Donation protected
As many of you know Big Dan left us Friday evening in his home surrounded by his wife and kids. He fought a long hard battle against lung cancer for the last 18 months of his life. He loved his family- they were his everything. There isn't a memory I don't have of Big Dan where he didn't make me laugh. The man was great at making people laugh! Big Dan did not want a funeral but a celebration of life. As most of you know a long battle like this leaves the family with unexpected medical costs and time away from work. Any contributions will help Heidi tremendously. Thank you and please continue to pray for the Pavone family.
Heidi's beautiful story:
This is one of those times where a person can sit for hours and still not find the right way or the right words to inform everyone of what has happened to our family. Friday Aug 12 @ 7:33 in the evening I lost my Husband to Cancer. He walked a long hard battle field for the last 18 months of his life. Small Cell Lung Cancer. He found out Feb. of 2015 and started treatment, Chemo and Radiation for 4 months, then PBR ( Preventative Brain Radiation) for another 2 months. Everything seemed to be helping. Then a couple month break only to find it had come back in other area's. Again, the battle began, 4 more months of radiation. At this point our daughter's wedding was approaching. He pushed himself to get through and walk his daughter down that aisle. After the wedding, he started another chemo. 3 weeks ago he declined and wound up in the hospital for a week, then a care center for a week, to get him strong enough to come home. Had him home a day and a half and had to call an ambulance to transport him back to the hospital. On Monday, the 8th, his Oncologist held a family meeting. He told us that the last two sessions did not help at all. Dan only had a couple of days to a week or two. The doctor told us that Dan knew for months that nothing was working. He never told us. He said he was protecting all of us. The kids stayed at the house all week. My daughter-in-law helped so much, as she always does . Washing sheets and doing whatever it took to keep me sane. The day we brought him home the family was here, the grandson's got to see their grandpa at home. Tuesday was a wonderful day for him, Hospice came in and set everything up and brought him home. House was full of people in and out. Wonderful caring people. He had pizza, 2 scoops of ice cream, and See's candy. Talking and it was good. The next 2 days he fell into decline, he was happy he was home. Friday morning was quite, as the nurse was with Summer, they helped him while I was gone with Danny. I got home and something wasn't right. I felt it. All afternoon with the kids in hand, we watched him become less aware, and anxious. No nurses and had to up the doses of medications to keep him comfortable. Nothing seemed to work, we became scared and nervous. Amber , came from Phoenix to help us and support us. For that I am forever grateful, knowing she has experience in this and being there for us meant a lot. The family was here and held him till his last breath, and last heartbeat. I worry about my kids and they worry about me. It's a hard thing to go through and a even harder process to watch. The two thing that keep reflecting in my mind is, I told him he will soon see his mother and my mother, It brought the biggest smile to his face. The other is, he called all our cell phone's and said " If anyone is thinking about getting me See's Candy, I want Cremes. Not nuts and chews...I LIKE CREMES. Just in case anyone is getting me candy (his favorite) ! We saved the messages! We love all of you, our family and friends, He was a wonderful Husband, Father, and Grandpa, always protecting! In remembrance of Dan, go out and get yourself a piece of See's candy ( make sure it's a cremes) and blow him a Kiss to the Wind. He would love that!
Heidi's beautiful story:
This is one of those times where a person can sit for hours and still not find the right way or the right words to inform everyone of what has happened to our family. Friday Aug 12 @ 7:33 in the evening I lost my Husband to Cancer. He walked a long hard battle field for the last 18 months of his life. Small Cell Lung Cancer. He found out Feb. of 2015 and started treatment, Chemo and Radiation for 4 months, then PBR ( Preventative Brain Radiation) for another 2 months. Everything seemed to be helping. Then a couple month break only to find it had come back in other area's. Again, the battle began, 4 more months of radiation. At this point our daughter's wedding was approaching. He pushed himself to get through and walk his daughter down that aisle. After the wedding, he started another chemo. 3 weeks ago he declined and wound up in the hospital for a week, then a care center for a week, to get him strong enough to come home. Had him home a day and a half and had to call an ambulance to transport him back to the hospital. On Monday, the 8th, his Oncologist held a family meeting. He told us that the last two sessions did not help at all. Dan only had a couple of days to a week or two. The doctor told us that Dan knew for months that nothing was working. He never told us. He said he was protecting all of us. The kids stayed at the house all week. My daughter-in-law helped so much, as she always does . Washing sheets and doing whatever it took to keep me sane. The day we brought him home the family was here, the grandson's got to see their grandpa at home. Tuesday was a wonderful day for him, Hospice came in and set everything up and brought him home. House was full of people in and out. Wonderful caring people. He had pizza, 2 scoops of ice cream, and See's candy. Talking and it was good. The next 2 days he fell into decline, he was happy he was home. Friday morning was quite, as the nurse was with Summer, they helped him while I was gone with Danny. I got home and something wasn't right. I felt it. All afternoon with the kids in hand, we watched him become less aware, and anxious. No nurses and had to up the doses of medications to keep him comfortable. Nothing seemed to work, we became scared and nervous. Amber , came from Phoenix to help us and support us. For that I am forever grateful, knowing she has experience in this and being there for us meant a lot. The family was here and held him till his last breath, and last heartbeat. I worry about my kids and they worry about me. It's a hard thing to go through and a even harder process to watch. The two thing that keep reflecting in my mind is, I told him he will soon see his mother and my mother, It brought the biggest smile to his face. The other is, he called all our cell phone's and said " If anyone is thinking about getting me See's Candy, I want Cremes. Not nuts and chews...I LIKE CREMES. Just in case anyone is getting me candy (his favorite) ! We saved the messages! We love all of you, our family and friends, He was a wonderful Husband, Father, and Grandpa, always protecting! In remembrance of Dan, go out and get yourself a piece of See's candy ( make sure it's a cremes) and blow him a Kiss to the Wind. He would love that!
Organizer and beneficiary
Amber Tabaj
Organizer
Scottsdale, AZ
Heidi Pavone
Beneficiary