Dan's Story
Dan Combs was my Daddy. He was 3 years from retirement. He and my mom were planning to travel the country once he retired – he was especially looking forward to golfing.
He had a persistent cough and repeatedly went to doctors for what we all presumed was bronchitis. He completed rounds of antibiotics without any improvement. It was not until he saw his PCP at Penn State Health that he was found to have SCC in his right tonsil – This was February 2012.
Although the diagnosis was not news any one of us wanted to hear, it brought us closer as a family – leaning on and supporting each other. He began treatment immediately – chemo, radiation, and surgery; he responded well. By November 2013, he was told that he was cancer free!
We celebrated a Christmas that year, full of joy and relief . . . but he then began developing severe headaches that were debilitating him. He didn’t want to go back to the doctor for fear of the possibilities.
He met with his ONC team for a routine follow-up in early 2014, and testing revealed that the cancer was back – aggressive and it metastasized. He immediately re-started chemo. It knocked him out. He was unable to work and lost his energy. He became depressed with his loss of strength and independence, but was determined to beat the cancer. He never gave up. He was in and out of the hospital, but he was a fighter.
With his family by his side, every single step of the way, Dan Combs lost his battle to cancer on December 29, 2014. Forever in our hearts and minds. We love him and miss him!
Love,
Your wife, daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren
submitted by Jesse M. Combs
Dan Combs was my Daddy. He was 3 years from retirement. He and my mom were planning to travel the country once he retired – he was especially looking forward to golfing.
He had a persistent cough and repeatedly went to doctors for what we all presumed was bronchitis. He completed rounds of antibiotics without any improvement. It was not until he saw his PCP at Penn State Health that he was found to have SCC in his right tonsil – This was February 2012.
Although the diagnosis was not news any one of us wanted to hear, it brought us closer as a family – leaning on and supporting each other. He began treatment immediately – chemo, radiation, and surgery; he responded well. By November 2013, he was told that he was cancer free!
We celebrated a Christmas that year, full of joy and relief . . . but he then began developing severe headaches that were debilitating him. He didn’t want to go back to the doctor for fear of the possibilities.
He met with his ONC team for a routine follow-up in early 2014, and testing revealed that the cancer was back – aggressive and it metastasized. He immediately re-started chemo. It knocked him out. He was unable to work and lost his energy. He became depressed with his loss of strength and independence, but was determined to beat the cancer. He never gave up. He was in and out of the hospital, but he was a fighter.
With his family by his side, every single step of the way, Dan Combs lost his battle to cancer on December 29, 2014. Forever in our hearts and minds. We love him and miss him!
Love,
Your wife, daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren
submitted by Jesse M. Combs
Meet our Cancer Warriors
Michael Balliet
Ethan Blackbird
Cindy Briner
Joan Chestnut
Daniel E. Combs
Glenn Curtis
Cricket Hile
Kathy Mitchell
Mark Mooney
Gloria Myers
Alicia Bracale Nyer
Kent Peachey
Mary Smith
Will Stone
Michael Balliet
Ethan Blackbird
Cindy Briner
Joan Chestnut
Daniel E. Combs
Glenn Curtis
Cricket Hile
Kathy Mitchell
Mark Mooney
Gloria Myers
Alicia Bracale Nyer
Kent Peachey
Mary Smith
Will Stone
For more information on how to be a cancer warrior or submit a story
Please contact [email protected]
Please contact [email protected]