Icesk8tr Status

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Icesk8tr
Posts: 1068
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:37 am

Icesk8tr Status

Postby Icesk8tr » Sun Apr 03, 2016 2:57 pm

Hello everyone. I know it's been a while since you have heard from IceSk8tr. I'm her daughter, Kerry. As hard as this is for me to write, my mother wanted you all here to know what happened to her. After five and a half years of battling her Stage IV Colon Cancer, my mom passed away peacefully at home, with her family, on February 9th. She put up a fierce fight, with eight surgeries and over a hundred rounds of chemo. I've never seen a fighter like her and even in the end, she was just worried about her family. So, allow me to explain the end of her journey.

I can hardly imagine what she felt throughout all these years as she received her treatments, but I know that she always made it look easy, when it was far from it. And this past year had been a truly difficult one for my mother. Suffering from intestinal blockages, she had to always make a choice of barely eating or dealing with intense pain from the wrong food causing another excruciatingly painful blockage. With her nutrition becoming a major issue, we had to turn to IV feeding (TPN). For those that don't know, this is a dangerous option, as it can lead to a blood infection. Yet, this was what we had to do to keep her in some sort of shape to get chemo. Throughout the year we would keep asking if she was still willing to fight, and always she said yes. Eventually, my mom was given a stomach peg, which acted as a reverse feeding tube. Instead of giving her food, it drained out food to prevent blockages. Whenever she felt nauseous, the tube could be opened up to alleviate the sensation.

Unfortunately, there still always seemed to be some problem with nutrition, hydration, or keeping the cancer in check. My dad, who had been by my mom's side every step of the way and for every chemo visit, was amazing in fighting for her and always trying to find the right solution. But, unfortunately it came time when there just wasn't anything that could be done and we had to put my mom on hospice.

The hospice nurses were very helpful and caring, though we were thankfully able to do much of her care ourselves. But throughout it, she was apologetic. This is something that to many may seem silly for a patient in her place to be, but was just like her. And while it didn't seem that there was much to be thankful for at the time, we were grateful for the chance to be able to talk to her and tell her the things we needed to let her know, before it was too late. Though her lucid moments were becoming fewer and far between, mom expressed she was happy with her life and proud of her family. Her life was one filled with a lot of adventure, but also a lot of simple, happy moments that she loved just as much. She loved being with her family and on the day she passed away, we were all there holding her. My mother was a shining example of someone who always put others first and she truly showed her family what unconditional love really meant. She also told us to just look for the butterflies in the spring to know her spirit lives on. She will truly be missed and will always be loved.

To everyone in the Colon Club, you were all a special part of helping my mom through her journey. Thank you so much for that.
Last edited by Icesk8tr on Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Stage IV CC 2010

radnyc
Posts: 446
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:32 pm

Re: Icesk8tr Satus

Postby radnyc » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:10 pm

I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but all I feel like saying out loud is:

FUCK YOU CANCER!!

I'm very sorry for your loss

Al
DX Jan 2010, at age 47
Feb - colon resection - 2/17 nodes positive
April - liver mets - Stage 4
3 months Folfox chemotherapy
August '10 liver resection and HAI pump
7 months chemo FUDR HAI and Folfiri systemic
NED since August 2010
Last treatment April 2011
HAI Pump removed Dec 2015

midlifemom
Posts: 1358
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:58 am
Location: NJ

Re: Icesk8tr Satus

Postby midlifemom » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:13 pm

Kerry,
Thanks for letting us know about your mom.
For your family, I'm sorry you have lost her.
But for her, i'm glad she is now at peace and pain free.
I hope the happy memories, and sightings of butterflies, sustain you through this rough time.
Stage 3 cc - dx Jan '14 age 53, cea 2.9
t2n2m0, KRAS mutant, MSS
Folfox Feb - Aug '14
Nov '14 cea 27.7 -2 liver masses
Dec '14 left lobectomy and HAI
Jan '15 FUDR and FOLFIRI
Aug '15 fudr done, liver clear, add avastin for lungs. Cea 4.3
Feb '16 CEA rising
May '16 2 wk break then drop Iri for 6 weeks.
Jul '16 cancer grew, constricted main bile duct. Stent inserted. On break till jaundice clears. CEA climbing. Doing reduced Folfox. Allergic to Oxali.
Sep'16 chemo failed. Trial or hospice?

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Kick'nAssCancer'sAss
Posts: 248
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:38 pm

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby Kick'nAssCancer'sAss » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:21 pm

Sorry to hear this ....RIP Christine
53M Dx RC Halloween 2013
CT & BONE scan
MRI/T3N0M0 1 suspicious LN
5 wks chemo/rad
LAR open TME Feb 26/14
temp bag
0/24 nodes pCR/pathological
Folfox (8) Mar 28-Jul 4 /14
Aug/14 clear CT scan
Aug 27/14 reversal
Feb/15 clear scope
July/15 Feb/16 Feb/17 Feb/18 clear CT scans
Feb/18 clear scope
Sept 19 clear CT scan & DISCHARGED :P
Mar/23 clear scope
CEA 1.6 @ dx
1.6,1.4,1.7,2.4,2.9, 2.7 2.3 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.5 2.6 2.7
2.7 Sept 19
0-4 normal
https://kickingasscancersass.blogspot.com/

lpas
Posts: 1010
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:11 pm

Re: Icesk8tr Satus

Postby lpas » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:21 pm

Kerry, I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. Your mom's most active time on this board was before I arrived but she sounds like a wonderful person and I know she was loved here by many.
11/14 Dx sigmoid CC @ 45yo
12/14 Colectomy + hysterectomy
Stage IIIB, T3N1bM0, 2/20 nodes, MSS, G2, KRAS(A146T), TP53, SMAD4, ERBB2, CEA 1.0
2/15-7/15 XELOX & celecoxib
2/19 clean scope
11/19 clean CT
Ongoing cimetidine & other targeted supplements
Mom to a 6 & 8yo

testing765
Posts: 324
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:41 am

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby testing765 » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:55 pm

Dear Kerry, I hope that your period of mourning is short lived and that you will soon only recall the good memories that you have with your mother. God bless you.
male-age 44 at diagnosis
8/14-clnscopy
8/14-CT scan,no mets
9/14-left colectomy,CEA 2.2 before surgery
pT2pN2bpM0
3 cm tumor in dscnding colon
7/23 pos LNs
low grade MSI stable
10/14-start folfox
1/15-CT & PET scan and sigmdoscopy- no mets
3/15-finish folfox
9/15- clnscopy- 3 polyps removed
10/15- CT scan, NED
10/16- CT scan, NED, CEA 1.6
10/17- clnscopy- 4 polyps removed, CT scan NED, CEA 1.8
10/14 1.9; 4/15 2.8; 5/15 2.4; 9/15 2.8; 12/15 3.1; 1/16 3.0; 4/16 2.5; 7/16 2.5; 10/16 1.6; 1/17 1.9

Ron50
Posts: 699
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:04 pm

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby Ron50 » Sun Apr 03, 2016 4:10 pm

Hugs to you Kerry and all of your family for the loss of such a wonderful lady. I have been around for a long time here and it hurts me and many others to lose old friends like your mum, sincere condolences ,Ron.
dx 1/98
st 3 c 6 nodes
48 sessions 5Fu/levamisole
no recurrence cea <.5
numerous l/t side effects of chemo

ams5796
Posts: 2298
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 am

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby ams5796 » Sun Apr 03, 2016 4:13 pm

Wow, I am so sorry to read this, Kerry. Your mom was a beautiful part of this community and will surely be missed. My condolences to you and your family.


Ann
Stage 3C (or 4?) Rectal Cancer 01/07
2/10 lung mets
3/11 VATS
6/11 VATS
7/13 lung met
2/14 SBRT
NED 8/14
5/17 scan and MRI found treated spine met

Stanfordmom
Posts: 612
Joined: Wed May 14, 2014 1:32 am

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby Stanfordmom » Sun Apr 03, 2016 5:17 pm

Kerry,

Thank you for updating us. Your mom was such a wonderful person and always trying to help on the board. She will be missed by a lot of us!! RIP, Christine.

Hugs to you, and deepest condolence to your family.

Sha
DX 4/2/2014 at 44, stage 4, mets liver and ovaries
Mom to 2 boys
Three surgeries, HAI pump and lots of chemo
fighting!

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sun Apr 03, 2016 5:53 pm

Kerry, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing your mother!*hugs* My deepest condolences. I'm glad you and your family were with her during her final moments. I will look for her as a beautiful butterfly in the Spring!*hugs*
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

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GreenLakeGirl
Posts: 777
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:55 am
Location: Pacific NW

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby GreenLakeGirl » Sun Apr 03, 2016 6:17 pm

Kerry, I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I was more active on the board back in 2010 and 2011, and I always looked forward to her posts and seeing her photo next to her words. Strongest thoughts to you.
2009, age 37 with a 2yo: CC, IIIB (T4N1M0). IBD history
2010-11: FOLFOX, 12 rounds. 5 surgeries (3-step Ileal j-pouch, infection, VATS)
Currently NED.
Mom, you can go the hard way if you want, but the easy way is much easier. ~my 3yo

orcasres
Posts: 836
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:23 pm
Location: Orcas Island, WA

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby orcasres » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:00 pm

Kerry, your mother was an inspiration on this board and at least she is at peace. Your family's love and devotion was a blessing for her. She will be missed. Lois
63 yo F
Colon resection Sept. 2010
pT3N0M0 Stage 2A
Medullary Tumor 6.5cm long
Lymphovascular invasion
Lynch negative
12 FOLFOX 11/2010 to 5/2011 8 w/Oxi
NED so far

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chrissyrice
Posts: 1171
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:44 am
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby chrissyrice » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:37 pm

Kerry,
Bless you and your dad for letting us know this sad news.

Your mom was so amazing, as you know. She was always here for us too.

I am so sad to know that we lost another friend to this disease and how hard it was for her.

Comfort and peace to you.

Chrissy
DX 10-31-09 Surgery 12-1-09 Sigmoid Colon
Stage IIIb T3,N2,MX; Chemo Feb 2010-Aug 2010; 4 rounds Folfox; 8 rounds 5FU +LV
12/2010 PET/CT Scan, Cancer Free
7/2012 CT Scan NED 2 years
10/2013 NED 3 years
8/2014 NED 4 years
Recurrence 6/2015: iliac lymph node(s)
8/2015 Surgery: 3 cm tumor removed+iliac artery graft
3/2016 CT Scan Stable
6/2016 Stable
9/2016 Stable
12/2016 Stable
3/2017 Stable
Recurrence 6/2017
12/2017 Surgery removed all cancer w/ clean margins
07-27-2018 Cancer-free for 7 months

pantufla
Posts: 148
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2015 12:44 pm
Facebook Username: kelleykulina

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby pantufla » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:50 pm

Oh Kerry. Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. I lost my mom to lung cancer and went through the end like you did in 2014. It still hurts, but the pain gets less sharp if that makes sense. I miss my mom, but I know for sure she is still around me. God bless you and your family through this time. Thank you so much for letting the group know.
DH T2 N1b M0. 3/15 positive nodes.
Stage IIIA moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Tumor size 6 cm.
Left hemicolectomy 10/26/15.
FOLFOX 11/30/15 to 5/2/16, full 12 cycles.
10/3/16 CT scan clear.
11/10/17 CT: "Focal opacity along the left lower lung, 7 mm. Two small peripheral opacities along the right lower lobe, 2 to 3 mm. A few small to mildly prominent left-sided central mesenteric nodes, up to 13 mm.
June 2019: NED.
2020: NED 5 years. 4 mm lung nodule on CT

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edinaman
Posts: 1108
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:15 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Icesk8tr Status

Postby edinaman » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:54 pm

I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was such a kind, warm presence on this board. She will be missed.
Jeff
Went in for surgery for a cyst on my bladder, and they found colon cancer growing on the outside of the colon. Got to have two surgeries at the same time! Stage 3, one node involved.


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