Smelling Like A Rose

Sally here.  Just a quick update.  Bill is doing amazingly well.  He never ceases to surprise me.  Usually after the SIRT, the patient is usually in a lot of pain or has nausea really bad.  Bill has some pain but not enough to use the pain medication.  No nausea.  Another side effect is dead tiredness and Bill is tired but he is still functional.  I think half the reason he is tired is because he wakes up every 2 hours to use the bathroom which is contributed to the steroids he is taking.  He went to work today and worked the usual 12 hour shift. We both know all of this is only possible because of everyone who is praying for him.

Unfortunately, Bill did test positive for the KRAS mutation.  Even though it's not the news that we had hoped for, we know it's not the end. He will still receive chemo treatments and I am going to aggressively research the web and hopefully there are more options that we are not aware of.  Bill of course, has handled the latest set back in good spirits.

He has an appointment with the oncologist on Wednesday.  Treatment will be discussed.  Plus I am going to walk in with a notebook full of questions to ask.  Bill is also going to ask to be released from light duty from work.

I know we wouldn't be where we are today without all the support, prayers and love we are surrounded by.  Thanks everyone.

Angiogram in the Morning

Bill is slaving over the fish tank as I am sitting here writing this post.  


Yesterday, he went to UIC to speak to a doctor about the next steps into treating the cancer in the liver.  For the most part, we understood what was going to happen because of the visit we had in November. The doctor wanted to act quickly so Bill can resume the chemo treatments as soon as possible.  We appreciate his concern.  Yesterday, all the paper work was faxed to the insurance company and today (in the later part of the afternoon) his nurse called me.  The insurance company had approved everything and Bill will be at the UIC 6:30 in the morning tomorrow.  He will be having an angiogram.  This is done to map the veins to his liver.  The procedure it self isn't very long but he will have to lie flat and still for 6 hours following it. 


Next week he will go back to have the SIRT procedure done.  This is where radiation beads are injected directly into the tumors.  This too should be an outpatient procedure.


Bill has this weekend off from work and should be able to go back to work on Tuesday.  He will be on light duty for 2 weeks since he will not be able to lift anything that is over 5 pounds.  This is why he is cleaning out the aquarium now.  Two turtles can become smelly after awhile.


I know everyone has been praying for us and we really appreciate it. Bill is doing amazingly well.  It's hard on him having all the medical stuff dictate his life.  Hopefully, next week we will get the results back for the KRAS mutation and after that life will go back to a new normal state whatever that will be.