Who is Walt?

Super Walt was my Dad, Walter Harold Bandy. He survived polio as a kid and cancer at age 65. I’m not sure I realized just how ‘super’ he was for much of my life as we often clashed. Mom said it was because we were too much alike. If I’m anything like him, I’m truly blessed. Dad and I got closer in 2003 after spending his 65^th birthday in the ER! He was diagnosed with stomach cancer a few days later. I helped out a lot after his surgery and took him to chemo. The last day of round 1 he decides he’s not going. I mention this because it was a huge turning point for us. In an effort to get him to go, I begged and pleaded, tried a little (ok, a LOT) of guilt and ended up saying things to him that might shame a sailor…he prevailed and did not go. That was an emotional and frustrating day but fast forward a bit and he never missed a treatment again! He actually ended up being the bright light for many other patients and the staff- always smiling and chatting, making good of a scary time. He would stop in and visit even when he didn’t have an appointment.

In 2007, one of my friends invited me to join them at Relay for Life. I told Dad we should do it together. That turned out to be very healing for him- connecting with other survivors and raising awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. We were hooked. We participated each year with friends and he would attend Survivor lunches and dinners for other events, too. We’d lost other friends and family to cancer so this became our primary charity, focusing on finding a cure for cancer.

It wasn’t until the end of 2012, months before he passed away, that a nurse at the UMMC named him Super Walt. He’d had a heart attack which resulted in bypass surgery and an aortic repair that led to every complication you can think of, or so it seemed, to include not being able to talk. It was a roller coaster ride-like experience for over 4 months. The name Super Walt held strong and it was during these months that I really learned how SUPER he was. He fought every step of the way and although he couldn’t communicate verbally, his body language and those blue eyes said it all. He had the staff wrapped around his little finger. They loved him- even when he showed his stubborn, determined side by trying to get out of bed, asking someone to call Enterprise for him (they pick you up and he wanted to go home!) or even when he dialed 9-1-1! Yes, from his bed in ICU! How could you not remember him? Ha

Dad, Super Walt, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2013 at shift change. From that year forward I Relay without him next to me but as Super Walt & Friends he’s always with me! I would love for you to click on the Support Us page to join the team or make a donation.

- Stephanie