The loss of this gifted, gentle. humorous lady has left a black hole in our lives. Von's words, "Save this for research." prods us with a resolve to become information givers to other patients and their loved ones.
If mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix, ovarian cancer or PMP is suspected, the American Medical Association would give honor to itself by passage of a binding rule that requires surgeons for both men and women to refer these rare patients to specialists who practice in hospitals with the space and financial means to train and maintain personnel and equipment to treat sufferers with internal, heated chemotherapy, advising each such patient to run, not walk, to this type of trained specialist One doctor said to me, "But this is so radical." This is true, but it is radical for parents, children, siblings and devoted friends to lose both their sun and moon in one person, as we have. One of the foremost doctors in the nation said he could have saved Von, an only daughter, hoped-for bride, sister and friend, if he had given her the second surgery with heated chemotherapy. The debilitating and bankrupting chemotherapy she received soon became useless. Neither he, (the specialist internal heated therapy surgeon) nor we know how long she would have survived. Yet, any extra time for searching, is a gift which no one has yet returned to the store. We invite patients and their loved ones to this site to share their personal stories and ever helpful guidance with one another. Mary and Donald Gribble, Von's Parents
I've been so touched by this tribute to your daughter. My dad died last March of throat cancer at the age of 56 that was mishandled by many doctors. His absence has left a black hole in my life, too. My heart goes out to you and I pray for you to eventually find some peace amidst your grief.
Posted by: K | Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 11:33 PM