BLOGS END

I've had a few days for all of this to sink in and some quiet time to reflect on what we've been through these past five months. Went back and read the thirtysome entries and all the comments that you were nice enough to write and am convinced that Joann's blog idea was a great one. It accomplished what she intended, which was to keep those interested in the loop, lessen her time on the phone and as a release for me. In my mind it's also brought all of us closer together. Guess that's what happens when you circle the wagons. But this is it, this is the last one. I've bored you long enough with my incoherent rhetoric, and to be honest, I need some closure to this disease that I've had no control over and has been running our lives all these months. If there is one thing you take with you, let it be that you really don't want to go through this, but if you must, have faith and surround yourself with a support group of family and friends, because no one can handle cancer alone. What I have felt and seen has been overwhelming and at times very disturbing. I'm sure that Lorraine, Betty, Jerry, Wally, Sam, Dennis and their spouses would agree. We all wish for a cure - today isn't too soon.
I read a definition of friends long ago.. It went something like "they are met by chance and become friends by choice". I haven't the words to thank all of you for what you've done for our boys, Joann and I, so I'll just say thanks and hopefully one day this summer we'll have a beer together around a beach fire...share one of those quiet moments everyone seems to enjoy. I'd like that.
Just so you know, the A+ grade wasn't an exageration on my part. The two tumors have shrunk and are close to being considered scar tissue. Lung function was minimally affected from the treatments and no new spots "lit up" on the CT. ECG says I have the heart (and disposition) of a mule. The doctors expect to see even more improvement in June's CT as this one was rushed due to the patient's lack of patience (Moi?). In their words, the chemo is still working.
Too bad there isn't any Rogaine in it... The A+ grade is for the team that formulated "The Plan" and the techs that put it in motion. Hell, all I had to do was show up everyday and lie still.
EARLY DETECTION - the longer you wait, the worse it gets, and it can get very bad very quickly folks. I went to the doctor's last September for acid reflux - had a chest x-ray because I hadn't had one in two years, was told it showed an upper respiratory infection and started on anti-biotics...guess what ? That "cloud" wasn't an infection at all. And so it began... Annual physicals folks - don't put it off.
I have no dilusions that I am cancer free, but am very relieved we won round 1 of what will be a lifetime of vigillance and cautioned wariness of reoccurance. Next CT is in 3 months - round 2.
Can't say enough about the cancer team at St. Joe's. I described them once as "making the unthinkable bearable" but they do much more than that. What they see and deal with everyday I can't imagine, and they do it with compassion and unparallelled professionalism. I grew close to many of the techs in the treatment centers. They were terrific and added to my short list of heroes.
So that's it. Thank you again everyone for your friendship, words of encouragment, thoughts and prayers. Joann, the boys and I needed and enjoyed your company on this leg of our journey.
I wish you all good health and an enjoyable summer. And don't forget to LIVESTRONG.

Ken

and now, as usual, Joann will get in the last word ....

Again, Ken has said it all. He's a tough act to follow. He's surprised me by sharing his feelings with you the way he has. He's pretty opinionated, but wearing his heart on his sleeve, not so much. I would also like to thank all of you for your support. These past 5 months would have been much more difficult to face without it. Once again we have put the "in sickness and in health" clause of our marriage vows to the test...and survived.

Ken has enjoyed all the responses. I know he will miss "checking his blog" at least once a day. This is your last chance to write a comment if you'd like, I know he reads them. Some of them have been very touching. We received great news on his latest CT, but as Ken said, we have a long way to go. I know the future tests will have both of us holding our breath, but we've decided not to let it interfere with enjoying our family, friends and of course, our granddaughters. What do you think of Dr. Avery taking care of Peyton ?

Thanks again, please keep us in your prayers.

Joann