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On September 25, 2016 my father peacefully passed away at home surrounded by family on the same day his mama died 20 years prior. His courageous battle with stomach cancer was finally over. I find great comfort in knowing he is free from pain, sorrow and suffering after watching what he underwent especially in the last couple of months of his life. In fact, I have NEVER experienced human suffering like that before, but he fought til the bitter end to remain with us regardless of his own anguish and agony!
He was diagnosed with stomach cancer over 2 years ago in June 2014. It was a devastating blow to a person as strong and healthy as him, but his attitude was that of a courageous warrior and he decided to tackle this unexpected threat to his health with all the ammunition he had in his arsenal of health, faith and spirit. After 12 months of aggressive chemotherapy treatment and a surgery in September 2014 where they removed most of his stomach and 13 lymph nodes, he was more than thrilled to hear the doctors share the news that he was cancer free and in remission in January 2015. Unfortunately, 3 months later in April 2015, he was told he relapsed after one of his follow-up scans and that his cancer came back with a vengeance.
After much pondering, he decided to forgo any more treatments and their horrendous effects on the body and instead dedicate his remaining time to live life to the fullest enjoying precious time with family and friends. He was a faithful man and let nature take its course and leave his last months of life to God. At this time, the doctors gave him the grave message that he ONLY had about 3 months maximum to live.
He lived much longer than that and endured another 15 months of horrific human suffering and pain, although he never complained once nor did he ask, "Why me?" His positive attitude left me amazed over and over and over.
As his health diminished and the cancer took over his body, we watched the man we love suffer profusely and deteriorate before our very eyes losing 100 plus pounds leaving him gravely ill. Our family decided to take an active role in easing his pain and doing everything in our power to keep him comfortable. I moved in to help Mom with caring for Dad. I will forever cherish what I learned about my Dad and the human will to live even while enduring suffering like I've never experienced before. We are blessed that we had this special time to serve him since he always provided for us and served his family well.
We'd like to say thank you to our family and friends for all the support, visits, laughs, encouragement, stories and time they dedicated to us during this ordeal of adversity. We nicknamed Dad, "Hollywood" because he enjoyed all the attention he was getting from all those who visited him. Our home was full of people who wanted to pay him their last respects day and nite for over 2 months.
If anyone knows my Dad, they know that he never believed in burial insurance or anything to that effect as he thought if he did obtain it, he was signing his own death certificate. Although we didn't agree with it and tried to talk him into it, he refused! That is who he was!
With a heavy heart, we now face another battle as we are burdened with multiple funeral service fees and burial fees, so we are humbly asking our family and friends to give from their hearts, so we can give my Dad a proper farewell and honor his life of kindness and warmth.
My Dad was a great man. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. I will always remember his smile and he will always remain my hero!
With love,
Demetra (aka Dede)
and the rest of he Kanellos Family
PS. If any of you EVER find out you have H-Pylori in your stomach, PLEASE take care of it!!
Obituary:
http://www.duggans-serra.com/obituary/Pete-Kanellos/South-San-Francisco-CA/1657932
He was diagnosed with stomach cancer over 2 years ago in June 2014. It was a devastating blow to a person as strong and healthy as him, but his attitude was that of a courageous warrior and he decided to tackle this unexpected threat to his health with all the ammunition he had in his arsenal of health, faith and spirit. After 12 months of aggressive chemotherapy treatment and a surgery in September 2014 where they removed most of his stomach and 13 lymph nodes, he was more than thrilled to hear the doctors share the news that he was cancer free and in remission in January 2015. Unfortunately, 3 months later in April 2015, he was told he relapsed after one of his follow-up scans and that his cancer came back with a vengeance.
After much pondering, he decided to forgo any more treatments and their horrendous effects on the body and instead dedicate his remaining time to live life to the fullest enjoying precious time with family and friends. He was a faithful man and let nature take its course and leave his last months of life to God. At this time, the doctors gave him the grave message that he ONLY had about 3 months maximum to live.
He lived much longer than that and endured another 15 months of horrific human suffering and pain, although he never complained once nor did he ask, "Why me?" His positive attitude left me amazed over and over and over.
As his health diminished and the cancer took over his body, we watched the man we love suffer profusely and deteriorate before our very eyes losing 100 plus pounds leaving him gravely ill. Our family decided to take an active role in easing his pain and doing everything in our power to keep him comfortable. I moved in to help Mom with caring for Dad. I will forever cherish what I learned about my Dad and the human will to live even while enduring suffering like I've never experienced before. We are blessed that we had this special time to serve him since he always provided for us and served his family well.
We'd like to say thank you to our family and friends for all the support, visits, laughs, encouragement, stories and time they dedicated to us during this ordeal of adversity. We nicknamed Dad, "Hollywood" because he enjoyed all the attention he was getting from all those who visited him. Our home was full of people who wanted to pay him their last respects day and nite for over 2 months.
If anyone knows my Dad, they know that he never believed in burial insurance or anything to that effect as he thought if he did obtain it, he was signing his own death certificate. Although we didn't agree with it and tried to talk him into it, he refused! That is who he was!
With a heavy heart, we now face another battle as we are burdened with multiple funeral service fees and burial fees, so we are humbly asking our family and friends to give from their hearts, so we can give my Dad a proper farewell and honor his life of kindness and warmth.
My Dad was a great man. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. I will always remember his smile and he will always remain my hero!
With love,
Demetra (aka Dede)
and the rest of he Kanellos Family
PS. If any of you EVER find out you have H-Pylori in your stomach, PLEASE take care of it!!
Obituary:
http://www.duggans-serra.com/obituary/Pete-Kanellos/South-San-Francisco-CA/1657932
Organizer and beneficiary
Deanna Kanellos
Beneficiary