One year and counting...

It's now official.  Saw the oncologist this morning and all reports show that Walt has been in remission for one year!  Yay!!! A red-letter day for sure!

Seems like not a month goes by when he's not being tested for something but so far all systems are checking out just fine.  Next update in 3 months. 

Can't stop saying 'thank you' for your continued thoughts, concerns and prayers.  While we know he is incurable, he is manageable.  Although some days I do question the manageability.  lol

Our hearts are heavy

Walt's brother, Lou, passed away in the early morning hours of August 4th.  He had fought a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer that had spread to his lungs.

Lou would have been 71 in a few weeks and recently celebrated his 49th wedding anniversary with his wife, Linda.  Walt had the pleasure of watching his younger brother grow into a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. 

Walt and Lou on the Long Island Sound, CT

In early May we were able to spend some quality time with Lou.  It was fun rehashing memories of their youth, 'where are they now' questions and comparing cancer notes.  That part really stunk but was a necessary evil. 

As I've mentioned before, Walt lost both his parents and sister to cancer.  His father's four siblings also died of cancer as did a number of earlier relatives.  Cancer doesn't just run in his family, it's a full out gallop. 

We have fond memories that will last a lifetime.  Lou left footprints on our hearts that will never go away.

Summer time and the livin' is easy...

especially when you get another 'all clear' from the oncologist!  In September Walt will see her again and we hope that the next round of scans and lab work remains the same.

Onward and upward!

I'm still in remission!!!

It's been 6 months now, all scans and lab work continue to come back with good results.  The doctors are impressed with how my body responded to radiation and chemotherapy and that I continue to have no side effects and can still go about my daily activities as before.  We'll continue with follow-up appointments and lab work every 3 months.  And because everything is looking so good I don't have to have a repeat scan for another 6 months.  Talk to you in 3 months!

More milestones

This week marked the 1 year anniversary of Walt's lung cancer diagnosis.  Nearly 9 months to the day he was found to be in remission.  Yesterday he saw both oncologists for another follow-up.  The latest CT scan shows the organs are healing nicely from the radiation and chemo treatments.  And NO NEW FINDINGS!!!  He'll see them both again in early March.

We also each had eye exams.  Walt's showed no significant change in his vision so no new prescription needed.  His peripheral vision is worse but we're dealing with it.  My eye exam was post cataract surgery on each eye.  I can now see 20/20 when using both eyes!  With glasses I was only correctable to 20/30 in one eye and 20/60 in the other.  And I don't have to get prescription readers unless over-the-counter ones don't work for me!!!  For the first time in 50 years I am not wearing glasses 24/7.  In the past I would need glasses to find my glasses.  I now have an inkling about how an amputee must feel as I'm constantly ready to take them off at night, clean them, etc.  Very strange but very, very wonderful!  I am in total awe of the medical community that they were able to make this happen and have it be a complete success.

What a ride 2013 has turned out to be for us!  Here's to a healthier 2014!

Thank you again for all your prayers of support and offers to help in whatever way you could.  Until you've walked in similar shoes, you'll never know just how much those things mean. 

Thank you!

Thank you all for your support and good wishes that you've shared with Walt and I.  While we know the journey isn't over we feel a great deal of relief that we've reached this milestone.  If you don't have a blog you aren't able to comment here but you can reach us by sending an email to kesselmanws@outlook.com.

Health updates

We reviewed all the test results today with the hematology oncologist and the radiation oncologist.  Both concur....Walt's cancer is in remission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  He'll continue to have tests and follow-up appointments every 3 months or so.  Thank you all so much for your support!  He's certainly not out of the woods but it's a milestone we're celebrating.

On another note, I have had my cataract consultation and the surgeon has said I am ready.  I'm certainly willing and able!  The plan is to use special lenses that will correct the astigmatism in both eyes.  He'll repair the left eye first and 2 weeks later the right eye.  I haven't heard from the scheduler yet but hope it's soon.  It's quite possible I'll only need to wear glasses when I read.  I've been wearing glasses since 1963.  Fortunately technology trimmed them from coke bottle bottoms to micro thin layers of some plastic polymer.  So if you have extra prayers on hand, I'd appreciate them.

Next scheduled update in about 3 months.