Mom gained her angel wings

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Tnguyen
Posts: 127
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2016 6:47 pm
Facebook Username: Natalie Nguyen

Mom gained her angel wings

Postby Tnguyen » Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:05 am

Hello everyone, its been a while since i've posted on here.
On February 12th at 3:30 am, my beautiful mother gained her angel wings and was free from pain. She was surrounded by all of us and my dad. We got to see her last breath and right before she stopped breathing...tears fell from her face. I even got to hold her hand the whole night and sleep one last time right by her side. Thankfully my dad woke up at 3am and went downstair to be with her. 30 minutes before she passed...it's like as if she waited for all of us to be with her before saying goodbye. It's been pretty rough, but mom is no longer suffering...and I know she's watching us everyday in heaven.

The day before she passed, it was really rough on us and of course her. She had hallucinations and memory loss. Even though on the outside, she was acting different...I know inside she was still there. One thing I've realized about this disease is just how cruel it can be...but I never thought of it as my mom"losing" her battle to cancer...because even though she was only given 6 months to live...she defied all odds and was able to enjoy her life for 2 years. The cancer only got tough around the last 2 months of her life....but ever since she was diagnosed...she was able to enjoy a happy and "normal" life.

I really miss her...Im only 19..so it's hard not having a mother here. I'm actually going to graduate college in about a year...and it just sucks that she wont be physically here to see me..because this one of her dream for me.

Through my mom cancer. journey. i was able to really learn alot of things. I was able to find this forum with so many amazing people and warriors...I got closer to my mom than ever before and was able to create so many memories with her. Because of her disease....I was able to find a career path and realize what I wanted to do with my life.

I'm actually majoring in Biology with a chemistry minor and I'm planing to work in the oncology field once I graduate. I'm also going to try my best to be an advocate for colon cancer, in honor of my mom.

So thank you again to everyone who has given my mom and I so much support and love, it really meant the world to me.
I hope all of you continue to fight and I know you can win this battle.
If you are religious, it would mean alot if you can pray for my mother, her saint name is Theresa. Theresa Kim Tran.

Thank you, Natalie.
Mom Diagnosed with CC stage iv with mets to liver and lung
16 rounds of folfox - failed
folfori- some growth, some shrank
folfori+vectibix- failed after 4 months (scans came back with some growth)
currently- (oct12/16) stivarga (2 pills a day)

fumaros
Posts: 273
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2016 10:26 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY
Contact:

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby fumaros » Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:34 am

I am sorry to hear about you mom passing. I am sorry she won't get to see you graduate. I do hope you are comforted that your mom isn't in pain any longer. Your contributions here are always valued, and I am glad you will continue this battle with us. All the best with your studies.
Diagnosed 4/8/16, age 29
Colectomy 4/20/16
Stage III, T4bN1 Tumor 7x6.5x2. Muscinous Adenocarcinoma with SRC features
2/16 lymph nodes
Stage IV, Peri mets 5/2019
CEA 4/14/16 - 16.8
CEA 6/2/16 - 1.9
CEA 6/17/16 - 0.87, 7/16 - 1.33, 12/16 - 1.14, 4/17 - 0.6, 7/17 - 0.5, 10/17 - 0.9, 3/19 -5.8, 4/19 -10
FOLFOX began 6/24/16 - 11/25/16, FOLFIRI - 5/10/19
10 round FOLFOX, 2 round 5-FU & Leucovorin, 1 round FOLFIRI
MRI & CT 8/16 - NED, CT 12/16 - 10/17 - NED

crazylife
Posts: 256
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 11:29 am

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby crazylife » Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:54 am

I am so sorry Natalie. My heartbreaks for you. Though you are too young to lose your Mom, try and remember all of the wonderful memories you have mad with her over the years. Try not to focus on what you are missing. So much easier said than done, but I think it will make sense to you once time goes on.

Big hug to you and your family.
Wife to DH, 41 years old, diagnosed 11/15
Stage 4, Mod diff, 13/24 LN, 1 liver met
Colon/liver resection at MSK, 11/15
8mm lung met (not confirmed) and enlarged lymph nodes 1/16
12 rounds of folfox (9 with Oxi) 6/16
NED - July 2016
NED - October 2016
3 lung mets - March 2017
7 lung mets, May 2017
RFA to largest met, June 2017
Lung mets growing slowly, October 2017 (off treatment since June 2016)
Right lung surgery, November 2017
Left lung surgery, January 2018
NED - May 2018

User avatar
Maia
Posts: 2443
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:00 am

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby Maia » Wed Mar 08, 2017 12:30 pm

Dear Natalie, I'm so sorry for your loss. You have been (and always will be!) not only an amazing, loving daughter but, also, even being sou young, a wonderful advocate for your mom. It looks like these extra one and a half years she enjoyed have a lot to do with you being so watchful and involved in her care.
It's a wonderful time to be involved in oncology, as a scientist/doctor and as an advocate --it's a time when up to date knowledge can make a real difference in, at least, man people's lives.
Wishing you the best,
Maia

KElizabeth
Posts: 400
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2015 12:41 pm
Facebook Username: KElizabeth
Location: Omaha

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby KElizabeth » Wed Mar 08, 2017 1:03 pm

Natalie,
I'm sorry you have to endure the loss of your mom so young. I know you were a warrior for her and she must be looking down on you with great pride. You'll be in my thoughts.
Elizabeth
Female age 39- ,2 teens.
Colon Cancer - DX March 2013
Age 34 at DX - Stage III B
Resection surgery -May 2013
FOLFOX - June, 2013 to Sept, 2013
5FU plus leukavorin Sept, 2013 to Dec, 2013
METs liver and lungs discovered Sept, 2015
KRAS - MSS
FOLFIRI plus Avastin - Sept, 2015 - July 2017
Durvalumab and Cediranib Sept 2017 Dec 17
FOLFOX with desensitization protocol - current

JJ2212
Posts: 268
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:54 pm
Location: Montréal, QC

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby JJ2212 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 1:47 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss Natalie. I can't find any words that would be of comfort to you, but please know that you and your family are in my thoughts. You've been a great advocate to your mother.

Take care of yourself, and good luck with your studies.

Janie
Rectal cancer dx 04/13 @ 42, MSS, KRAS positive
T3N2M1 (1 lung met)
5 weeks xeloda+radiation finished 07/13
APR 9/13 (permanent colostomy), 27/31 nodes positive :-(
12 rounds of FOLFOX 04/14
Lung met growth 11/14
26 cycles Regorafenib (Stivarga) from 11/15 to 01/17
New lung met and chest/neck lymph nodes 01/17
1 cycle Folfiri

teri3
Posts: 405
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:03 am

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby teri3 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:16 pm

I'm so sorry Natalie....19 is to young to lose your mother :( But as you said she is free of pain and I'm sure she was very proud of you. You've been an awesome daughter and acted way beyond your years. It's wonderful that you're going to be a living tribute to her memory
Teri
58 yrs old female
MSS KRAS mutation G12V
adenocarcinoma sigmoid colon dx 11-14
sigmoidectomy 11-14
Stage 3A
3 out of 20 lymph nodes involved
started FolFox 1-27-15
11 rounds FOLFOX last one 6-30-2015
7-29-2015 PET clear
5-14-2016 CT 2 nodules one in each lung
Confirmed pulmonary metastasis stage 4
FOLFIRi + Avistin started 8-16 11 rounds complete 12-16
CT 12-16 nodules shrunk chemo break wait and see :?
CT growth
VATS l lung 4 10 17
VATS r lung 4 24 17
CT 2 nodules r up and l low :(

AussieAssCancer
Posts: 258
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 10:16 am

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby AussieAssCancer » Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:40 pm

So very sorry to hear Natalie. I lost my beautiful little mum only a week after I finished chemo and I still miss her more than ever.

Take solace in the memories you have, and in particular that you got closer to her in her final moments. She was lucky to have a daughter like you.

Geoff
Dx Oct '15 w/ Stage 3c RC/ CEA 8
Nov '15 - Jan '16: 3x FOLFOX and 5wks Chemoradiation w/ Xeloda
March '16: ULAR w/ temp ileostomy
Complete pathological response incl 0/12 nodes
May - Aug '16: 9x FOLFOX (dropped Oxaliplatin for final Rd due to neuropathy)
Clear CT scans in April ‘16 (NED), Dec ‘16, Aug ‘17, Feb ‘18, March ‘19, Feb ‘20
Feb '17: Ileostomy reversed
CEA Post Surgery: ALWAYS 2

Blog: kickingrectalcancerintheassblog
https://kickingrectalcancerintheassblog.wordpress.com/

jortego128
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 7:47 am

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby jortego128 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:53 pm

Im so sorry about your mom Natalie, but so glad that she had such a loving family by her side as she passed. Your story of her passing sounds so similar to my mom's and has brought tears to my eyes as I type this. May God bless and comfort you and your family in this most difficult time. :cry: :cry:
DM 57 yrs old dx 6/8/15 T:4a N:1b M:1
KRAS G12D and TP53 C242fs mutations
Poorly Differentiated, Prominent Signet Ring Component(~50%)
Microsatellite Stable, 3 of (13)lymph nodes positive
15 Liver mets, largest 3.2 cm
Prim. Resection, Right Hemicolectomy 6/21/15
Start Chemo 7/20/15
2 rounds FOLFOX, 1 round FOLFOX +Avastin
CT 8/28/15, met growth, largest 4.5cm
4 rounds FOLFOX+Avastin
CT 11/06/15 mets stable, lungs clear
Begin FOLFIRI+Avastin 11/17/15, Stop chemo 1/26/16
Entered Paradise 3/11/2016

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WriterGirl1969
Posts: 524
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2016 3:48 pm
Location: Central NY

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby WriterGirl1969 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 6:39 pm

Tnguyen wrote:I really miss her...Im only 19..so it's hard not having a mother here.


Oh Natalie - I'm so sorry. I was wondering what was happening and have been thinking about you. I'm so sorry you had to lose her, but so glad you were able to be right by her side. I've heard others say the same as you, in that people will somehow manage to hold on until everyone is there before finally taking that last step. I'm glad that you were able to have 2 years with her vs. the 6 months they predicted, and I'm sure she was so proud of you in all that you did for her and how you were there for her. I'm sure you miss her terribly, and words just aren't enough to convey the sorrow in our hearts. All I can say is that as a Mom, I can tell you that my joy is that my child will live on after I'm gone. I would rather suffer a thousand times than have my child suffer, and I would want my life to be a testimony to him. I'm sure your Mom felt the same about you. And even if she can't physically be here, you know there is an angel in Heaven cheering for you as you complete the dream she had for you. It's amazing that this journey will lead you in your career. Perhaps YOU will be the one to find a cure. :)

I will pray for your mother, and for you and your family. Always.

Hugs and prayers,
Tracy
DX 3/4/2016 Colon Cancer; age 46 Mom of then 4-yr-old
Stage IIIB: T3N1M0
3/31/16 Surgery
4 to 10/2016: Xeloda Monotherapy
CEA: 10/16 0.56, 1/17 0.54
CT CLEAR: 3/6/17; 4/17/18; 4/16/19
NED 3 years
“If I can help somebody as I walk along, then my living shall not be in vain.”

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

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Wed Mar 08, 2017 6:52 pm

Natalie, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your mother!*hugs* I'm glad that you were able to sleep next to her one last time!*hugs* Your mother lives on in you.
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! :)

Lovenothate
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2016 3:13 am
Facebook Username: Emily.guzman

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby Lovenothate » Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:18 pm

Natalie,
I'm so sorry. I'm turning 19 soon and I can't imagine how hard it is. You're so lucky to have had so many happy memories with your mum. I wish for your success in your career so we can finally beat this cancer.
I'll have your mum in my prayers every single night.
Em
daughter to DM dx Stage IV CRC @47 July 2016
total hysterectomy b/c ovarian mets abscites 6/16
Colostomy
Folfox 7/16
Lung spots 2mm each 9/16
Xeloda & Avastin 1/17
Shrinkage to lungs spots! 4/17
Break from Avastin/ Xeloda continued 7/17
Omentum mets/ lungs mets stable(possibly not malignant)
Folfiri 8/17
1 lung spot all along-clear abdomen scans chemo break until 4/4/17

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby Lee » Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:24 pm

(((Natalie))) I am so sorry for your loss. Know that your Mom will always be with you. I lost my Dad at an early age, and while it does impact your life, you will find away to pick your self up and carry on. I'm sure your mom is very proud of the medical field you have chosen.

Let us know when graduation is near. Know that many of us will be thinking of you on that very special day. You are not alone here.

One day at a time,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

mariane
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:16 pm

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby mariane » Wed Mar 08, 2017 8:56 pm

Dear Natalie, I am very sorry for your loss. You are sensitive, wonderful person. I am sure your mother is very proud of her daughter.
I will pray for your mom - Theresa. My beloved Saint is Saint Therese - the Little Flower. May the Little Flower show your sweet Mom heavenly gardens...
mom of now 14 years old twins, dx @ 40 in 6/2015 with upper rectal cancer, 10+ liver mets, CEA 140
chemo: 8/2015 - 10/2016 - 4xFOLFIRINOX, 2xFOLFOX, 8xFOLFIRI, 10x5FU, HAI pump -12xFUDR
4 surgeries, complete pathological response
CEA<2 since 10/2015
NED since May 2016

I praise God for every day with my family!

User avatar
Cowgirl918
Posts: 326
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:55 am
Location: Indiana

Re: Mom gained her angel wings

Postby Cowgirl918 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:28 pm

I am so sorry for your loss and I will be sure to include your Mother in my prayers. It was kind of you to share her Saint's name. You may not realize it yet but you gave your Mother the most wonderful gift we can share with those we love. You were there walking with her and she knew that she was loved. You are a courageous Daughter. I am proud of you. I will also pray for your family and the healing that each of you require.
Let us know about that graduation date. You too, are a warrior.
Beth
HX Colon Polyps Villious and Tubillovillous
12/29/15 Colonoscopy/Endoscopy - Ascending Colon Mass- Hemicolectomy Scheduled
1/17/2016 Right Hemicolectomy Cancelled
1/25/2016 CT No evidence of other disease
2/12/2016 EMR-ascending colon mass 80%
8/12/2016 EMR #2 ascending colon mass curative
8/13/16 NED
7/26/2023 Neuroendocrine mass small bowel, two mesenteric lymph nodes
9/1/2023 Small bowel resection jejunum and lymph nodes removed mesentery


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