CancerCompass message board discussion started by Weezy on 2/19/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21108,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Unfortunately my Husband of 27 years, at 48, SCC left tonsil w/mets lost his battle last week.  He fought such a tough fight against this SCC.  We were blessed that he made it through Christmas, that was his wish, that his sons not have to dread the Holidays for sake of his Memory. He was diagnosed in May (Mothers Day is when the symptoms became obvious) and underwent chemo (9 weeks) and radiation (2 times a day for 90 treatments), and refused to have a PEG even though he went down to 95 pounds, unfortunately PT's showed 8 weeks after treatment that the cancer, although smaller, was still very much there and appeared to have metasticized to the other side of the neck.  More Chemo (MD Anderson Center in Orlando) and a scheduled BiLateral Radical Neck Dissection several days before Thanksgiving but when they went in to do the surgery they discovered that the cancer had traveled everywhere, including the skull, brain, etc. and they did not continue (Thank Goodness!  He would have never recovered from the surgery and we would have had less time with him).He continued Chemo until New Years Eve when he just could not do anymore.  He went from 145 before getting sick to 75 pounds and REFUSED to give up.  He even asked me, the week before he passed, when he was going to start chemo again.  Our blessing was that he was able to be at home with us.  Hospice was our saving grace, without them he would have been in a hospital and miserable to the end.  I appreciate all the support that I got from all of you here on this message board.  It was fantastic to have someone that understands what you are going through there to lean on when you get scared, angry, confused (amazing how many emotions apply here!) or to share great news.This illness did something for us though, it brought us closer together as a family, brought us closer to our friends that were there with us and taught us to appreciate the little things as well as the big things. We had a beautiful service for him, complete with a sailboat, dive equipment, a cold beer in sand from the beach and fishing lures (all his favorite things) that brought out the best stories from everyone.  We celebrated his life and will cherish the love we felt in that room forever.For those of you fighting this disease and the rest of you fighting along side someone with it NEVER give up!  My husband lost his battle but you WILL win yours!  As my husband said so many times "Attitude is what takes you further down the road or just down".  Keep yours up!L. This is the quote I used in his obituary and at the service.  Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.                      -Mark Twain Weezy Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT My Dear Weezy,I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. He was a valiant fighter and your words here are an inspiration. I hope that as time passes you feel more joy in his memory than you feel pain in his loss. We that face cancer should always remember to fight it to the bitter end as did your husband, not only for our loved ones and ourselves but also so that we don't give one more inch of ground to this demon that destroys lives.Take care Weezy and good luck to you and your family.Joe  Defjoeb Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm so sorry to hear that your husband lost his battle. It sounds llike he was fighting it until the very end. That kind of character can give hope to the rest of us that are still fighting this battle. Please stop in here now and then, not only to let us know how you are doing, but to share your experiences with this disease.Best wishes and prayers.Mike micromisterphone Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Weezy--I am so sorry to hear that your husband passed on. I remember when he was first starting the treatments; you were both in my prayers. I know you will cherish your memories of him. That is a beautiful quote!Teresa Girlcat36 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Very sorry to hear of your loss.Rick rick51 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I just want to add my condolences to you and your family. I have read your posts since I first found this message board last summer and have been so touched and impressed by your story. What a valiant battle! I will be thinking of you and wish your family the very best in this hardest of times. Gayle gayleann Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT