From: Ted Farr [tedfarrmedia@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 6:22 PM
Subject: Ted Farr Health
Beyond my current contract and associations here in Kelowna, you are the radio colleagues I most respect. I want to tell you about the journey I am about to begin.
I have been diagnosed with cancer. It's on the base of my tongue and in lymph nodes along the left side of my neck. Treatment is expected to begin in about two weeks. There are over 100 man hours of preparation yet to be done by doctors and technicians I will be receiving radiation five days a week for seven weeks, a total of 35 occasions. On many of those days they will add chemo. There is a 50/50 chance that they will be successful. The major challenge will be to maintain calorie intake and hydration given the expected impact to the throat from the treatment schedule. Once treatments are complete, it will be a couple of months to confirm success and up to two years to fully heal and learn the extent of what will be the new normal. There will be long term damage from the radiation to teeth saliva glands, taste buds and hopefully nothing more. The good news is that I am a positive and otherwise healthy individual with no history of illness. In fact, a recent physical produced an excellent report with the exception of the lump in my neck.
So, Ted and Terrie have a major fight at a time in our lives and my career when we chose to make lifestyle changes brought on by the sudden passing of our son two years ago last week. The pending battle is a major setback with physical, emotional and financial struggles ahead. What matters now is survival. Your moral support is important to both of us.
On the positive side of our story, our first grandchild will be born on Thursday. Not only is it my birthday to now share with him but our daughter and son in law have decided to name him Jonathan after our son.
Ted
