Many have asked where to send condolence cards for the family. Please send to our Dad at:
Ted Kokoski
4010 Turnwood Lane
Moon Twp., PA 15108
Thanks ... Cathy
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Map from PIT to funeral home
For those traveling from out of town to attend Tom's funeral, here is a link with directions from the Pittsburgh International Airport to the Copeland Funeral Home.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1qn=Pittsburgh+International+Airport+(PIT)&1c=Pittsburgh&1s=PA&1y=US&1l=40.48976&1g=-80.26175&1v=ADDRESS&1id=1937731&2c=Moon+Twp.&2s=PA&2a=981+Brodhead+Road
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1qn=Pittsburgh+International+Airport+(PIT)&1c=Pittsburgh&1s=PA&1y=US&1l=40.48976&1g=-80.26175&1v=ADDRESS&1id=1937731&2c=Moon+Twp.&2s=PA&2a=981+Brodhead+Road
Here is a link to local hotels:
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Please enjoy the new photos highlighting some of Tom's life and the Memorial Card quotation for the funeral on the right.
Following is the Obituary Notice for the local papers:
Thomas Kokoski, age 49, of Moon Township, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at Forbes Hospice. He was born in Sewickley, PA on Feb. 26, 1960, one of four beloved children to Thaddeus S. “Ted” Kokoski and the late Dolores B. “Dolly” (Swanderski) Kokoski.
Tom grew up in Conway and was a 1978 graduate of Quigley High School. He was a member of the Polish Falcons of America, Nest #182 (Ambridge), the United States Golf Association, the United States Bowling Congress and St. Margaret Mary Church. He was a devoted Notre Dame Football fan as well as an avid Steeler and Penguin fan, basking in their 2009 Super Bowl and Stanley Cup championships. Additionally, in his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, bowling, deer hunting, and coin collecting, among other interests.
Tom had a 28 year airline career with Piedmont and U.S. Airways, stationed at Baltimore, South Bend, Orlando, Pittsburgh and most recently Phoenix. His home base was the family home in Moon Township.
In addition to his father, Ted of Moon Township, he is survived by his three loving sisters Karen Ann Lucci & husband Michael of Richmond, VA, Cathy Ballard & husband Darren of Greensburg, and Teresa Higgins & husband Stephen of Longmont, CO; cherished niece Lindsay Lucci and nephews Jared Lucci, Jacob & Nathan Ballard, and Matthew Higgins; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Visitation Saturday and Sunday 12-4, 6-8 at Copeland’s Funeral Home, 981 Brodhead Rd., Moon Twp. 15108 (412-262-1390) with prayer on Monday at 9:30 AM followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Margaret Mary Church. Burial in Good Samaritan Cemetery in Fair Oaks.
Following is the Obituary Notice for the local papers:
Thomas Kokoski, age 49, of Moon Township, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at Forbes Hospice. He was born in Sewickley, PA on Feb. 26, 1960, one of four beloved children to Thaddeus S. “Ted” Kokoski and the late Dolores B. “Dolly” (Swanderski) Kokoski.
Tom grew up in Conway and was a 1978 graduate of Quigley High School. He was a member of the Polish Falcons of America, Nest #182 (Ambridge), the United States Golf Association, the United States Bowling Congress and St. Margaret Mary Church. He was a devoted Notre Dame Football fan as well as an avid Steeler and Penguin fan, basking in their 2009 Super Bowl and Stanley Cup championships. Additionally, in his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, bowling, deer hunting, and coin collecting, among other interests.
Tom had a 28 year airline career with Piedmont and U.S. Airways, stationed at Baltimore, South Bend, Orlando, Pittsburgh and most recently Phoenix. His home base was the family home in Moon Township.
In addition to his father, Ted of Moon Township, he is survived by his three loving sisters Karen Ann Lucci & husband Michael of Richmond, VA, Cathy Ballard & husband Darren of Greensburg, and Teresa Higgins & husband Stephen of Longmont, CO; cherished niece Lindsay Lucci and nephews Jared Lucci, Jacob & Nathan Ballard, and Matthew Higgins; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Visitation Saturday and Sunday 12-4, 6-8 at Copeland’s Funeral Home, 981 Brodhead Rd., Moon Twp. 15108 (412-262-1390) with prayer on Monday at 9:30 AM followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Margaret Mary Church. Burial in Good Samaritan Cemetery in Fair Oaks.
Final Farewell
It is with great sadness that I inform you all that Tom passed away at 10:30am Wednesday August 26, 2009, six months before his 50th birthday. He fought a brave battle against his head/neck cancer to the end. Our son, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew, co-worker and friend will be greatly missed and in our hearts forever.
After a couple of weeks trying to manage his recent symptoms, Tom agreed to be moved to the Forbes Hospice care center in Pittsburgh, PA this past Friday. We had hopes of improving his recent symptoms. He was alert and coherent. His decline began on Sunday ... all the nurses, assistants and volunteers at Forbes Hospice did a wonderful job in keeping him comfortable. He was responding to those around him until Tuesday morning when the doctor informed us that he was in the final stages. Tom was comfortable and at peace as he took his last breaths of air on Wednesday in the presence of his loving and devoted father, Ted Kokoski.
Funeral arrangements are being made today and will be posted on this blog later this evening.
Thanks again to everyone for their support.
Love ... Cathy
After a couple of weeks trying to manage his recent symptoms, Tom agreed to be moved to the Forbes Hospice care center in Pittsburgh, PA this past Friday. We had hopes of improving his recent symptoms. He was alert and coherent. His decline began on Sunday ... all the nurses, assistants and volunteers at Forbes Hospice did a wonderful job in keeping him comfortable. He was responding to those around him until Tuesday morning when the doctor informed us that he was in the final stages. Tom was comfortable and at peace as he took his last breaths of air on Wednesday in the presence of his loving and devoted father, Ted Kokoski.
Funeral arrangements are being made today and will be posted on this blog later this evening.
Thanks again to everyone for their support.
Love ... Cathy
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The beginning of the end.
Dear Family and Friends,
This is Cathy once again, putting Tom's thoughts on his blog. He wants to first and foremost thank all of you for your support, thoughts and prayers. Over the past 2+ years your phone calls, cards, email/blog messages, gifts and visits have touched his heart and brightened his days. His progress as well as his ability to maintain daily activity is steadily declining. Time previously spent golfing, limited biking, cutting wood, working in Dad's yard and tending to his rose bushes is now replaced with trying to get all meds and liquid nutrient in and then resting.
Two days after receiving a more suitable feeding tube on July 22, he experienced severe swelling of the jaw and cheeks along with weakness and the inability to keep down much of the liquid nutrients/meds. New sores had appeared in his mouth as well. Benadryl seemed to help through the weekend and kept him from an unwanted emergency room visit. By Monday, July 27, a majority of the swelling had dissipated but a visit with Dr. Sherry was warranted nonetheless. Dr. Sherry felt, after his examination of Tom's head/neck/mouth/right armpit, that the recent chemo treatment was doing more harm than good. He ordered a head/neck and torso scan for the following day. He also ordered antibiotics for the mouth sores.
On July 29, Dr. Sherry called with the results of the scan. The cancer in his head, neck and right armpit has grown to the point of confirming Dr. Sherry's belief - the treatment is not helping in any way. After some pressing, we were able to get Dr. Sherry's opinion on Tom's prognosis - 2 to 4 months. We, Tom and his immediate family, discussed all the details and agreed that it would be best for Tom to stop all chemotherapy and concentrate on his comfort through full, in-home, hospice care. We hope that some of Tom's frustrations with constantly changing medications and discomfort from their side effects of chemotherapy will be reduced.
So now Tom is getting his affairs in order. Dad and I are helping to get hospice care finalized. Tom knows the roller coaster effect of good and bad days will continue in the upcoming months but we, Tom and his immediate family, will do everything we can to keep him as active and positive as possible.
Since each day is unpredictable, Tom asks that those who wish to contact him do so by email (tkokoski@comcast.net) or blog messages. Please know that Tom will see (or hear from Dad/me) each message but most likely will not be able to respond. The pain medications tends to keep him in a state of haziness and maintaining his train of thought is difficult from day to day.
Since Tom can no longer speak, and he is now living back home and 100% fully dependant on Dad to comunicate via a whiteboard and grease pen, his phone number of 602-881-1311 has been disconnected, so no calls to either Dad's cell or house number if you please. For those of you who have it, Dad's number was simply put on the friends and family plan of sister Teresa and all of Tom's contacts have been rolled over to Dad's phone now.
This is Cathy once again, putting Tom's thoughts on his blog. He wants to first and foremost thank all of you for your support, thoughts and prayers. Over the past 2+ years your phone calls, cards, email/blog messages, gifts and visits have touched his heart and brightened his days. His progress as well as his ability to maintain daily activity is steadily declining. Time previously spent golfing, limited biking, cutting wood, working in Dad's yard and tending to his rose bushes is now replaced with trying to get all meds and liquid nutrient in and then resting.
Two days after receiving a more suitable feeding tube on July 22, he experienced severe swelling of the jaw and cheeks along with weakness and the inability to keep down much of the liquid nutrients/meds. New sores had appeared in his mouth as well. Benadryl seemed to help through the weekend and kept him from an unwanted emergency room visit. By Monday, July 27, a majority of the swelling had dissipated but a visit with Dr. Sherry was warranted nonetheless. Dr. Sherry felt, after his examination of Tom's head/neck/mouth/right armpit, that the recent chemo treatment was doing more harm than good. He ordered a head/neck and torso scan for the following day. He also ordered antibiotics for the mouth sores.
On July 29, Dr. Sherry called with the results of the scan. The cancer in his head, neck and right armpit has grown to the point of confirming Dr. Sherry's belief - the treatment is not helping in any way. After some pressing, we were able to get Dr. Sherry's opinion on Tom's prognosis - 2 to 4 months. We, Tom and his immediate family, discussed all the details and agreed that it would be best for Tom to stop all chemotherapy and concentrate on his comfort through full, in-home, hospice care. We hope that some of Tom's frustrations with constantly changing medications and discomfort from their side effects of chemotherapy will be reduced.
So now Tom is getting his affairs in order. Dad and I are helping to get hospice care finalized. Tom knows the roller coaster effect of good and bad days will continue in the upcoming months but we, Tom and his immediate family, will do everything we can to keep him as active and positive as possible.
Since each day is unpredictable, Tom asks that those who wish to contact him do so by email (tkokoski@comcast.net) or blog messages. Please know that Tom will see (or hear from Dad/me) each message but most likely will not be able to respond. The pain medications tends to keep him in a state of haziness and maintaining his train of thought is difficult from day to day.
Since Tom can no longer speak, and he is now living back home and 100% fully dependant on Dad to comunicate via a whiteboard and grease pen, his phone number of 602-881-1311 has been disconnected, so no calls to either Dad's cell or house number if you please. For those of you who have it, Dad's number was simply put on the friends and family plan of sister Teresa and all of Tom's contacts have been rolled over to Dad's phone now.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Independence Day Activities
The 4th of July week was a busy one! Family came to visit; besides my sister's family from Greensburg PA, we also had the Lucci's from VA and the Higgins from CO so the house in PA was filled with much activity. We did some BBQ, horseshoes and fireworks...it was fun and tiresome.
Progress with chemo has been a bit of a roller coaster the past 3 weeks. I've gotten better at managing the pain but chemo side effects of nausea has had the upper hand until this past weekend. Last week I tossed my cookies so much I wasn't sure if anything would ever stay down again. The new nausea medicine I got this week seems to be doing the job at keeping my stomach contents down. I've begun the next round of chemo treatment which consists of 3 weeks of chemo and one week of erbitux. Dr. Sherry would like for me to complete a total of 9 weeks on chemo and plans to do a CT scan at the end of that time. So for now my routine is to spend Friday's at the oncologists with treatment and the other days are mine to do what ever I want :-)
Last week the peg tube was replaced which I knew would happen but the new tube is not the same type as my previous tube and is much more of a nuisance than I would prefer. The new tube protrudes about 6 inches out of my abdomen and is less "user friendly" than the previous one which was more flush with the abdomen. Needless to say this new tube will interfere with my golf stroke so chances of qualifying for the PGA is non-existent (ha,ha!) I'm working to get back the old peg tube version so I can head out to the links asap.
My ability to speak has gone away almost entirely due to the tumor growth occluding the throat. I cannot swallow anything, even my own saliva, and breathing through my nose is extremely restricted as well and so I rely on the trach tube and the feeding tube for air and nutrient intake. The feeding tube has been critical in allowing me to get the nutrition I need to maintain an energy level to fight this battle. I'm completely on liquid nutrition and since the food enters directly into the stomach from the tube I do not have to worry much about flavor...
Finally, I've established a home health care connection with a palliative/hospice program that provides visiting nurses, counselors and other extended services. This service will allow a visiting nurse to come by 2 times a week to check on my well being, assist with pain management, and assist with communications with doctors and service providers. This service not only brings a new level to my care but also support that I and my family appreciate tremendously.
Thanks to all who have shared warm regards, well wishes and prayers...I am grateful for all the support!
Bye for now....
Tom
Progress with chemo has been a bit of a roller coaster the past 3 weeks. I've gotten better at managing the pain but chemo side effects of nausea has had the upper hand until this past weekend. Last week I tossed my cookies so much I wasn't sure if anything would ever stay down again. The new nausea medicine I got this week seems to be doing the job at keeping my stomach contents down. I've begun the next round of chemo treatment which consists of 3 weeks of chemo and one week of erbitux. Dr. Sherry would like for me to complete a total of 9 weeks on chemo and plans to do a CT scan at the end of that time. So for now my routine is to spend Friday's at the oncologists with treatment and the other days are mine to do what ever I want :-)
Last week the peg tube was replaced which I knew would happen but the new tube is not the same type as my previous tube and is much more of a nuisance than I would prefer. The new tube protrudes about 6 inches out of my abdomen and is less "user friendly" than the previous one which was more flush with the abdomen. Needless to say this new tube will interfere with my golf stroke so chances of qualifying for the PGA is non-existent (ha,ha!) I'm working to get back the old peg tube version so I can head out to the links asap.
My ability to speak has gone away almost entirely due to the tumor growth occluding the throat. I cannot swallow anything, even my own saliva, and breathing through my nose is extremely restricted as well and so I rely on the trach tube and the feeding tube for air and nutrient intake. The feeding tube has been critical in allowing me to get the nutrition I need to maintain an energy level to fight this battle. I'm completely on liquid nutrition and since the food enters directly into the stomach from the tube I do not have to worry much about flavor...
Finally, I've established a home health care connection with a palliative/hospice program that provides visiting nurses, counselors and other extended services. This service will allow a visiting nurse to come by 2 times a week to check on my well being, assist with pain management, and assist with communications with doctors and service providers. This service not only brings a new level to my care but also support that I and my family appreciate tremendously.
Thanks to all who have shared warm regards, well wishes and prayers...I am grateful for all the support!
Bye for now....
Tom
Friday, June 26, 2009
Treatment #3 and a good report.
Hello All - this is Cathy, Tom's sister, making the update for him. Tom met with Dr. Sherry for a check on his progress and then received his 3rd round of chemotherapy at the cancer center today.
Dr. Sherry was optimistic after seeing Tom saying he looked more robust than 2 weeks ago and he noticed the swelling in the jaw had lessened. He also checked the rash which is a side effect of the chemo. Tom has red and itchy spots on his nose, forehead, scalp and chest. Dr. Sherry was happy to see that the rash was contained to the upper body and rated it a 1 out of 4 (4 being the worst case). He indicated that other patients had more severe cases of this rash covering their entire body and most of them had to stop the treatment. This is the same rash Tom had with the chemo treatments last year in Phoenix so he began using the prescription creme left over from then to help lessen the symptoms. The chemo regimen has him receiving taxotere 3 out of 4 weeks every month. He will receive erbitux every week of the month. Dr. Sherry says the erbitux is a biologic that impedes the epidermic growth. The monthly regimen will continue as long as the effects of the treatment are not worse than the disease. After 2-3 months of treatment the doctor will order scans to determine if there is an impact on the disease.
Tom also had some vomiting and diarrhea earlier this week but that has since subsided. This did not stop him from playing the weekly round of golf with Dad on Thursday. He continues to stay as busy as possible with various activities around the house and yard.
Tom's level of pain was checked ... today it was 4 of 10, last Saturday it was 2, and 2 weeks ago it was 7. As the doctor recommended, Tom had increased the number of times he takes the morphine to 6 times per day. This does seem to help but it varies from day to day. Dr. Sherry suggests we double the fentanyl patch and then 8 - 10 hours later begin reducing the amount of morphine. Reducing the amount of narcotics is preferred as long as the increased fentanyl provides similar relief.
A culture from his mouth was taken today as he developed some type of infection on his tongue. Dr. Sherry feels it is topical and can be treated with antibiotics.
Dr. Sherry was optimistic after seeing Tom saying he looked more robust than 2 weeks ago and he noticed the swelling in the jaw had lessened. He also checked the rash which is a side effect of the chemo. Tom has red and itchy spots on his nose, forehead, scalp and chest. Dr. Sherry was happy to see that the rash was contained to the upper body and rated it a 1 out of 4 (4 being the worst case). He indicated that other patients had more severe cases of this rash covering their entire body and most of them had to stop the treatment. This is the same rash Tom had with the chemo treatments last year in Phoenix so he began using the prescription creme left over from then to help lessen the symptoms. The chemo regimen has him receiving taxotere 3 out of 4 weeks every month. He will receive erbitux every week of the month. Dr. Sherry says the erbitux is a biologic that impedes the epidermic growth. The monthly regimen will continue as long as the effects of the treatment are not worse than the disease. After 2-3 months of treatment the doctor will order scans to determine if there is an impact on the disease.
Tom also had some vomiting and diarrhea earlier this week but that has since subsided. This did not stop him from playing the weekly round of golf with Dad on Thursday. He continues to stay as busy as possible with various activities around the house and yard.
Tom's level of pain was checked ... today it was 4 of 10, last Saturday it was 2, and 2 weeks ago it was 7. As the doctor recommended, Tom had increased the number of times he takes the morphine to 6 times per day. This does seem to help but it varies from day to day. Dr. Sherry suggests we double the fentanyl patch and then 8 - 10 hours later begin reducing the amount of morphine. Reducing the amount of narcotics is preferred as long as the increased fentanyl provides similar relief.
A culture from his mouth was taken today as he developed some type of infection on his tongue. Dr. Sherry feels it is topical and can be treated with antibiotics.
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