Back to Page 1Joe had just turned 59 on December 19, 2002 when he was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung cancer metasizised throughout the body including spine, bones, brain and liver.
He was a healthy outdoorsman who enjoyed camping and fishing. We saw him a week before his birthday and noticed that he was breathing heavily when we were walking. He said he was fighting a cold and had pains in his back. This progressed to hospitalization the Saturday after Christmas for pneumonia. They first said his lungs were clear from initial x-rays then he had fluid build-up. They did an MRI that showed cancer and a mass on the spine. He was transferred to another hospital and was diagnosed a few days later.
Before the diagnosis was complete they started him on radiation for the mass on his spine and then a day later for the three brain tumors. His hair came out and he felt awful. He was to go on to have chemo but failed so quickly he decided against it, he wanted to have as much time as possible feeling like himself again. That never happened.
On January 2, 2003 doctors told him a probability of 3 months with a 25% chance of living one year
I was scared, sad.... lulled into thinking it would go into remission and last awhile. Joe adjusted faster then the rest of us. He planned every detail of his funeral while he still could. I'm glad for that.
His death was 12:02 AM Feb. 15, 2003 - saving my sister from having a marred Valentine's Day for the rest of her life.
Things I wish could have happened: Knowing the warning signs, sought help sooner. He has smoked for 40 years and had quit 3 years ago. He was proud of this and was trying to get his wife to quit. When they bought a new home and car in the last few years, he wouldn't let her smoke in either. He thought this would protect him...the cancer started 7 years before. We didn't know this could happen and go so very very quickly. Once he was diagnosed I looked up all the research and most was very optimistic and spoke of learning to live with the cancer. I expected him to linger much longer and possibly enjoy a period of remission. It didn't happen, he first impulsive was to take care of business while he could were absolutely right. He had very little time. Hospice was wonderful. I'd recommend it to everyone.
Buried February 19, 2003.
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