Vic's Update

Hi All
A lot has happened since my last update. Sorry to leave everyone Hanging so long. i have started this letter several times but had to throw it away as things changed. As always I will start with the great news.

Hillary had a PET scan a couple weeks ago and the results are:::: No visible cancer on the scan. In most cases Dr G would tell her that she is in REMISSION. They do not dare to make that statement. We have been told that at least 10 times over the last five years. The Hodgkins lymphoma is a blood cancer and has just moved around her body and started again somewhere else. Lets Hope this time it will hold!!

More good news is that the chemo reduce the node near the kidney so quickly that it does not appear to have done any permanent damage. Because the chemo has worked so well, last monday Hillary only needed a 60% dose. This type of chemo has put Hillary in the Hospital for a week the last 2 times she has had it in March and April.

The 3 of the 4 weeks between Chemo treatment have been more like a normal life. She made a trip to NY, went up the empire state building with the help of A good friend of Nancy's. We saved about 2 hours of waiting time. Then we saw the Yankees play. Just a beautiful day that we never thought Hillary would ever see. She even visited with some of her friends from college. We did a lot things in NY. She was just amazing. She decided she was not going to use a wheelchair at all. She was determined!! She proved she could do it.

So last monday she had her proactive chemo. By monday evening we were on our way back to the Er at Dartmouth. Fever of 102+. The blood tests. Heart rate racing to150, Needed oxygen to breathe. Blood Pressure 50/30. She was in trouble again. She still had the Kidney stent in and the infection was pointing toward that.  She had blood in her urine since the March Chemo when they put it in. She never told me that. Because of her 2 bone marrow transplants she is very difficult to match for a transfusion. The more transfusions the tougher to match. I don't want to get into everything that went wrong but this week in the hospital was not pleasant. By friday Hillary was able to get the Stint out of her kidney. Saturday she was out and going to Xanders Baseball game. Xander went 3 for 3 with some good plays in the field. Lets just forget what happened during the week and focus on the fun stuff. We can tell when she is feeling better as she starts making jewelry again. She is into so many activities i can't keep up. Next week she is doing a volley ball fundraiser for relay for life. 

So we are up and just a short while later we are down. Next chemo is in June and we are trying to have her stay overnight!! 3 for 3 in chemo- er stays is a good batting average. The roller coaster is the only way to describe what is going on. We have so much to look forward too. We can't believe she has come all the way back. We don't dare to be excited because of how quick things change. We would love to celebrate her success but will just enjoy her. enjoy the Lilacs and blossoms that come with the spring. Life is starting again this spring. everything is green and growing, blossoming and blooming.  This is what we have been praying for. She will continue to surprise us. Thank God she can keep surprising us and showing us how to live each day to the fullest.

Thanks for all your support.

Vic Nancy, Patrick  and Grace, Heather Allen, Pierce and Preston, Jon Xander and Forever Hillary