Fanny Arrives

Fanny Nolan (our new Westie puppy) arrived on the scene on Monday.  She is a real sweetie and as expected is keeping us hopping.  She is definitely a good distraction for us.  

Bill continues to get stronger each day and we are hopeful that he has indeed turned the corner.  We're taking one day at a time trying to do some of the things we like, making life as normal as we can.  Next week he will go back to the Dr. for a PET scan and another MRI.  Then we have a follow up appointment with the oncologist the following Tuesday to learn the results.  Hopefully, all will continue to go well.  

In the meantime, we're enjoying Fanny and the granddogs, as well as the human members of our family and friends of course.  Thanks for continuing to send us  your positive thoughts and keeping us prayers.   

Happy New Year!

I hope this message finds everyone well and enjoying a peaceful New Year's Day watching football or enjoying a nice fire.  That's what we're doing today, thankfully.  We had a very nice Christmas with family and friends followed by a pretty encouraging Dr. appointment.  Bill's electrolytes have been a little low due to the chemo, which keeps him feeling pretty tired.  That seems to be a fairly easy fix, a few hours of IV magnesium and he feels much stronger.  Based on this factor and the fact that he seems to continue to get better, the Doc thinks that it's a pretty good chance that his "episodes" have been the result of the chemo rather than more cancer.  He will have another MRI in a week or so along with another PET scan to verify this theory.  Of course, we're keeping our fingers crossed that this is the case and there is no cancer in his brain.  

In the meantime, we're enjoying being at home and getting back to doing some of the simple things.  We did manage to get out to the Irish New Year's Eve Celebration at Flannigan's last night and it was great.  Everyone was so nice and made Bill feel so good.  Thanks AOH!!  Hopefully he can begin to get out to more things like that, and live again.  

We're also adding to the family next week, we're getting a puppy.  We've picked out a West Highland Terrier her name will be Fannie.  She will be Bill's dog, he will take care of her and clean up her messes.  (I keep telling myself that)  Actually we are both pretty excited about it, I think she will be just the right medicine for us.  

So for now, things with the Nolans are good.  As always, thanks for your continued prayers and support.  Hopefully 2009 will be a wonderful year for everyone.    Holly

I'll Be Home For Christmas...

After a week of uncertainty and a emotional roller coaster we are home for Christmas! Dad was discharged today at around 2:00 pm, we are so thankful for his quick recovery and that we are able to spend Christmas as a family together at home. The cause of Dad's episode is still undetermined by the doctors, there are several theories, but based on the tests Dad has been through there is not a conclusive diagnosis. However, we are hopeful and optimistic that it is not related to the spread of the cancer and is an adverse reaction related to the toxicity levels in the biochemotheraphy treatment.  Dad will follow up with his doctors after the holidays. Now is time to be thankful for the blessing God has given us and spend much need time with family and friends. Hopefully in coming days Dad will continue to get rest, love, and support for friends and family so he will heal faster. 

Our family can't thank you enough for all your love and support over the last 9 months. God Bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your family. 

Emily

Update from Fleming Rd.

We are still in the hospital.  Things are a bit better.  He is no longer on the ventilator, he pulled it out himself on Tuesday morning.  Had enough of that I guess.  Luckily he does not need the breathing assistance.  He has been talking to us a little and he seems to be aware of his surroundings and lucid.  He is still very weak, has not really eaten since beginning chemo a week ago and is still rather sick to his stomach.

This past week has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least.  The girls have been here all week and we are keeping a vigil.  The neurologists and critical care Docs have released him which is a good sign I guess. We're waiting on Bill to get stronger so we can take him home, hopefully by Christmas.  Thanks for your prayers and support as always.  Holly

Setback

I cannot believe I am writing this today.  I feel like I have been in a long nightmare.  Bill is back in the hospital after having been home less than 24 hours from the chemo treatment.  He had another seizure like episode on Sunday morning and I had to call EMS.  He is on a ventilator and heavily sedated, unresponsive.  The Drs. are not sure what is causing these episodes and like before they are treating him for everything they think if might be.  

We are keeping a vigil, I have not really left the hospital since Sunday morning.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and I will try and keep the blog updated.  Holly

Going Home

Today completes round 4 of Bill's chemotherapy.  The plan is to head home tomorrow.  We are thrilled and definitely ready!  Hopefully we will be able to spend some long term quality time at home where Bill can rest and work on gaining some weight.  

He has taken about all of the abuse his body can stand, and amazingly he's still hanging in there with determination.  The Drs, Nurses and staff at University Hospital 8 South have been so good to us.  We are extremely grateful to all of them for their kindness and quality of care.  

 

Our plan for the next few weeks is to rest up, relax and enjoy the holidays with our family and friends.  We may not get out to all the usual holiday parties, but we will be there in spirit.  Hopefully, we'll be ready to get out and about soon.  The next step in this battle is another PET scan in Jan. followed by a visit to the Docs at the Brown Cancer Center.  

Please continue to keep in touch, I may not update this blog again until after Christmas.  Just know that no news is good news in this case.  We wish everyone a peaceful and healthy holiday surrounded by family and friends.   Holly

Round Four

Tomorrow Bill is scheduled for the 4th and hopefully final round of biochemo therapy.  If all goes as planned we will enter University Hospital on Monday and come home either Friday night or Saturday morning.  He has had a more difficult time bouncing back this past time, but I guess that is to be expected.  Each time wears him down a little more, and he loses more weight so it takes a little longer to recover each time.  Hopefully, he will be feeling well enough by Christmas to enjoy the family and festivities.    

We had a nice Thanksgiving and it was fun visiting with family and friends over these past few weeks.  It's pretty mind blowing how quickly the holidays are upon us.  We tried to make the AOH Christmas celebration at Molly Malone's but that just didn't work out.  I know Bill misses being a part of all the Irish fun.  Maybe we'll make it to ring in the New Year.  

We wish all of our friends and family members a very warm and loving holiday season.  Thanks for your continued support, prayers and love.   Hopefully we will be home next weekend and Bill's recovery will be a quick one.  Happy Holidays  Holly