In Memory of Albert Verlinde
Albert Verlinde of Richmond, Michigan passed away the morning of June 9, 2014 from metastatic ocular melanoma. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Jennifer Verlinde; grandchildren Noah Sang-Jin, Liliahna Jeanine, and Camille MiRan; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Joseph Friedman, and Beverly and Les Yon; and his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Lynn Verlinde.
Al underwent several treatment courses throughout his battle with ocular melanoma. The first sign of the disease was an eye tumor found in September of 2011. He had plaque radiation at Wills in Philadelphia. Liver Metastasis was discovered in September of 2012. He received four immune embolizations from Dr. Sato at Jefferson in Philadelphia between October of 2012 to January of 2013.
​In February of 2013, scans showed that the cancer was progressing, so he moved on to 10 Chemo-embolization, all done by The Sato team in Philadelphia. When that proved to be no longer working, he moved on to four drug eluding beads of Debdox, also done in Philly. His last liver treatment was April of 2014. Al had a very good quality of life during his courses of liver embolizations. He was fatigued and had some stomach issues for about a week after, but then returned to golfing and spending time with his family.
In March of 2013, a second tumor was found in his eye so he had a second plaque radiation done at Wills. Several bone tumors, which showed up in the spring of 2013, were controlled by Xgeva and calcium. A tumor in the orbit behind Al’s “good†eye was found by a PET scan. He had it surgically removed in September of 2013, at Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That tumor came back and he then received 20 radiation treatments at home in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
Al’s fatigue began to worsen in March of 2014, and his appetite began to dissipate. He entered the hospital the morning of June 7th 2014, and died peacefully of liver failure 39 hours later. His motto was “every day is a gift†and he lived his life to the fullest up until the end. He is dearly missed each and every day.
Al underwent several treatment courses throughout his battle with ocular melanoma. The first sign of the disease was an eye tumor found in September of 2011. He had plaque radiation at Wills in Philadelphia. Liver Metastasis was discovered in September of 2012. He received four immune embolizations from Dr. Sato at Jefferson in Philadelphia between October of 2012 to January of 2013.
​In February of 2013, scans showed that the cancer was progressing, so he moved on to 10 Chemo-embolization, all done by The Sato team in Philadelphia. When that proved to be no longer working, he moved on to four drug eluding beads of Debdox, also done in Philly. His last liver treatment was April of 2014. Al had a very good quality of life during his courses of liver embolizations. He was fatigued and had some stomach issues for about a week after, but then returned to golfing and spending time with his family.
In March of 2013, a second tumor was found in his eye so he had a second plaque radiation done at Wills. Several bone tumors, which showed up in the spring of 2013, were controlled by Xgeva and calcium. A tumor in the orbit behind Al’s “good†eye was found by a PET scan. He had it surgically removed in September of 2013, at Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That tumor came back and he then received 20 radiation treatments at home in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
Al’s fatigue began to worsen in March of 2014, and his appetite began to dissipate. He entered the hospital the morning of June 7th 2014, and died peacefully of liver failure 39 hours later. His motto was “every day is a gift†and he lived his life to the fullest up until the end. He is dearly missed each and every day.
Ocular Melanoma is a rare disease. Therefore funding for research to find a cure is very limited at this time. Contributions in Albert’s honor can be sent to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation.
If you have any questions or want further information about Warrior fundraising with OMF, please email warriors@ocularmelanoma.org.
Albert Verlinde
7/25/1952 to 6/9/2014
July 25, 1952 - June 9, 2014
July 25, 1952 - June 9, 2014
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