UCSF Bound

Lately it seems we are battling it out in a boxing ring vs running a marathon, with the rounds scored cancer 2 Billy 0. We got the disappointing news last Friday that the most recent chemo failed to get Billy into remission. It was especially hard because he had been feeling so good and his blood counts were all slowly but steadily improving. But no matter how many times he gets knocked down he gets right back up. Dr. Madeiros recommended participating in a clinical trial at UCSF. It is out-patient, oral chemo that also targets the flit3 reactor which resides on Billy's cancer cells and has made things so troublesome. So good-bye Stanford, hello Helen Diller Family Cancer Center. We requested continued oversight by Madeiros and he agreed to collaborate with our "new" hemotology/oncologist. Bill travels to UCSF on Wednesday for a diagnostic work-up to ensure he meets all the clinical trial criteria. In the meantime he will continue to get labs done locally to monitor his platelets and hemoglobin counts. Needless to say he was really bummed about missing the W2W and hosting the after-party yesterday, but will be back in full force next year. Thank you to everyone who ran thinking about him. So, we are extremely hopeful that "third time will be the charm" for Bill's struggle against this horrible disease. For those of you who may want to consider becoming a bone marrow/stem cell donor, please see the info below related to an upcoming drive at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Date: Friday, August 17, 2012 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Where : Palo Alto Medical Foundation 795 El Camino Real Jamplis Building 3rd Floor Hearst Education Conference Rooms B & C Palo Alto, Ca Registry Requirements: Be between the ages of 18-60 years old. Be in general good health. Be willing to donate to any patient needing a transplant.

Pit Stop

Thank you to those of you who have been waiting so patiently for an update. We have just been in a holding pattern the last couple of weeks to see how Bill's body reacted to the most recent round of chemo. He unfortunately experienced more negative side effects this time around and had to go for over a week on IV nutrition (no food allowed), had a blood infection and just up and down with problems. He stabilized this week and was discharged Thursday. He will get his blood checked every couple of days at Dominican to see if he needs a transfusion or platelets. Today everything was OK so that was positive. He is doing well at home and had an old buddy from SoCal drive up to spend time with him which he thoroughly enjoyed. He can't be out in the sun due to his medications or in public without a respirator so is relaxing at home. His daughter Brenna took him for a drive by the beach today so he did get a chance to get out. Next step is a bone marrow transplant as soon as his body shows he is in remission. Four donors have been identified as potential matches across the country so we are hopeful this can happen soon. Until then just need to keep him healthy. As always, please keep Billy in your prayers. This journey still has a long road ahead. Lisa