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Tim's Story
1991 Tim had a suspicious spot removed from his back. We were told it was Melanoma, but was caught in time and he just needed to see a cancer specialist for regular check ups.
2001 We'd been divorced since 1997. Tim had back & stomach problems for about a year. He hadn't been to the cancer specialist in awhile & the family Doctor was treating him for acid reflux. Further testing brought our worst fears to life. The Melanoma was back and it was STAGE 4...
The next few months were hard on everyone who knew him. Getting hope & having it snatched away over & over again...Melanoma was in three lymph nodes, his intestine, and peppered in his stomach. Tim was determined and wanted to beat the odds. He did everything he could on his own for
as long as he could. Including working, and when he wasn't able to go in, he did what he could by phone. I helped as much as he'd let me, but he wouldn't ask for much. He tried numerous different medicines and treatments.
Within 10 months Tim's health and hope was declining. There are no words to describe seeing someone you love like this. No matter what you want to do, your stuck in this place in time, and can do nothing but watch and hold back the tears, so not to cause them more pain from seeing yours.
Early Dec. Tim got the news from his Doctor that nothing else could be done. His health took a nose dive. He started falling and loosing his ability to stand up on his own. He needed 24 hour a day care, so his parents brought him to their farm in IL, from IN.
Dec. 20th We were told Tim had 24 hours to live. The kids and I rushed to the farm in IL. Seeing the kids seemed to bring him back. On the 23rd, Rev. Carol came to pray with us. She gave Tim and us the strength we needed to accept what was happening and say our goodbyes.
Christmas Eve Tim sat in a chair seeming more alive than he had in days. He opened gifts, talked, laughed and we had a wonderful Christmas. We all knew it was his goal, to make it to the Christmas celebration, and our guts told us this would be our last day with him.
Christmas Day With his parents, oldest brother and wife and me standing beside his bed with our hands on him,
he passed in his sleep at 1:53 am.
There are so many left out details about Tim's story, but my hope for writing this is to get people to take skin cancer serious. If you've had it and was lucky enough to get it in time, please continue your visits with the cancer specialist. If you have a funny looking mole or anything suspicious,
get it checked out. In closing, PLEASE use sunscreen, and learn all you can about Melanoma. I cannot stress to you enough the pain we've experienced and the price we have paid, please take the precautions, so you will never have to go where we have been.
Below is a beautiful gift from Lori
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