Friday, May 10, 2013
1Year + Day 15
Wow!!!!!! I guess I am REALLY behind in updating the blog! Bill just reminded so.............
We are now living in Cleveland! As many times as we have moved this move proved to be the most challenging. May have something to do with age?????We were in a hotel for 3 weeks until we could move into our new "old" house. We made the decision to renovate the kitchen and bath as soon as we moved in knowing it might never get accomplished if we waited. Six weeks later we are getting close to having a functional kitchen and bath.
Bill's new oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic is GREAT! Young, smart and personable. He has a few opinions that differ from his previous oncologist such as next week he is going in to receive ALL his childhood immunization again. But so far the clinic has been wonderful. Bill's blood counts have remained stable which is good news. His IGM level, which is basically the cancer marker has slowly increased over the past couple of months. Although abnormal still not high enough to begin treatments again. We are hoping and praying we can hold the monster at bay for a long time.
Bill has experienced severe weakness in his right leg making it impossible to walk without a cane. MRI showed several herniated discs so initial thought was it would improve with time. Unfortunately after 4 weeks he is still unable to walk without assistance. This makes climbing stairs very scary and this house has several sets of stairs.The spine specialist does not think this is the cause for his weakness. Today he had an EMG and nerve conduction test indicating back problems and neuropathy. So Monday we see the neurologist and hopefully she can put this all together and find some type of treatment to help. It may be nerve damage from the cancer and chemo or disc issues or a combination of both but we need to figure out how we can get him mobile again.
Thanks for still being Bill's cheerleader! We are so grateful for your continued prayers!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Day + 295
It is so hard to believe that just one year ago preparations were taking place for Bill's transplant. In many ways it seems like a life time ago and in others ways like yesterday! I was just reminded from my friend, Betty, it was time for a blog update!
Our visit to the oncologist yesterday was encouraging. Although Bill's hemoglobin and platelets dropped a bit, his IGM level (an indication of how much cancer is present) only went up a fraction. The goal remains to try and keep this monster at bay as long as possible before needing further treatment. So for the time being we are still going to wait and see. On February 25th Bill will see his transplant doctor at Northwestern and at that time explore all future options.
As Bill's transplant journey continues our journey in life continues to evolve. We have sold our home in Geneva and are moving forward with our plan of moving to Cleveland that we first began talking about several years ago. After several exhausting trips to find a house we have finally verbally agreed with the seller on one in University Heights. This was the 3rd home we put in an offer on. Now just waiting for all parties to sign the contract. Please say a little prayer all will go smoothly and we will not be homeless on March 7th when our home here closes.
Moving to Cleveland will allow Bill to continue to work, if he chooses, or allow him to retire. I have been extremely fortunate to have received 2 job offers that I had to decline until I can get us physically moved TOGETHER! Please say a little prayer that another opportunity will present itself after the moved is accomplished. Health insurance is the motivating factor.
We are now in the process of working with his doctors here to become established with a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic. It will be difficult leaving the security of his doctors and nurses here whom we have developed such a strong relationshipwith and confidence in. We also know that the Cleveland Clinic has an outstanding reputation and we are confident they will continue to see us through this journey.
On another note some updates on our transplant friends:
Aimee moved to California to be closer to family. Her recent biopsy showed NO CANCER! She continues to make me smile every time we text. I love this modern technology!
Scott has struggled a bit with his numbers but his recent biopsy showed NO CANCER! He continues to get stronger and back to work!
Don is traveling from Hawaii to Texas enjoying retirement with his wife Sue and continues to be in REMISSION!
Friends and Family are gifts in life that sometimes we take for granted but are the true Blessings we have in our lives. Whether it is a friendly reminder to update the blog, the phone call to see how things are going or the millions of prayers they send our way we continue to be so Blessed and are so very VERY grateful to each and every one of you!
Our visit to the oncologist yesterday was encouraging. Although Bill's hemoglobin and platelets dropped a bit, his IGM level (an indication of how much cancer is present) only went up a fraction. The goal remains to try and keep this monster at bay as long as possible before needing further treatment. So for the time being we are still going to wait and see. On February 25th Bill will see his transplant doctor at Northwestern and at that time explore all future options.
As Bill's transplant journey continues our journey in life continues to evolve. We have sold our home in Geneva and are moving forward with our plan of moving to Cleveland that we first began talking about several years ago. After several exhausting trips to find a house we have finally verbally agreed with the seller on one in University Heights. This was the 3rd home we put in an offer on. Now just waiting for all parties to sign the contract. Please say a little prayer all will go smoothly and we will not be homeless on March 7th when our home here closes.
Moving to Cleveland will allow Bill to continue to work, if he chooses, or allow him to retire. I have been extremely fortunate to have received 2 job offers that I had to decline until I can get us physically moved TOGETHER! Please say a little prayer that another opportunity will present itself after the moved is accomplished. Health insurance is the motivating factor.
We are now in the process of working with his doctors here to become established with a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic. It will be difficult leaving the security of his doctors and nurses here whom we have developed such a strong relationshipwith and confidence in. We also know that the Cleveland Clinic has an outstanding reputation and we are confident they will continue to see us through this journey.
On another note some updates on our transplant friends:
Aimee moved to California to be closer to family. Her recent biopsy showed NO CANCER! She continues to make me smile every time we text. I love this modern technology!
Scott has struggled a bit with his numbers but his recent biopsy showed NO CANCER! He continues to get stronger and back to work!
Don is traveling from Hawaii to Texas enjoying retirement with his wife Sue and continues to be in REMISSION!
Friends and Family are gifts in life that sometimes we take for granted but are the true Blessings we have in our lives. Whether it is a friendly reminder to update the blog, the phone call to see how things are going or the millions of prayers they send our way we continue to be so Blessed and are so very VERY grateful to each and every one of you!
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