The Story of Gary Tawney

Written by Kim in May 2006:

He was a man whose personality captivated the minds of anyone who had ever known him. His laughter and sense of humor provided more healing power than any medicine. He is the reason for my strength of character, drive, ambition, sensibility, and business sense, on top of every memory that has shaped my life. I found it unbearable to think about losing the man who has taught me how to be...me. In March of 2005, my dad was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor, grade 4, the deadliest type of brain cancer. He was rushed into surgery that lasted 8 hours and immediately thereafter, began chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Since then, he had been cancer-free and was anxiously awaiting the day he would return to work. During that time; however, he was never completely the same. He was continuously sick and void of the strength most people have to get through the day. Then, he began to deteriorate even more within a period of a few weeks; including being involved in an at-fault car accident. We demanded a Stat MRI and on Tuesday, May 2nd 2006, the results we received were stifling. The tumor, which we thought we had been victorious in defeating, had returned and spread to various areas in his brain. The doctors decided not to perform surgery as the masses would only continue to spread and to spread quickly. The only hope offered was the use of steroids and other medications to keep him comfortable for as long as he was with us...which wasn't expected to be very long. I prayed that God would give me the strength to ease my mother's suffering when it became overwhelming. That last year was a blessing to my family in the way of allowing us to enjoy each other in a way we never would have known was possible. As humans, we sometimes lose sight of how much we take loved ones for granted until we're faced with losing them. The time we'd spent had truly been a gift that will forever be cherished. I have experienced the type of family love that many people dream of and that only some understand. For that I will always be thankful. Gary Tawney passed away, peacefully at home with his family, on May 24, 2006...just 3 weeks after his re-diagnosis.