#20725 07-17-2006 08:38 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Dear OCF forum members, it is with tremendous pain and sadness that I have to tell you of Danny Boys passing. Danny was one of the most courageous and compassionate persons I have ever met. In spite of his extreme trials with his cancer and recurrence, he was always there to lend a helping hand and an encouraging word. He touched many lives on the forum and I am sure elsewhere as well. He was a rare person in the modern world. He certainly touched me and will always remain in my heart. He had a rare gift of mercy and will be sorely missed from the forum. Danny and I had become close friends in the past 3 years as I was a mere 6 months ahead of him and one of the first to reach out to him. But I can tell you, that I learned far more from Danny than anything I could have taught him. If he was frightened by it, he never showed it. He fought the good fight with an acceptance, integrity and quality that we can all learn from. He sent me all of his scan reports and we knew from the beginning that was going to be an uphill fight. He rarely ever mentioned the pain and quality of life issues or complained about it in private and never publicly. He leaves behind a beautiful and loving family of which my wife, I and many others of you, had the pleasure to meet in Las Vegas. He deeply loved his family and fought with all his might to be with them as long as he could. He was equally and unselfishly concerned for their quality of life as well. Another light, in our lives, has been extinguished by this horrible disease. I am sure that he is in heaven now praying for all of us. Here is a link to his memorial page: http://obit.wichmannfuneralhomes.com/
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#20726 07-18-2006 01:23 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | I am speechless at this time, but so sorry to hear about Danny Boy's passing. I was wondering if any other members would like to contribute to a memorial fund for OCF in honor of Dan. Brian, is there something special we can do on this site in his memory? Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#20727 07-18-2006 02:54 AM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 99 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 99 | Gary...I am so sorry to hear this sad news and I am sorry for your loss of a friend. I will say a prayer that he is at peace and know that he is in a better place...Kerry
Kerry/wife of stephenm
StageIV - Base of Tongue T4N0M0
XRT x42 / Taxol and Carboplatin x4
Tx. Finished 5/08/06
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#20728 07-18-2006 03:42 AM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 90 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 90 | Thank you Gary for the link. I as well am speechless like Carol. I only found this website at the beginning of this year but have read so many of Danny Boy's post. His words were of great inspiration and comfort to me and my family.
I will also pray for his family during this great time of sorrow - $%#&*!! this horrible disease!
Caregiver to Father:Stage III unknown primary; modified left side neck dissection 2/2006; 8 wk trmts of Erbitux 3/2006 with-37 radition treatments; 11.2010; biopsy of base of tongue results questionable. 9.2013 tumor on left side of tongue; squamous cell cancer. 10.2.2013 Hemiglossectomy(1/2 tongue removed) with reconstruct tongue using left thigh tissue;surgery included IORT.
25 additional IMRT radiation trtmts & 5 wks/chemo. Carbo & Taxol combo.NPO;100% PEG depend;aspiration pneumonia 3/2014
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#20729 07-18-2006 06:02 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Danny set a phenomenal example of perseverence, good humor, and grace over the past several years here, while faced with some really tough battles. My heartfelt condolences to his family at this time.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#20730 07-18-2006 06:10 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Sorry I posted somewhere else before I noticed this thread.
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It is so horrible to hear of Danny's passing. I know the time was getting closer and closer but nothing prepares you for the pain you feel in your heart at the moment you hear of someone as precious as Danny succumbing to this dreaded disease. Danny was one of the greatest people I have had the honor of knowing in my life and certainly touched everyone is such a heartfelt way.
For those who haven't met him in person, he was quite THE character. I remember back in 2004 in Las Vegas at our first OCF get-together, Danny was swiftly darting from blackjack table to blackjack table using his self-developed "system". Based on the wad of money in his pocket, it sure must have been fine-tuned.
I will always remember his daughter telling a story about one Halloween as they were getting ready for trick-and-treaters, Danny snuck outside and got a ladder he used to sneak up to her bedroom window. When she turned around he hollerd BOO at her. The twinkle in her eyes as she told the story was so filled with love that it would have brought a tear to your eye. He was surely a prankster.
Good bye my dear friend, the little hayseed from Wisconsin who truly lived life large! I know my life will never be the same without you yet my life has been different from the moment we met.
I pray for comfort and peace for that large circle of family and friends that you have amassed around you.
God bless you.
With Love,
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#20731 07-18-2006 06:19 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Carol,
Danny would have wanted contibutions to OCF (in his name of course) as part of his memorial for that I am positive. He worked tirelessly to support OCF. He was one of the 3 key people who organized our Las Vegas adventure. Of the other 2, we lost Dinah last year and sadly she was too ill to attend. Only Bob (jetagehobo) remains healthy.
Other things I don't think Danny would mind me sharing was his terrific sense of humor -right up until the end. One of the hospice people asked him "What does it feel like to be dying?" and he responded "I don't know - I've never died before".
Some of you may wonder why I posted the notice here, but this was Danny's baby. He loved the introduction topic and opportunity to welcome others. There will be some huge shoes to fill here -if ever...
Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#20732 07-18-2006 07:04 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Oh Gary, trust me I know how awesome Danny was. I met him in Virginia Beach at the first OCF Walk, we emailed each other occasionally. I will definitely make a donation to OCF in his name, I was just asking Brian about something special for him. Thank you for your post....Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#20733 07-18-2006 09:30 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 116 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 116 | Danny was an inspiration to me and we will miss him dearly. Hopefully he can continue his inspiration to us in different ways now. The website with is bio also has a guest book you can leave your messages for his wonderfull family.
SCC R-Tonsil T2 NO MO Dec 2003. Completed IMRT Radiation only to tonsils(72Gy) and neck(55Gy)March 04. Detected at age 50.
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#20734 07-18-2006 12:23 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 | I hope this is ok to post here, this is taken from his obituary.
I
Was Primary caregiver to my mom who had stage IV, SCC, Supraglottic with Mets to 4 nodes. Diagnosed Feb 04, died unexpectedly from complications from treatment December 17, 2004.
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#20735 07-18-2006 03:30 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 541 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 541 | When I received the email from Danny's family at noon yesterday (Hong Kong time), my heart ached. The last mail I got from Danny was a "Love Ya" message on 27 April. I believe he was vigorously fighting his battle at that time but still made effort to spread his love to all his friends. We had emailed each other for the past 3 years and when he knew that I couldn't turn up for the Les Vegas gathering, he sent me his beautiful family photo and he looked so satisfied standing beside his wife and children. All along I have been so very impressed by Danny's positive, courageous attitude and the genorisity he had shown in helping the members here. Let's overcome our sorrow and take Danny as our role model,to offer help,support and encouragement to those suffering from cancer (patients and caregivers). In memory of my good friend, I will make a small contribution to the OFC and Gary, can you advise on how this can be done?
Karen from Hong Kong
Karen stage 4B (T3N3M0)tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/2001.Concurrent chemo-radiation treatment ( XRT x 48 /Cisplatin x 4) ended in 12/01. Have been in remission ever since.
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#20736 07-18-2006 04:00 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 | I don't have the vocabulary necessary to express the respect, admiration and love that I, we, have for Danny. He's a remarkable man that touched the lives of so many, providing comfort, friendship and laughs for all that had the good fortune to know him. He will continue to be an influence on my life. Man, this is not easy. I need some of his strength to get through typing this note cause the tears are streaming down my face. Danny Boy, my friend. I'm going to miss you. Thank you so much for being my friend.
Dave
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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#20737 07-18-2006 06:26 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Dave,
Danny was so proud to have met you over lunch. He sent many of us the photo as soon as he got home and even bragged he hit "triple digits" in the Mini on the drive.
I also just want to take a moment and thank all of you. We all have so many stories of how Danny touched our lives but never lose sight of how each of us also touched his heart. Without each other, life after the big C is unimaginable. Thanks again, Brian, for giving us all a place to hang out and more!
With Love to all of you,
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#20738 07-26-2006 04:05 AM | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 | Gary & All who knew Danny Boy,
I am sorry to hear of Danny's passing. I never met him but loved all of his posts. I enjoyed his sence of humor. I wished I could have met him. This world needs more people like Danny.
take care
Diane
2004 SCC R.tip 1/4 tongue Oct. 2005 R. Neck SCC cancer/Chemo Cisplatin 2x/8wks. Rad. Removed Jugular vein, Lymph gland & some neck muscle. TX finished 1/20/06... B.Cancer 3/29/07 Finished 6/07 Bi-op 7/15/09 SCC in-situ, laser surgery removed from 1st. sight. Right jaw replacement 11/3/14. 9 yrs cancer free as of Jan. 2015
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#20739 07-26-2006 05:59 AM | Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 246 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 246 | Hi All:
Dan was the light and spirit of our OCF trip to Vegas. As Ed said, he had a "system" for blackjack that I will never profess to figure out but boy did it work! I was fortunate enough to be standing next to him at the table as he was giving the conservative girl from Boston a lesson about "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and it did except the money which Dan took home tenfold on that trip challenged only but the equal gambling expertise of his son Chris who was a "chip off his dad's block" both in looks and huge personality.
The sight of Dan at the Blackjack table was not one of a man fighting cancer. He didn't care that he repeated his words a few times to the hostess. He captivated the table, the hostess, and me all with just the twinkle in his eye.
Equally touching for me, besides the huge hugs Dan gave freely on that trip, was the opportunity to spend time with Dan's wife and daughter Maggie. The love they shared as a family was so evident including their realistic sense that trip needed to be special because time may be short. I remember thinking, during the OCF dinner, what incredible young adults Chris and Maggie are, to take time away from their own lives and have the poise and wisdom to know that time with Dad was sacred and possibly all to short.They so clearly delighted in Dan's wit and adored their Dad.
Dan was effusive, big-hearted, and selfless. I remember his debates with Packer 66 (Frank) about "their team", the Green Bay Packers. When Frank (Packer 66) was hospitalized here in Boston, a book arrived at my door to take to Packer in the hospital about the team. It was Dan'd quiet way of making a small difference.
Not so the HUGE Wisconsin cheese basket I got from Dan after meeting him on the OCF board. As only Dan could, he wondered-is like 10 lbs of Wisconsin cheese enough?
First Dinah, now Dan, two very incredible spirits, similar in their warm ways and gentle wisdom. Both effusive and always ready with
pom-poms to cheer for others despite their own pain.
I can only hope they are having one heck of a good time together. I suspect they are and will be looking out for all of us.
Dave and I offer our condolences to all of you who knew and loved Dan and to his family.
Gary-thanks for posting the link to the funeral home. It was very nice to read the tribute to Dan and I thought it captured him so well.
Kim
kcdc
Wife of Dave,diagnosed with Stage III Tonsillar SCC,August '02
Modified radical neck dissection followed by radiation therapy
'There is glory and radiance in the darkness and to see we have only to look"
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#20740 07-27-2006 10:55 AM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi,
I am deeply saddened by the news of Danny passing. He was truly an inspiration to many people on this forum and to his many friends. I can remember how mad and shocked I was in May of 2004 when I got back from vacation to find out that he had had a reoccurence and his doctors were only giving him 6 months and didn't want to do any treatments at all. At first Danny was going to accept that route, but many of us pressured him to try treatment and get a second opinion. Then he decided to FIGHT THIS BEAST and did so with all he had. I hope the extra two years were worth it for him and his family and friends. I know it was for the rest of us.
Charlie and I had the pleasure of meeting Danny and his family in Vegas. He was always smiling, slipping his wife and kids another $100 to go do something fun after he each trip to the blackjack table. I think I should have paid some attention to what he was doing but it sure was working. Nothing mad him madder than a blackjack player who did not know what they were doing.
Our deepest sympathies to his familiy and friends. He will surely be missed by us all.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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#20741 07-27-2006 01:49 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 102 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 102 | I sincerely apologize to Danny Boy's family and friends for not adding my sympathies sooner. I have been overloaded with feelings and emotions about my Aunt's and my MIL's cancer battles.
Danny was a wonderful, kind, generous man. I loved reading his posts from the day I signed on to this list more than three years ago. His upbeat and positive attitude proved that "people with cancer" still go on, still have lives, still live every day to the fullest. He had such a wonderful attitude! I learned a lot from him and I am grateful.
Heaven must have needed another angel. We know that God takes only the best for His private army.
Niece to Aunt Ro- Dx: 4/03. SCC Stg 4 BOT with mets to fl of mth & crvcl lymph node. AdenoC 1 sal gland. Two add. reconstrc. surgeries for adhesions. Recurrence 7/06- Sub-Mand AdenoC. Mets to both lungs. Lost her battle 5/4/07.
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#20742 08-01-2006 11:30 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 | Somewhere in my running around the "Middle Kingdom" I missed the original news of Danny's passing, so I too must apologize to his family for not adding my sympathies sooner.
Danny was a great guy and I was really awestruck with his relationship with his family, and all the love they shared. I'm sure he will really be missed by all.
Triple digits in the mini, double digits on the golf course. That's Danny. Guess God needed someone to finish up the foursome.
SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
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