Hello Everyone, My name is Ashley Getty. I am the “little” sister of Jonathan Angilusso (son of Sandy Orr). At the time he and his (at the time) 10-year-old daughter had moved in with my 3 children and myself due to him and his now ex-wife separating. April of 2019, Jonathan went to the emergency room with complaints of severe stomach pain. If you knew Jonathan, you would know Jonathan did not like going to the Doctors and especially not the hospital. Once he was finally seen by the emergency room doctor, it was believed that he may be having complications with his Gallbladder. There were multiple tests and scans ran. He was informed that the scans were showing possible lesions on his Liver, and it was decided that he would be admitted to run more comprehensive scans. After many more tests, scans, and a colonoscopy, the worst had been confirmed! We were informed he had STAGE 4 COLON CANCER that had metastasized to his liver.
Jonathan fought hard to beat this horrible disease. He always (even before his diagnosis) lived day to day, and to the fullest. He cared deeply for everyone and would give the shirt off his back if anyone needed it. He put his all in everything he did and did it full of passion! Jonathan was a Veteran and served in the Marines. After going to the funeral home, we found out that the VA pays about $780.00 towards the burial of a Veteran if they were not actively deployed and about $1,800.00 if they were deployed at the time of passing. He did not have a life insurance policy, and the total cost of the service, his casket, and all the little things they add in, is just under $8,600.00!! With helping Jonathan with his medical expenses, and COVID-19 putting so many out of work, my savings has been depleted making sure all day to day expenses and bills were paid for all of us. Me, his daughter, our Mother, our brother and sister, and everyone that was so very close to him, NEED any help we can get to get his funeral and service paid for! We ask with great sympathy, please help us put our Hero, Dad, Uncle, brother, son, boyfriend, friend to rest, and give him the proper burial he so rightfully deserves. Every little bit helps and moves us closer to what is needed for his burial.
At his first visit with his Oncologist, it was yet again confirmed; he did in fact have stage 4 colon cancer, and that he possibly only had about 2 years. The cancer was already in his blood as well. Surgery was not an option and at that point we were told that all could be done is to fight the cancer to hopefully stop it from growing and metastasizing more. June 2019, he began rigorous Chemotherapy. We were told because he was so young (at the that time 36 years young) he could handle more intense Chemotherapy. Every 2 weeks he would go and sit for 5 hours while the “cocktail” was being pushed through his body. After the 5 hours, they would then connect a “portable” pump to a port in his chest, and for the next 72 hours he would continue to receive therapy. He would only have 1 to 2 days of him feeling strong enough, well enough, and not so nauseated to be able to be out of bed and spending time with his daughter, friends, and family until he would have to go back a week and a half later to start the process all over again. He continued with this Chemotherapy for about 6 months.
A PETSCAN was performed at the end of the year of Chemotherapy. The PETSCAN showed the cancer had not spread and some of the lesions were a tad bit smaller. This news gave Jonathan a sense of hope not only for himself, but for his children, and his family. January 2020, he resumed Chemotherapy. He was on it for another 6 months. This time he was getting sicker, the pain was increasing, and his “good” days were much less. He fought hard to put on a happy face for everyone, but deep down was fighting a demon that was beginning to take control of his life. He made sure to attend every event he could with friends and family, and create memories not for himself, but for the people around him that he loved and cared for so deeply.
August 31, 2020, we went to receive the results of his PETSCAN. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, and the precautions and procedures that were in place Jonathan had to go in by himself while I waited in the car. I would soon find out that the doctor informed him that the cancer had spread to his stomach and lungs, and the lesions on his colon and liver had grown. The Doctor informed him that he most likely had at most 2 months left and needed to get his affairs in order. Jonathan asked me if I would please see about adopting his daughter (3 weeks later the judge signed the order allowing me to adopt her), he said there were a couple of trips he would like to take with his daughter and our siblings and mother. During his battle with cancer God had brought a woman (or as I like to call her an Angel) into his life, and because of her, and everyone that loved and cared about him so deeply, we were able to get these trips set. He was feeling great (possibly the best he had since this journey started) and was fully able to “be there” not only physically, but also emotionally. Unfortunately, because of how well he was feeling, this gave him a false sense of hope, as it did all of us as well. The second trip he went on was November 4, 2020, and he returned home the 7th. From that day forward he seemed to be doing good. He would have days where he was exhausted, or in pain, but seemed to be doing good, or so we all thought. November 15, 2020, he took a turn for the worse. He was in excruciating pain, and did not want to get out of bed, and he had not eaten since the night before. Hospice came out Sunday night and checked vitals and told us, “this is part of the disease”. We were still left with questions and uncertainty. November 18th, Hospice came back out, and at this point Jonathan was still able to move around a little but was beginning to need help walking. His speech went down to 1 to 2-word answers, and Hospice informed me that they would have a nurse here around the clock. Our Mother flew in from Kentucky that evening. After the first 8 hours he was unable to form words and would answer us with grunts for yes or no questions and was becoming more and more unresponsive. Hospice informed us that if he made it another 48 hours, we would be lucky. On November 20, 2020 at 12:30 PM Jonathan went home to be with our Grandmother and Great-grandmother.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Sorry so long, but his life was way too short!
Jonathan Angilusso 07-06-1982 – 11-20-2020
“Cancer is what I have not who I am” Jonathan Angilusso