HulaMom update

maryaz · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

I don't get over here too often. I do just peek in this section sometimes to see what is going on. I have known about HulaMom. So sorry to read the update. Hope they can keep her comfortable. Such a hideous disease this is. HulaMom is in my thoughts and prayers.

You too Dano and pbj are always in my thoughts and prayers. It is so good of pbj to help others and Dano, you are a good person. You have your own problems and reach out so to others.

I am always looking for some kind of note from onecoyote aka Charlene and always wondering how she is doing.

Hugs and prayers HulaMom
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

simplyklb · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:44 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Hi All,
I just learned on Facebook that Tracy aka HulaMom passed away at 9:35 PM Hawaiian Time. I am sooo sad. Sad

Kristi
_________________
Dad - Andy, 70, diagnosed with SCLC in May 2008
2/20/38 - 10/15/08 Fly high, Dad!
Mom - Jackie, 68, diagnosed with NSCLC in May 2008
3/22/41 - 12/30/09 Fly high, Mom!

ChemoMan · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:02 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Hi

really bad news ......

A loss to all of us, my condolences to her family Crying or Very sad

_________________
Age 53
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... NEVER GIVE UP
RULE NUMBER 3..... Don't forget the first 2 rules

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2853

Thanks for letting us know Kristi. <sigh> This saddens me terribly.

My sincere condolences to Ben and the family. May God wrap his arms tightly around them, as Tracy was surely a very special gal.

I've missed her around here and this news is hard for our whole community.

I'm sure it's been a very difficult road for her family and I hope they can find some measure of peace.

I hate cancer. These are the times where you want to bury your head in a pillow and scream about such a young life gone.

Crying or Very sad

PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

zinger · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:09 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

So sad...

The "critter" has beaten your body but it can't beat your soul. God speed Tracy!! Blessings to your family.

Cathy
_________________
Dad ~ lung cancer diagnosed Dec 18, 2003, passed Mar 3, 2004.
Mom ~ lung cancer diagnosed May 27, 2008, passed June 1, 2008
They're waltzing once again...

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 297

I cried when I read Ben's news on Tracy's Facebook page. She was such an inspiration and comfort to people on this forum. I will never forget Tracy.

May God keep Tracy's family and Ben in His loving arms and I pray for peace for the family.

Dano.....I wanted to add that I know you became close to Tracy and Ben and I am sending you a big cyber hug because I know you are hurting too.

maryaz · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 12:28 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

I was so sad to hear this. I know she gave so much to this board. My deepest sympathy to the family and my prayers go out that they may find comfort during this difficult time. Always even harder to deal with when others are in a celebration mode too.

Time will ease the pain and I am sure there will be many wonderful memories left and Tracy will never be forgotten.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

dano · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:06 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

This comes as a shock to me, as I sit here with her Christmas card in my hand, so sad. She was a good friend and I'm very glad to have known her.
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymph's and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, stopped taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

Trudy · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:20 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

I am so sorry to hear about Tracey...my heart and prayers go to her and her family...

Dano I know this has to be so difficult for you, you were such a faithful friend....know my prayers are with you...
_________________
Trudy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
86 yr old Mother has NSCLC Stage 4 diagnosed April 2008

OldBenC · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 2:58 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

I am Tracy's husband. I wish to state that Tracy enjoyed the time she was able to spend here. At the end of many a day we talked about her activity of the day and this was a high spot for her. Tracy often spoke of the people here she had become friends with. She described situations similar to her's and often times, worse than her's. When someone passed on, she was both sad and happy for them. Her strength was a boost to me. I consider myself strong, but Tracy was far stronger than me. Far stronger.

Tracy beat the odds. We were told 3-6 months when she was originally diagnosed. Gosh, it was bad. Bad. We talked about the situation, met with the oncologist and developed a real close relationship with him and his staff. Kuddos to Ian Okazaki and his group - excellent physicians in every way. Anyway, we started with XRay and did pretty good with it. It was XRay or chemo - not both and the recommendation was that XRay would be best for her, it would ease the breating problem. It did and even more - the tumors shrank. So we chemo'd. Eventually we were cancer free. We were told it would come back, but not to be overly concerned because of the way she had responded. It came back. Gosh, it came back with a roar. It came back in her liver. We knew we could put off the inevitable, and we did to a degree. After several treatments though, it was evident that our time was growing short.

During this journey we never gave up hope and never gave up on each other. Holding Tracy was a joy. Messing with her eyebrows also fun. I could not do much more than that though because I was afraid of hurting her. We had fun, as much as one could have in her condition. We made 30 years and frankly, I did not think we would break 29.

Tracy's condition began to decline once the treatments ceased. We started hospice at home and were determined to do it all at home and we were successful. Ryan (middle son) was the main caregiver with John (the youngest son) around during the week. These two fine sons allowed me to continue working without constantly worrying. Upon Tracy's death they were nominated heros in my heart and will reman heros in my heart.

Up until about 1-1/2 weeks before release from her tormentation, Tracy was able to get around the apartment fairly well. After July I was not able to get her out, but she still remained an active part of the family. Saturday (12th), Sunday and Monday were rough for us. She was bed ridden and unable to take solid food. Tuesday was a bit better, as she was starting to interact with us. Wednesday was a great day, as she was able to actively interact with us, though unable to get out of bed. On Wednesday we had a visit from a neighbor and her dog; Tracy enjoyed it tremendously. Thursday was worse, Friday was the same and then along came Sunday. We knew that our time was at hand. Tracy was no longer responsive on her own and frankly, not really responsive on any level.

We contacted hospice and received a visit from the on-call nurse. She was great. She stated Tracy had 6-12 hours left and felt it would be less than that. She left to attend to another patient. Thirty minutes later was her last breath. We were upset, of course. However, more than upset, we were happy for her. Tracy in death beat the odds that most of us never are given the opportunity to tackle.

During our journey we met many wonderful people, in the flesh and in the cyber. One person though became a wonderful friend to Tracy. A wild person he is, with a vigor and flare for life. He brought to us a knowledge that we were not alone. His situation, the support he received from others, those were important for us. Daniel was there for Tracy. No questions asked. 100%.

Dan, to you I say thank you. Your personal strength, your own journey, what you were able to conquor and are able to do, are so enormous as to be beyond belief.

I gotta turn in now; it has been a very long day. The hospice program was another source of help to us. We were able to plan for the time...I was able to return to work today and handled it rather well. Tracy was and is on my mind, but I was able to keep her with me without allowing the situation to hinder me. I was prepared as much as one could be to start working on a "normal" day.

I apologize for the long and rambling post.

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 297

Ben, no apologies necessary; your message was an uplifting one to read.

My humble thanks to you and Tracy for sharing your journey. I wish you and your family much peace. You and your boys cared for Tracy so wonderfully. You were all her heros.

For those caring for loved ones with cancer or any terminal illness....it is a difficult path to take with them but it brings its own blessings.

dano · Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Amen!
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymph's and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, stopped taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

maryaz · Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:31 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

I agree there is no need for apologies. I also agree with all else that Tera stated. This is an especially good read for others still traveling this path. Some people we meet are only in our life a short time but in our memories forever. Tracy is one of those. Ben, you too.

Tracy Rest in Peace. Ben, thanks for sharing this message that is so filled with love. Prayers that God will comfort all of you, and especially as you go thru the holidays.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

OldBenC · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

The holidays. Well, I prefer to look at it as Christmas time. Christmas with the kids has always been a great time of the year. Christmas time with the most important member of the family missing is not so great a time of the year. However, we do her honor by talking about her, by discussing the past, the now and the future.

Last night we visited with Dan and Sue. The visit was good, as it allowed all of to discuss Tracy, her situation and what lies for all of us in the future. My family has had a journey that was one of both sorry and happpiness. There are many people though that are in the early stages of the journey and those are the ones that I suggest to travel the journey in an open and informed state. Be happy the opportunity for the journey is even there. No opportunity, the sudden loss, well, I am glad we did not find ourselves there. Our two plus years prepared us for the end, an end that has yet to come to turn to fruition.

Many know that Tracy smoked for many years. We tried medications and even the swinging watch (hypnotism). Should anyone consider hypnotism, it failed for us because Tracy refused to have it reinforced with follow-up visits. Her complaint: nightmares related to the hypnotism.

UneasyRider · Regular Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Posts: 45

So sorry to read this. Condolences to family and friends. Thanks for sharing with us, Ben. She was, and remains, very special to a lot of people.

Bud
_________________
57 year old male in Texas diagnosed with Stage II NSCLC
Upper left lobectomy on December 20, 2007, then 3 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy
July 2008 CT scan - NED
December 2008 CT scan - NED
June 2009 CT scan - NED
January 2010 CT scan - NED
My story is in this thread: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=39609#39609

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