Wake Up! Waukesha
Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for over 20 years, is an active volunteer who has served on numerous local boards and committees. He's married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company.
"Jay Walt - You are...Cancer-Free!"
I just found out what it is like to hold your breath for 3 months or so…and how good that first exhale feels…and the second…and the third…
My wife Colleen and I met with our team of experts following my first post-treatment PET scan: the chemo oncologist, the radiation oncologist, the diagnosing surgeon, and the radiologist. Anyone having gone through cancer treatment themselves, or through a loved one, are aware of the fear, dread, anticipation, uncertainty, and hope that accompanies this test and its’ results. A dye is administered and this glucose-like product is more readily absorbed by cancer cells than other cells. Your fervent hope is that there are no telltale “glows” on the scans.
My scans were “glow-free”!
This is my first scan, and there will be others in the coming months (and years), but I needed to get a good reading the first scan to move to the second..and so on…After all, the doctors all said the same thing with the same caveat: “Jay – You are cancer-free…at this time…”
Assuredly bouncing back from a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis owes much to modern medicine. However, I attribute an equally large part of the recovery to the power of the human spirit, and the prayers and support I was blessed to receive from more people than I can ever remember to thank. To all – I thank you! Your support strengthened my resolve to fight this challenge while also providing solace and comfort to my family. Today I truly have a greater, deeper appreciation for good health as well as a stronger faith.
I encourage all to take nothing for granted…
Please note: “I felt great, really great, right up until the time I had the lump on the side of my throat checked…the lump I had felt…and ignored for 3 or 4 months.” My cancer started at the base of my tongue without noticeable side effects, and then progressed to my lymph nodes where it evolved into a 1 ¼” tumor.
Early screening for this would have greatly improved my prognosis.April 27 – May 3, 2009 is the National Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. In support of this, Froedtert and the Medical College are offering free screening in the Froedtert and MCW Clinical Cancer Center on the mezzanine level from 4-6pm (call 414-805-3666 to pre-register) on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Support information, educational materials, and guest speakers will be on hand. There are 2 featured speakers... Dr. Bruce Campbell is the compassionate Director of the Froedtert Head and Neck Cancer Clinic who also happens to be a blogger . The other invited “guest” speaker will be a recovering cancer patient who also blogs – myself!
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