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Kris, My Wife

Forums General Melanoma Community Kris, My Wife

  • Post
    mzeigler
    Participant

      I just wanted to report that I lost my wife of 31 years to melanoma last Tuesday.  We started this battle 8 years ago, with acral melanoma under her

      right thumb.  After several surgeries, the entire thumb was removed and we had clear scans for 4 and a half years.  Then a small lung met appeared.

      That was removed early in 2010.  We had clear scans for about 9 months and then they appeared in her liver, hip bone and lungs again.

      I just wanted to report that I lost my wife of 31 years to melanoma last Tuesday.  We started this battle 8 years ago, with acral melanoma under her

      right thumb.  After several surgeries, the entire thumb was removed and we had clear scans for 4 and a half years.  Then a small lung met appeared.

      That was removed early in 2010.  We had clear scans for about 9 months and then they appeared in her liver, hip bone and lungs again.

      We did il-2 at Johns Hopkins is September and October of 2010, which was very difficult.  Scans showed it did not help.  We started compassionate

      ipi in December through February, but the bone mets were so painful, we had a partial hip replacement.  While in rehab, the brain mets appeared

      and her liver became extremely swollen.  We came home the middle of March and spent the last few weeks together.  I lost the person I was

      closest to my entire life.  We shared so many hopes and fears  and life experiences, I can hardly imagine going on without her.  We have 2 sons

      which she advised me to be strong for.  At some point I hope the agony will let up, but I don't know.  Her last words spoken were wispered to me

      that she loved me.

       

      Mike Zeigler

    Viewing 37 reply threads
    • Replies
        Phil S
        Participant

          Mike    I am so sorry for your loss, it sounds like you and Kris put up a good fight against this horrible disease and she was an incredible woman.    In time, I hope the wonderful memories of your life together will bring you comfort.   I will pray for you and your sons!  Take care of yourself.  God Bless!!   Valerie (Phil's wife)

          Phil S
          Participant

            Mike    I am so sorry for your loss, it sounds like you and Kris put up a good fight against this horrible disease and she was an incredible woman.    In time, I hope the wonderful memories of your life together will bring you comfort.   I will pray for you and your sons!  Take care of yourself.  God Bless!!   Valerie (Phil's wife)

            Carol Taylor
            Participant

              Oh Mike,

              I'm so sorry to learn that your sweetheart is no longer by your side.  Grieve and cry.  That's being strong for your sons. Manly men cry.  They bawl like babies and they acknowledge pain and agony.  They'll need to bawl like babies over their Mama…show them how…no matter what other people may say to the contrary.

              Your Darling gave you quite a wonderful gift with her last words.  I'm sure you treasure them and treasure the time you had and that you were there for her and by her side.  I bet you would have taken the melanoma for her if you could have!  Right?  And I bet she knew that.

              You're a good guy Mike.  Tuesday hasn't been that long ago.  It will get better…just don't let it make you bitter in the process.  Focus your grief in ways that will honor your beloved and make her proud and show your sons how to take life's lemons…really sour lemons…and make lemon meringue pie with a side of lemonade.

              In other words, don't let the Beast take you guys captive too.

              I write and administrate the Melanoma Prayer Center on Facebook.  The link is after my name and you don't have to be on FB to read what's there. You may find something helpful (scan thru the "notes" too).  This site is the users site so if you are on FB, tell us about your sweetie.  Let us hold you and your boys up in prayer.  Matter of fact, I'm going to do that now.

              Tell us on this board about her.  Talking about her will help.

              Lord, in Your mercy, hold Mike and his sons during this time and into the time to come. Cry with them, hold their tears. Give them strength and love and memories, God. Memories!  Show them how to grief as each has need and how to focus their grief in ways that will help and not harm.  O God, give them peace, strength, and your shoulders. Amen.

              Carol Taylor
              Participant

                Oh Mike,

                I'm so sorry to learn that your sweetheart is no longer by your side.  Grieve and cry.  That's being strong for your sons. Manly men cry.  They bawl like babies and they acknowledge pain and agony.  They'll need to bawl like babies over their Mama…show them how…no matter what other people may say to the contrary.

                Your Darling gave you quite a wonderful gift with her last words.  I'm sure you treasure them and treasure the time you had and that you were there for her and by her side.  I bet you would have taken the melanoma for her if you could have!  Right?  And I bet she knew that.

                You're a good guy Mike.  Tuesday hasn't been that long ago.  It will get better…just don't let it make you bitter in the process.  Focus your grief in ways that will honor your beloved and make her proud and show your sons how to take life's lemons…really sour lemons…and make lemon meringue pie with a side of lemonade.

                In other words, don't let the Beast take you guys captive too.

                I write and administrate the Melanoma Prayer Center on Facebook.  The link is after my name and you don't have to be on FB to read what's there. You may find something helpful (scan thru the "notes" too).  This site is the users site so if you are on FB, tell us about your sweetie.  Let us hold you and your boys up in prayer.  Matter of fact, I'm going to do that now.

                Tell us on this board about her.  Talking about her will help.

                Lord, in Your mercy, hold Mike and his sons during this time and into the time to come. Cry with them, hold their tears. Give them strength and love and memories, God. Memories!  Show them how to grief as each has need and how to focus their grief in ways that will help and not harm.  O God, give them peace, strength, and your shoulders. Amen.

                JMart
                Participant

                  Mike,

                   

                  I'm so sorry to learn of your great loss.  May the memories of your beautiful marriage comfort and hold you up as you move forward.  Healing and peace will take time.  I wish you the best in this.

                   

                  Janet

                  JMart
                  Participant

                    Mike,

                     

                    I'm so sorry to learn of your great loss.  May the memories of your beautiful marriage comfort and hold you up as you move forward.  Healing and peace will take time.  I wish you the best in this.

                     

                    Janet

                    FormerCaregiver
                    Participant

                      My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

                      Thank you for telling us of your loss. I lost my wife to this horrible disease on 21
                      October 2009, so I have some idea of how you might be feeling at the moment.

                      My prayers and thoughts are with you.

                      Frank from Australia

                      FormerCaregiver
                      Participant

                        My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

                        Thank you for telling us of your loss. I lost my wife to this horrible disease on 21
                        October 2009, so I have some idea of how you might be feeling at the moment.

                        My prayers and thoughts are with you.

                        Frank from Australia

                        Sherron
                        Participant

                          Mike,

                          I totally understand how you feel.  I lost the love of my life, my best friend, my soul-mate, on Nov 30, 2010…..He passed away just 4 days sort of our 43rd anniversary…It will be hard, it is still hard, when you loose the other half of yourself.

                          I, too, often wonder how I have made it through this now, 4 1/2 months…you just go day to day, sometimes, just minute to minute, or hour to hour, whatever your body and mind wil allow.  You stay numb for a long time.  Yesterday  I was okay…Today, I am having a hard time.  I think you just have to go through it, you cannot avoid the grief(your inward pain), and the mouring(your outward pain).  Hopefully, you have a strong belief in God.  I hold tighly to God's hand, he is walking through this with me….for me, the only way I can make it.

                          Try to take care of yourself if you can.  Try to eat well..I am preaching here, because I have not done this, and have lost quite a bit of weight, because of no appetite, and no desire to eat…just not caring…

                          I pray for your and your family in your loss.  I do so understand the hurt and pain.

                          Take Care,

                          Sherron,wife to Jim FOREVER

                          Sherron
                          Participant

                            Mike,

                            I totally understand how you feel.  I lost the love of my life, my best friend, my soul-mate, on Nov 30, 2010…..He passed away just 4 days sort of our 43rd anniversary…It will be hard, it is still hard, when you loose the other half of yourself.

                            I, too, often wonder how I have made it through this now, 4 1/2 months…you just go day to day, sometimes, just minute to minute, or hour to hour, whatever your body and mind wil allow.  You stay numb for a long time.  Yesterday  I was okay…Today, I am having a hard time.  I think you just have to go through it, you cannot avoid the grief(your inward pain), and the mouring(your outward pain).  Hopefully, you have a strong belief in God.  I hold tighly to God's hand, he is walking through this with me….for me, the only way I can make it.

                            Try to take care of yourself if you can.  Try to eat well..I am preaching here, because I have not done this, and have lost quite a bit of weight, because of no appetite, and no desire to eat…just not caring…

                            I pray for your and your family in your loss.  I do so understand the hurt and pain.

                            Take Care,

                            Sherron,wife to Jim FOREVER

                              jhoey
                              Participant

                                Mike

                                I too express my sympathys to you & your family.  Your wife was blessed to have you by her side threw this terrible journey.  Sometimes its harder being the caretaker then the patient.  I have been on both sides . Life will go on, We have to play the hand we have been dealt in life.  Its not  easy but somehow we get threw it.

                                My condolenes to you & your family

                                Janet

                                jhoey
                                Participant

                                  Mike

                                  I too express my sympathys to you & your family.  Your wife was blessed to have you by her side threw this terrible journey.  Sometimes its harder being the caretaker then the patient.  I have been on both sides . Life will go on, We have to play the hand we have been dealt in life.  Its not  easy but somehow we get threw it.

                                  My condolenes to you & your family

                                  Janet

                                dian in spokane
                                Participant

                                  I am so sorry for your terrible loss

                                  dian in spokane
                                  Participant

                                    I am so sorry for your terrible loss

                                    Lori C
                                    Participant

                                      I am terribly sorry for your loss.  I can't say it gets better but you do learn take it ten minutes at a time – find joy in things – and keep them with you always.

                                       

                                      Lori

                                      Lori C
                                      Participant

                                        I am terribly sorry for your loss.  I can't say it gets better but you do learn take it ten minutes at a time – find joy in things – and keep them with you always.

                                         

                                        Lori

                                        lhaley
                                        Participant

                                          Mike,

                                          I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Hold dear the past memories and let the difficult  recent times start to fade.  You both put up a hard fight but remember that your wife is now at peace and not longer in pain.

                                          Cherish her last words,

                                          Linda

                                          lhaley
                                          Participant

                                            Mike,

                                            I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Hold dear the past memories and let the difficult  recent times start to fade.  You both put up a hard fight but remember that your wife is now at peace and not longer in pain.

                                            Cherish her last words,

                                            Linda

                                            ValinMtl
                                            Participant

                                              Dear Mike, I am so sorry for your great loss.  To lose the love of your life is horrible, but Kris is safe in the arms of Jesus now and pain free.  Her passing words were so beautiful and I pray they give you comfort during this very difficult time.   Take care of your two boys and shower them with love from both you and Kris.  Val xx

                                              ValinMtl
                                              Participant

                                                Dear Mike, I am so sorry for your great loss.  To lose the love of your life is horrible, but Kris is safe in the arms of Jesus now and pain free.  Her passing words were so beautiful and I pray they give you comfort during this very difficult time.   Take care of your two boys and shower them with love from both you and Kris.  Val xx

                                                CKasper
                                                Participant

                                                  I'm sorry for your loss, I hope you had some quality time with her and bless you both.

                                                   

                                                  c

                                                    Vermont_Donna
                                                    Participant

                                                      Dear Mike,

                                                       I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife from this dreadful disease. Let the tears flow. Grief has many stages and you may go through them many times. If you become unable to function after a while, ie perform tasks of daily living, work, etc, or feel profoundly depressed you may have what is called "complicated grief" and you should seek medical help.

                                                      Thank you for posting here on this MPIP board. We truly care.

                                                      Vermont_Donna, stage 3a

                                                      Vermont_Donna
                                                      Participant

                                                        Dear Mike,

                                                         I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife from this dreadful disease. Let the tears flow. Grief has many stages and you may go through them many times. If you become unable to function after a while, ie perform tasks of daily living, work, etc, or feel profoundly depressed you may have what is called "complicated grief" and you should seek medical help.

                                                        Thank you for posting here on this MPIP board. We truly care.

                                                        Vermont_Donna, stage 3a

                                                      CKasper
                                                      Participant

                                                        I'm sorry for your loss, I hope you had some quality time with her and bless you both.

                                                         

                                                        c

                                                        Rocco
                                                        Participant

                                                          Mike,

                                                          My sincere condolences for the loss of your loving wife, Kris.  Let the loving memories of her, along with your  family and friends surround you during this most difficult time. 

                                                          WIth sympathy,

                                                          Rocco, Stage IV

                                                          Rocco
                                                          Participant

                                                            Mike,

                                                            My sincere condolences for the loss of your loving wife, Kris.  Let the loving memories of her, along with your  family and friends surround you during this most difficult time. 

                                                            WIth sympathy,

                                                            Rocco, Stage IV

                                                            kbc123
                                                            Participant

                                                              So very sorry for the loss of your wife, Kris to this horrible disease.  It saddens me to see and hear how much pain all are going through because of such a crude sickness.

                                                              Be strong Mike. 

                                                               

                                                              Kathy from NJ

                                                              kbc123
                                                              Participant

                                                                So very sorry for the loss of your wife, Kris to this horrible disease.  It saddens me to see and hear how much pain all are going through because of such a crude sickness.

                                                                Be strong Mike. 

                                                                 

                                                                Kathy from NJ

                                                                MaryD
                                                                Participant

                                                                  I am so sorry you lost your dear wife, Mike.  Nothing can ease the pain right now but she will always be with you in your heart and give you strength and comfort to you and your children to get through this sad time.

                                                                  My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family,

                                                                   

                                                                  Mary

                                                                  MaryD
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    I am so sorry you lost your dear wife, Mike.  Nothing can ease the pain right now but she will always be with you in your heart and give you strength and comfort to you and your children to get through this sad time.

                                                                    My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family,

                                                                     

                                                                    Mary

                                                                    BarbieGirl
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Mike, I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your wife, Kris.  Please know I'll be keeping you, your sons, and all yours and Kris's friends and family in my heart and prayers.

                                                                      *Hugz*

                                                                      ~Lisa~ 

                                                                      BarbieGirl
                                                                      Participant

                                                                        Mike, I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your wife, Kris.  Please know I'll be keeping you, your sons, and all yours and Kris's friends and family in my heart and prayers.

                                                                        *Hugz*

                                                                        ~Lisa~ 

                                                                        jag
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Mike, I hope you understand how lucky your wife was to have you by her side all through her treatments.  In many cases that can be more important than the treatment itself.  

                                                                          God Bless 

                                                                          John

                                                                          jag
                                                                          Participant

                                                                            Mike, I hope you understand how lucky your wife was to have you by her side all through her treatments.  In many cases that can be more important than the treatment itself.  

                                                                            God Bless 

                                                                            John

                                                                            PSD
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Mike,

                                                                              I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                              Pam – PSD

                                                                              PSD
                                                                              Participant

                                                                                Mike,

                                                                                I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                                Pam – PSD

                                                                                Suzan AB
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  Dear Kris…Just as others have posted previously…I am so sorry that your wife died from this terrible "Beast".  May your memories sooth you and may your children faces remind you of her beauty.  Your lovely wife is now free, wrapped in love as she exclaimed her love for you with her dying breath…I am humbled! 

                                                                                  Suzan AB

                                                                                    Suzan AB
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      Of course I meant Dear Mike…so emotional about your loss…Suz

                                                                                      Suzan AB
                                                                                      Participant

                                                                                        Of course I meant Dear Mike…so emotional about your loss…Suz

                                                                                      Suzan AB
                                                                                      Participant

                                                                                        Dear Kris…Just as others have posted previously…I am so sorry that your wife died from this terrible "Beast".  May your memories sooth you and may your children faces remind you of her beauty.  Your lovely wife is now free, wrapped in love as she exclaimed her love for you with her dying breath…I am humbled! 

                                                                                        Suzan AB

                                                                                        NancyGM
                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                          Mike, I am so sorry you lost your wife. Your post brought tears to my eyes. My deepest sympathies.

                                                                                          NancyGM
                                                                                          Participant

                                                                                            Mike, I am so sorry you lost your wife. Your post brought tears to my eyes. My deepest sympathies.

                                                                                            Bonnie Lea
                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                              I am so very sorry for your loss.  She is at such a great peace and free from this disease and its pain.  God Bless you and keep you safe.  Your memories of those 31 years will help.

                                                                                              Bonnie Lea
                                                                                              Participant

                                                                                                I am so very sorry for your loss.  She is at such a great peace and free from this disease and its pain.  God Bless you and keep you safe.  Your memories of those 31 years will help.

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