Bill is doing so well….considering. Bill is not in any pain, nor is he on oxygen. Just so you know, at this time he does not read the blog. I, on the other hand, try to check it twice a day, and thank you for your loving thoughts and endless prayers. You give me strength.
The Northwestern clinical trail is closed. That means the pharmaceutical company has pulled the drug, and stopped the testing.
Our doctor directed us to a clinical trial at the University of Chicago Cancer Center that is specifically for leukemia patients. We have an appointment on Wednesday with the doctors there and they will determine if Bill is a candidate. Time is of the essence.
Jon and Laura are here this weekend. It will be wonderful to have their support and to just be with them.
Nurse Nancy is lifting all isolation rules for Bill. He is still Neutropenic (susceptible to infection). If you are not sick, please come by. He is slowly recovering from the last chemotherapy treatment in early January, but the leukemia is taking over his body. Come sooner rather than later if you want to visit.
Love you all. We are now praying for that miracle.
Letty and Steve sent a card with these words:
May you have strength at your backdoor, so you have it when you need it…
May you have courage in your pocket so you know where to find it…
And, always, may you have hope in your heart, so you never misplace it.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
February 19th- Hills and Valleys
We are back down in a valley. Bill did not get good results on his bone marrow biopsy. His bone marrow was 45% Leukemic blasts. We are now working on the next step. We are gathering information on a clinical trial at Northwestern University Medical Center that might accept him. Bill needs to decide if he wants to be involved with this study or just stay at home. As we pray and work through these options we know you will support us.
Friday, February 15, 2008
February 15th- A little improvement
And we will take a little improvement. His white cells have improved on Thurs and Fri just 200 points, but at least they are on the way up. Red cells and platelets are hanging in there. This was a big day for Bill at the cancer clinic. He had the bone marrow biopsy, an injection of chemo into his spinal fluid, and platelets. He broke out in hives while receiving the platelets, and of course, I caught it happening. The nurses think I’m overprotective when I watch him constantly when he receives platelets, but now they know why. He came home and slept for 3 hours.
I will know by Tuesday the results of the bone marrow biopsy, and maybe what our next step will be. (Or at least an appointment date to talk about the next step). Remember, Bill has to be in remission and in good health to even do a bone marrow transplant.
Janine, Don and Maggie come to visit this weekend. Hopefully they will bring a smile to Bill’s face.
Thank you for your prayers and support. He seemed to turn the corner on Thursday. “Coincidence I think not.”
I will know by Tuesday the results of the bone marrow biopsy, and maybe what our next step will be. (Or at least an appointment date to talk about the next step). Remember, Bill has to be in remission and in good health to even do a bone marrow transplant.
Janine, Don and Maggie come to visit this weekend. Hopefully they will bring a smile to Bill’s face.
Thank you for your prayers and support. He seemed to turn the corner on Thursday. “Coincidence I think not.”
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
February 13th- Calling in the troops
Bill is having a medical issue where he is just not making blood. His white cells, hemoglobin and platelets are just not multiplying. Each day since he has been home, the numbers have gone down just a little bit. They should be multiplying. His body is just wore out, and the bone marrow is tired. On Friday the doctor will do another bone marrow biopsy to see what the Leukemia blasts count might be in his marrow. It will be next week before we have the results.
If the blast count is high (over 5 %) we have a problem. If it is under 1 % he is ready for a bone marrow transplant. Any number in between, we have some time.
We need your help to let the Lord know we have a priority customer here who needs his help. Let’s send out this prayer to the only one who has any control over our bodies.
May His will be done.
If the blast count is high (over 5 %) we have a problem. If it is under 1 % he is ready for a bone marrow transplant. Any number in between, we have some time.
We need your help to let the Lord know we have a priority customer here who needs his help. Let’s send out this prayer to the only one who has any control over our bodies.
May His will be done.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
February 9th- Seattle Trip Canceled
As much as we want to visit the Seattle Cancer Center, it won’t happen this month. Bill is not well enough to travel. His blood counts have not recovered as quickly as we had hoped and he is still anemic, neutropenic, and low on platelets. Plus, he is very tired, sleeping about 18 hours a day. The doctor said he is doing as well as a 20 year old would do after 4 rounds of chemo. I’m sure Bill doesn’t feel like a 20 year old right now.
The doctor is giving Bill this week to recover. The following week Bill will have a bone marrow biopsy to determine if his bone marrow is “clean”. With good test results and an improvement in his health, he will be one step closer to a transplant.
Our prayers this week are for Bill’s improved health and appetite. He lost another 15 pounds with this round of chemo and 4 ½ weeks in the hospital since January 2. But, tonight, he got the “clean plate” award eating meat loaf and baked potato followed by ice cream, his favorite dessert right now.
Your prayers hold us up and keep us going. Thank you.
The doctor is giving Bill this week to recover. The following week Bill will have a bone marrow biopsy to determine if his bone marrow is “clean”. With good test results and an improvement in his health, he will be one step closer to a transplant.
Our prayers this week are for Bill’s improved health and appetite. He lost another 15 pounds with this round of chemo and 4 ½ weeks in the hospital since January 2. But, tonight, he got the “clean plate” award eating meat loaf and baked potato followed by ice cream, his favorite dessert right now.
Your prayers hold us up and keep us going. Thank you.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
February 6th- Transplant status
First off…BILL IS HOME!!!! Sleeping in his own bed and watching TV on the couch.
His blood has recovered and bone marrow is doing it’s thing. It is GREAT to have him at home. Company is welcome for short visits (15 min) because rest, healing, and staying healthy are the most important goals right now.
I have been in contact with the transplant coordinator. It takes 4-5 days for the extraction process. Our 26 year old male donor, if he lives in the United States, is going to be given a choice of 3 dates to come to Loyola. If he is from the International Donor Pool, then the extraction of bone marrow will be done in his home country. A transporter will fly to Europe and bring back the bone marrow in a cooler. Even our doctors do not know who the donor is, or where he lives. We will find out his name one year after the transplant.
In the meantime, Bill needs to be in remission and good health for all this to be placed into action. The coordinator says we are looking at about 6 weeks from now. That would put this procedure at the end of March. But, remember, we are on hospital time.
Our church family and Questors Sunday School Class, have jumped right back into action. Dinner is being brought to us almost every night, and transportation is being provided to the airport next week when we go to Seattle. Everyone that is helping with just one thing, adds up to a whole lot of help for us. Thank you, we are blessed.
Please pray for Bill’s recovery of strength. And a parting of the clouds next week to allow for easy air travel. Chicago has had it’s share of snow and ice this winter, and airport cancellations. Thank you for your prayers.
His blood has recovered and bone marrow is doing it’s thing. It is GREAT to have him at home. Company is welcome for short visits (15 min) because rest, healing, and staying healthy are the most important goals right now.
I have been in contact with the transplant coordinator. It takes 4-5 days for the extraction process. Our 26 year old male donor, if he lives in the United States, is going to be given a choice of 3 dates to come to Loyola. If he is from the International Donor Pool, then the extraction of bone marrow will be done in his home country. A transporter will fly to Europe and bring back the bone marrow in a cooler. Even our doctors do not know who the donor is, or where he lives. We will find out his name one year after the transplant.
In the meantime, Bill needs to be in remission and good health for all this to be placed into action. The coordinator says we are looking at about 6 weeks from now. That would put this procedure at the end of March. But, remember, we are on hospital time.
Our church family and Questors Sunday School Class, have jumped right back into action. Dinner is being brought to us almost every night, and transportation is being provided to the airport next week when we go to Seattle. Everyone that is helping with just one thing, adds up to a whole lot of help for us. Thank you, we are blessed.
Please pray for Bill’s recovery of strength. And a parting of the clouds next week to allow for easy air travel. Chicago has had it’s share of snow and ice this winter, and airport cancellations. Thank you for your prayers.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
February 3- Quick Note
Bill's counts are going up, blood work is improving, and his bone marrow is making neutrophils. He should be home by Tuesday. Amen. We are both ready for him to be home.
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