Terry Hausman Obituary 1/14/11

Memorial for Terry McGoon Hausman Born in San Antonio, TX on Aug. 30, 1955 Died Jan. 12, 2011 and resided in San Antonio, TX. Visitation: Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011 Service: Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 Funeral Home: Porter Loring Mortuary North Cemetery: Mission Burial Park North

Webster's dictionary defines an obituary as "a published notice of a death, sometimes with a brief biography of the deceased". By that definition the passing of our beloved Terry Hausman should be noted in "The Living Section" of the paper rather than here in the obituary section. For hers was not a spirit that can be captured in a few columns of a newspaper. So the following is "a published notice of a life"…a life that was special to so many people in ways that were unique to each person whose life she touched. It is a notice of a life well-lived. But perhaps, most importantly, it is a notice of a life that ended with such grace, spirituality and courage that it is a lesson for all of us. Terry McGoon Hausman was born on August 30, 1955, to Richard (Dic) F. McGoon and Alice Joan McGoon Sivertsen, both of blessed memory. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School here in San Antonio. She then attended Sam Houston State where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. Terry graduated from UTSA in 1976. On June 14, 1975, Terry's life would be forever changed when she married AJ Hausman. The terms "soul mate" and "love at first sight" are often ascribed only to the movies. But if that is true, the movie should be titled "The Terry and AJ Hausman Story", because theirs was truly a love story. AJ informed her that they would be married after only two dates, and though she let him think otherwise that was the last major decision he ever made in the marriage. Terry let AJ be AJ, and in turn he adored her. When Terry became ill, until the day she died, AJ's entire reason for living was to take care of Terry…to make sure she was comfortable and pain-free…to make sure she had everything she needed. And during this period, we suspect that Terry's entire reason for living was to make sure that AJ would be all right when she was gone…that all of us would be all right when she was gone. Terry and AJ had three wonderful dividends from the dedicated investment they made in their marriage. Their children Lazar Hausman, Keli Hausman, and Teal Hausman were the center of their universe. AJ of course was the consummate doting father. But Terry was the axis on which that universe turned. Terry was the gravity that kept everyone in their orbit through the good times as well as the not so good times. And she did not let her life end until she was at peace with the fact that each of them would find their own axis when she was gone and would not drift aimlessly in space. Terry was a life force, and a magnetic field for everyone who came into contact with her. AJ and her kids were Terry's main focus to be sure, but they did not represent the entirety of her life. The fact that we all learned so much from Terry is not an accident, for she was a teacher. While living with AJ in Eagle Pass she taught the second grade for one year, and she also taught remedial reading at the sixth grade level. Terry was a modern woman before the term was in vogue. In 1985 she went to work with her father at Allied Advertising. Anyone who grew up in San Antonio remembers the bus stop benches adorned with Allied advertisements, many of which were Terry's creations. Eventually she became the president and majority shareholder of Allied, and she ran the company until she eventually sold it a few years ago. Ever the fashion plate, Terry was the subject of an article about woman's fashion in the business world in a local newspaper. But of all her accomplishments, perhaps the one that gave her the most pride was the fact that she was the first female in Eagle Pass Texas to obtain her pilot's license. It is no wonder that AJ proposed after only two dates…he never had a chance. Although AJ was the main care giver toward the end of Terry's life, she experienced the incredible constant, unselfish love of her sister Linda Joan Wiethorn and her children. She was also comforted by her brother James McGoon, his wife Kate and their children. And of course Terry's lifelong friend Pam Berry Braha was always there as a second sister. The other family members who were a part of Terry's life were and her Mother in Law Dorothy Hausman and her step mother Martha McGoon. In addition Terry would want to acknowledge her love and affection for her brother and sisters in law Holly and Randell Floyd, Susan and Stanley Hausman, Barbara and Ralph Hausman, and Laura and Harry Hausman and of course all of their children who loved their Aunt Terry, or Tia Terry as some affectionately called her. Terry would want to acknowledge those who preceded her, her father Richard (Dic) F. McGoon, her mother Alice Joan McGoon Sivertsen, her father in law Harold Hausman, and her brother-in-law Bill D. Wiethorn. And finally the family would like to express its appreciation for the uncommon care and affection, far beyond the call of duty, that was conveyed by Dr. Y. Gia Dice and the staff at the Cancer Care Centers of South Texas-Medical Center and Dr. C. Frederick LeMaistre and the staff at the Texas Transplant Institute (Bone Marrow)-Medical Center. The skill and kindness of these individuals will never be forgotten. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at Porter Loring Mortuary North. SERVICE MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011 10:30 A.M. TMI THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF TEXAS ALL SAINTS CHAPEL 20955 WEST TEJAS TRAIL SAN ANTONIO, TX 78257 The interment will immediately follow at Mission Burial Park North. In lieu of flowers, if so chosen, the family has asked that donations be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Institute (MMRF), 383 Main Ave., 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT, 06851, 203-229-0464. From all of your many, many friends who loved and admired you Terry, we would like to thank you for the time you shared with us; though too brief it was a unique, rich experience and a road map for how to live a life and how to let go. That connection will never be broken. Con mucho amor, affecto y paz Siempre amigos.

Terry Hausman Newspaper Article 1/16

Terry McGoon Hausman was a driven saleswoman.

“She was a very strong lady... and independent. She definitely believed in being her own person and doing things for herself,” her son Lazar Hausman said.

She was adamant about maintaining a professional look and felt that if she looked the part, whoever came into her office would expect to be treated with expertise.

“Answer the phone with a smile; it will come across to customers,” family members remembered her saying.

Hausman died last Wednesday of complications from multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. She was 55.

Hausman was born in 1955 in San Antonio and attended Lee High School. She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1976 with a degree in education.

She met her future husband, A.J. Hausman, in summer 1973.

After only two dates, he told her they were getting married.

“I just called her up and told her I was getting married; she thought I was lying,” her husband said. “She asked who I was getting married to, and I simply said, ‘You.'”

Two years later, they wed in Eagle Pass.

Hausman quickly found her niche in sales.

She earned her certification to sell diamonds and pearls and was known to throw successful jewelry parties.

She eventually went to work with her father at Allied Advertising.

Though she was a distinguished saleswoman, loved ones remember her more for the motherly influence she had on her family and her children's friends.

“She was a great mom, very caring. She always looked out for us first. A lot of my friends and my brother's and sister's friends remember her as their own mother,” her son said.

Friends of Hausman's three children would frequent the family's home, often to seek advice.

“She would confront problems and find solutions for them. She was always very gentle and clear, and always told the kids when they walked out the door to remember to make good choices,” her husband said.

In 2008, Hausman was diagnosed with cancer. Even after her diagnosis, she remained a pillar of strength and comfort to her friends and loved ones.

“She was always at peace. People would initially come in to visit her distraught, and somehow left happy because of her,” her husband said. “You wouldn't know Terry was sick from her attitude and her faith.”

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Hausman-was-great-saleswoman-even-better-mom-961597.php#ixzz1CHhcFeIJ

Didn't Reach the "Fork"

As promised a recent photo! August 30, 2010 Terry is 55!


Sorry for the long wait, but it looks like I haven’t made it to the fork in the road yet. Some of you might remember, or you can read back, basically…after this last biopsy (Sept 8th), I was to be at a “fork in the road..” One way would be remission, if not it would be the other way, back to looking for a different treatment. Well, according to my last test, I am at neither place just yet. That is GOOD news. I really don’t want to hear, “this treatment is not working.”



Last June my marrow showed 60% plasma cells (plasma is a nice word for cancer), and now I am showing only 30% plasma cells. Now, while that is not “remission,” NE status (no evidence of cancer cells), it is still very good news because it does show that my present treatment IS WORKING. Amen! I am not yet in remission but I still could get there in a few months or so. The most important thing is the Velcade is still working and killing the cancer cells. It is just taking a little longer. Right now I am finishing my 4th cycle of chemo and I am not sure if I will take a 5th or do a break. I am sure they will be taking another biopsy within a few months to see where I stand.




I do feel great. I have very little pain now, just tired, but that is to be expected. So keep praying for remission. I know it is coming. My blood is 100% donor, and my marrow is 92% donor. I didn’t realize that there was a difference between the two. So we are waiting for those last few bad cells of mine to get killed off ,out of the marrow, and we will be in good shape.



Here is some fun news! AJ, Lazar and Teal left for Germany last Wednesday for 10 days. They are attending the 200 anniversary of the Octoberfest, and their hotel is right in the middle of it all. Between the 3 of them, liters and liters of beer are being consumed, along with shank meat and kraut! I estimate a substantial weight gain for all. I talk and text with AJ daily and they are having the time of their lives. Lots of male bonding! Keli and I are not so sad that we were left behind, because BEER is not our thing. When they get back, I will post a photo. This is a trip that AJ has been planning for years. I am so happy he was able to make it, and I pray for their safe return.



Love to you all. T.


What is faith?
"It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead." Hebrews 11:1

Miracle~Absolutely No Matter the Results

First let me tell you I am feeling really good. Stronger everyday. Cut my pain patch in 1/2 back to what I was using when I started and my blood counts were really up yesterday. It has been two weeks shy of six months, 1/2 way to the year!

A few weeks back I saw someone that I haven’t seen in a long time. She said to me, “ you are already a miracle.” It was an odd thing for me to hear. Was I? I have incurable cancer, I am not in remission, I have been categorized as critical….ok, how is that a miracle?

If you know me and have kept up with my blog, you know I depend strongly on my Christian faith. I believe in prayer and that God does answer prayer. Maybe not the way I want, but nonetheless, he is here with me and does answer me. After all, I have and excellent physician team, I was in remission from my auto-transplant for at least 4 months, I have responded extremely well to all chemo treatments, I got just the right amount of GVHD….my prayers (and those of the hundreds that are praying and sending good thoughts with me), are being answered!

I am at a critical fork, remission or, I still have the nasty aggressive cancer and need more treatment. I have finished my 3^rd round of chemo and yesterday they did testing. I will know something preliminary and the bulk of the results next week. Many of you went with me on a 21 daily prayer through this last chemo, to ask, believe and receive remission. I nicknamed this round, REMISSION ROUND and claimed its victory. Today is day 21! Amen.

What if it is not remission? Did God blow off my prayers? Am I not a miracle? Hard questions….I want you all to know that God does not blow prayers off. God is good! If you allow him he will be with you always, as he is with me. God did not bring this cancer to me. We live in a ungodly, unfair, and injustice world. In closing I am going to quote Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, from When Bad Things Happen to Good People, “And what about your prayers?...Were then left unanswered? You face a situation that could easily have broken your spirit, a situation that could have left you a bitter, withdrawn…incapable of responding to promise of being alive. Somehow that did not happen. Somehow you found the resiliency to go on living and caring about things. Like Jacob in the Bible, like every one of us at one time or another, you faced a scary situation, prayed for help, and found out that you were a lot stronger, and a lot better able to handle it, than you every would have thought you were." I have read a lot of self help, spiritual, and cancer books, but these few words really hit home for me.

In short, I love my prayer time. God has answered my prayers just by letting me know that I have such a strong multi-religious community supporting me and I know that I am not alone. And yes! I am already a MIRACLE! Amen.

I will post results soon….within the week! Love to you all and I will post a new family photo. I am now 55! Yeah.

July 23rd, 4 months

Sorry it’s been so long since my last entry. Things have been busy and at times difficult. I have a lot of shakes and tremors, so couldn’t type. Also very, very fatigued.

Fantastic news! A.J and I celebrated our 35th anniversary on June 14th. I wish such happiness for everyone.

On not such great news, June 23^rd, 90 day check up after the transplant, my bone marrow biopsy showed cancer still present. I don’t know how much, the percentage… but the doctor said it wasn’t important to focus on that, at this time. The ALLO transplant does seem to be working but either the cancer is reproducing more quickly than it is being destroyed or my body may need more time to kill and build up better abnormal cells. They are just little babies in there and not to many of them either!

I have been released back to my oncologist, Dr. Dice, and both my doctors, LesMaistre and Dice, have formulated a new plan of action which I began in early July. I am back on the chemo (Valcade). I have responded well to this medication in the past and look forward to similar results but the cancer possibly has grown to a more aggressive mutated form so any results are very day by day. I was classified as “critical”, meaning few options available. The good news is that there are options. I’ll be on this routine for a couple of months, 21 day cycle; chemo day 1, 4, 8, 11, and 10 days off. Second cycle starts tomorrow. Any we will see where this takes us. Not jumping to far ahead.

Also, I had two vertebrae, causing a good amount of pain, that had cracked or on there way to collapsing. They fixed in the same surgical procedure that was used when my L-1 collapsed in March of last year.

I want to thank all of you for your concerns about my condition and after more research, I want you all to know that I remain firm in my belief that my medical team is the right one for me, hand picked by lots and lots of praying.

If you pray, please pray for me to have strength, fighting the fatigue and better mental health. God is good. He never promised life without strife but he did say he would always be there…and He has for me, still now every moment.

“God did not give you a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, love and sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I am not fearful…. But I sure could use MORE of a sound mind! I thank God for the work he is doing through me, and for me. I love all my friends and family. My kids have been here all the way, AJ is amazing, and other family and friends I could not be here without all you prayers, well wishes and love. <3, T.

Long time....

Greetings all. It has been a long time since I have written, but I have a good excuse...I have been really sick and quite frankly haven't had the energy or the spirit to write. But I am now on the mend!

In short here is whats been going on since I last wrote. My rash did finally test positive for GVHD. Which isn't a bad thing because now it is clear. However, I am still on steroids which really does wreck your body. The steroids are different from the ones athletes take, don't as me how...I just know they are different...the worse thing I have experienced is the deterioration of muscle mass. The doctors did tell me this would happen, but I didn't really realize what it was...until now that I can't walk up stairs, unable to really get up from chairs etc...my calf and legs muscles are shot! Good news...it does come back with time and work. I have to walk, do stairs etc to get it back, but it is coming. It is just so weird to think you are going to stand up or walk up a 5 inch step and your body can't do it.

So after GVHD rash, about 4 weeks ago, I got a stomach/intestinal virus of some sort. It just came upon me and because I have nothing to fight with it just took over. I haven't gone back into the hospital but I have been coming to the clinic daily for fluids and meds. I also contracted an additional virus, para influenza #3 (can turn into phenomena), which just put me under. All you can do for a virus is ride it out. So that is what I have been doing for the last 3 1/2 weeks...riding all of this out, many days using a wheel chair to get to the clinic because I just had no strength, plus I have lost a total of 16 pounds since the transplant in March. I am hoping to get at least 10 of those back! I never thought I would ever say that. But TODAY, I am stronger...walking in to the clinic on my own and maybe next week I can start driving again. I am so thankful that GVHD did not land in my colon. it certainly was a concern during all of this intestinal stuff but the test proved otherwise! Thank you God.

I love my clinic, The Bone Marrow Transplant Center! ~Best decision ever. Dr. LesMaistre is amazing, but his staff is more so. It is like a small community. There is no rushing, no shuttling...they focus on you and your needs. They really do "treat" the patient not just the cancer.

I decided that I will probably write monthly because there really isn't much going on now. So don't be alarmed...also feel free to email me or you can always call AJ if you feel to much out of the loop. I want you all to know that I have read your emails, texts, cards, and listen to you phone messages. I haven't responded because I just have been so tired and I appreciate that you all understand "if Terry doesn't feel good...she doesn't talk!"

I am so fortunate to have such a strong support base, I really thank you all for you prayers and healing thoughts, they are working! As you all know, I love bible scripture. My friend and prayer warrior, Lola, sent this to me. It says much!

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

Bluebonnets on the way~ Lake House Retreat

TEXAS BLUEBONNETS! Nothing Better..........

Our Lake House Retreat. It is my favorite place to go and rest. AJ loves it too. We splurged and put fancy adjustable beds up there just like we have a home for AJ and I. Now we never want to go home. Red wine, moon, stars, peace and quite. God's beautiful nature.

Today is a good day, I am driving! Blood counts keep climbing, not going to do the whole chart thing, but here are the new numbers.

WBC 4/12 5.0, 4/14 7.6, 4/16 10.3, 4/19 9.0 (normal 4.5-10.5)
RBC 4.68 4.62 4.56 5.02 (normal 3.80-5.20)
HGB 14.1 13.7 13.5 15.1 (normal 12.0-16.0)

PLT 235 210 207 139 (normal 150-400)

As you can see, they continue to rise. These are amazing numbers for day 28, these are God’s numbers! Amen.

GVHD seems to be splinting hairs over here. Can’t quite decide, but knows that it is NOT full GVHD, it is still engrafting syndrome and they have to watch it. As far as I am concerned, I have claimed the victory and I don’t plan to be getting any more of that stuff. It can be wicked.

Went up to the lake a few weekends ago and the weather was beautiful on Saturday, not so much on Sunday but it was just great to get away. The flowers were beginning to bloom and AJ finally got to show me my Christmas gift?! Well he had to order it before the EOY, but it finally came, the NEV tax credit. Neighborhood Electric Vehicle! Basically, it is a 6 passenger golf cart. It can be driven on any road in Texas as long as the speed limit does not exceed 45 miles an hour. The only thing about the NEV that is my Christmas present is its color….RED! (he could have ordered blue his favorite color, but got RED for me~smart guy!)I do think it is fun, and it will be nice to run to the Happy Cooker this summer for pancakes! My goal is to sell it to someone in Horse Shoe Bay that really needs a cart….but maybe not…it is PRETTY CUTE!

AJ & I have always wanted a family get-a-way place.

God is good!