Being Tommy's Sister

May 27, 2008 | Canfield, Ohio | Vetting explained

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Last updated: June 10, 2008

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My name is Jennifer. My brother, Tommy, passed away August 31, 2007 at the age of 32 from an grade III astrocytoma. He had his first surgery for brain tumors at the age of six. He lived a remarkable life for a remarkably long time - 26 years as a brain tumor survivor beats incredible odds! My brother Tommy graduated high school, had a job in food service in our local sheltered workshop, and enjoyed, as he put it, "Fine dining and luxurious accomodations." My mom made sure that we all (I also have a sister Maria and a brother John) saw as much of the United States as possible. One of Tommy's favorite trips was when we went to Roswell, New Mexico. Tommy endured many surgeries, chemotherapies, radiation. My father, a physician, used all his resources to search for the 'next' thing in brain tumor advancements. Tommy went to New York, Duke, Houston, and Cleveland to participate in various clinical trials. When Tommy suffered a devastating and ultimately deadly brain herniation, my family rallied around him and celebrated every moment we had with him. The picture I have added is of Tommy and my son Luca - Tommy is in his hospital bed that my mom had placed in her family room. We had many celebrations around that hospital bed! The most important thing to remember, I think, is to enjoy the moment - Tommy's favorite saying was "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery,today is a gift that is why they call it the present (E. Roosevelt.)" Miracles happen EVERY DAY. For more information about my brother and brain tumor research, please visit his website - www.tommydetescofund.com. Thank you!

Posted in Assignment:
Surviving a brain tumor

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