Glen Strandberg
Staff Writer

There is something in his quiet, friendly delivery that commands attention. It comes through in his sense of humor, in the way he manages living with a terrifying disease, and in the way he speaks about his family. Like a 2006 version of the old E.F. Hutton commercial: When Ed Locke talks, people listen.

Looking out across his land that essentially straddles Forest Lake and Scandia, Locke can watch a couple of horses graze in the foreground, or let his eyes wander to a large pond that waits at the bottom of the hill, or go beyond the water to where the ground rises up again and feeds his cattle. Locke takes it all in and itís obvious that he appreciates what he has. The perspective may have become more focused since being diagnosed with kidney cancer last August, but one gets the feeling he has always embraced whatís in front of him - his wife Marjorie, their five children, his childrenís children, work, or simply relaxing at his familyís farm, where he says he spends 90 percent of his time.

ìActually, everythingís going good,î he says, after describing his fight against cancer.

ìAll of my grand kids live within three miles of me. Canít beat it. I see a lot of them.î

Cancer Appears

It was August 25, 2005, a day after turning 65, when Locke first noticed something was wrong. His friend took him to the emergency room, and after some tests the doctor thought Locke had a tumor on his kidney. A large enough tumor that should have given him great discomfort, but Locke said he felt normal.

Perhaps it was the power of suggestion, but all it took was a few days to go by and the pain was evident. Back to the doctor went Locke, and they gave him a shot of morphine. That didnít help, so they gave him another...and another...and another.

After more rounds of tests the doctors determined the cancer had spread to both lungs, and then gave Locke two years to live.

ìYou know, youíre a little discouraged; especially when youíre told you got two years,î he said. When he says this, though, he doesnít sound discouraged.

ìIt has been interesting, Iíll tell you thatî he continues in his understated way. ìIím not too concerned about what happens. If itís going to happen itís going to happen. Iím gonna put it off as long as possible, thatís all.î

When the doctor found the 12 cancerous cells on Lockeís lungs they brought him back within the week to remove the kidney. Since then theyíve worked on ìsuperchargingî Lockeís immune system, and theyíve had some success with eliminating the cancer on his lungs.

However, this past spring the doctor noticed that three cells had returned. With a different plan, and new pills, it looks like the cells are shrinking.

And this is where Locke sits today.

Getting Involved

A member of the Forest Lake Lions Club, Locke was convinced by some other Lions to get a team for Relay for Life. This Friday heíll have at least 15 family and friends who will participate on his behalf, and that works just fine for Locke.

ìAs far as cancer, or anything like that goes, you know, Iím 66 years old,î he says. ìIf you want to feel sorry for somebody, go on down to the fourth floor to University Hospital and see these little kids that got it.î

And there is a perfect window in which to see how Locke views life. As he says, he has no complaints.

ìSomebody will say, have a nice day, and I tell them, ëI always have a nice day.íî

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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