Day +67

LESS AND MORE...........

LESS
          napping
          tiredness
          bruising
          fear of being around too many people

MORE
          getting out
          energy
          walking
          hair
          hope
          thankfulness
As this journey continues we realize it is just part of the bigger picture!  Life brings us all many ups and downs but it is how we face them that can make a difference.  So Much easier to handle the ups but because of all the LOVE, SUPPORT and PRAYERS the difficulties of this past year have brought us many blessings, that have made everything so much easier.
Monday we will be getting the results of Bill's bone marrow biopsy.  This will tell us exactly how well the transplant worked.  We hope and pray to hear the word REMISSION!  Regardless of the results it will put this part of the journey behind us so  we can move forward and continue to plan for the future.

Thank you for all the continued prayers.  It means so very very much.

Day +59

Biopsy yesterday went well!  This was the first one at Northwestern and Bill was very happy!!!!!  Not only did he have his usual anti-anxiety drugs but they gave him some iv pain meds.   When he was all finished he was a BIT woosie!!!!  We let him sleep some of it off before I tried getting him to the car!    Jenny received an A+ for her excellent care of Bill.   They also have a lab technician there who makes the slides right on the spot as well as an additional nurse practitioner for an extra set of hands.  We are so very very blessed in having Northwestern for his care.
Now................ we wait until week after next for the results!

Tonight Bill and I are participating in a RELAY FOR LIFE event!     Molly was the Fundraising chairman at  her University, Xavier,  for their event this past spring  and is now volunteering at various other RELAY FOR LIFE events over the summer.  She encouraged us so we are going to walk the survivor lap at the opening ceremonies!!!!!!!!!!!   Thanks Molly for your commitment in not only fighting for a cancer cure but in your dedication to helping others and making our world a better place!

Day + 57

Sorry I have not posted in awhile but we don't have too much going on!  Bill seems to be getting back to his old self a little more each day!.  Tomorrow he goes for his bone marrow biopsy.  Not a pleasant procedure so he gets pretty nervous each time.  We have drugs to help him through it!  Then we wait................. until July 3rd for the results.  This biopsy will tell us exactly the extent of the cancer.  We are praying for complete remission.   It will be a very long week+ so I will try and keep him as busy as his energy permits.

We have had only 1 showing of our house.  Not a big surprise and the feedback is exactly what we already knew......over priced and no basement!  We are loosing a ton at this price so not sure how much more we can lower it and I can't dig a basement so........ someone will have to come along like us who don't care about basements and love the big windows and backing up to nothing!
Molly is studying like crazy for her MCAT in August as well as busy working and shadowing a pediatrician this summer......busy busy girl!

I have decided I have no more excuses for not exercising so I am trying.......  we will see how long I can keep up with it.  

Thank you for keeping us all in your prayers.  It truly keeps us going knowing how many people are supporting us emotionally and spiritually.

Kay

Day + 48

Out in the Public.............

Bill went to church yesterday for the first time in many weeks!!!!   It was indeed a very special day as after mass they had an adoration procession for the feast of Corpus Christi.  One of the many blessings we discovered shortly after his diagnosis was the adoration chapel at our parish.  It was something we knew existed but like so many things we took it for granted and never took the time to visit.  It became a frequent stop for us either before or after doctor visits and provided both of us with great peace.

He had his blood draw today and platelets and white cells are still on the rise!!!  Red counts are proving to be VERY stubborn but holding steady!

On the way home we picked up his bike at the bike shop after having it tuned up! New chain, new brakes, plenty of air in the tires and clean of cob webs so he is all set!   It made me VERY nervous to see him ride it home the 2 blocks.........he made it all the way to the bottom of our hill.  That took some walking to get it home but he made it home safe and sound and seems to be really looking forward to his evening rides with Molly!   Over the past many years during the summer they would ride to the candy store every night on their bikes!  Since our local candy store is now closed I am hoping for a healthier destination and know he will be in good hands with Molly by his side!

Day + 46

Surprise Surprise...............

Nothing is better than an unspoiled surprise.  Bill's sister Barbara from Arizona came in to surprise Bill for his birthday  "63"!!!!

He was totally shocked!!!!!!!   What a wonderful few days of relaxing, laughing, and reminiscing! 




Everyday seems to be getting better and better!

Day +41

NORMAL!!!!!!!

White Blood Count today was 3.5 which is is the "Normal" Range
Absolute Neutrophils are also normal!!!!

Translation =  Bill now has an immune system back in place.

Red Blood Count and Platelets are still below normal but much higher than when this Journey began.......

We now wait 3 weeks and then they will do another Bone Marrow Biopsy to see where the disease is after the transplant.

The waiting is always the difficult part but today is definitely a day to CELEBRATE!

Today we thank God and celebrate Bill's progress and for all of the amazing family and friends who continue to strengthen us on this Journey!

Day +39

New Milestones....................

Bill got on the treadmill today and walked 1 mile, a new milestone!


Yesterday I left my position after 6 VERY long years.........  now looking to do something worthwhile!
Possibly in Cleveland????

Just listed our house..........should be interesting with the housing market the way it is.