Happy Weekend!!

I'll keep it short and sweet.
Dad's feeling good.
He's looking good.
He's doing 'normal' things, like watching two soccer games on Saturday.
God is soooooo Good.
We are Thankful.

Nicole and Jenny

P.S.-Light the Night walk is in ONE week.  We are looking forward to this event and are thrilled dad will be up for it too! Visit our page if you are interested in donating.  Contact Jenny or I if interested in walking with us.
http://pages.lightthenight.org/cca/Bakersfd14/TeamBill

Almost done with the third round!

Hello Everyone!

I'm very happy to report that things right now seem to be getting better for dad daily, thank God.  He still hasn't caught that steady "break" that we talk about from time to time....so we are thinking maybe this might be it!? At any rate, he doesn't have to go back down south until next Monday the 27th, which will potentially be his last check in before his three week rest period.  He didn't need blood products either on Monday, and his numbers are climbing back up.  All good news! Very tired, but able to go to lunch around town and run a few errands with my mom here and there.  No longer on neutropenic status but still has to be careful around germs and potentially sick people.  He was feeling well enough and was such a good sport last night that he let my mom fill their house with all kinds of family to celebrate a joint birthday party for Nicole and Aubree (Remember? I told you it was birthday season!)

Here is a picture from the night Aubree was born two years ago.


Dad has never been a fan of hospitals - not that anyone is, but what I mean is that he typically doesn't choose to go there to wait - he would rather wait at home and come when needed.  By the fourth grand baby between Nicole and I, he was more comfortable in this setting than ever and was so proud to come, to support me, and to love on this precious baby.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers - keep em comin!  I pray daily and thank God for everyone who is praying for my dad.  We really appreciate your thoughtfulness!!
 

Let's Dance!

Happy Monday! Let's start this week with an update...so here it goes.

First, a musical interlude.  We are excited.  Hope you get excited too! Let's dance everyone!!

Dad went to City of Hope on Friday for another check up.  He looked good and legs were a bit less swollen.  He needed both platelets and blood, so they were down south for longer than anticipated, but that must have given him energy because he was out on the town all weekend! He's feeling much better!

After this week, checking in today, Wednesday, and Friday, he should have a full three weeks off.  (fingers crossed) I know these precious weeks off fly by for dad and the anticipation of starting the next round brings a sense of uneasiness.  But he is very appreciative that he's feeling better and can enjoy the next few weeks off. He's feeling so good that he plans on walking with us at the Light the Night event!! woo-hoo!
He will be able to walk proudly as a SURVIVOR!! Go Team Bill! What an amazing victory.
We are still collecting donations in an effort to raise awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Visit the team page if you are interested in walking and/or donating! (our donations made already have surpassed the $8,500 mark, so a big THANK YOU to all who have sent their love via donations!!!!) There's still time if you haven't visited our page yet...

http://pages.lightthenight.org/cca/Bakersfd14/TeamBill

Here's dad at the classic car show with Brooklynn and Tessa!
Love.

Lots goin on!

Hi all! Mom and Dad are continuing to travel to Los Angeles every other day to have his care team check blood levels, administer blood products, and get fully checked out to ensure he is recovering appropriately and steering clear of any complications and/or infections.  This last week he had a few very rocky days, and developed some pretty serious swelling in his legs and feet.  His doctors say this was a result of lack of protein and because his platelets had dropped so low, I am almost certain this is the lowest they’ve ever been since this process started – they were at 4,000.  Hospitals transfuse platelets at 17,000, normal platelet range is 150,000 – 400,000.  My dad is still receiving constant blood products via transfusion.  We couldn’t count the amount of times he’s been transfused if you paid us a million bucks.  GOD BLESS those of you who donate blood and/or other blood products!!! You are saving lives.  While he was there on Wednesday, they also gave him a shot to boost the buildup of his white blood cells.  This shot causes aches up and down my dad’s body, a typical side effect.  How amazing and strong is this man??  My mom and dad are traveling there again today, and are actually there as I type.

 

On a side note, our Light the Night team that is raising funds in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is ROCKING HARD!! We are THRILLED that we will get to honor my dad is this way, and we are pretty certain he will be well enough to join us out there at the Riverwalk for the festivities on November 1^st.  My sister and Dylan have facilitated fundraisers at their school and have raised over $600, from their students!! 5^th and 6^th graders guys, how cool is that! We have also received many unexpected, hugely generous gifts from people that are rooting my dad on in this fight – major contributors include Brian Batey, Stockdale Tile, and the TigerFight Foundation.  This is a family who started a nonprofit in honor of their 5 year old son, now 9, who fought hard and beat Leukemia.  They were inspired to start a nonprofit after they had such a great response of support from their first Light the Night team.  Our family and Light the Night team cannot thank all of our contributors enough!  Total raised thus far is $8,500 – our goal is $10,000! To help us get there, please visit the team site and make a contribution of any size!

http://pages.lightthenight.org/cca/Bakersfd14/TeamBill

AND! Come walk with us, it will be an experience to remember.

On a 2^nd side note, Nicole had a birthday yesterday! Happy Birthday Nicole.  Your fearless attitude and your sense of ease and poise in everything you do inspires me.  So lucky to have you as a Sis! I have always thought you were Dad’s mini me….here’s the proof!!

Thank you guys, keep those prayers coming – much appreciated!!  

SUCH generosity on this Sunday Fund-day!

Our Light the Night team has been hitting up friends and family in an effort to raise money, but more importantly, we have been raising awareness about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

MANY people have already started to give to our team and it has been sooooooo amazing!! I know this is truly a testament to the many people who are thinking about and praying for my dad regularly.  I know my dad was well loved in the community and having established such a successful business during his career, he has met and maintained relationships with LOTS of amazing people.  These friends are now getting texts, emails, and phone calls from us and in response, they are giving to this great event! Family members have also shown their sincerest support throughout dad's journey and for our Light the Night walk.  It truly is ONE way to show my dad, and all others who are battling against Leukemia, that he is on your heart.  Takes my breath away.  Thank you to all!
Here's our team link in case you haven't visited yet-
http://pages.lightthenight.org/cca/Bakersfd14/TeamBill

We can't thank you enough!!! Truly special shout out to Bryan Batey who is leading the way with his remarkable gift to our Light the Night team! Thank you.

Best to you all!
Nicole and Jenny

P.S.- My dad has been home recovering from his third round of chemo for the past 6 days.  He is not feeling great, very achy, sore, suffering from nausea, etc. but overall he is thrilled to be home and not in a hospital room down in L.A. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he can participate in the walk with us too!

Here he is before this last round in San Luis.

Chemotherapy Round 3 - Complete!!

Hooray! 6th dose of chemo was given and dad is done receiving! He has a LONG way to go before he is fully recuperated from this round.  He could get discharged as soon as tomorrow, however he will still need blood products, platelets, and he must stay close to the hospital and continue to be monitored for any infection.  He is weak and extremely fatigued.  His white blood cell count this morning was 1.2, which is good - at this point we want it to get as close to .1 as possible to wipe out all cells and for the marrow to start making new, healthy ones.  It will take about a full three weeks to get the marrow down to nothing, then to start building up again and feeling human once more.

As you can imagine, this takes a toll on one's inner motivation and fuel power.  My dad needs you all to put some more fuel in his tank and encourage him to keep fighting, and keep powering through.  Please take the time to wish him well, comment on this blog, comment on our facebook pages, send him a text, send my mom a text, send him an email to me and I can forward it on (jmbnight@gmail.com), anything.  Words of encouragement and prayer are the best thing for him right now.  

Thanks so much guys!

Jen and Nicole

 

Half way done with round 3

Hey all!
Well, dad is at City of Hope as I type.  He has had 3 of the 6 doses he is scheduled for this time and he is already feeling terrible as a result.  He is struggling to ward off a high fever, nausea symptoms, as well as overwhelming fatigue and loss of appetite.
Good news, he's half way done with this round!!!
Bad news, he needs prayers and encouragement to rise above the negative symptoms he's feeling.
So, send Jenny or I a cute video, a great picture, or anything inspiring to cheer him on!
Thanks for being faithful followers to my dad.  We truly appreciate you.

Nicole and Jenny

P.S.- have you visited the Light the Night team page to donate to this amazing event?? Are you making plans to join us and walk in his honor??

P.P.S.- Look at this beautiful, heartfelt card made by one of my sixth graders. Amazing. Made us all cry.

Light the Night - WE NEED YOU!

Hello All,

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, (LLS), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises money for patient support services and ground breaking research for blood cancers.  The Light the Night Walk on November 1st is Bakersfield's night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer.  We feel strongly about getting involved with LLS to do something to help my dad and others who are fighting this intense battle and to spread the essence of HOPE.  We have a team goal of raising $5,000. We will not be successful without help from supporters like you!  Any gift, small or large, is important!! 

So, what's the call to action? 

My sister, cousin, and I have created a Light the Night team and we ask you to participate!  We ask that you contribute to our team by visiting the page below.  Please contact me for any help you may need with the website.     

http://pages.lightthenight.org/cca/Bakersfd14/TeamBill

So, what will my donation do?

·                  Offer a wide variety of community services to patients and their families

·                  Develop "targeted therapies" that kill cancer cells selectively 

·                  Test immunotherapies

·                  Improve the safety of today's cures

·                  Help patients and their families make informed decisions 

·                  Provide financial aid and co-pay assistance

·                  Encourage scientists to pursue blood cancer research

The best part is that all funds raised stay local in the Central California Chapter which services patients and their families in Bakersfield, Visalia, and Fresno.  

If interested, we also ask that you come out and walk with us at this event at the Riverwalk Park on Stockdale Highway on November 1^st at 4 pm.  We hope to have a large team of supporters walking for and with my dad.  More information on the walk itself on http://www.lightthenight.org/cca/

2 doses down

Hello Readers,

A quick update to let you know that my dad started his third round of post induction inpatient chemotherapy at City of Hope on Monday, and has completed 2 doses out of 6.  He was taking to it as well as one could until last night at about 6 pm, when he developed a high fever and nausea.  The nursing staff was able to curve the nausea via IV meds, but the fever won't seem to give.  Meds will take it down one degree but won't break it completely.  He had the same problem with fever the last round as well.  Due to this fever and neuro side effects he stopped his chemo cycle two days early last cycle.  Fever is a side effect of the chemo, but can also be a sign of infection.  Chances are at this point it is a side effect.  Please continue to keep my mom and dad in your prayers.... please please please!!

Thanks so much,

Nicole and Jenny