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These past few years have truly and utterly been a roller coaster on so many layers…
- I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer, I underwent two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- I travelled to Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, MD), the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD), the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (Seattle, WA), and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Seattle, WA).
- I was employed by Sophos, laid off as part of a reduction-in-force along with 130 other developers and engineers, unemployed, and then joined Teaching Strategies, LLC.
- Like so many others, experiencing a whirlwind of employment and finances as part of my medical expenses, the pandemic, the economy, and the stock market.
- Met and made many new friends along the way between Facebook, Twitter, and our medical travels.
And so here I am, a quarter of the way through 2021… by the Grace of God, I’m currently in remission. This is actually my second remission since my first lasted only a few months before my Mantle Cell Lymphoma made a re-appearance. Thankfully (and I fall to my knees and give thanks for this!), this is also my longest remission, going on a year now.
And so we just ended our 40-day Lenten journey together and celebrated Easter together as a family at home. I was hospitalized twice during the 40 days of Lent, for a week both times, so I do need to continue taking diligent and fastidious care of myself. I’m still neutropenic, immunocompromised, and battling Stage 2-3 Lymphoma of my left leg as well as the neuropathy that accompanies it.
But I am thankful beyond all words. Our family has been blessed and we’re fortunate. Our little family will be growing by one more in May as little Sachiko joins Kiyomi and Toshiro as our third Shetland Sheepdog. She was born on Sunday, April 14th (3.14, aka “Pi Day”), so she’ll join our Cinco de Mayo Sheltie (Kiyomi, born May 5th) and Toshiro (born May 28th).
Hi Ken,
Excellent news, ecstatic to hear that by the grace of the almighty you are in remission. We will continue to pray for you.
Best,
Ali
Ali – so nice to see you!
It’s been quite the journey these past few years. I truly cannot thank you and others on our street (Tranh Nguyen and his wife, Ted & Corey, and ALL of our neighbors). For all our Westerley’s “warts” and issues, we truly do have good neighbors and good people on our street.
When I was younger and healthier, I used to help Nguyen as much as I could by shoveling their driveway whenever we shoveled ours. He returned the favor last winter, as well as keeping an eye over the house for us while we were gone. Ted & Corey (and their dogs, Archer & Luna) also kept an eye on our house. I told them both they could use our driveway while we were away in Baltimore and again in Seattle.
It’s been a journey! …I get frustrated because I’d really like to get out, go places, socialize, after being a hermit and a recluse these past few years. You might have heard, but my wife was SCREAMING at me on the street two weeks ago because I dared to walk across the street without a mask on in order to get a package from a neighbor. Oh well, she’s far more cautious and mindful about health and protocols than I am?
I’m fighting Acute Bronchitis and Laryngitis now. They have me on Ceftin, Tessalon Pearles, and Advair 500/50 to combat the bronchial cough and infection. I have another chest x-ray scheduled for this afternoon in Ashburn.
I hope you’re doing well! Hopefully I’ll be able to visit, talk a little longer, and mow your lawn for you once I feel better?