievably brave. A true fighter! My prayers are with you. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, I am so sorry to hear of Lenny's passing. Prayers will be said for him and for your family at this time. God Bless, MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, I was so sorry to hear about Lenny. How awful this is for you and your family. I am sure your heart is broken in many pieces. Please know my prayers are with you, your family and Lenny's wife and precious boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmc Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family, Lori and the boys. This is just so sad and unfair. May God comfort you and the family and help you to get through this difficult time. Lenny will be missed by many. god bless Bobmc- NSCLC- stageIIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 "absolutely insist on enjoying life today!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Gene, I am still in shock tonight after reading about your dear son's death last night. I pray for you, your family, his wife, his family.........This is devastating. Peg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea B. Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. What a wonderful support he was to us here. Thank you for sharing his picture with us. Blessings to you and your family. I am truly sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaveG Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 Gene: The loss of your son hits home with me. Not because I have lung cancer, but because I have a daughter who is 31 and a son who is 29. Lung cancer is the most unbiased cancer. It crosses all socio-economic boundaries. It does not care about age, gender, smoker, non-smoker, or never smoker. It does not care about occupation, or the number of children or grand children you have. It strikes when one least expects it and it strikes those we least expect to have it strike. In the past week, two younger then I have now died of this disease. Why has God spared me and taken those who are younger? Your son has not died in vain. So many of us are fighting to bring more recognition to lung cancer through awareness and better research funding. It is my goal, before this disease takes me, to destigmatize lung cancer and lable it for what it is - an ugly disease that kills more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer combined. As you well know, lung cancer is not reserved for those of us who are over 50. My heart and my prayers go out to you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyS Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 So terribly sorry to hear about Lenny. My prayers for ALL of his family, especially those two tikes........ Hugs and prayers, SandyS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beckyg Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 I am so sorry to hear this news. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea S. Posted December 9, 2003 Share Posted December 9, 2003 I am so, so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. I, too, have lost a child (to a chromosome problem, not to cancer) and it is one of the hardest things ever. Be proud of your son, I never got the chance to know him, but it sounds like he was a great person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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