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519.886.2090 | GINASPA.COM | @GinaSpaAndHair GINA'S HOLISTIC FACIALS | MANICURE & PEDICURE SERVICES WAXING | EYELASH EXTENSIONS | MAKE-UP & TINTING Isn't it TIME to INDULGEYOURSELF atGINA'S? KW'S TOP AWARD WINNING SPA THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • 11 CITY LIFE WATERLOO CHRONICLEWATERLOO CHRONICLE AROUND TOWN By Samantha beattie Chronicle Sta� Edward Weiler was diagnosed with pros-tate cancer more than 20 years ago. In that time he's travelled to all 50 U.S. states and, on more than one occasion, across Canada. He's played with his eight grandchildren, acquired a Shih Tzu named Mickey and cel- ebrated more than 50 years of marriage with his wife Jean. "I don't believe in giving in to the cancer," said the long-time Waterloo Region resident. "Life continues on and you want to enjoy it as much as you can." In 1994, Weiler went to his doctor for a routine checkup and screening. Although he had no symptoms indicating anything was amiss, it turned out his prostate-speci� c anti- gen levels were high. A few months later he was o� cially diag- nosed with prostate cancer. He was told he had, at the most, 10 years to live. He was 50 years old. "When I � rst got it, it hit me hard," Weiler said. He had an operation and then underwent radiation therapy. Owning a plumbing busi- ness, he kept working throughout. After three years, the cancer was under control. "I've felt good all the way through," he said. "I just had to get over that � rst hump of treatments. After that I never gave up." Only a few years before he was diagnosed, Weiler and Jean had bought a motorhome with plans to satisfy their wanderlust. Cancer didn't stop them. In between treatments they travelled and continue to do so to this day. � ey're known to spend their winters in Texas and Arizona and this spring will be going to Missouri for a campout with friends. For Canada's 150th birthday, the pair will spend some time in Ottawa before trekking out to the east coast "to get some fresh lob- ster," said Jean. � eir favourite places they've been to are Newfoundland and Alberta. Since his � rst remission in 1997, Weiler's cancer has returned several times including 2004, 2006 and 2012. Most recently, in 2014, Weiler had an advanced form, which happens to only 10 to 20 per cent of the 22,000 Canadian men diag- nosed with prostate cancer each year. Weiler has responded well to a couple of medications, which have kept the cancer at bay. "When I had advanced prostate cancer, I said to Jean and my doctor that I had to wait three months to start treatment," Weiler said. "We had plans to go to California." So they went and came back and he got better. "Ed is a very positive person and keeps moving on," said Jean. "� ere's no sense of dwelling on the cancer because it isn't going away. If something can't be � xed, you learn to work with it." Weiler said while he doesn't think he's done anything special, his doctors have said his ability to bounce back so many times from the incurable disease is exceptional. His approach, he said, is to just keep liv- ing. With or without cancer, he and Jean would stll be doing what they love to do, together. "We've always had a solid relationship," Weiler said. � e two met while rollerskating and were married by the age of 20. When their three kids were little, they bought a camper trailer and went as far as Prince Edward Island and Disney World. All these years later, they've upgraded to a 40-foot RV and like always, Jean navigates. Ed drives. Wanderlust Prostate cancer hasn't stopped couple from exploring the world Jean and Ed Weiler have been married close to 53 years. Despite living with prostate cancer for close to 25 years, Ed has carried on doing what he loves -- RVing and travelling with Jean, and spending time with their family. SUBMITTED PHOTO We are Waterloo portraits at museum � e City of Waterloo Museum presents the We Are Waterloo Potrait Project, to June 9, at 500 King St. N. � e We Are Waterloo Portrait Project began in 2016 as a year-long community art initiative to capture the connections between art, culture, community, and identity. More than 500 unique and inspiring self-portraits have been contributed by individuals who work, play and live in Waterloo. Not only do these celebrate the diversity of our community, but illustrate how Waterloo embodies what it means to be Canadian. By timing the project in conjunction with Canada's sesquicentennial, the exhibition o� ers an opportunity for the community to celebrate its present as well as its past and future. For more information, visit waterloo.ca/museum. Seussical storytime at WPL on Jan. 21 KW Musical Productions are coming to play at the Waterloo Public Library main branch Jan. 21, 11 to 11:45 a.m. � ere'll be stories and singing and lots of games, too. Your mother will not mind at all if you do. � e event is put on by the WPL. For more information, visit www.wpl.ca. Kentucky singer at Folkway Jan. 22 Folkway Musicp resents acclaimed Kentucky singer/ songwriter Joan Shelley, Jan. 22, 8 to 10 p.m., at 22 Dupont St. E. � e concert will take place inside the beautiful show- room of Folkway Music, located in uptown Waterloo. Folkway specializes in the sale, repair and restora- tion of unique vintage fretted instruments, and is known worldwide as a hotbed for vintage guitar culture. � e atmosphere of the store, with its sublime and curated aesthetic decorated by incredible and rare instruments, provides an unforgettable ambience for such a small concert. Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by calling 519- 772-0424, or emailing info@folkwaymusic.com. "I don't believe in giving in to the cancer. Life continues on and you want to enjoy it as much as you can." Ed Weiler on how he has survived prostate cancer