Death of my nephew, Ryan Overstreet

December 2008

Wedding day, Feb. 1999

Ryan's battle with cancer ended sadly with his death on June 28, 2009. He was 36 years old. I will add the obit when I receive it later this week. Click on "Overstreet" label down on right to read more.

Death of my Aunt, Gladys Trentham Russell

March 2008 at funeral of her sister, Kate Stogner.

I scanned the obit, but it would not display here large enough to read. I have uploaded it to my Fotki website. Click here to view thumbnail. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge for reading. There is also an article about her death in the Daily Times today. It is here, also.

Gladys Trentham Russell died at 1:10 p.m. 7/16/09. She was 92 years old. Born Jan. 8, 1917.

Receiving friends Sunday, July 19, 2009 from 4 to 7:00 p.m. with brief service at 7:00 p.m. at Smith's Mortuary in Maryville, TN.

Burial on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Grandview Cemetery in Maryville, TN.

Gladys had been very weak last couple of months experiencing a lot of abdominal pain the last few weeks. She underwent colon surgery in August 2008 for removal of tumor that was cancerous. She chose not to receive any treatments.

Click on top photo to see next photo

Thomas Bright

Their high school graduation 2002

Wedding May 2003

Stacie, Julie, Thomas at Thanksgiving 2007

Thomas Bright is married to my niece, Stacie Carver. Stacie is the daughter of my sister, Pat and Tom Carver. Thomas had his 25th birthday in November 2007. Thomas and Stacie have a three year old daughter, Julie.

Thomas found out today that the melanoma is back in the form of a tumor attached to his spine. There are also a couple of "spots" in his chest that may possibly be in his lung(s).

Don't have much info. They are coming in from SC tonight. He is to see his doctors here on Wednesday. Surgery may be on Friday. This will be his 4th or 5th melanoma surgery. He has been having back pain for last 3-4 weeks. No info on size of tumor.

Please pray for Thomas & Stacie. We are so afraid this is the dreaded recurrence that will take him from us. There is no chemo for melanoma, so don't know what treatment might be available.

What follows are notes I found that were made over the years going back to the other surgeries.

~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~ 2001 - 2003 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thomas Bright, twenty years old, has cancer. His cancer is called Melanoma. It started when he was 19 years old in 2001, during his senior year football season, on a small mole on the left side of his neck. His first surgery did not “get it all” and required more surgery. Thomas loved playing football, but spent the last half of the season cheering his teammates on from the sidelines.

In the Fall of 2002, thinking his cancer had been “taken care of”, Thomas asked Stacie Carver to marry him. Soon after she accepted his proposal, a knot showed up in one of his lymph nodes on that left side of his neck. He had another surgery to remove all of the remaining lymph nodes on the left side of his neck from under the point of his chin all the way around past his left ear. It had only been about ten months since he was first diagnosed.

There is no chemo for Melanoma. Thomas had radiation for several weeks. He then started on a year long series of treatments, which he injects under his skin three days a week. This causes his body to produce more of the stuff that naturally fights infection/cancer. After each injection, he has fever and chills, which were gone by morning. This leaves him weak, run down and feeling awful during the next day. Even with the radiation and treatments, Thomas has only been given 50-50 chance of beating this wicked form of cancer.

They originally planned to marry in 2004, after Thomas completed his treatments and Stacie finished her courses at East Tennessee School of Beauty. In Thomas’ case, life is uncertain. He and Stacie decided waiting might not be their wisest decision. So, they set their wedding date for May 6, 2003. Two days after the invitations were mailed, Thomas had a biopsy done on a small knot on the right side of his neck that he had been told “wasn’t anything to worry about”. Only six months into treatment, another cancerous knot had formed.

Thomas had surgery again on Tuesday, April 29, 2003. This five-hour surgery removed all of the lymph nodes from where the previous surgery stopped at his chin all the way around to his right ear. He is scheduled to have the drain tube and staples removed on Monday, May 5th, then he and Stacie will marry the next evening.

**************

Stacie's boyfriend, Thomas Bright, had major surgery on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002. His cancer (melanoma) came back in his neck. The melanoma he had on his neck last November 2001 was on the outside skin. This one was in the lymph nodes on that same left side of his neck, only it was inside. Knot formed that was growing fast.

This really scared them. Pat was checking out M D Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX as it is known as a really GOOD cancer hospital. Dr. Roseman, in Maryville, is very good doctor that took off the first cancer. He referred Thomas to Dr. Mark Overholt to take care of this second cancer.

When Pat and Thomas went to Overholt on Wed, 9/11/2002, during the get acquainted talk, Dr. O said he met his wife at M D Anderson. Pat could hardly wait for him to finish speaking to ask him "What did you say your connection with M D Anderson was?" He said that's where I met my wife. Pat then told him she had been trying to figure a way to ask him about possibly sending Thomas to Texas for surgery, treatment, etc.

Dr. Overholt said "You're looking at M D Anderson, that's where I studied and got my Doctorate”. Pat was SO HAPPY. This Dr. O is one of two doctors in the whole state of Tenn. that is capable of doing Thomas' surgery. (Other one is in West Tn.) He removed all the lymph nodes from Thomas' chin around past his left ear. He has NO nodes now on that side of his neck. The incision starts at the point of Thomas' chin, angles down and across almost to the base of his neck..... across and back up about two inches behind his ear. Dr stapled that long incision about every 16th of an inch!

Dr O told Thomas before the surgery that he would definitely have radiation and treatment following surgery this time. Dr. O did tell them after surgery that this one was not as deep as he had thought... it was more on top of the muscle, etc. Dr O had told Thomas that he would probably lose feeling in his left ear (which he did) and might lose some function of his face (smile crooked) and maybe ability to shrug his shoulder. Since it wasn't so deep, Dr was able to save Thomas' sweet smile. Guess the shoulder is OK, too.

Dr. O had wanted to get this OUT the next day, but no operating rooms available. Dr. O is at Ft. Sanders Park West and only available place was at Ft. Sanders Regional (at UT area) on Tues. They had to wait six days. These two hospitals are about 10 miles apart, owned by same outfit.
Sandra (works at Blount Memorial hospital in Maryville) told me that when I told her Roseman had referred Thomas to someone else, she knew this was a hard case. Roseman is one of the best in this area, so for him to refer Thomas didn't sound good. Dr. O told Thomas he couldn't be in better hands for treatment and radiation, that Dr R is very good.

We now hope and pray that all these good doctors can save Thomas. Keep him in your prayers. He's just 19 (in 2001), much too young!!!

Thomas bought Stacie an engagement ring a couple of months ago, plans to ask her to marry him on her birthday, Sept. 28th when she turns 18. Sure hope all this doesn't .... Well, never mind, I just don't want to go there!

Thomas had last radiation treatment on Oct 19, 2002 To start other treatment week after Thanksgiving.

Lillian's Aunt Kate died 11 Mar 2008

Kate is my Father's sister. She married my Mother's brother.

We children are double first cousins.
(By: Lillian Trentham Lancaster)

90th Birthday in 2004

Kate Trentham Stogner, age 93 of Rogersville, Tennessee, born October 15, 1914 in Gatlinburg, TN went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.

Kate Stogner was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years Reverend
James Hulett (J. H.) Stogner, parents Noah & Mary Jane Ogle Carr Trentham, brother Harmon Trentham and several half-brothers and half-sisters (Orlie, Lillie (Watson), Mack, Willie, Munsey Trentham, Wesley Carr, Ollie Carr Trentham, Mayme Carr Trentham... added by Lillian). Kate worked at Pigeon Forge Pottery in the early 1950's. She was a faithful wife and devoted mother who enjoyed being at home with her family.

Her survivors include her:
Children: James and wife Wanda of Rogersville, Dorothy and husband Sidney Lawson of Rogersville, Ronald and wife Darlene of McDonough, Georgia, Doris Stogner of Sevierville, and Esta and husband Larry Campbell of Knoxville.
Six grandchildren: Denise Lawson Collier, Patrick Stogner, Stacy Lawson Brewer, Alan Stogner, Michelle Franklin Finchum and Damon Stogner
Six great-grandchildren: Trey, Mark & Lacy Collier and Bronson, Sydney & Brody Brewer.
Brother: Sam E. Trentham
Sisters: Gladys Russell and Bonnie T. Myers

Kate Stogner was blessed with a long and healthy life, a wealth of family and friends and an assurance that someday the Lord would come to take her to a heavenly home prepared just for her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to local missions.

Funeral celebration service 7 PM Friday at Atchley's Smoky Mountain Chapel in Pigeon Forge with Rev. Troy Cody and Rev. Melvin Carr officiating. Entombment 10 AM Saturday in Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 5-7 PM Friday at Atchley's Smoky Mountain Chapel, 220 Emert Street, Pigeon Forge, TN. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)

Earl has marginal ulcer & Barrett's esophagus

Philadelphia surgeon, Dr. Watson, said some people develop ulcers following the Whipple procedure that Earl had. He was right. Earl does have a large marginal ulcer. I haven't looked up the term "marginal" to know what this means. They seem likely to occur after any gastric surgery. Has something to do with the blood flow in that area. These photos show Earl's ulcer. We were told the ulcer should heal and Earl was put on Nexium to control the acid to allow healing.

Then, there's his Barrett's esophagus that was discovered during the endoscopy procedure. We are supposed to get the results of the biopsy, taken on 2/8/08, within 10 days, so should get that next week. About 10% of Barrett's esophagus progresses to cancer of the esophagus. If he does not already have cancer of the esophagus, Earl will be monitored annually and he will be on medication to control the acid for the rest of his life. There is no cure for Barrett's other than medication to control acid reflux in an effort to slow or prevent further damage. I'll not go into the options now. Let's be optimistic until we know more.

Below are photos of the Barrett's. The first photo on left was taken on 1/31/08, when the procedure was aborted. The other three were taken Friday, 2/8/08.


The esophagus is normally a nice red color, perhaps like the red in the top photos of his ulcer. The salmon color suggests Barrett's. Wording under the two middle photos is "Mucosa suggestive of Barrett's esophagus". The last photo says "inlet patch".

I hope the photos don't upset anyone. I just find it interesting to be able to "see" what's going on and learn something new about our amazing bodies..... even when it's something going wrong. By the way, I did get Earl's permission to show all!

Will update when we know results of biopsy. Please continue to remember Earl as you pray. His options, if it is cancer, are not.... well..... I'm just not ready to share that. Just pray earnestly and diligently.

Thank you to all who stop by to keep tabs on Earl. Your caring interest means so much.

Speedy at the grocery!

Beware! He might run over you!

Crossley update

Lillian Marie Stogner Crossley
June 16, 2007

Not much info, but did find out the biopsy report is not expected until next mid-week. Family does not expect any decisions regarding treatment or surgery until the doctors get the lab report.

I do have the phone number for her hospital room. If you want it, please let me know. She is in St. Luke's Hospital in Allentown, Pa.

Trip to Pa. canceled.

When Mother told me this morning she did want to go see her sister, I knew she would back out. And she did by about 11:00 a.m. I had just hoped she wouldn't. I hate it so much that they won't ever see each other again. They look so much alike and have always been very close. There is another photo of the two of them here on the blog. (Click Crossley label)

Lillian and Ruby

1946 in Gatlinburg, TN

Mom had started trying to get some things packed and wore herself out with what little she had done. She has decided she just cannot make the trip. It's hard for me to prepare for traveling and being away for long, so I can imagine how hard it would be if I were almost 90 years old!

Blessings and hugs,
Lillian

This week....

Really not much going on. He's just recovering and I'm just working. This will likely be what the next few weeks will be like, until he starts chemo and radiation.

It was good for me to get back to work on Monday and see everyone. A LONG week, but a busy mind doesn't have time to dwell on home matters! I'll welcome a break this week by being off for the 4th!

Earl has been fending for himself during the day. He is walking outside several times each day. Eating small amounts of whatever he wants. Avoiding fatty foods.

The open place in his incision has closed up to the point that we stopped packing it yesterday. Hopefully the small place will continue to close and heal without further problems. Another place festered this week and I have been draining and treating it. It seems much better today.

The big thing that is getting to him right now is that he has his days and nights switched. He never has gone to bed until after the 11 p.m. news. Now he's waking up around 2:30 or 3 a.m. and can't get back to sleep until around 5-6 a.m. He is napping during the day and then isn't sleepy when he should be.

Earl at cookout 6/30/07

I did take him to my sister's yesterday afternoon for their annual cookout to celebrate her husband's birthday (July 2nd) and The 4th of July. Earl ate TWO hotdogs! That's a lot for him now! It was so hot, he didn't feel like staying too long. He was ready for a nap when he got home. And he wonders why he can't sleep at night!?!?

Earl has ventured downstairs to his office a few times this week. Going thru mail and checking email, but not attempting any real work yet. His mind isn't clear enough to really concentrate on work. He's still so weak.... isn't able to do much for very long.

Dr. said recovery would take about eight weeks and as things look, it'll take that long or longer for him to recover. I hope the treatments aren't too debilitating.

Boredom is his enemy, too. He wants to GO.... then we go and he's ready to sit down or head home shortly after we get anywhere! So, if anyone has time to call or visit.... he will definitely appreciate any contact, now that he's feeling better.

Won't bore you any more with our boredom!

Hope you have a good week and A HAPPY FOURTH!


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We're home!

Enjoying the sunshine and freedom of outdoors!
6/21/07

Me watching him walk off on his own... (not hovering!)

Parting ways in Bulls Gap with my brother, Mike, and his cushy ride!
"Thank you, Little B" for meeting us in Chambersburg, Pa.

See more photos here:

Photos - Final days in Philly

Click on "slideshow" at top right of screen

or click on any thumbnail photo to enlarge.

We did finally make it back home today. Such a relief!

We are so thankful for a safe trip back home. We were so warmly greeted by family and a stack of mail that included several cards.

The most surprising, I guess, was one signed by a lot of Dollywood employees. Earl is a member of the "Dollywood Pin Club" and has become friends with Henry the "Pin Man". It was so nice of Henry to send the card with so many good wishes and signatures from Dollywood employees, who do not even know who Earl is. So many people are praying for Earl! The magnitude of all the prayers and concern for Earl is so humbling for both of us.

As we traveled back down I-81 today I saw a sign near Abingdon, Va. that said "Knoxville 128 miles". I was so tired.... thoughts of "we're almost back in Tennessee" and "Thank you, Lord, for a safe trip" hit me..... next thing I know... I'm crying like a baby! I must have bawled for 15 miles or more. I was in my car alone, following the motor home. So, I just had a good cry. Thankful for that big box of Puffs!

This was the first time I had cried about any of this. I've been so determined to be "strong" for Earl and have managed to get thru the past 3-4 months without breaking down. I guess I have needed to do this! My "how do you spell relief" moment!?

Now, we get a grip and tackle the next phase. Earl's treatments, chemo and radiation, will begin near the end of July. He will certainly need the month of July to regain his strength and some of his weight. He is so weak. He can climb a few steps, but only when he has something to hold on to to help pull himself up. There were seven steps down/up to the apartment and four steps into the motor home. It seemed just about all he could do to manage them. But, he did!

We forgot to take his cane, from his hip replacement days, and had to buy another one in Philly. It sure helps in his walks when he has wobbly moments. I have tried so hard not to "hover" and let him do for himself when he can. He comes so close to falling.... I'm a nervous wreck about the possibility of him falling and breaking something!

He has been so good, from the day after surgery, to walk several times each day as instructed. It may be at a snail's pace, but he's moving and determined to get stronger every day! His attitude is always so positive, too. If attitude has anything to do with his survival.... he WILL beat this!

We also know that it's going to take the prayers, love and support of our families, friends, church family and even the strangers we do not know. This means so much to us and is so very important and appreciated every waking moment!

Words cannot begin to convey how loved we feel! THANK YOU everyone!

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR BRINGING US THIS FAR!

We still have such a long way to go!
Lillian

Wonderful caretakers at FCCC

Earl was very blessed to have such wonderful ladies to take care of him and help make his stays at Fox Chase as comfortable as possible. Thank you for all your smiling faces and words of encouragement during his recovery. All of you have helped make our stay here very pleasant.

Though we will be glad to get back to Tennessee, we will long remember each of you. Thank you for everything!

I know there are others that were not working at the time of these photos and hope to get pictures of them tomorrow. These two photos are both night shifts.

Someone let me know, if I misspelled names or have names in wrong order.

Lillian Lancaster

3rd North Nursing Staff (first stay 6/3-6/11)
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pa.
(L-R) Marilyn, Laura, Glenda, Donna, Dara, Sarah

3rd South Nursing Staff (second stay 6/13-6/19)
Fox Chase Cancer Center

Philadelphia, Pa.
In front (L-R): Eileen & Selina
In Back (L-R): Allie, Stephanie, Maria, Melissa, Earl,
Sheila, Niccole, Jennifer, Sue

My Aunt diagnosed with Lymphoma

Sisters, Lillian and Ruby
January 2005
Now 87 & 90 years old

Yesterday, I traveled up to Schnecksville, Pa. (near Allentown) to see my Mother's sister, Lillian (87 yrs old), for whom I was named. She learned this week that she has lymphoma cancer. The glands on the right side of her neck are swollen. She will be undergoing further tests, we assume checking to see the extent of the cancer.

Copied from About.com:
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non Hodgkin's lymphoma. While both types of cancer develop in the same way, the single factor that distinguishes the two is a single type of cell - the Reed Sternberg cell. This cancerous cell type is found only in Hodgkin's Lymphoma and can be distinguished from other types of Lymphoma by the way it appears under a microscope.

Furthermore, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non Hodgkin's lymphoma grow and spread in different ways. If a lymphoma diagnosis is made and does not contain the Reed-Sternberg variant, the cancer can then only be Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Also called Hodgkin's disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymph tissue found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma covers a far more broad range of cancer cells. There are about 30 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These types of lymphoma can be difficult to diagnose as there are so many types.

Tubeless again! (Happy Father's Day!)

The stomach drain came out last night around 7 p.m. after being on a six hour schedule all day. The drain was off for six hrs. then turned on to see what came out. No intake of liquids or food since Wed. night admission.

He got first tray of full liquids at noon today. Instructed to sip, not try to drink everything in sight. Save some for another hour. Not overdo! Small meals several times a day. He even got ORANGE jello! Not his favorite, but sure reminded him of home & UT. There is also a rope-like thing holding the room door open. It's orange/white!

This morning the Surgical Fellow told Earl he might be released Monday a.m. Earl is READY to get out. The nursing staff have all been wonderful, but he has had enough of the bed and chair!

Earl was weighed Friday @ 170 lbs. Before all this started he was 220, so he has now lost 50 lbs. since end of March. He had lost about 35 lbs before coming up here. So, he's lost another 15 lbs since surgery on June 4th. He does not, however, recommend this method of weight loss!

Our prayers now are that he will be discharged tomorrow and is going to be able to work his way back up to eating normal meals without further problems.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there.

Lillian

A short walk outside... photos 6/10/07

I took Earl down to first floor and outside to a small water fountain. This was his first excursion off his floor since being admitted a week ago today. Here are three photos taken today.

More photos on my Fotki site: Earl hospital photos 6/10/07

Watching pro cycling on TV

A little cheesecake?

Resting beside fountain before return trip to his room.

.
.

The tube is out!!

Link at bottom to more photos

Earl sitting in chair with his "hug me" pillow.
After the tube came out and he blew his nose for several minutes!
Feeling much better!

Right before the tube was to be taken out. 6/7/07

This was taken not long after check-in on 6/3/07.

Red letter day! The nose tube came out around 2:30 p.m. today! Maybe his sore throat will start getting better. He got up and shaved for the first time this morning, so he looked much better when I got here.

Dr. orders that he walk five times today. He is to start trying stairs when he gets unhooked from the IVs. If they're talking about this, maybe he will be getting rid of some of the bags soon.

They put in a new IV in his right hand this morning. As soon as the bag attached to the old site empties, they will transfer to the new site and remove the IV from his left hand. That arm has been swollen for last couple of days.

His fever is gone today. He looks like he feels better. Says he's feeling better, too. Getting that tube out of his nose will work wonders.

Dr. Glenn Cummings

Pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church for 10 years.

We are still amazed that our Pastor came up.
Thank you, again, Bro. Glenn.

Link below will show you more photos. Some taken on 4/25/07 and a few from this week. More Philly photos
~
~

Dr. James C Watson - Fox Chase Cancer Center

FCCC is a member of
National Comprehensive Cancer Network:
http://www.nccn.org/

We were told FCCC is best for pancreatic cancer
(M D Anderson in Houston is #2)

Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA:
http://www.nccn.org/members/profiles/fccc.asp

Profile on Earl's Philadelphia Doctor:

http://www.fccc.edu/physician_directory/surgical/watson.html