"Thanks for all your birthday wishes everyone. 2013 was undoubtedly one of my biggest challenges. But with the great support of my loving and beautiful wife Martha, close friends here in Pittsburgh, and a premier team of doctors and researchers things are going well and I'm looking forward to many many more birthdays.
Again my thanks.
Pete"
My husband, Peter, at the Pittsburgh Zoo with Barney
(I think it's Barney and that's what my grandson called him.)
2014 turned out to be just as challenging if not more so. The challenge began in November, 2012, when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He underwent chemo and radiation. The radiation to his brain was to keep the cancer from spreading there. The radiation worked but the chemo did not. His doctor found a new chemo for him. It's an orphan drug and cost $10,000 a month. The drug company, his doctor and a specialty pharmacy helped us to get the drug. The chemo worked but had side effects. He was in constant pain from the cancer and the chemo. The pain was all encompassing and I can't even imagine what deep bone pain feels like. He had trouble walking because his feet hurt so much. We tried everything to make the pain better. Nothing really worked.. but he carried on. He kept his life as normal as possible. He fought the illness with all his might and with dignity and bravery. He lost the battle on October 27, 2014.
Forever in my mind, always in my heart
