My Husband

On October 19, 2009, we received the most devastating news of our lives, my husband, Hank, had Stage IV Rectal cancer. He was 61 years old and had spent the last 8 1/2 years in a wheelchair as the result of a stroke. While I fell apart inside, he took it in stride, just as he did everything else. He endured 25 rads without missing a treatment, and handled the Xeloda/erbitux regimen like a champ, even when the erbitux rash got so bad it was in his eyes. He never lost his sense of humor or the courage to fight. His June PET/CT showed and excellent response to treatment, liver mets had disappeared, and his CEA levels were normal for the last for months running.

I took the week of July 4 off to just have a relaxing week at home together. Although we were in the middle of a raging heat wave we had a great week, Hank was feeling good, we celebrated with a small July 4 party and just felt good all around

On Sat night while getting into bed Hank seemed to injure his back. By Sunday the pain was intolerable so we went to our local ER. Scans showed two herniated disks but no evidence of disease progression. His onc, GI doc and PC were there every day and all felt the back injury was an unfortunate bump in the road. By Wednesday his electrolytes were all over the place, by Thurs he was vomiting blood, on Friday he was placed on the palliative care service and early Sat morning my wonderful loving husband passed away in his sleep.

I hate this disease, it took away my love, my best friend, the most important person in my life, in the blink of an eye. I can only say I am greatful that he did not linger for weeks or months in agony, and I know he is in a better place.

To all of you still fighting, fight harder, please don't let this insidious monster win. It may have taken Hank but I truly belive that one day, and hopefully soon, there will be an end to this evil

K