Two Down...Four To Go!

I had my second chemo treatment yesterday and it was a different experience than the first as it was at a treatment center here in Syracuse and not in my hospital room like in Boston. It is like this huge open lounge full of people getting treatment. Everyone seems to be really upbeat and friendly. They administered other meds first via IV (steroids, allergy meds, stomach meds) and the allergy meds literally knocked me out so I got to sleep during the entire treatment, and from the way people were staring at me when I woke up, I think I snored pretty loudly.

I feel OK now and don't expect to get sick until tomorrow/Monday like last time, and am keeping my fingers crossed that it will still be mild like it was before. They are not sure what to tell me to expect because the drug I am getting (Taxol) is one that is normally administered every three weeks instead of weekly. On Tuesday afternoon I have to go in for a walk-in surgery to get a port installed in my chest, where they can take my blood and administer the medicine without having to do an IV each time. I am happy about that as the IV nurses don't seem to have an easy time finding good veins in my arm for the treatment. I am also trying to find instructions on the Internet how to use the port they install to drink my coffee intravenously...that will save me some time and will get the caffeine I need to function in my blood much more efficiently than drinking it! Just kidding...

When talking to the chemo nurse and doing some research on the drug I am taking I found it interesting to learn how carefully they need to handle it. One of the reasons they are doing the port is for my safety, as if the IV were to leak and the Taxol were to get on my skin it would cause irreversible tissue damage. They have to wear special gloves when handling it as well. I guess that's good in the sense that it sounds like it's good at it's job (killing cells) but it's kind of scary that they are so worried about getting it on my skin while they pump it into my veins!

I just want everyone to know I still feel great and if you saw me you still wouldn't know there was anything wrong with me. My attitude about this hasn't changed and though I am anxious about the next 4-5 weeks I am still amped up to fight this and can't wait for the next round of tests. I joked with my doctor this week that I am one of the few people who is actually hoping for open-heart surgery, as that will mean the plan is working. I am going back to work on Tuesday and am really excited about that, as one of my doctors told me last week that I wouldn't be going back to work for awhile (of course that was before they decided to delay the surgeries I need to give me chemo), so I have to look at that as a small victory. Thanks again everyone for all the well-wishes...I can't believe how much support I have received. It's been unbelievable and I am literally moved by the support I have received from my family and friends, from my employer (The American Heart Association), from Crouse Hospital and from everyone else who has been involved in helping us get through this.

Kathy (Shaun's mom)

Will, I'm so glad to hear that your home. And yes, it is so awesome to sleep in your own bed. There's nothing like it. I know from experience. Your dogs, I'm sure are excited that their dad is home. My friends and I have an internet prayer list. Everyone on the list has prayers being said everyday for their road to recovery. I just read your blog and go in and update every few days. Keeping your spirits high is a great medicine to beat this. Brian's girlfriend's grandpa had stage 4 Gioblastoma Multiform. A very rapid growing form of brain cancer. They told him he had 14 months to spend with his family and friends. They did chemo, surgery and more chemo. He is now 1 yr later cancer free. I know that with your determination, all your support from family and friends and prayers that you'll beat this. Stay positive and know that millions of people are praying for you and Shana every day.

Kathy

Hello!

Just wanted to see if people were still checking here and let everyone know what's going on. I am home, finally, and it feels good to sleep in my own bed and spend time with my dogs. I have felt a little sick the last few days, and it's probably some combination of the medicine and nerves.

I will start my chemo here in Syracuse on Friday and have set up all of the appointments. All of my follow-up tests are scheduled for December 2nd in Syracuse and then the doctors in Boston will decide the next steps. I am hoping that I don't get too sick from the treatment and I can't wait to climb back into that MRI machine so they can tell me that the tumor has shrunk, the cancer hasn't spread and it's time for surgery.

I continue to get so much support from friends and family that I just don't believe it. I am so lucky to have the people around me that I do and I know I couldn't do this without everybody who has been there for me. I am still blown away by the number of people reading and posting to this blog (keep it up!) and it has been a interesting experience for me. I don't feel like I can say this enough...to all our family, friends and co-workers, thank you so much for all of this support. Everytime I come close to getting down about this someone else reaches in to pick me back up and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

I will update sometime this weekend with how the 2nd round of chemo went.

We're still here

We're still here reading your updates - it's much appreciated, keep it up :)

Love ya both

G

Welcome Home!?

Will and Shana, I am hoping to hear that you have made it home safely. I have been thinking about you all the time and praying for you. Whatever you need, let me know. See you soon. Susan

Coming Home Tomorrow!

I am excited to let you know that I am being discharged tomorrow as the doctors feel confident that my heart is stable and think it's best that I am back home (and I agree!). I feel a little sick today (mostly tired with an upset stomach) and I guess that was to be expected...but I wasn't to sick to watch the Bills beat the Chargers, which was awesome.

So here is the plan. I won't know much, other than how I feel, until the end of November or early December. I will be getting the chemo treatments weekly for six weeks and then the doctors will take all the pictures again (I am going to need to be sedated if I am to spend another 1 hour, 40 minutes in an MRI machine) and evaluate how the chemo is working. If the chemo is working I will probably come back here in early December for open heart surgery, where they will remove a piece of my sternum and the tumor in my heart (as well as rebuild my right atrium). Soon after I will need another surgery to resect my vertebrae and then will likely need to undergo more chemo to ensure that the cancer isn't still spreading. There are obviously other scenarios, but I am not considering any of them because I still believe I will beat this...so this is the only option at this point!

I will continue to update this if people continue to read it! Not sure what news I will have to share (other than how I am feeling, but no actual medical news) but I guess I have some perspective to share, and though it's hard putting my feelings out there, I kind of want to.

I want to thank the people again who have given me the strentgh I need to make it through these eight hectic days. All of the people who have come here and commented(EVERYONE!!!) have helped. All the calls, texts and emails have helped...I mean it. I also have to thank my wife Shana, who hasn't left my side in 8 days. We have had spent some great time together during this time (and some had some difficult time as well). My mom, dad, brother and sister have held me up through all of this and I love them so much and Shana's entire family has been amazing. Thank you for being here for both of us...I can't tell you guys what it means.

The Buffalo Bills r lookin good and so are u WILL

Thank you so much for letting us know all that has happened to you this last week. One of the best things that can come out of something like this is you get to see how much people care for you. For every phone call or text you and Shana have received there are ten times that many people wanting to know what you said and how you are.

I was thinking all last week about how much fun your birthday party was last summer. Every time I open up this one cupboard one of your party decorations falls out. It's just so cool all the stuff that Shana put together. Shana, when you get a chance could you post a picture of Will with the JILLS on the site!
Judy

My True Hero

First, I want my husband to know that he is my hero. I love him eight knock it down. His positive attitude makes me realize that I need to love every minute that I have with him and everyone who is in our lives. It is amazing what Will has done fore me. I am who I am today because of Will.

I would like to thank each and every person who has reached out to Will. It really shows how much Will has impacted so many lives. I have always known that he is a great person, but it is nice to see that other people see what I see in him. I can't tell you how many times the movie It's a Wonderful Life has come into my mind as we have gone through this challenge in our lives. I keep on thinking that God will never give you anything that you can't handle. There is a reason why we have this challenge in our lives, but our attitude is firm; we will BEAT this!

We can't wait to get home and be around the rest of the people that we love the most.

Finally, I just want to acknowledge the staff and doctors who have taken care of Will. We owe a lot to them. We have had first rate care all the way from Crouse to Dana Farber Hospital. It is nice to surrounded by the best when you are so far away from home. The teacher gives them a grade of A +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.

We will see you soon! God Bless everyone!
Go Sox!