My Dad's Story

by Cathy Weeks

The Waiting Game

November 22, 1996: We still have rough times. Dad, like many, many cancer survivors has been depressed at times, not enjoying many of his old pursuits the way he once did. But Dad's oncologists say that this is very, very, normal. Dad will get though this hurdle, just as he has all the others that came before it.

On the physical that was required of him before he could lead the scouting trip in Minnesota, his doctor wrote of his cancer status: "Full remission." There really is no word for Dad's condition. Remission usually means that there is cancer present, but that it's not growing. Dad doesn't have cancer. But he isn't cured. Not yet.

It's a waiting game now. Dad's first milestone is coming up. January of 1997 marks his one-year anniversary of his surgery, and completion of treatment. So far, there has been no evidence whatsoever of recurrance. Dad has two very important statistical milestones to come, though. Two years and then five years. Two years because that's survival time that cancer statistics use most often, and five years because...after five years, he will be considered cured.

It's hard to believe that one year ago, I was desperately searching the internet for information, looking for others who had gone through it already. I met George Thompson, who is an active member of the EC-listserve, and a wonderful storyteller to boot was the first person I talked to. Eventually I spoke with AL who was looking to start a listserve devoted to Esophageal Cancer. He did it, and I volunteered to be the keeper of Cathy's EC Cafe'. (The name of the page was Al's idea, actually).

April 20, 1997: Chris and I got married on this rather rainy day, and Dad escorted me down the aisle, another milestone for him and for me. Dad was very happy for me (and I for him), and despite his depression, enjoyed himself a great deal.

This is the part that is truely ongoing...I'll keep you posted about how Dad and I are doing

March 29th, 2001: January 12, 2001 had come and gone, and the family barely noticed! A couple of weeks after the fact, I realized, that OHMYGOD, DAD MADE IT PAST THE MAGIC 5-YEAR MARK!!! I called home, and Mom said that Dad had just seen his surgeon a few days before, and he had declared Dad cured. Wow, the "good" C-word. I congratulated Dad, who happily repeated the good news.

Dad continued to deal with serious depression for a long time after my last entry. However, a combination of factors has turned things around: His doctor finally hit upon the right anti-depressant, and his dental practice picked back up. He was much happier being busy, and to our surprise, he got interested in his toys again (you know, new digital camera, a new laptop, trying to figure out how to develop his xrays in less time, etc). We had almost forgotten about his liking for gadgets. It's good to have him back.

I no longer outweigh Dad (which always kind of bothered me...girls aren't supposed to weigh more than their fathers!) He had always been pudgy, but after the surgery and recovery, he had trouble keeping his weight up. At his smallest he weighed about 135 pounds (at 5' 7" tall). He's finally gained much of it back and now is holding at around 165. It's a much better size for him. He still seems like a much older person than he did before the cancer, but he's healthy, and that's what counts.

It seems like I've barely blinked since the time I last wrote in this journal. Chris and I are approaching our 4th anniversary (Time flies when you're having fun! :-). We're thinking of starting a family, and at almost 32 years of age, I hardly recognize the frightened person I was at 26 when Dad was diagnosed. But, life is good.

Cathy Byland Weeks

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