Pat peacefully at NIH

The last 10 days have been the most difficult of our 21 month journey through cancer hell. He felt "OK" for the first 18 months or so. Suffering thru the radiation but the chemo drugs,Temedor and Avastin, allowed him more time and he wasn't bothered by side effects. It was late July when things started to go down hill. The tumor was in his right parietal lobe and seemed to be growing, even though we added carboplatin to the chemo cocktail. That is when he began experiencing major headaches and slept more and more 14-16 hours a day. Our last MRI at NIH showed the cancer had invaded his brain and spinal fluid. We entered home hospice care on Aug. 18th and only went to Casey House (the hospice home) for 3 days to get a pain pump, to better manage the morphine. At the beginnning of Sept he was still going up and down the steps and sat at kitchen table for each meal. Althought his meals began consisiting of less and less. Pat's disease progressed very quickly and family saw a man they could barely recognize in the last week. We all remained strong, supporting each other with stories, good times, laughter, tears and lots of wine!! (Pat was in the beverage business) On Sept 26th the hospice nurses told us he would die within a day or two. Our's son's 21st birthday is Sept 27th and Pat held on, knowing he wanted Sunday to be a celebration of this milestone. We were taken to NIH on Monday by ambulance and things moved quickly from there. Pat was always an organ donor, but because of the cancer he couldn't participate in that program. He needed to pass at NIH so he could donate his body and brain to the Neuro-Oncology Branch to further Dr. Howard Fine's research for a cure. The staff and nurses were wonderful and we are so grateful for their support during this final stage. My 2 sisters and one of my 4 brothers were there with me at the time of his passing, an experience we will all share and treasure. Pat was ready and we knew we had to let him go...we are at peace...confronting death allows us to better live.I was able to spend some quiet time spooning with him in the hospital bed before the team of Dr.s took him away to do their important work. We will now busy ourselves with the plannig of a Life Celebration -not at a funeral home, but at a beautiful historic mansion in Rockville, where he used to hang out as a teenager. The rooms will be surrounded with pictures, memorabelia and stories of the god times we all shared with Pat. Thanks you for letting me share this chapter in our lives...I didn't say end chapter because I'm still here and will gain strength from the love I feel from him, family and friends. xoxo Patrice

Bless Pat and the memories from his llife on earth. Bless his family and friends that these memories will forever stay strong!

Damon

So glad he is not in pain and at peace now that he has earned his Angel wings.  Pat will be watching over you and always in your heart.  What a wonderful post you made.  hugs.

Patrice you are so in my heart and on my mind today. I think that Pat's grace and noble choices are deeply inspirational. I know if it were me I'd want music, wine and laughter mixed with the tears too.

Blessings and peace to you and your family.

Sarah

mother of Andy 27 dx gbm/pnet 1/09

My dad is on the waiting list for a hospice not because the end is near but because that is where the best possible care can be given.  He is 220 pounds and a two person transfer but only one worker has been provided and an hour a day.   He has 100% of his cognitive abilities and so aside from not being able to use the right side of his body, he would be great.

 

In any event, thank you very much for your story as I believed such an approach was best in theory and so it is very nice to have a actual example. 

May God Bless You and Your Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss.  Thank you for sharing such a special time in your lives.

 

Linda 55 

My prayers are with you and you family, God bless.

 

Conrad

A HUGE thank you to Pat for being willing to continue to fight this beast even after death. He is one of our GBMer Heros! His foresight to donate his body to NIH is a gift to us all. Who knows what Dr. Fine may learn... I admire him and his family tremendously! Blessings.

So sorry for your loss,  i am so afraid that the end my getting close for my family member but all i can do is keep praying and thanking god for the time we have had with him Will be praying for you in your loss