#10485 05-05-2007 02:11 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 102 Gold Member (100+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 102 | I've been a member of this Board since our Aunt Rosemary was diagnosed with Stage IV BOT SCC four years ago, having promised to travel every step of her journey with her. I haven't been contributing much in the last six months because it had all became too much to bear. It is with sadness that I tell you that our Aunt lost her battle to this hideous disease yesterday morning at 9:25. She lived for ten months after her recurrence diagnosis. She made the choice to have no treatment when she was diagnosed for the second time. The complications of this illness became so bad and ugly, that it can't be written about. Finally, after our Uncle Bob talked to her and held her 60 lb. body in his his arms for ten and a half hours straight, she believed him when he said he would be OK without her for his time left on earth and she returned home to Our Father in heaven. She slipped away peacefully and without any trauma. They were married for 39 yrs. but loved each other since they were children.
Although Aunt Rosemary is my husband's blood relative, she and I became extremely close in the last seven years, after my husband and I experienced a life tragedy similiar to one that she and Uncle bob had gone through many years before. She was one of the best friends I've ever had. She was my sanity in this crazy unusual weird bad family that I married into. I knew her secret hopes and fears and she knew mine. In my life, she will never be replaced.
I want to thank Brian, Gary, Ed, Carol you dear woman, you've been a good friend; Joanna- love you, Minnie, Amy (we never talked, but I looked forward to reading your posts and my heart goes out to you for your loss), Michelle- my Aunt is now with your Mom, dear Rosie, our dear irreplacable Danny, there are too many wonderful generous people to mention. My dear friend Paul.....I so respect and admire the love you have for your beautiful Mom. Hold her close while she is still here.
And for Petey B., life is worth the fight. For anyone who is in the awful predicament about having to choose what to do- there is no choice but to FIGHT. There is nothing else to say but LIFE IS WORTH THE FIGHT!
I will remain, praying for all of you for the rest of my life.
With love..........
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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#10486 05-05-2007 02:43 AM | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 525 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 525 | My deepest condolences on your loss. Rosemary is in good hands now and there is no more pain. May you and your family find solace through your faith and the many prayers going out to you. Sincerely, Petey
DX 3-21-07 L tongue,SCC Stage IV (T3N2MO) TX Slash/Burn/Poison Method.
***Rapid Aggressive Recurrence 8-4-07 with same DX/TX. Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. Never Give Up! ****UPDATE**** Our dear friend Petey passed away, RIP 9-2-07
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#10487 05-05-2007 03:44 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | Lisa,
The world will not be as bright and beautiful a place with Rosemary's passing.
My heart and prayers go out to you, your Uncle and the rest of the family. I too have followed Rosmary's journey this past year, and am deeply saddened at her passing
Wayne
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
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#10488 05-05-2007 04:22 AM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Lisa,
Rosemary must have been quite a woman, it is my loss that I'll never get to meet her. Take small comfort knowing that she's in a good place right now and that He is the one comforting her in a way that we're not able. She's at peace and is whole again. I'll be adding her to our prayer list for tomorrow, so know that a very large group of Virginians will be thinking of your Aunt Rosemary tomorrow!
Love,
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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#10489 05-05-2007 08:27 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Dear Lisa,
I knew by your abscence from the board that things must have been going badly. I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt Ro's passing. I'm sure she knew how lucky she was to have a niece as wonderful as you. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and the rest of your family.
I hope that you will continue to contribute to the forum as your wealth of knowledge has been such a great help to so many.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#10490 05-05-2007 11:34 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Dear Lisa,
I am so sorry for your loss.
f it is any comfort to you at all, at least you can be assured that you have added greatly to your treasures in the storehouse of heaven by your friendship, caring and advocacy for Aunt Rosemary.
May she rest in peace after a long hard fight. She, Packer, Danny Boy, Glenn, Heather and many others are probably celebrating their release from the bondage of this disease as we speak. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God bless you.
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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#10491 05-05-2007 12:37 PM | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Lisa -So sorry to hear of your aunt Rosemary's passing. What a touching closeness the two of you had. I'm sure you were a great comfort to her in her most difficult journey. How sad it must be for your Uncle Bob, too. I do hope that you and your family will find comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
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#10492 05-05-2007 04:34 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Lisa, There are times that life is "too much with us". The journey you have been on with Aunt Rosemary has undoubtedly made you stronger in ways you can't even recognize yet. We will all suffer loss, but some of us are lucky enough to experience powerful love along the way. You were that lucky. Amy in the Ozarks
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#10493 05-06-2007 03:56 PM | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 | Lisa
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family , may you find comfort in your memories and knowing she is no longer suffering. I know that in reading her story I can find strenght and courage. Thanks to you for being a caring and compasionate person to be there for her and to share the story .
Shar
Sharlee
35 year old Female Non smoker, very occasional alcohol ..Scc T1N0M0,partial glossectomy and left neck disection ,2/9/07 No rad deemed ness. 4/16 tonsillectomy ..Trimengenial Neuralga due to surgery
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#10494 05-06-2007 04:11 PM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Lisa, I am so sorry for your loss and for the rest of your family mourning her passing. Your Aunt Rosemary sounds like a remarkable woman who left her mark on the hearts of those she knew, which is all anyone can hope to do in this life.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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