| Final Update Jul-16-2005 |
This morning Ben lost the battle with cancer
and passed away in peace
He may have lost the battle with cancer but he he convincingly won the
battle of life.When one reflects on one's own life there are usually
moments that you wish to correct.
I do not believe that was the case with Ben.
I will remember him as a person that simply was capable of only having
good thoughts and he made decisions accordingly.
Please take the time scroll on this page and click on the blue navigation
buttons at the top to enjoy Ben as he grew up,
married and
established a
family.
Visitation will be Wednesday Jul-20 from 2 to 8 PM
at the Hahn Funeral home on 8th and West St. in Mishawaka (Across the street
from the St Bavo church parking lot)
The funeral mass will be Thursday July-21 at 10 AM at
the St Bavo Catholic in
Mishawaka.
Following the burial at the South Bend Cementary (where Opa and Oma are
buried) there will be a luncheon at St Bavo's
|
| Update Apr-19-2005 |
|
Hi Everyone,
Again I would like to thank all of you for your
prayers. Please continue praying, because the cancer has returned.
The only thing that can help now is a miracle and
that's what we are praying for. The only help the doctors can provide is a
treatment to shrink the tumor which also might reduce the pain. |
|
Update July-9 2004 |
|
Hi Everyone!
First I want to thank all of you for your prayers for my
health! Last week I had a cat scan and this week I received an excellent
report from my doctor. He was so pleased with the results. For those of
you who don't know the odds I have been fighting, we were told that
pancreas cancer wants to come back. The first year about 95% get it back
and 90% of these don't make it. Again the second year is also very risky
so the doctor wants to continue the chemo schedule for some time. I was
hoping he would reduce the chemo but I gladly oblige. But there is no
trace of anything and I am doing fine. People tell me I am good looking,
Sorry I mean I look very good. I'm cutting my own grass again and enjoy
doing it. Because of the chemo I need extra rest. Thanks again for your
prayers!!!! And a great big thank you goes to the best caretaker my
wonderful wife Florence!
Ben Veldman
PS Please continue to pray also for our granddaughter
Olivia. She is doing well but needs another year of treatment.
Sorry it took a while to get this out.
|
|
Update - Jan-22-2004 |
|
Hello dear friends
Ben had a procedure done
today at the hospital because he has a large blood clot in his leg and one
traveled to his lungs. Dr. Ansari said he really should be in the hospital
but didn't want him there because there are so many "bugs" there and he
didn't need any more trouble. So we went to his office or hospital everyday
for a week for an injection of Lovenox in his stomach. Such a sexy purple
polka dot stomach! He also has been on Coumadin since that time to thin his
blood
Today he had an "inferior
vena Cavagram IVC filter" placed in his main artery. They went up through
the groin area. This filter will stop any additional clots from traveling
to his heart or lungs. Praise god for all these new advances. Ben is doing
fine. Thanks for all your prayers........be assured you are all in ours.
God bless,
Ben & Florence |
|
Update - Jan-12-2004 |
Just thought we would send a brief message to let you know about Ben's
progress.
He had
a CT scan on Monday, Jan. 12th, to check on the tiny spot that showed up
on his liver on the CT scan two months ago in November. The CT scan this
time was on his chest, abdomen, and pelvic area. After the CT scan, they
asked us to sit for a short time while they checked the scan. The nurse
came to us and said Dr. Ansari, our Oncologist, wanted us to come right to
his office. We were prepared for the worst because we actually had an
appointment the next morning with him to find out about the CT scan.
Well, the news was good......and bad. Good news was that the spot on his
liver was still there but had not enlarged at all! Praise God! The bad
news was that Ben had a blood clot in his lungs which is quite serious and
they started him on medication to dissolve the clot. Today, and everyday
for a week, including Saturday and Sunday, he has to go to the Doctor or
Hospital for a shot in his stomach. He also is taking Coumadin starting
today to thin his blood. Another bad news is that Dr. Ansari wants to
keep Ben on Chemo for another 6 months to prevent any more cancer. They
are still not sure what the spot on his liver is, but if it is the
beginning of a little tumor, the Chemo has really kept it in check. We
thank God that the Chemo is so friendly to his body. Except for making
him very tired, it does not make him sick. I guess with God's help we
can get through this. Please keep him in your prayers.
Now for our Granddaughter, Olivia Rose. She is also doing quite
well.....such a happy and delightful little girl. The Chemo that she gets(an all day affair) every three weeks is starting to make her a little
sicker each time as she gets more in her little body. She will get the
Chemo until March. Then everyday until June she gets steroids twice a
day. Once a month until June she gets a 4 hour IV of GammaGobulin......it's
called IVIG. Please keep her in your prayers also and her mommy, Maria.
The other day she took her mommy's face in her little hands and said,
"Mommy, I'm feeling very fragile". (She was really feeling very sick and
irritable and that was the way she expressed it)
God Bless You all and Thanks for all your prayers. We keep you all in
our prayers and in our hearts.
|
Operation on Pancreas successful |
| Hi Everyone,
I just want to let everyone know that DAD is home. Visitors are welcome
but please call first before you come. Dad is very tired and still very
weak. All of your prayers are still needed so please continue to pray for
Mom and Dad. Phone calls are welcome but please do not call right away.
Please give Dad a couple of days to rest and then you can call him. God
bless all of you and thank you for your prayers and concerns. I will keep
updating all of you as time goes by and feel free to call me anytime if
you have any questions.
My phone number is (574)256-0521
Love you lots, Emily |
| Hi Everyone, Sunday June-15
I thought I would let everyone know that Dad is doing very good. He is
eating a little bit today. If he continues to do good it might be that he
will be able to come home on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. Please
continue to pray for all of us because it really helps. God bless everyone
and have a wonderful day!
Emily
|
- Thursday June-12
-
- Looks like dad will be in the hospital over the coming weekend for
his
- birthday and father's day. He is in better spirits and having less
pain. He
- is able to walk around more and his color is improving.
- If anyone in the family would like to stop in for a visit, dad would
enjoy
- seeing you.
- Hopefully, he will be going home early next week, but we don't know
for
- sure.
- Keep praying for Mom and Dad!
- Love, Maria
|
| Sunday June-6
Dad is doing very well and he is eating a little bit. He has also been
taking little walks up and down the hallway at the hospital. He is still
very tired and weak. Please keep all of us in your prayers. I will keep
all of you in contact as soon as I hear of something again.
His phone number is (317) 274-9233
Information provided by Emily Veldman |
- The surgery went very well. They did some biopsies around the tumor
and as far as they know there is no sign of cancer anywhere else.
-
- If anyone would like to send a card to Dad the address is as
follows.
-
- Ben Veldman
- Indiana University Hospital
- 550 N. University Blvd.
- Indianapolis, IN 46202-5200
-
- Room 3752 Bed 2
Information provided by Emily Veldman |
|
Dad made it through surgery without any
serious complications. He still has lots of IV's and tubes in, but
given his major surgery, he's doing well.
Dad really isn't quite ready for lots of
visitors. He is still having a lot of pain and not ready to socialize. Please
call if you are thinking you would like to visit and I'll be happy to
update you. Certainly, once he is ready for visitors, you are welcome
here if you need a place to stay.
Also, his room number has been changed
again--he's in room 3752. Of course, cards and letters are very
welcome.
Please pray for a continued uncomplicated
course for him!
Maria Stanley (Veldman)
(317) 577-2860
|
