OK . . this one's not about by recovery. Everything is status quo at this point and I've really got nothing to up date you on - at least not from my own battle. This one is is support of family and friends that are facing their own cancer battles.
First, my father-in-law Walter. For the better part of the last four years he has been getting treatments for and fighting lung cancer. Unfortunately in the last two months this have taken a turn for the worse.
Walter's status went from stage 1B to stage 4 in a matter of about two months. He is currently under the care of doctors at Boston Medical Center. He's been on oxygen and in some pain these last two weeks.
Faith, my mother in law, my wife Janet and her siblings David and Pam would greatly appreciate your prays for peace and comfort during this difficult time. It would be great to get a few prayers for David as well as he really needs to come up to see his Dad, but finances are preventing him from being able to afford the trip up from Tampa, FL.
I also have an old friend and colleague from my days at the former Target Productions who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is scheduled for surgery this week in California, And though she's a very independent woman, I'm sure that she would appreciate the support and prayers for a successful surgery and recovery.
I don't think I've ever some across someone whose life hasn't been touch directly or indirectly by cancer. They need our support, caring and supportive word - but ever more so just being there to help out with even the littlest of things.
Don't wait to be asked - because to probably won't come. Just show up and drop off an easy meal, call & offer to run some errands for them, or maybe even a little bit of house keeping for them. It may not seem like much and a bit mundane, but a little bit can go along way for someone dealing with.
********* UPDATE *********
My father in law, Dr. Walter Hicks, passed away on November 10, 2011
after his long battle with lung cancer. Rest in Peace Walter.
HICKS, Walter J. Of Acton, Nov. 10, 2011. Walter leaves his wife Faith of 52 years. Daughters, Janet Palazini of CT, Pamela Dole of Acton, and son W. David Hicks of Tampa. He also leaves 5 grandchildren, Jacqueline Dole of Acton, Jason, Evan, and Ryan Palazini of CT, and Joseph Hicks of Tampa. Walter leaves his sister Carol DeMatos of Methuen. Walter was involved with the Stephen Ministries and Unemployment Network Programs at Grace Chapel. Professionally, Walter had forty years of experience with a major Defense Contractor. He had multiple patents and inventions. Designer of first transistor circuits used in full scale production missile by major Defense Contractor. One of the most experienced people in the United States with respect to acquisition, tracking, and engagement of real targets in complex natural and countermeasure environments. Expert in ECM and ECCM techniques. Walter has his BSEE and MSEE from MIT (1957), Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from NMSU (1969). Member of Sigma Xi, Sigma Pi Sigma, Menza, Biography published in Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering and Who's Who in America - Member of IEEE and SPIE. From 1998 to present he has been CEO of Paradox Scientific of Acton - Consulting Services and Physics Research. There will be a Celebration of Walter's Life on Monday November 14 at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd., Lexington at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Reception to follow in the Courtyard from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton.
