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

Checking In

I know it has been a while since our last post and I apologize.  In this case, no news is good news.  Bill seems to be tolerating the new chemo treatment pretty well.  He is a little more fatigued during the 14 days that he is on the treatment, but not significantly.  Definitely not enough to discontinue the treatment so far.  We are happy about that and will find out if this treatment is effective soon.  He is scheduled for a PET scan on April 15 and will see the oncologist the following week.  We know you will keep your positive thoughts and prayers focused on good results.  

As Bill gets stronger, we are venturing out into the world again, and seeing many of you.  Thanks so much for your welcoming and supportive words.  It has been so reassuring to see friends again and get back to the normalcy of our lives.  Everyone has been so kind.  You wouldn't think it but it's difficult to get back out there in some respects.   

Our daughters, Amy and Emily, and their husbands, Troy and Eric are sponsoring a Relay for Life Team in honor of Bill and several other family members called "Bill's Lifeguards".  The walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society is scheduled for June 20 and the kids are sponsoring  a "corn hole" tournament on June 13 to raise funds for the team.  We are so touched and extremely proud of them all for doing this.   Amy is in charge and there is a team website.  You can go to the American Cancer Society website and look for supportive events or send her an email afedders10@yahoo.com to find out the details.   Also click here to donate to the cause.

We have big plans for this spring.  Hopefully, we will be able to see them through.  As always, thanks so much for your continued support, prayers and positive thoughts.  Hope to see you out and about soon.