Bill & Mimi Update

Unfortunately, Bill and Mimi have had a rough couple of weeks. Bill had a scan last Tuesday (after finishing up radiation), which showed the largest walnut sized tumor had changed shape and started to break up, but it looked like there were two additional small tumors. So Thursday, he went back in to have a PET Scan. This scan, which was more detailed, showed the larger tumor changing and only one additional tumor. This is encouraging because it looks like the radiation is working.

Over the weekend Bill was not doing very well because of the swelling in his brain. He lost his balance and was unable to shower or even dress himself. He returned to the doctor yesterday to have the gamma knife procedure which more directly targets each tumor with high amounts of radiation. To ensure that the patient does not move his/her head they have to screw a frame onto their skull....agh. There is a video on the website above that shows the frame being attached. It may take up to 3 months to see how well this procedure works. Bill is already scheduled for another gamma knife procedure in September. We are hoping that he will be feeling better in the next few days as the radiation begins to work.

As for Mimi, after weeks of losing weight and not being able to swallow her food without choking, she finally had this issue checked out. Gotta love this stubborn lady! Unfortunately, the reason she can't swallow is because the tumor on her chest has grown up and around her back and neck, pressing on her esophagus. Her esophagus is now the width of a pinky finger when it should be the width of two thumbs. She is going to start four weeks of radiation to try to shrink the tumor so that she can eat solid foods again. Until then she needs to be careful not to choke.

Please continue to keep Bill and Mimi in your prayers! Hopefully, all of this radiation will kick in and get both of them back in action!