Waiting game

Good news all around this week. Billy's bone marrow biopsy came back "empty", which means the chemo has done it's job so far. Now he is getting shots of Nupogen to jump start cell regeneration. We are in a waiting period to see what those cells look like. PRAY FOR HEALTHY CELLS! His stomach problems seem to have settled down as well. He has not been allowed to eat anything except ice chips for about the last week; is getting his nutrition through an IV. They are letting him have clear liquid beginning today. Hopefully soon he can progress back to a regular diet because we all know how Billy likes to eat good,flavorable and spicy food. He enjoyed a Father's Day FaceTime session with his son Brady and visit from Brenna today. Brady is working 7 days a week these days and couldn't make the trip out from Las Vegas. He had a visit yesterday from his friend Kim Broderick who made him a personalized card that really brought a smile to his face. A friend from southern California came up last weekend and tomorrow his old boss from that area is also coming up. Lots of love and support is very evident! His dad, Bill,and mom, Barb, hope to make the trip from Redding as soon as they can. Sister Shannon is hopefully coming back up soon as well. Bill has been working as he can, watching the NBA finals (go OKC),the Giants and golf. Lots of sports to keep him busy! His friend Robert comes all the time and between the two of them they keep the Stanford staff cracking up. Keep good thoughts coming our way. If you have any interest in becoming a bone marrow donor (Bill will need a transplant once he's in remission) go to www.bethematch.com. It is very easy - they send you a kit to swab some cheek cells and an envelope to send them back. Unfortunately his sis was not a match so now they will search this national registry. Lisa

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I don't run marathons, and can only imagine the stress and challenge such an ordeal places upon one's body. Wanting to stop but yet knowing you want the adrenaline rush as you cross the finish line. Knowing that through perseverance, and against all odds, you accomplished your goal. All of this is very applicable in Billy's "marathon" against leukemia. His body was put through very harsh conditions during the most recent round of chemotherapy, and complications almost forced him to have emergency surgery to remove ischemic portions of his colon and bowel. The surgeons decided his body was not stable enough, so trying to settle things down with new medications and liquid diet. He is feeling better but still waiting for results. They haven't been able to pinpoint the cause yet, but think a blood infection may be the culprit. It just seems so never ending - hopefully now that the chemo cycle is finished his poor body can return to some semblance of normalcy. Bill appreciates all the prayers, good thoughts and visits. His sister Shannon is here for a few days and a tremendous help and support. It really brightens his day so thank you all very much. Lisa

Hello Plan B........

Just when you think you have it all figured out life throws you a curveball. We showed up at Stanford's ITA (Infusion Treatment Area) on Tuesday to receive Billy's first Out-patient dose of re-induction chemo only to be informed by his hematology-oncologist that his bloodwork had not reached the parameters necessary to qualify for OP treatment. They wanted to admit him right then to begin In-patient treatment, but we were in such shock they allowed us to return home for a last evening before enduring another 4-6 weeks back in the hospital. We received a call that a room was ready around 5pm yesterday so packed up and headed back over the hill. Finally settled in around midnight and were greeted this morning by many of the same nurses he had before. His favorite, Maureen O'Hare, who has been an oncology nurse at Stanford for 34 years came in and you'd thought two best friends were re-uniting! Although not happy that Billy's condition had relapsed and required re-induction, all were genuinely caring and very supportive that this is not atypical and is the best thing for him. And Bill and I completely agree. He had been getting more and more tired at home and has persistent headaches. After less than 24 hours of IV hydration he already looks much better and had a neuro-oncology consult re: the headaches. Thankfully nothing to worry about - more than likely the result of the 3 lumbar puntures he has had and should dissipate. Tonight he is receiving his first round of IP chemo; this time around it is a conventional chemo regimen (not a clinical research trial), plus an added pill that specifically targets a "receptor" called Flip-3 that is on Billy's cancer cells. Kind of like a heat-seeking missile. He has 4 days of IV chemo along with 7 days of this pill. Then we wait one week and on day 13 he has a bone marrow biopsy to see if he is clear of white blood cells. Then the usual waiting game to see if his body generates new healthy cells. Remission is the goal; then he can get a bone marrow transplant. He is still in the early stages of this marathon and it is a couple steps forward then a few back, but never halting. At the finish line there is a new journey awaiting us......Billy proposed during his time at home and so now there's a wedding to plan! But first things first - getting him healthy is the focus for now. Bills new room number is F072. Same address for cards, just different room. Similar to last time around, no flowers allowed and only healthy visitors please :) Lisa