#81714 10-08-2008 01:34 PM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 49 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 49 | My beautiful daughter Teri lost her battle with SCC on Monday - she passed away in my arms at home. She was only 43 and has three children & a grandaughter due to be born any day. Sometimes life just isn't fair!! We fought this evil demon disease for 2-1/2 years but in the end it won. She had a small SCC under her tongue, had it removed at USC Norris Cancer Center; then 35 IMRT's. They pronounced her "cured" & we went about our lives until she started experiencing extreme pain in her chest this April (doc said it was probably just muscular/skeletal pain - don't worry about it!) Finally ended up in ER & CT scan showed two large masses in her lung, one of which had already eaten thru a rib, plus another large mass in her kidney. Did 10 radiations to lung tumor then three chemo's (Docetaxel + Carbo) which left her so weak she couldn't stand & weighed 73 lbs. Treatments did nothing. Finally told her nothing else available to her & referred her to Hospice. We were on continuous care with Hospice for 2 weeks during which time she went down to 50 lbs and died on Monday.
What a horrible journey this has been. Fighting, fighting, fighting. Horrendous pain, complete emaciation; but she never complained once - she believed that this was the hand she was dealt and she handled it with grace. I'm not handling it as well - seeing my child in a casket was unbearable. And missing her every minute of the day breaks a mother's heart.
I HATE this evil disease!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bonnie
Caregiver Teri, age 43, SCC 4/06, surgery, 35 IMRT; metastatic return 4/08 to lung, bone, kidney. 10 radiation to lung, 3 Docetaxel + Carbo, lost her battle on 9/29. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I'm sorry, so sorry and I wish I could snap my fingers and change things.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Bonnie,
Your post breaks my heart, too. I am so very sorry for your loss. There is little in this world that is more painful than the loss of a child, no matter how old that child is.
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
- Margaret
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | Dear Bonnie
You have my deepest sympathies. Your daughter sounds like a brave soul. I remember how afraid I was to tell my parents I had cancer. I don't know what I would have done without them. I am sure your daughter appreciated and leaned on you and you were there for her. I know it really isn't fair but hopefully you can take comfort in knowing that she has no pain now and she will be watching over all of you with kindness and compassion. Please take care of yourself in these hard times and try to focus on the joy brought by your grand children and the newest great grand child...Let them fill your world with joy laughter and love as they will be leaning on you too. Sticking together as a family won't take the pain away but it can replace it with warm loving feelings and fond memories..
Biggest hugs
Dianne
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | My heart goes out to you. I feel my words are inadequate to make a dent in your pain, but know we grieve with you.
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Bonnie- I can't even begin to imagine your pain. I'm so sorry and will keep your family in my prayers.
Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | Bonnie, please accecpt my condolences on your loss and know thst everyone here prays for you and your family. 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 !!!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | Bonnie,
I'm sorry...you have my prayers and tears...I'm sorry.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 113 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 113 | Bonnie. I am so sorry. May God light your way and give you comfort in the days ahead. Much love and many thoughts are with you. Claudia
Husband 2/3 tongue removed March 2008. Free flap. . Stage IV. Radiation and 3 chemo's (cisplatin,taxol & erbitux). .Pet scan Aug 08 showed mets to lungs .Oct 08, recurrence. - In the arms of Jesus, July 15, 2009
| | | | | 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 |
Bonnie:
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Im so sorry for your loss. Your daughter must have been a wonderful person to go thru so much with such dignity. May you find comfort in thoughts of the good memories. Prayers to you adn your family.
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  | | |
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