What a difference one week can make. Bill is still handling the ABT-869 drug very well. It is controlling the cancer cells in his blood, and has very few side effects. It is the answer to a prayer.
Thursday the doctors reported that Neutrophils were noticed by the lab in his blood. They are the good white cells that we need to fight infection. The numbers are small, but at least his bone marrow is beginning to produce them again.
Bill can now control his pain with the Dilaudid drug pump, and the most he has taken is .6mg in 24hrs. I think the pain is a little less each day, but that is my opinion, not his. The doctors say his pain is probably caused by gall stones.
Bill received red cells and platelets today. After his 4 hour nap (caused by Benadryl for the platelets) he then had a visit from the Recreational Therapist who brought into the room a big TV and a WII game. (Pronounced wee for those who do not recognize the word). He started out easy with the fishing, skeet shooting, and hockey games. I will know he is feeling better when he wants to play golf on it. This is a great hand-eye coordination game and kept him task oriented.
Earlier today Jan Gavin sent out a prayer request to our Sunday school class to pray for Bill to take a walk. He must walk the halls to prove he has the strength to move on to transplant. Finally at 4pm he gave in to my nagging and we went for a walk. Thanks to all of you who read the prayer and gave him the strength to walk out the door. His first time out of the room in over a week. He is now napping again.
I’m at the hospital tonight. Janine, Don and Maggie are coming in for the weekend. The snow and bad roads kept them away for Easter weekend. We can all be jealous of Janine. She and her girlfriends are going to the Oprah show on Monday. I’ll let you know the televised date later.
We arrived at the University of Chicago Hospital one month ago. We thank the Lord for one more chance at life, one more month that we didn’t think we had, and pray for the strength to go on. Amen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
We will P.U.S.H. for Bill to have more strength for another walk tomorrow.
Hope your visit from Maggie(Janine and Don too)will be just what the doctor ordered.
Take care and praying often
Love,
Paula and Jim
What great news that the good white cells are starting to make a presence!!! The next step will be for some of the pain to lessen. As always, two steps forward, one step back, but as long as Bill is moving forward...
I am so proud of you Bill that you were able to go for that walk! It must have been tough to get up the motivation to overcome your pain; good thing Nancy is so good at "encouragement". :)
And wow, you're playing Wii! When you feel up to Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party, let me know!
Take care, both of you. It's been an exhausting journey, but you're making headway. Hang in there, and just take one day at a time. Have a great time with Don, Janine, and Maggie!
- Janet and John
What a wonderful job to have - a recreation therapist - almost like a cruise director! Always helping people to do fun things. Let us all know when he is golfing - it will definitely be a positive sign! Glad you and Bill decided to venture out of the room - sounds like it wasn't as eventful as his last solo walk - the bread crumbs must work!
Maggie will be the best medicine for Grandpap. Nothing better than a baby smile to make everything better.
So proud of Bill, and relieved for you. God has been helping us PUSH in the right direction.
Love, prayers, and good health,
Gail
Bill & Nancy,
Your strength and resolve are simply amazing. You both are a constant inspirations for the way in which you're facing this, the most trying of life's challenges. But from the brief time I knew you when we were together at FCC in London, I'm not surprised at either of you.
May peace, grace and strength continue to be yours.
Marlon (and Jennifer)
What marvelous news Nancy. I can just picture Bill figuring out how to work the WII system - like the night we did the Questor Code scavenger hunt for clues. What a wonderful idea for therapy - this has to be right up his alley.
We will keep praying for the continued improvement in his Neutrophils and for the strength to take another walk.
Love,
Kay and Barney
Way to go Bill and Nurse Nancy. This news has made my day. Tim and Betsy Priest send their love. Enjoy Maggie.Love you guys.
Becky
The healing power of pray. We are so lucky to be a part of this miracle in the making. Love, Janet and George
Nancy and Bill, We keep you in our thoughts and prayers every day. I'm glad the prayers worked to get Bill up and walking and the WII game sounds like just the ticket to get Bill's mind on something fun!
Take care and God be with you both.
Dee Naftzger
What wonderful news, we just got back from Destin. While in Texas the girls introduced me to the WEE that Santa brought. I went bowling until I couldn't move my arm. Seriously this sounds so encouraging.
Love Pat
Wow, I wish I would have went to school to be a therapist. Playing WII with Uncle Bill would be a blast, and it's a great workout. Keep up the good work, and encourage more of that movin & groovin!!!!!
Much love and prayers,
E.B.
Good news for Mr. Bill and Ms. Nancy. Bill-be careful where you put your wii. I bought Becky one and she is totally dangerous playing tennis. She thinks that she is ON THE COURT and you should get out of her way when she goes after a ball. Wonderful to hear the encouraging news.
David Eaker
Post a Comment