#33736 01-11-2005 11:47 AM | Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 2 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 2 | Even though I only posted once to the board, and that was just a month ago, I wanted to let you know that my sister Gina passed away on 1/4/05, one day after turning 40.
Gina had been fighting her cancer since January of last year when she was diagnosed with stage 4 SCC on her tongue. She had surgery that removed half of her tongue, and the right side of her neck was disected and the lymph nodes removed. She followed the surgery with both chemo and radiation. She had a reoccurance in late August, and they removed a tumor in September that was growing against her larnyx and carotid artery. She followed that surgery with agressive chemo. Halfway through the chemo treatments, the cancer returned again with no other means of fighting it. Gina entered Hospice care at home in Novemeber. Hospice asked if we would move her to their inpatient care center for about a week of respite care on December 30. This turned out to be a blessing for our family. It allowed us to be a brothers, sisters, and mother again rather than caregivers. Gina passed very peacefully without any of the "final" complications she feared and I'm very thankful for that.
I want to thank the OCF, and the many posters on the OCF board. While I may have been a lurker, I read a lot here and the information available here is invaluable.
Thank you all.
Mike
Mike ** Co-caregiver to sister.
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#33737 01-11-2005 12:11 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | Dear Mike
Please accept our condolences to you and your family.
Your sister was obviously loved a lot , I am so glad she had a peaceful passing.
Take care
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#33738 01-11-2005 12:16 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Mike-
I am so sorry to hear that Gina lost the battle to this disease. She fought a good fight and was very lucky to have been blessed with such a caring brother. My prayers to you and your family during your season of grief and may you find peace as you remember the good times with your sister. Love, Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
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#33739 01-11-2005 01:04 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Dear Mike
I am sad to hear that Gina has passed away at such a young age. She was obviously deeply loved and will always be with you in your heart.
Condolences to you and your family with love from Helen
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#33740 01-11-2005 03:01 PM | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 217 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 217 | Mike,
Tom and I will remember Gina and your family in our prayers. We extend our sincere condolences to all of you.
Nicki
Nicki, wife of Thomas
dx July 2004, SCC, Stage 4 Tonsil. Tx begun 8/4/04. Cisplatin/Xeloda x 4; IMRT 7 wks, 8/7 - 10/25/04 Modified Radical Dissection (right), Selective Dissection (Left) 12/10/04.
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#33741 01-11-2005 03:48 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 | Mike,
So sorry to hear of Gina's passing and I pray God gives you and your family peace and comfort as you obviously miss her terribly. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Debbie
Debbie - Caregiver for husband, Dan, diagnosed with tongue cancer 7/03. Partial gloss., mod. neck dissections, graft. Recurrence neck tumor 12/03. Radical left neck dissection 12/24/03-unable to get all the tumor. 8 weeks chemo/rad beginning 1/12/04.
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#33742 01-11-2005 03:51 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Dear Mike,
I am so sorry to hear of Gina's passing. You and your family have my deepest condolonces. This is one unforgiving diaease! I take comfort in knowing Gina sufers no more. Try and remember the good times you shared with Gina. It may ease the pain your in now. Your love for her leaps off the posting when read. She was lucky to have you as her caregiver.
God Bless, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#33743 01-12-2005 04:23 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Dear Mike, I am very sorry to read of Gina's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless You, Love, 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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#33744 01-12-2005 06:13 AM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 | Mike, I, too, am so sorry that Gina is gone. As I told you in my email, I will be making a donation to OCF in Gina's memory. For fellow OCF members, should you care to also make a donation in her memory (hint, hint!), she was member #1093, Gina (Regina) Wilson. Mike, you and your family did a wonderful job of caring for Gina. I'm glad you had those last days to be by her side as loving family, not as harried caregivers. Take care of yourself. With deep sympathy, Rosie
Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.
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#33745 01-12-2005 06:29 AM | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 36 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 36 | Mike
I am very sorry to hear about your sisters passing.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
It hits very close to home for me as I have seen a lot of friends that I have met through my course of treatments with this disease not make it.
I'll say a prayer for you and your family
God Bless
Ray
Stage 4b Tonsil cancer Survivor!
Dx 11/05/02 SCC 2cm tumor in left tonsil 7x4cm neck node L/side with other positive nodes on right,
Wide field Tonsillectomy Nov 20/02
Tx 1/2/03, Cisplatin Chemo x3, IMRT x 40 L/Neck Disection 08/15/03
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#33746 01-14-2005 07:46 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 | Mike,
I am so sorry to hear of Gina's passing. I know the past year has been so rough on her and the entire family. I am praying for peace, comfort and healing for you and your family.
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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#33747 01-14-2005 11:27 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Mike
I can't imagine how my brother Mike would be be if he had to post something like this, like you he has aways been there for me, it's what brothers do.
Peace be with you,
Walk in the sunshine when you can.
love and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#33748 01-14-2005 04:45 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Mike, I am saddened to learn of Gina's passing. May God give you and your family comfort as Gina is welcomed into His loving arms.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#33749 01-14-2005 08:50 PM | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 104 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 104 | Mike,
I would also like to offer my condolences on the passing of Your sister Gina. May the Lord bless You and Your family while accepting Gina into His eternal care.
Peace
Jack
..........
Dx 1/15/97 SCC rt. tonsil met to rt lymph node Stg IV,
Srgry 1/23/97 tonsillectomy & mod radical neck dissection,
Radiation 35 trtmnts both sides | | |
#33750 01-15-2005 11:19 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 | Mike
You are in my prayers that God will take away the hurt and somehow fill the void in your heart, that the passing of you sister has left.
Just remember, she just stopped by on her way home, as we all are doing.
Darrell
Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
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#33751 02-01-2005 08:29 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 | Mike,
YOu and your family are in my prayers. I am truly sorry.
God Bless
Stephany
Stephany.Daughter of mother who passed away 3/26/05 from Recurrent Gum Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 surgeries, and 6 weeks radiation, and then passed due to infection. I miss her very much. She was 65 years young when she passed. Love you Mom!
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#33752 02-23-2005 02:30 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 52 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 52 | Mike,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. I know there are no words that can take your pain away. I pray that you find peace in your heart.
Love,
Michelle
Michelle, sister to Marcy
Dx January 03, partial glossectomy/selective neck dissection T2N1MO/recurrence June 03, radiation and chemo/recurrence Dec. 03 mets to spine and base of skull//palliative care//lost her April 10th 2004 Age of 32
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#33753 02-24-2005 11:38 AM | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 90 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 90 | Dear Mike,
I too was very sad to hear of the death of your sister, Gina. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Take care....
Shelley
Caregiver to husband, Ron. Throat cancer, Stage II. No Chemo or Surgery. Completed 35 Radiation Treatments in November 2004.
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