#44388 01-04-2005 02:34 AM | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 30 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 30 | I didn't know where to post this, but I figured that since this is where I posted often about Kim's treatment and condition it would be ok here.
Yesterday, at 4:25pm, Kim's fight with the cancer stopped. I don't want to say that she stopped fighting because I truly believe that she fought to the end. With only a few short hours of life left, Kim was still kicking her legs, squeezing our hands, and letting us know that she was very much alive and with us.
The cancer was too aggressive. It literally ate away the entire right side of her neck, which eventually ate through a main artery in her neck, causing her to bleed. We couldn't get the bleeding to stop, and knew that this was it. We all got to say good-bye to her as she entered into to paradise. I feel so honored that I got to hold her hand as she took her last breath. Her death was very peaceful and calm. She didn't struggle at all and felt no pain. She died with dignity, family, friends, love, and support. She even made it to her 24th birthday!
I know she is in a much better place, but I still can't help the selfish feeling of wanting her back with us. At least I know she is not suffering anymore. Her battle was severe and very painful for her. I am grateful for the time that I did spend with her, and I have no regrets about putting my life on hold for over a year to be with her through this.
I know she would have wanted me to let you all know that she passed. Although she only posted a few times on here, I know this site and forum helped and supported her. I know your thoughts, prayers, and support helped me throughout this fight.
Thank you again for everything! God Bless you all. You are all in my prayers!
Angie
Sister of Kim, a 24 year old cancer fighter diagnosed on 12/5/04, who fought strong and hard and died with dignity and honor on 1/3/05.
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#44389 01-04-2005 04:07 AM | Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 153 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 153 | May God watch over you and your family and bring you comfort. I know you must be exhausted, physically and mentally. Please take care of yourself. Although this past year has been one of suffering, I'm sure there were wonderful moments with your sister that you will hold in your heart forever. I'm sure I am but one of many who will shed tears for your sister today although we never met her. I am in awe of her bravery and of your strength. You will be in our prayers.
Sister of 32 year-old oral cancer victim. Our battle is over but the war rages on. My brother passed July 26, 2005. He was a smokeless tobacco user.
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#44390 01-04-2005 05:00 AM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Dear Angie,
I have a 24 year old daughter and I am breathless thinking of your loss. My heart breaks for you and for Kim who had to suffer as she did. Our God is a just God and I know that Kim is smiling right now and free of pain. Bless you and please take care of yourself.
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#44391 01-04-2005 05:21 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Dear Angie
I so wish I had words to help ease your pain, but while you hurt and grieve, remember the precious love and time you shared with Kim, nothing can ever come to close to you as that..
Walk in sunshine when you can..
Be blessed.. 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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#44392 01-04-2005 05:21 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 | Angie,
I am so sorry to hear your news of Kim. I know this past year has been so difficult for all of you and Kim was so blessed to have had all of you and especially to have all of you with her as she left this world. May He wrap his healing arms around you, your family and friends, fill you with His unending love and bring you comfort and peace.
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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#44393 01-04-2005 05:40 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Dear Angie,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Your love for Kim shines in the words you type. She was lucky to have you as her caregiver. I take some comfort in knowing she suffers no more. As you travel through the grieving process remember we are all grieving with you.
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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#44394 01-04-2005 08:08 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Angie,
I'm so sorry to hear the news about Kim. I know she put up a struggle for many months, and it was heartbreaking to read about how aggressively the cancer was taking over her body. May God give her peace and give your family comfort and strength.
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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#44395 01-04-2005 09:59 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Angie-
Kim was so young to have had to suffer so much. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family during your grief. Know that we are grieving with you. Your love carried her though these long days and you have been an inspiration to us all. May your pain lessen as the days go on. Kim, through you, touched many of us. 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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#44396 01-04-2005 10:18 AM | 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 Angie
I am so sad for the loss of your beautiful young sister. Your words tell of your love for her and have touched me deeply. She will be forever young in your heart.
Love and light from Helen
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#44397 01-04-2005 10:35 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Dearest Angie, I am so sorry about Kim. Her and I emailed each other in the beginning of her diagnosis, she told me how she played soccer at one point in time in PA. My daughter plays for FC Delco in PA, and Kim knew of the team. I have been afraid to see your post of Kim's passing. God Bless you for all you have done for her this past year. I wish I had words to console you. Kim was much too young to have this dreaded disease. God Bless you and your family, 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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#44398 01-04-2005 11:39 AM | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 217 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 217 | My dear Angie,
There are no words.....
May you and your family take comfort in God's awesome love - and may you know that Kim is resting is resting happily with His angels.
Love
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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#44399 01-04-2005 11:41 AM | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 137 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2004 Posts: 137 | Dear Angie, I too am at a loss for words here. However I have to say something to you for being such a wonderful love force in Kim's life. I too have a 24 year old child and I cannot for the life of me even begin to think about seeing this happen to him. You have been so blessed to have been able to be there with her and hold her hand thru all of this. I do not know you but you have touched my life in so many ways. I also know that you will continue to grow and you will blossom into even a greater person that you already are. You have the rest of your life to finish living the life that Kim could not live. I beg of you to do this. Live, Laugh and Love. On my Mother's monument these words are written--Memories are one gift from GOD that death cannot destroy. This is a true statement. Thank GOD for the ability to have MEMORIES. Forever in my heart,,Miss Vicki.....Live for all of us... | | |
#44400 01-04-2005 12:03 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Angie, I am very sorry to hear of your and your families loss. May the Lord give comfort to you all as He has already provided to Kim.
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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#44401 01-04-2005 12:04 PM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Dear Angie,
Words cannot express my grief when I saw your post. I am so sorry Kim lost her battle with horrible disease. May your many memories keep her alive in your heart forever.
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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#44402 01-05-2005 02:37 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 372 | Dear Angie,
Please know that my heart and prayers go out to you and your family. What a terrible loss. I will say thank you for being there for Kim as you were during some very long months, weeks, days and hours. I know Kim felt much comfort having you there with her so much and you have so many memories to help you thru. May God bless you and your family with extra comfort and strength to help you process this.
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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#44403 01-06-2005 06:17 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 189 | Dear Angie,
God bless you, the family and friends left behind. I honestly believe the ones left here are the ones who have the hardest job. The truly blessed are at rest.
Mandi
Husband diagnosed with stage III tonsil and floor of mouth cancer in August 2002. Three rounds of chemo/42 RAD treatments. Upper right lung lobectomy in March 2003. (Benign)
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#44404 01-14-2005 07:25 AM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 | Dear Angie, I'm sorry this is belated, but my visits to the board have been sporadic and I just now saw your post. I know Kim fought a hard battle and it's so sad to hear she has lost. There really are no words to express my sorrow. 24 is just too young! Please accept my condolences. If I can help in any way, please don't hesitate to e-mail me. I am not a counselor, but Heather has been gone for more than a year now so I have been through most all aspects of the grieving process. Heather's ordeal was very similar to Kim's and if my experience would help you in even the smallest way, I wouldn't mind sharing it. Please convey my condolences to your mother. Her heart must surely be breaking. If I could, I would gladly share her pain. Love, Rosie P.S. I have made a donation to OCF in Kim's name. I issue a challenge to other OCF members to do the same.
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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