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Stories
I am an average forty-eight year old who has been married to my best friend, my husband Ed, for twenty-six years. Mother to twenty-four year old Holly, and twenty-two year old Drew. I was raised in southern Minnesota, and moved to Rochester after I graduated from high school. I have worked full time at the Mayo Clinic for twenty-eight years. When I said I was average I meant that I am very content with a simple beautiful life, wanting no more than my home, bills paid, and a little tucked away for when we got older. My greatest pleasures in life were enjoying my family and friends. People give me such energy. I was just ready and excited for the next stage of my life. The kids are grown, and it was finally time for me, and my best friend to enjoy our empty nest years. Life at forty-eight was all I had dreamed of. On Friday, Sept 8th, we found out that our lives would never be quite the same. At forty-eight years old I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. No cure! Four months ago, a group of us whose lives have been changed because of brain cancer came together to begin an organization called “Brains Together for a Cure.” We feel strongly about getting out information and finding a cure for brain tumors. Unfortunately, that takes money. “Brains Together for a Cure” is an organization whose goal is to raise money for research and awareness. My personal hope before I leave this earth is that brain cancer researchers will have the resources necessary to start working on a cure and give us a fighting chance. We are asking for your help. “Brains Together for a Cure” will be sponsoring our 1st 5 K walk on Saturday, October 27th. We are asking you to consider donating money to pursue our cause. Please join “Brains Together for a Cure” in doing all that we can so that the next generation of brain cancer patients will not have to hear the word “terminal” in their diagnosis. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sue Hruska
Published in Rochester Post-Bulletin and authorized to post on web site: Twins' reunion brightens tough times for Rochester woman 8/27/2007 10:46:02 AM Back in 1987, Sue Hruska, like most of us in the state, watched the Minnesota Twins win the World Series. When the players got together for a 20th-year reunion last weekend at the Metrodome, Hruska had a much closer view of the action. Sue is the wife of Ed Hruska, the head of the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission. She also happens to be battling terminal brain cancer, which she was diagnosed with last September. Well, back in January, Ed brought in former Twin Frank Viola as the feature speaker for the Rochester Quarterback's Club Hall of Fame Banquet. Viola won Game 7 of the 1987 at the Metrodome for the Twins. Sue, who is 49, and Viola were seated at the same table and struck up a conversation. She was going through treatment and had been losing her hair. "I had a very uncomfortable wig on," Sue said. She apologized to Viola for adjusting the wig and told him of her battle with cancer. "Apparently Frank was impressed with Sue's attitude and outlook as they seemed to hit it off," Ed said. Following the banquet, Viola called Ed to check on Sue's condition. She has had nine months of chemotherapy treatment and has MRI appointments every 60 days for checkups. "He's just a very, very nice man," Sue said of Viola. Viola was just getting started. Earlier this month he said if Sue was up to it, she was welcome to be his guest in the players' skybox during their World Series reunion. Being a huge Twins fan, Sue didn't have to think long about the invitation. "We all know we need to plan around the games as she never misses them," Ed said. So last Sunday, the Hruskas were among the people in the skybox along with most of the 1987 Twins. "I think I met most of the guys," Sue said with joy in her voice. It turned out to be a very special day. Sue, a 1976 Albert Lea High School graduate, has been a Twins fans since she was a little girl. She used to follow the team with her dad, who died at age 50 in 1986 and missed the Twins' first World Series championship. "They've always been part of my life, bigger than life," Sue said of the Twins. "And for one day, we were part of their lives." Sue has had brushes with Twins players in the past. Back in the late 1980s, Juan Berenguer came back to the Hruska's house when he was in Rochester. Last month, Torii Hunter and Lew Ford were answering questions in the plaza at the Metrodome before a game. Sue was in the crowd and asked a question. Afterwards, Hunter came by and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Great memories all. But it's tough to top being in the middle of a World Series reunion. "It's funny," Sue said, "you get sick and all of a sudden all these wonderful things happen (to you) and you meet all these wonderful people." It's easy to see why Viola was taken with Sue Hruska. She has an upbeat attitude and sends off nothing but positive energy. "I've had my share of fun," she said. "Whatever God hands me, I'll deal with." One goal she has is to see outdoor baseball again in Minnesota. The Twins' new ballpark is set to open in 2010. She has made it a habit of attending Twins Home Openers with her son Drew, who is 22 and will be a senior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. "I told my son, if I'm still alive in 2010 were going to the opener," she said. "Or I'll be an angel in the outfield."
In November of 2003, our lives took a turn down a road none of us wanted to go. Our beloved husband and father, Dan, aged 48, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme. As we left the hospital on that sad day, a doctor advised us, “Go home and live. Do not begin to die; begin to live.” And that is what we did. Dan embraced three surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy and any clinical trial for which he qualified in a valiant effort to beat the tumor. He faithfully documented his journey in a daily journal writing. One entry states: “I am hopeful that each new treatment I receive will keep me alive until the next new breakthrough drug becomes available to me. Just keep on living!” In August of 2006, Dan’s body succumbed to the tumor. But his spirit continues to shine in the lives of all who knew him. Our family remains hopeful that someday a cure for this tumor and all brain tumors will become a reality. We will continue to press forward in Dan’s memory, to support research for brain tumors and to invite others to join with us in this effort.
Margo Bissen and Family
Dear Area Business Owners: On Saturday, October 27, 2007, the first annual Brain Tumor Awareness Event and Walk will be held in Rochester. I am personally writing to ask for your support for this event through a financial or some other type of contribution. This event has personal significance and importance to our family because our son, Will, age 9, has courageously battled two malignant brain tumors since March, 2004. Our lives were forever changed on March 14, 2004 when we given the devastating diagnosis. Initially, you are completely overwhelmed by information that the medical team is giving you, fear, anger, and a helpless feeling that nothing is within your control any more. However, as time progressed, we accessed various resources available and took Will’s treatment and recovery process one day (sometimes one hour) at a time, and this helped us make it through various stages of the journey, although many days were dark and difficult. We are so thankful to live in Rochester and have access to the wonderful pediatric services available at Mayo Clinic. The medical care that Will has received has been excellent. He has had access to many of the current treatments for his particular tumor type and his doctor consults with other top physicians in the country about treatment options in his particular case and we work together as a team to decide what is best. While brain tumors can leave patients with residual effects to cope with in life, in Will’s case there are balance and hand/eye coordination issues, this hasn’t slowed him down. He plays summer baseball, soccer, and chess, loves art and engages in many other activities that any 9 year old boy would!! We appreciate whatever contribution your organization can put toward supporting this important event as more research needs to be done to continue to improve brain tumor treatments and options available for patients and their families. We hope to see you and your staff at the event on October 27th. Sincerely,
Liz Canan
On Oct 7, 2006 we were having an end of the summer, family get together. I had suffered with headaches for three weeks, thinking I had a sinus infection. A trip to the emergency room the next day changed my life forever with a diagnosis of a terminal malignant brain tumor. Since that time I have had two brain surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. I lost some of my ability to see, to read and comprehend, to drive a car and my career. I have gotten through it all because of the amazing support of my family and friends. The treatments I endured were grueling but absolutely necessary if I wanted to live longer than six months. Currently, even with the treatments available my chances of survival are statistically short. Brains Together for a Cure is a local, non-profit organization that was formed with the sole purpose of raising funds for adult and pediatric brain tumor research. It is my hope that you will carefully consider donating to this cause.
Mike Kuhlmann
Dick Lagergren, my 61 yr old husband, friend and love, retired mechanical designer from IBM and Western Digital, woke up early the morning of May 10, 2005, confused and unable to speak. It appeared he was having a stroke. The previous evening we'd enjoyed a lovely meal and much laughter with Dick's sister and her husband, celebrating my 59th birthday - all of us enjoying retirement and the adventures yet to come. Dick was in excellent health. He never smoked and ate what was 'good for him'! He got plenty of exercise via his annual trips to the Boundary Waters fishing, the Rocky Mountains elk hunting and on our own 61 acres hunting whitetail deer, plus volunteering his woodworking skills at our church and various other places. Within an hour, the emergency doctors at St. Mary's diagnosed a mass in Dick's left front lobe of his brain cavity and after an MRI we were told he had 2 glioblastoma cancerous brain tumors. 12 hours later Dick was in surgery where the large tumor on the front left cavity was removed, the smaller tumor was inoperable as it was located in the center of his brain, on top of his speak center. Following surgey our neurologist gave us the diagnosis - Dick has 4 to 6 months to live without radiation and chemotherapy. With these treatments his life would be extended 6 to 8 months. Dick rebounded from the surgery with flying colors, spending only 2 nights in the hospital. His immediate question following his terminal diagnosis was, "can I still go on my Boundwary Waters fishing trip in 2 weeks?" We went and had the best fishing we'd ever had in years! Treatment began right after the fishing trip. The treatments caused Dick great fatigue, however, he continued to travel to visit family and friends, and fight the battle valiantly, praying for a miracle. He remained positive, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was concerned only that I "not go through this again", as my first husband died suddenly 17 years earlier from heart arrithmea. Dick was such a caring, loving man. Dick's remaining tumor was contained until January of 2006, when it broke through and took his life on April 13th, Maundy Thursday. He died in my arms, as I sang "Amazing Grace" to him as he entered heaven. Dick and I had planned to grow old together, enjoy our children and grandchildren in many of life's celebrations, and use whatever gifts God had given us through mission work sharing His love with others. Brain cancer took those dreams away. Please consider sponsoring this vital walk for brain cancer research, "Brains Together for A Cure", so others in the future who face this same diagnosis may live to fulfill their dreams.
Thank you,
In March of 2007, Stacy Lilienthal had a craniotomy to remove both a tumor and a cyst. She had epilepsy for two years as a child. Symptoms went away for about fifteen years. At age 22, she started feeling like she was about to sneeze, but never did. These half-sneezes would happen at various places and times. Stacy went into the hospital when she also had a non-responsive seizure while visiting friends. Mayo doctors in Austin explained those half-sneezes were actually olfactory seizures. They did an MRI and found the tumor and cyst in the section of her right temporal lobe that allows her the ability to speak and comprehend language. She was referred to the Mayo clinic in Rochester and was told of their outstanding neurology staff. She went through surgery and was back to work in about two weeks. Stacy is an on-air TV reporter and is thankful to write and speak just like she did before the surgery. She also writes out of work and started training for a half marathon about two months after the surgery. The tumor was tested and Doctors found out it was a tumor most commonly found on the spine. They believe the epileptic symptoms Stacy had as a child could have been the start of the slow growing tumor. Both her head and spine are regularly scanned. Stacy Lilienthal
I would like every one who reads this to imagine themselves as a twenty-six year old women. You have recently found out you are pregnant with your second child, and you and your husband couldn't be happier. Five months into your pregnancy, you start to experience horrible headaches and everyone blames it on the baby that you are carrying. After a little more testing they find that you are also housing a tumor in your brain. The tumor was so life threatening the doctors needed to do surgery right away, they couldn't even wait until your baby was born. You may have just imagined this, but it is a true story of a friend of ours who died on March 15, 2008 due to her recurring brain tumor. Her baby was born healthy and is still doing as well as a child could with out a mother. I myself am twenty-six with three children and a brain tumor. I felt like I was the only one in the world that was suffering from this disease. Until the first Annual Brains together for a Cure walk where I met many other patients and their families in my same position. This walk means more than just raising money for a good cause, it is sometimes the only way to find similar people in our situation. Your support means more than you will every know. Sande Hellwig
I am a 28 yr. old male who was diagnosed with a grade III oligoastrocytoma in May 2007. When I was first diagnosed I had overwhelming support from family and friends.....I thought that was enough. It wasn't until I was introduced to other brain tumor patients at the walk last year that I realized that they need me just as much as I my family and I need them. Brain cancer has not only affected me but also my wife and children. It is so nice for all of us to share with each other what we are going through because there is usually someone else dealing with the same situation. We have come to realize that we are not fighting this alone. Through the walk last year I have gained close friendships and for that I am extremely grateful!! Tony Fick
My diagnosis occurred at age 60, after experiencing mildly painful
headaches. Prior to the diagnosis, I had been very healthy, active
and lacking any symptoms that would indicate the growth of a tumor.
The journey began on Tuesday, February 27, 2007, the day our world changed. After several weeks of problems with balance, an MRI indicated a brain tumor. A biopsy confirmed our worst fear - Glioblastoma Multiforme. Typical survival is six months after diagnosis. John was born in 1940 in the beautiful rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin. He was the second child, oldest son, brother to Jayne, Patti and Tom. We met on a blind date and were married four months later. Such is love at first sight. That was 41 years ago. The love endured and grew into a marvelous friendship. He was my best buddy, fishing partner, maker of "World Famous Chili" and my soul mate. To his friends and family he was "John," "Johnny" and "Uncle John." John loved nature, hunting, fishing and the North Dakota prairie. It was never about the catch or harvest, but about the change of seasons and absorbing and experiencing God's wonderful creation. In his professional life he was an independent manufacturer's rep in the glass industry. His favorite relaxation was reading and studying World War II history, especially the European theatre. When he wasn't on a golf course he was reading about Augusta and the Masters. John's most class act was his journey with the brain tumor and the developing limitations. His first reaction was that he would beat the odds. He focused on that goal through the standard treatment of chemotherapy and radiation combined with a clinical drug, and subsequently two "off label" chemotherapies. Although he acknowledged the realities of the disease, his positive attitude and optimism were an inspiration to all who knew him. After many turns in the road John's earthly journey ended on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 15 months after diagnosis. How does one measure success? Is it a hearty "Hello" greeting when answering the phone, despite difficulties speaking caused by the encroaching tumor? Is it the affirmation of one's faith during a difficult struggle? Is it 15-months of survival? John had many blessings in his life, and he lived life to the fullest. But his greatest blessing was the outpouring of love and support from his family and friends during his illness. And now, what do we, those he loved, do? Symbolically we will continue OUR journey on Saturday, October 25, when we gather in Rochester to participate in the Brains Together For a Cure walk as a tribute to our "John," "Johnny," "Uncle John." There is little we can do alone, but together we can help raise money for research to find a cure for this awful disease. For that reason our family designated Brains Together For a Cure as the recipient of John's memorial gifts. We know that Mayo Clinic will use these gifts wisely for brain tumor research and education. For those walking your own journey with a brain tumor or as a supportive loved one, know the Patterson family is praying for your strength, endurance and hope. Step over the boulders on the path, but watch for the flowers. Sometimes they're tiny buds and hard to see. Don't miss them. John's loving wife, Ruth Patterson
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