Relay for Life

This past Saturday was the first annual "Cornhole" Tournament Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in honor of Bill held in Northern KY at Amy and Troy's.  It was a huge success and raised about $1000 for the day.  Thanks so much to everyone who attended and/or donated on behalf of Bill.  We were blown away by the outpouring of support.  Everyone seemed to have fun, the weather cooperated and the food was delicious.  

Next Saturday we hope to return to Northern KY for the Relay for Life where "Bill's Lifeguards" will be among the many teams walking and running to raise money and awareness for cancer.  

We have two more weeks until it's time to leave for our beach vacation, and we're counting down the days.  Bill has not had much energy lately and he doesn't have much of an appetite.  We're not sure what's going on exactly, but we saw our surgeon last week and he wants him to have some blood tests run this week.  Hopefully, the docs will be able to give him something to help increase his appetite.  We're praying that this trip to the beach happens, we all need it.  

Right now, the plan is still to have another PET scan in July as soon as we return from vacation and then begin another round of chemo.  Of course in this battle everything is tentative, plans change quite often.  

So for now we're hanging pretty close to home, taking in a movie now and then and trying to get Bill stronger.  As always, thanks for your continued prayers and positive thoughts.  Holly

Happy Memorial Day

We hope everyone is having a safe and relaxing Memorial weekend enjoying family and friends.  We are certainly trying to make the most of it.  Bill continues to heal from his surgery and is getting stronger each day.  He is taking longer walks with Fanny and me and even participating in a little yard work.  

He has a follow up appointment with the oncologists tomorrow to discuss "next steps".  We are hopeful that things will continue to go our way and we will get to the beach in 5 weeks.  We're also looking forward to participating in the Relay for Life (Bill's Lifeguards) on June 20 up in Northern KY with the kids.  

I am no longer working at U of L.  Everyone there has been so wonderful and I miss being a part of the College of Ed, but I decided I needed to be a full time nurse for now.  So we're trying to take advantage of the freedom and time, just doing things we want to do.  The stronger Bill gets, the farther we can reach.  Travel is still a part of the long range goal.

Please keep in touch, we love to hear from you.  Thanks for your continued positive thoughts and prayers.  Holly

Home Once Again, Yeah!!

Bill was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  We have been able to enjoy a very nice Mother's Day weekend at home.  He is feeling pretty good considering he still has staples in his belly.  Things seem to be progressing in the right direction for now.  Keep those positive thoughts coming his way, they seem to be working.  

We are scheduled to go back to the surgeon on Tuesday morning to have the staples removed and make sure everything is still going according to plan.  So, for now we are enjoying this beautiful weather, our family and friends and taking it easy.  Your cards, letters, emails and phone calls are always so kind and encouraging.  Thanks for continuing your support,  it means so much to both of us.  

We hope to get back to working out and getting around in the "hood" soon.   Holly

Update

Bill continues to heal and make progress, we are hopeful that he will get to go home very soon. He has been given the go ahead to eat soft foods so he had a cheese omelet this morning.  If he is able to tolerate the soft foods, we're in good shape and should be given the okay for discharge.  In the meantime, we are trying to keep a positive attitude and enjoy the amenities here at University Hospital.  

We'll keep you posted on the his progress and let you know when we get home.  He is anxious to see his Fanny, she has been vacationing at Emily and Eric's for the week.  As always thanks for keeping us in your prayers.  Holly

Surgery #4

The surgery yesterday went well with very little drama thankfully.  The docs were able to remove one tumor about 2-3 inches in diameter and 10 smaller ones.  They saw no signs of cancer in any other organs in his abdominal area which is very good news.  He had a good night and is in no pain this morning.  He is expected to get out of bed and sit in a chair for a while today, they want him moving around as soon as possible.  So, that will be our goal for today.  

He is in good spirits, no pain and talking about eating.  Of course he cannot have anything to eat yet, maybe not  for the next two or three days,  but having an appetite is a good thing for Bill these days.  Hopefully he will get the okay for food soon.  

At this point we don't know how long our stay in the hospital will be, we're thinking about a week if all goes as planned.  We're trying to stay positive, the staff at University are top notch so we know we're in good hands.  As always, thanks for keeping us in your prayers.  Holly 

Update

We went in to the hospital today for the pre-op work in preparation for surgery.  So far everything is still on as planned, surgery next Monday, May 4 at University Hospital.  If all goes the way we hope, Bill's stay in the hospital should be about a week and then he can continue his recovery at home.  

As soon as he is strong enough, he will have another PET scan and from that the oncologist Docs will determine which clinical trial (chemo again) will be the best fit.  Bill is feeling okay.  He is strong physically and hanging in there emotionally too.  He is determined to fight.  

We plan to spend the rest of this week doing whatever he wants to do and enjoying it.  Hopefully, this surgery will take a much smoother path than our experiences last spring and summer.  Thanks for your continued prayers, kind thoughts and words of encouragement.  I'll keep you posted.  Holly

The latest trial

The results of Bill' PET scan taken on Wednesday showed at least two small tumors in his lower bowel.  Obviously, this is not the kind of news we were hoping for and it has taken us a few days to digest it.  We have already been to see his surgeon, Dr. Polk to review the films and the radiologist's report.  Dr. Polk has also consulted with the oncologist and surgery is scheduled for Monday, May 4 to remove the tumors along with the surrounding sections of the bowel.  We are hopeful that things will go according to the plan without too much drama.  We know from previous experience that a bowel obstruction can be extremely painful so we are holding our breath that nothing changes before May 4.  

Right now, Bill feels good physically.  We're trying to continue doing the things he likes to do and live each day with a positive attitude.  The emotional stress is overwhelming sometimes, but we are giving it our best fight.  As of now we hope to spend the next two weeks enjoying the spring weather and Derby activities.  

I will do my best to keep the blog updated.  I know you will continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  Thanks, Holly