The last three days have been inspirational. . . . we lost Ken, but in his wake so many people have come forward with condolences and offers of help, which shows the enormous goodwill that Ken has generated over the years.

I especially want to thank Mairwen and Ian for their help and continual support; Mary, for the healing touch therapy she provided for Ken; David for his photo video, Cindy for her web expertise, Colin for support in general; and lastly Sheila, for her role of surrogate sister, who has been a constant source of running around, picking up, a shoulder to lean on and ever-ready supply of reassurance and assistance.

...................... Roberta/Bobby

We are so very sad to tell you that we lost Ken today, Friday, February 20, 2009.

For the past month Ken has been staying in Bridgepoint, where he has been looked after with great care and consideration. The end came very quickly for Ken and he didn't suffer at all; he was ready to leave us, and this morning he took out his oxygen breathing tube.

Kens sons Chris and Neil, and Cindy and Mirelle were with me to say goodbye, and he died peacefully.

With thanks again for all your messages and cards.

Bobby

This past week, Ken has settled into his new life - up to a point. He's still hoping to be up and about more, which is a good sign, and another good sign is that he really enjoys the food where he is. Their kitchen is fully staffed and everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

A typical breakfast for Ken is: fruit juice , home made croissant, oatmeal porridge with honey, followed by a cheese omelet and a large cup of tea. It's his favourite meal, and he savours each mouthful.

A little something on Ken's doctors:

Ken's first realization of a medical problem was at the Rudd clinic, when a routine examination resulted with a diagnosis of a tumour in his colon.

At TGH, just a week later, on the very last operating day before Christmas, in December of 2000, we met Dr. Reznick, who escorted Ken and us (Ken's family) down to the operating theatre. We all had to run to keep up with Dr. R.

Dr. Reznick has been in our lives as we've lived with Ken's cancer, from then on. He operated successfully on Ken, who was home in a few days and able to sit with us at the dinner table on Christmas day for turkey................

The cancer had already passed through Ken's colon wall though, so this was just the beginning of several more operations and numerous courses of chemo. Chemo has always been under the supervision of Dr. Moore at PMH, and he also has been a constant in our lives for over eight years.

Both Dr. Reznick and Dr. Moore have come through repeatedly for Ken, offering help, reassurance and advice. They have been a continual source of encouragement, given expert treatment, and have always responded to me whenever I've e-mailed either of them in a panic. No they are not Gods, but in the medical field they're pretty amazing, and are much valued people in our lives.

Ken's cancer metastisised into his liver. He had a liver operation performed by Dr. Gallinger, who we never got to know, because after that op, Ken came home again within a few days. His liver regenerated itself, and has never been a problem since.

But, the cancer still spread elsewhere and more chemo followed. Inbetween chemo, Ken has lived, worked, travelled and sustained a full life.

Ken's had two stents successfully set into his colon by Dr. Kortan at St. Mikes. This lovely man said "It was my pleasure," when I thanked him for looking after Ken.

Musn't forget to mention Dr. Brien who treated Ken for blood clots and thrombosis, and Dr. O'Brien who performed Ken's last colon operation this past December; Debbie, who works for Dr. Reznick and Dr. O'Brien and all the other support staff at PMH and TGH, nurses and technicians who have been so caring and helpful. On the whole, Ken (and me) have been very, very fortunate to link up with such a great group of medical people.

When we had Ken at home this past December and January, we were shocked to find that Scarborough is a veritable wasteland for palliative care doctors. We couldn't find one, until a VON (nurse) came to the house and talked with me after she had seen Ken. She had a social worker call on us, and in turn he suggested a Scarborough palliative care doctor who he said might be able to help. Ofcourse this doctor is completely overworked and I would imagine completely overwhelmed with his work load - Scarborough is a very big area.

At eight in the evening, one snowy, January night, I answered the front door to see a long haired, bearded man dripping icicles, as he stood there waiting. He introduced himself as being a doctor and in he came. He stayed for an hour, chatting with me and Ken, (and drank tea with us - he turned out to be English). He's "The," sole, "Palliative Care Doctor" in the area, and he said he would take on Ken's care.

At nine pm he left, saying he had two more patients to see that night. He had introduced himself as Dr. Ireland, and didn't seem to mind at all, when I for some reason kept calling him Dr. England and Ken kept calling him Dr. Liverpool. Good man!

Some more pics of Ken in New York, last February (with me and g.daughter Alex), and another family one including my son (Ken's step-son), another Chris.

Will post more another time, and thank you again for ongoing cards and letters that arrive for Ken.

Best wishes,

Bobby/Roberta

Finally, thanks to daughter-in-law Cindy, we have Ken's web site up and running. So here's a mini update on Ken:

We all know that Ken has been living with cancer for over eight years, which is an amazing feat in itself. And I think we all know that it's thanks to Ken's sheer will power and strength of mind that he's been able to live a full life throughout this time. (the docs did their part too ofcourse -- more on their wonderful help in another posting).

This past December and January were very difficult months though. Ken's health took a turn for the worse, and he had another colon operation at TGH. In the past Ken has always bounced back and been in full swing in no time, but this proved to be different. His strength flagged and he became bed bound. After two weeks in hospital, we brought Ken home, a few days before Christmas.

We had a month with Ken at home, with a daily nurse and home help, but it became apparent that Ken needed more and more help and it was difficult to look after him and give him the care he now needs, from our home. Ken fell a couple of times and the second time he fell, health complications made it necessary to take him back to emerg at TGH.

Ken stayed in hospital for three nights, but didn't regain any strength, and after talking with Ken's docs we all came to the painful decision that Ken would go to a health care facilty for more extended care.

This has been an extremely distressing time for all of us. Ken's office is now closed thanks to friends Colin and Tarja and Ken's two sons, Chris and Neil. But again Ken came bravely through January's massive adjustments and said he's now on to his next chapter........

Thanks so much for all the loving cards and letters from so many of you. I read them all to Ken when I visit, and he's very touched and gratified. At present, Ken isn't up to receiving visitors, so we hope that you understand.

The photo of Ken and his two sons Chris and Neil was taken about 18 months ago. I'll include some pics in further news postings. Thanks again for your ongoing concern and best wishes.

Kens says "Hi, and I'm honoured to all of you."

Best wishes,

Roberta or Bobby (as a lot of you of know me)