| Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 | When I first joined OCF I was like most people, scared, overwhelmed, and had no idea what was to follow. I struck up a penpal relationship with Hellion, we had a lot in common. Same age, same cancer starting exactly the same chemo/rad treatment on the same day. So all our chemo sessions, follow up scans etc, were on the same schedule. We called ourselves cancer brothers, and we swapped dozens of emails over the past couple of years.
He was always so optimistic and supportive, and pushed me forward when I just wanted to give up. After treatment my PET came back clear, his didn't. He fought on with on all the way, participating in trials in experimental treatment. They had good news a couple of weeks ago that the brain lesion had almost completely resolved, and things were looking up. But it had spread to his liver and he went downhill quickly. After a couple of days in a hospice he passed away on 26 March.
He has an amazing wife and family, they are in my prayers again tonight. Cheers, Dave (OzMojo) 19Feb2014 Diagnosed T2N2bM0 P16+ve SCC Tonsil. 31Mar2014 2 Cisplatin, 70gy over 7 weeks (completed 16May2014) 11August2014 PET/CT clear. 17July2019 5 years NED.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 55 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 55 | I was worried after not hearing from him that things weren't good. I am deeply saddened by this news. I learned so much from him as I learned about my own mets to the lungs. His never give up attitude has been an inspiration. I have the sadness of losing another friend, the anger that this cancer has taken another person away from their family, and some fear because I know the road I am on is the same that he and many others on this board travelled to the end.
Bless his family and my prayers will be focused on them tonight.
Jeff - 41yrs old/previous smoker SCC buccal mucosa/jaw bone Stage 4 Nov '14 Partial Mandibulectomy with fibula flap, neck dissection Jan '15 Rads x35 Cisplatin x2 Apr '15 PET/CT concerning area Follow up MRI no mass. July '15 PET/CT 11mm nodule in right lower lobe the lung. Oct '15 PET/CT right lung nodule 3cm mass also new left lung nodules Nov '15 erbitux Mar '16 CT tumors are growing again, waiting on next step June'16 hospice had 3 Opdivo infusions trying to regain health
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | David, thank you for sharing this sad news with us. I had feared he wasnt well with being absent for so long.
My deepest condolences to his friends and family. The Hellion is now free from pain and suffering. Rest in peace. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 | I can't put into words the sadness I feel. After John passed, Hellion said he was the next warrior to step up to continue the fight. I was hoping his indomitable spirit would carry him through. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
My deepest condolences to his lovely wife and family. RIP dear friend.
Gloria She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards
Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016. | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | This is very sad news for a beautiful easter morning. My thoughts are with his family. His courage was an inspirion to us all. RIP Hellion. Maria
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010 TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 | Sad news to read, we've lost another strong member of the family. Thoughts to his family.
David 2 SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 79 "OCF across the pond" Supporting Member (50+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 79 | RIP , so very sad news, thinking of Hellions family and friends. X
Di 47 none smoker / drinker
T4 SCC left tonsil 1 Cistplatin,30 RAD finished treatment on 4/12/2013 Trismus First MRI scan appears clear TX NG tube 9 weeks acute vommiting, syringe driver 9weeks 2 month checks | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | I'm really saddened to hear this. May Hellion rest in peace.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | This is heart breaking news. Much sympathy and aroha to his Family. RIP Hellion. Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT. PET 6/11 clear. R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in. March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | My deepest condolences. Semper-Fi Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
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