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In Memory of Sean 
9/28/79 - 4/13/03
Rhabdomyosarcoma
dx'd 12/12/97
I designed this page to keep family and friends informed of Sean's progress as he continued his battle against cancer. Many thanks to all who have sent well wishes and prayers during his illness and after his passing. You will always remain in our hearts.
For those who
don't know his story, Sean began having arm pain shortly after he graduated High School in the summer of 1997. After several wrong diagnoses he had surgery on 11/27/97 in which a 3lb. tumor was removed from his shoulder. He was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on 12/12/97. He went through a very rough year of chemotherapy
and 30 rounds of radiation. He remained cancer-free for 2 wonderful, hope-filled years.
Then on 11/15/00 his semi-annual scans showed he had relapsed to the lung. He underwent surgery on 11/30/00 and began treatment again on 12/18/00. He ended treatment on his 22nd Birthday (9/28). During routine scans on 2/1/02, it was discovered
that the beast had reared its ugly head again. Never giving up, Sean did another 4 months of Chemotherapy with a drug he already had taken previously (Etoposide).
Once again his cancer cleared up, only to return Christmas of 2002. It seemed his relapses were beginning to appear closer and closer together. He had ten days of
radiation and in Feb.of 2003 was given the chemo drug called Vinorelbine in hopes of cleaning up the area surrounding his lung for the future possibility of lung removal. The chemo seemed to be working for a short period but on 04/01/03 a CT Scan showed that not only had the cancer taken off again with a vengeance, but there were now tumors surrounding his heart. We were told that our beautiful, courageous son had a few days to a few
weeks left of life. With only a short time left, Sean wanted to marry his long time love, Vanessa. So in two days a wedding with flowers, tuxedo, wedding cake, rings,
2 priests, a chapel and bridal gown was arranged.
On April 5th, Sean and Vanessa were married in a beautiful ceremony at Sloan Kettering Hospital's Chapel. That evening, the fifth floor nurses set up a Honeymoon Suite complete with 2 hospital beds pushed together, flowers and candy kisses on their pillows.
The Monday after the wedding Sean wanted to return home, so by ambulance, in the middle of a blizzard we got
him back home. He and Vanessa stayed in his room and
spent a week as newlyweds. However, on April 13th at 3:00 am Sean was called home.......
We are left with a hole in our hearts and deep admiration for my brave, brave son who will remain in our hearts forever. I will keep this website up and running for a few more months. Please remember to sign the guestbook as a last tribute to Sean. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support and kind words.
Love,
Patty
Mom to Sean
Journal
Friday, September 28, 2007 0:34 AM CDT God took you in his loving care,
And made our lives so hard to bear,
Time we know will never heal,
Our broken hearts and pain we feel.
So many things we want to say,
We miss you more each passing day.
But we’ll meet again when our lives are done
Till then God bless you, Dearest Son.
Happy 28th Birthday in Heaven Sean.
I Love You....
Mom
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Memorial Sloan Kettering
1275 York Avenue
New York, New York 10021
Links: http://www.mskcc.org/ Memorial Sloan Kettering
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui Clinical Trials
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