January 1, 2014
Hello.
This is Bill. I have some thoughts I need to express using Billie’s Facebook.
You are all familiar with my cancer “issues” and my remission. I am grateful to God, my doctors, and all of you for your support through these past five very trying years.
When we first received my diagnosis it was like nothing we had ever experienced before. There were the inevitable questions, tears and wondering “why?” As things got sorted out and a plan of action was formed, we became less fearful of the unknown and more proactive.
During this time, we became aware of a “circling-of-the-wagons” if you will. So many of our friends and family made it known that they were concerned and were praying for my recovery. This was something that, at the time, took us by surprise. Now that I look back on that time, I am no longer surprised by how our friends acted. We are blessed to have the best friends anyone could ask for and knowing they are there for us means so much to us.
When Billie posted the latest from my doctor about the remission, I expected some comments, of course, but the thoughts conveyed in those comments were overwhelming. I am in a constant state of awe by what our friends are capable of.
What I have learned through the actions of my friends is to be that same kind of friend to others whenever I can.
I know this sounds kind of hokey, but I am finding out it really is a wonderful life.
Hello.
This is Bill. I have some thoughts I need to express using Billie’s Facebook.
You are all familiar with my cancer “issues” and my remission. I am grateful to God, my doctors, and all of you for your support through these past five very trying years.
When we first received my diagnosis it was like nothing we had ever experienced before. There were the inevitable questions, tears and wondering “why?” As things got sorted out and a plan of action was formed, we became less fearful of the unknown and more proactive.
During this time, we became aware of a “circling-of-the-wagons” if you will. So many of our friends and family made it known that they were concerned and were praying for my recovery. This was something that, at the time, took us by surprise. Now that I look back on that time, I am no longer surprised by how our friends acted. We are blessed to have the best friends anyone could ask for and knowing they are there for us means so much to us.
When Billie posted the latest from my doctor about the remission, I expected some comments, of course, but the thoughts conveyed in those comments were overwhelming. I am in a constant state of awe by what our friends are capable of.
What I have learned through the actions of my friends is to be that same kind of friend to others whenever I can.
I know this sounds kind of hokey, but I am finding out it really is a wonderful life.
- Scott Garrow, Julie Schleining, Pam Dorsey and 31 others like this.
Susie Johnson You are a wonderful person and we are so thankful to have you in our lives along with your constant companion! You both have been amazing throughout this whole situation. I don't know of too many couples who could have weathered this storm with as much laughter and love as you too. In fact I don't know too many couples married this long and still best friends even under normal circumstances as you two. Congratulations and we wish you the best in the new year.
- Patricia Walenda Sherwin It is not hokey. Prayers and good wishes from family and friends is a very powerful medicine. We were always hoping you would be cured.
Billie Garrow Susie - you and Kurt have been such good friends for so many years. Shellie - not likely! Pat - I love that you used the word "cured!" Thank you all from Billie, too.
Veronica Artz So we're ready for our geocaching lesson. Isn't there a Potato Head Cache we need to go find in the desert?- Billie Garrow Alan is just like Bill - won't get his own, but sometimes wants to say something so he uses mine. Yes, there is a potato head that we want to find. We will call, after next weekend to see if we can get together for a few hours. Maybe we can do lunch, too.
Ann Holman We couldn't be happier with your progress. You have been an example to all of us of courage and the workings of God. Thank you for the thoughts, Bill, so good to hear from you.
Nina Tethers So happy to hear of your progress, miracles are happening more and more, Glad you are one of them, hope to meet you soon, tell Billie to get down to So Cal soon.
January 14
A story in the paper this morning made us sad. There is a young woman in Reno, who had a mole removed in 2002, which turned out to be melanoma. She has been having regular visits with her dermatologist and has been fine, but she was in lots of pain in November, and they found that she had stage four metastatic melanoma all through her body. It appears to be in the last stages.. She has an 8 month old son. If only she had been having scans as well as the doctor screenings, this might have been found before it was too late for her to get the treatment she needs.
January 30
We went to San Francisco and Petaluma last week. Dr. Minor said he only needs to see Bill every three months, so we we'll only have to make the drive four times a year. We have been enjoying our stays more thanks to Brian and Monique, but we are very relieved that we will be able to do it less often.
As far as I'm concerned, this blog is finished but I'll do periodic updates about doctor visits and tests as needed. We are getting on with our lives, and concentrating on being just regular people, not people who are dealing with a devastating illness. I will be recording our adventures on the latest blog, 2014 - Our Adventures Continue.
We are thankful that Bill has been cancer-free for 22 months. For the last four months, he as also been free of those nasty side effects. His energy level has increased to a level that he hasn't seen since 2009. We have been walking and/or swimming every day, increasing the distance and speed. As the weather gets warmer, we are planning to walk in the evening because it has already gotten too hot during the day to walk far.
We will be going to San Francisco on May 1 after his scans on April 22. We are keeping positive thoughts that the Yervoy is continuing to keep him healthy.
December 4
Bill has been doing so well that I forgot to even record our visit to Dr. Minor in August. We saw Dr. Kim, who took over for Dr. Minor when he retired. We like him very much. He said that, because Bill is doing so well, he didn't have to see him for four months.
We drove over to Petaluma the day after Thanksgiving and spent the weekend with Monique and Brian. We saw Dr. Kim on Monday, December 1. We were very lucky with the weather because our drive over was clear and fast, but it rained and snowed all weekend in the mountains. Our drive on Monday was, again, perfect, and it snowed heavily the next day. Bill's scans were perfect so we don't have to go back to San Francisco until April 6.
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