CSULB
student loses battle with cancer
Student:
Family and friends say Duane Rualo remained
hopeful and haaelpful throughout his struggle.
By Emmy Gonzalez
On-line Forty-Niner
A
Cal State Long Beach student said goodbye
to family and friends after a long battle
with malignant glioma, a rare brain cancer.
Accounting
major, Duane Rualo, 25, knew his time was
coming to an end when his experimental cancer
treatment made of scorpion venom became
dormant and infective. The cancer then reappeared
in another part of his brain over the summer.
Duane passed away on Aug. 27.
After
a successful summer school session and a
two-week trip to Europe, Duane's family
enjoyed every minute together. On Aug. 23
Duane had a seizure. He called 9-1-1 himself
and was rushed to the hospital. A few days
later he said goodbye. His mother Rebecca
Rualo said she had no idea this was the
end for her son.
"Death
was out of my mind, I never thought he would
die," she said.
Duane
knew he had little time left. He ordered
depression videos for his mother and father
to help them cope with his passing.
Mrs.
Rualo described her son as a well-mannered
man, full of love and hope.
"He
was my right hand man. He was so helpful
and brave."
Lecturer,
Simon Pearlman, remembered Duane always
being optimistic and an excellent student.
"I
had no idea he had cancer until he told
me he needed to reschedule his final. He
was having surgery done during finals,"
Pearlman said. "Duane never wanted
special treatment. He was a quality person."
Duane
took classes up to the end and enrolled
in an accounting class over the summer.
Professor Michael Constas said he never
missed a day of class.
"I
knew that he was very sick, but he never
showed it. Despite his adversity, he maintained
a pleasant and cheerful demeanor,"
Constas said.
In
his few years at CSULB, Duane dedicated
himself to his schoolwork, family and friends.
Assistant Professor, Kathleen Lacey, built
a close bond with Duane. Lacey was amazed
with his courage and optimism. She remembered
how brave he was before going into surgery
in December. Doctors informed Duane of the
risks involved with brain surgery, such
as waking up paralyzed. Despite the risks
he went through with the surgery. Lacy said
Duane's father called her and told her the
surgery was a success and Rualo was awake
and alert.
After
suffering from constant headaches in November
2001, Rualo checked himself into the ER
only to find out he had malignant glioma
cancer. Doctors told him he had only less
than a year to live. Malignant glioma is
a type cancer that spreads and invades the
surrounding brain tissue, making impossible
to remove the tumors. Duane then underwent
four brain surgeries to remove the tumors.
The success of the surgeries helped slow
down the growth of the tumors.
In
March of 2002, doctors told Duane he had
only a few more months to live, he and his
family did not loose hope. He decided to
try a new experimental cancer treatment
at the City of Hope Medical Center.
Duane was the first patient to receive the
treatment. Doctors from the Medical Center
used venom from the Israeli yellow scorpion
in hopes the venom would attach itself to
the cancerous tumors, making radiation more
successful. The treatment helped extend
Duane's life for over a year.
"At
least we were able to enjoy him, and be
together, said brother, Dithmar Rualo. "He
was my best friend."
His
mother Rebecca, his father Dante, his older
brother Dithmar and younger sister Roslyn
survive Duane.
Funeral
was held Sept. 6 at All Souls Cemetery.
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