The Passing of Tom Koester

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loveofmylife
Posts: 43
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:41 pm
Location: Indiana

The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby loveofmylife » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:46 am

After twenty-two months of battling this terrible disease my husband, Tom Koester, passed away on Friday, September 21st, surrounded by his loving family at 5:45 p.m. at the age of 40. He went through numerous surgeries, chemo therapy and radiation treatments throughout his cancer journey. Today we celebrate Tom's 41st birthday with his family, friends, and coworkers at his viewing. You can see his obituary at Tribtown.com. Even throughout his last weeks, Tom always remained positive even the day of September 21st. It's hard to believe the man who was walking, talking, and eating a huge plateful of food would've died that night after slipping into a coma. Tom leaves behind a wife of seventeen years, three daughters; Kourtland (14), Karrington (12), and Kensley (7). Tom did everything his way even his death. Before they could give him any pain medicine and while his family laughed about the good times with him, Tom opened his eyes slightly and breathed his final breath. He will be greatly missed. This man was an amazing man and touched many peoples lives, but he is in no more pain and is in a better place. Tom passed away due to colorectal cancer, but he also battled brain, lung, and bladder, and liver cancer. He was the strongest man I will ever know. "I'm going to love you forever, forever and ever, Amen."
Tom dx 11/10 crc st.3
Rad/Chemo/Surgery 3/15/11
Dx St4 mets to Liver 3/25/11
10/28Surgury 11hrs:Liver/Lungs
1/22/12 brain 2 mets w/multi liver,lung mets
2/07gamma knife:brain
9.16.12 married 17yrs with 3 daughters
9.21.12 at 40 yrs called home to heaven

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Patience
Posts: 834
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:26 am

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby Patience » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:58 am

My prayers are with you and your family, and especially your dear daughters. I hope in the hard days to come you find many ways to remember the good days and fun family times. I am so sorry for your loss.
"Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you.
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you."

ammthere 4mom
Posts: 218
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 8:37 pm

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby ammthere 4mom » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:01 am

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Tom sounds like a wonderful man, father, and husband and I hope that the memories and love you shared will comfort you.
Daughter and caregiver to mom, 72 @ dx in 7/09
Stage IV with mets to liver and lung
8/09-7/12: 24 rounds of Folfiri + 12 rounds Folfox
2013: Zeloda and Stivarga, then 36 rounds of 5FU
10/2014 back to Folfiri

Laurettas
Posts: 1606
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:49 pm

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby Laurettas » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:03 am

What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. I'm sure the hole that he filled will be huge but I hope that soon all of the memories of a life lived well will fill your hearts with peace.
DH 58 4/11 st 4 SRC CC
Lymph, peri, lung
4/11 colon res
5-10/11 FLFX, Av, FLFRI, Erb
11/11 5FU Erb
1/12 PET 2.4 Max act.
1/12 Erb
5/12 CT ext. new mets
5/12 Xlri
7/12 bad CT
8/12 5FU solo
8/12 brain met
9/12 stop tx
11/4/12 finished race,at peace

sadysue
Posts: 986
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:59 pm
Location: Charleston, TN

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby sadysue » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:11 am

I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Peace be with you.
Mary Ann
Rectal dx 4/2011 (Stage 3B - T3N1M0)
5FU/Rad - daily/6 wks ending 6/2011
Surgery 8/19/2011
Finished 8 rounds Folfox 2/2012
Ileo reverse and port out 3/2012
NED

crazymotherof8
Posts: 392
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2011 3:30 pm
Location: SE Arizona

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby crazymotherof8 » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:21 am

Dear Michelle,
I am so sorry and wish you peace and comfort. What a blessing that you were able to share quality time with him! Thinking of you!
Niki
DH Matt - 49 - father to 8
Dx Mar11 w/Mets to liver, lungs Folfox + Avastin Mar 11 - Jul 11
Sept11 Spleen remvd bc low platelets
Oct12 Folfox+Avastin
Mar12 Folfiri+Avastin
Aug12 bone mets; irinotecan+Erbitux
Dec12 chemo failed - trial
passed June 17, 2013

lorezluved
Posts: 61
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:56 am
Facebook Username: lori wert bekefi

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby lorezluved » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:22 am

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Praying for strength and comfort for the days ahead.

Lori
june 2009 dx stage 3
May 2011 mets lungs
Mom to 3

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elise
Posts: 1519
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:09 pm
Location: Ontario (Canada)

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby elise » Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:29 am

I'm so so sorry for your loss. Just remember that you are way stronger than you've ever given yourself credit for and you are an amazing role model to your children.

Big hug,
Elise
2012
Feb - Stage 2 (T3 N0 M0) CC @ 30
Mar - R hemicolectomy, 18 LN
May-Nov 6 - Chemo (8 Xeloda)
2013
Feb - NED
2014
Feb - NED
May - Stage 4 - 1 liver met @ 32
Jun - Liver resection
Oct - CLEAN SCAN
Aug-Jan - FOLFOX 5 rounds, 5FU X 6
2015
Ap, Oct - NED
2016
Mar - NED

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Jack&KatiesMommy
Posts: 640
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:08 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby Jack&KatiesMommy » Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:30 am

I am so sorry. I wish that I could have known him. My prayers are with you and your girls.

Cynthia
Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,

Beatrice
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:17 pm

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby Beatrice » Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:38 am

My deepest sympathy in your hour of loss.
I wish you and your family peace and rest.
Beatrice
caregiver to Richard ( stg IV)
1993 CC,, resect.,chemo ,rad
NED -> Dec 2008
2009 bladder met, resect, Xel
NED -> Nov 2011
met lung( inop.)
Folfox + Ava Jan -Jul 12,
Sep12 Avastin-met stable
Apr 13: progession lung
Jun 13 : progression

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CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby CRguy » Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:27 am

Sending prayers and deepest sympathies for your family, and strength for your own healing Journey.
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

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Lara239
Posts: 711
Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:57 pm
Contact:

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby Lara239 » Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:30 am

I am so very sorry. My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
wife of DH (age 41) DX 8/3/2012 with 10 cm tumor in decending colon
pre-surgery CEA 4.4, no spread to other organs
8/22 - resection DX stage 3c 9/44 positive nodes
10/3/2012 CEA 1.3
Lynch test negative, tumor IS MSI-H
Folfox 10/3/2012 w/Yance protocol

annalexandria
Posts: 684
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:46 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby annalexandria » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:17 pm

How utterly heartbreaking. He sounds like a very special man, and I'm so sorry you lost him. Ann Alexandria
Mom, librarian
Dx age 43, Sept. '09, Stage IV Carcinosarcoma of the colon
5 surgeries, 2009-2011:
colon/sm. bowel res., node removal, peritoneum, hysterectomy
FOLFOX/Avastin Feb.'10-Aug '10
Carbo-Taxol Dec. '10-Feb. 2011
NED since Dec. 2011.

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pbyers
Posts: 158
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:18 pm

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby pbyers » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:24 pm

My deepest sympathy .
Pam
RCT CANCER STG 111A
COLON RESECTION 6/2010
6 WEEKS RAD & CHEMO 8/2010
8 WEEKS CHEMO ENDING 3/2011
COLONOSCOPY-NEG 7/2011
NED 6/12

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Newfie123
Posts: 45
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:34 pm

Re: The Passing of Tom Koester

Postby Newfie123 » Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:33 pm

sending prayers to you and your family, take care.
Sharmaine
daughter of mom 63
Dx'd 25/12 with Stg IV CRC, unknown primary.
5/'12 hysterectomy, Peritineal seeding
Hipec 09/13, to much cancer...no hipec
start chemo, Folfox and Avastin Nov. 6/12
8 folfox/avastin.. hipec Apr. 16/13
folfox start July 4/13


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