First off, we arrived at the Cancer Center at 11:45am and were finished at 5:25pm. The winner of the “Bill Huber blog site Loyola Cancer Center treatment schedule predictor” is our daughter, Janine, at a predicted time of 5:22pm. Congratultions! We left the center just in time to hit Friday rush hour traffic, in the rain. But a church friend, Julie, read the blog and knew it would be a long day, and brought dinner by at 7pm. It was a blessing.
Today was full of good news, and not so good news, followed by good news. Here is how the day went.
Bad news: Last week Bill’s torso and back were covered in a red/purple rash, which the doctors call “Chemo rash”. Plus, he had large red bumps all over his extremities. The doctors took a biopsy in 2 places. Today we met with the dermatologist to have the stitches removed and she told us it is Leukemia cutis or Leukemia of the skin, common with his form of Leukemia.
Good news: The chemo treatment he is currently being given will eliminate this cancer. And we are already seeing healing results. The rash is almost gone, and the red bumps are much smaller. Amen.
Bad news: We learned today that Bill’s type of Leukemia, M-4, is one that migrates to other parts of the body. It does not stay in the blood. That is why it went to the lining of the brain, inside the brain, spinal fluid, and skin.
Good news: There are no signs that it has attacked any other organs of his body. Amen.
Bad news: His chemo treatments next month will be increased to 5 consecutive days of chemo, two 3 hour treatments a day, with 12 hours in between treatments. He will stay at the hospital all week. It will be a brutal week for him. And a tough recovery.
Great news: Dr Shafer said his CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) was clear on the previous sample and clean of white cells. He will only need injections of chemo into the Ommaya reservoir once a week (and not every 3 days). Amen.
Good news: The chemo he had last week is killing the Leukemia cells in his brain, and Bill continues to show signs of improvement in brain functions. Amen.
Good news: The Neulasta (white cell builder) is just beginning to work, and Bill’s blood count numbers are on the rise. We won’t make it to church this weekend, he still has no immune system, but are hoping to be there Nov 4th before he goes back into the hospital. Just look for a guy wearing a face mask and a smile from ear to ear because he is out of the house.
This is probably way more information than you wanted to know. But, this was the reality of our day, and there was more good news than bad news. We are still fighting the battle, and still need your prayers. Amen.
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10 comments:
Praise be to God for all the good news, and continued prayers for the "not-so-good" at this time. Wishing you a good and restful day. Nancy, if you have not already checked your regular email - look there for a "library list" for Bill's viewing pleasure. Love, Jan
Knowledge is a great thing and we appreciate your information. I will continue to be thinking of Bill next week during his treatments and will put a little extra emphasis on the thoughts. Good Luck. David Eaker
At least the good news outweighs the bad. You are making more steps forward than backward, so Praise the Lord!!!! Nancy, Bill is being taken very good care of. So, you take care of yourself. Bill wants that. Check into staying a few nights close by next week, rather than fighting the traffic each day. Looking forward to seeing baby pictures from this weekend.
Love you guys,
Becky
Uncle Bill,
I am continuing to pray for you daily. You are in my thoughts, and you were greatly missed yesterday.
To all the Huber"s--You were all greatly missed at Jeff's wedding. Don't worry...Grandma did the YMCA, and Jeff and Aunt Gail did the Mother/Son dance, which made Elizabeth cry. I think I may be the only one to talk about the wedding today because I may be the only one who remembers last nights events, other than Amanda. The Huber side danced until the DJ was done..BIG Surprise. Oh! And everyone behaved themselves..BIGGER surprise:)
I will try to send pictures to your e-mails, however, I have inherited my mothers grasp of technology, and can not figure out my new camera. HAHAHA.
Much Love, continued prayer,
Melissa
Thanks for the intimate updates. This really helps us to understand the difficult process one must face in this situation. We can never imagine the ordeal an individual/family goes through when you read of these illnesses in the papers etc. We are so proud of your courage and strength in fighting this terrible disease.
Bill and Nancy, keep up the forward momentum and we look forward to hearing more good news. Our prayers are with you.
Roxanne and Ken
Good news outweighed the bad - YEAH! As I always say, it is good to know your enemy.
The wedding was wonderful - pictures will follow shortly. I definitely have a mother of the groom hangover - emotional hangover, not one alcohol induced!! We missed you.
Keep us posted - We feel much closer to all of you because of the regular information.
Love, prayers, and good health,
Gail, Marty, and Mom
In keeping with the Huber tradition , we had fun at the wedding. Maybe EB had a little too much fun!! Gail gave me the responsibility of mom at picture time. Let's just say she made it in her own record time.
You all were greatly missed by all.
Can't wait to see pictures of Maggie and Andrew together.
At least there was more good news to be thankful for than bad. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Paula and Jim
Not too much information at all! Thanks so much for keeping us in the loop. As someone else said, at least the good news outweighs the bad. I am praying for you all--the Praise Team misses you so much, Bill!
Barb Ceruti
Lots of good news and the bad news sounds temporary! So this is a good day. We love you both. Take care of each other...that means YOU TOO Miss Nancy! Love to all...Ann and Jim Reego
Bill,
Hang tough next week--this disease doesn't know its messing with a guy from the Mon Valley. Hope the Vol victory gave you a bit of a boost. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Best,
Jim Wolf
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