In Loving Memory
Wilson Family

Gary Wayne Wilson
1/7/69 - 3/18/09

3/18/09 - Gary W. Wilson, 40, of East Peoria, passed away at 8:06 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Methodist Medical Center of IL.  He was born January 7, 1969 in Peoria to Walter W. and Linda M. (Franklin) Wilson.  He married Tammy L. DeBoer on December 1, 1990 in East Peoria.  She survives.  Also surviving are his children Haley B. and Dakota W. both at home, one sister Malinda (Eric) Gerhardt of East Peoria, his maternal grandmother Eva Gilpin of Kentucky, and his parents of East Peoria.  He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather.
Gary was the owner and operator of Gary's Rod Shop in East Peoria which relocated to Washington, IL in 2007.  He was a member of the Chevrolet Nomad Association and the Central Illinois Chevy Association.  He was also a member of Bethany Missionary Church in East Peoria where services will be held on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 11 a.m.  Rev. Thomas Grose will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2009 at Remmert Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Oak Grove Evangelical Bible Church Cemetery.
Gary's wishes were to request casual attire while attending all of his services.
Memorials may be made to an education fund for his children established at South Side Bank in East Peoria.  Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.mem.com.

2/7/09
I am so frazzled tonight! Yesterday & Today Gary's pain keeps getting worse....so, I only have one option - I am having him transferred to Chicago. That is the only place that has been able to help him! I am home trying to pack Gary & myself a bag - not knowing how long we will be in Chicago. And the kids need some clean clothes! We have been at the hospital all week and I have not done any laundry. I got a call from Chicago and Gary has to go by ambulance -  the insurance won't cover the transfer if I check him out here and drive him to Chicago. So, I am working on laundry until I get a call that the ambulance is on it's way from Chicago. They said it could be 2:00, 8:00 or sometime tomorrow - they are waiting for a bed to open up in Chicago then the ambulance will come & get him. I just feel so bad for him - he has been moaning & crying all day for the Lord to just take him! I can't stand it anymore - So - I feel he needs to be in Chicago!
thank you everyone for your continued support!
Tammy

2/3/09 
Things have been crazy with Gary!  As of the first of the year - Gary started having extreme abdominal pain.
Dr. Villaflor Ordered a CT Scan on Jan. 16th and we went back to Chicago on Jan. 21st for the results. 
Dr. Villaflor said that Gary’s three spots on his right lung remained stable - they did not enlarge.  However, Gary’s cancer has moved to the right adrenal gland - about the size of a penny. So - since the cancer had progressed - Gary has to go off the chemo pill. She wanted him to wait four weeks and then try another chemo pill or IV chemo. Gary’s blood level showed his lipase & amylase levels were really high - so we came back home and went to the Emergency Room and Gary’s was admitted for Pancreatitis. Gary was in the hospital on IV fluids and a machine with Fentynal (Pain Medicine) until Jan. 24th. Then Gary came home and by Monday he was in severe pain again. All week it got worse so - we got blood work on Thursday and Friday they called and told me to take him back to the Emergency Room his lipase level was 1001. Apparently the Pancreatitis wasn’t gone.

So - Gary has been in the hospital here in Peoria since last Friday (Jan. 30th) with no food. Over the weekend his lipase went down to the 400’s and now it is back up to 588. On Saturday Jan. 31st they did a CT Scan and they said there is definitely Pancreatitis and that it showed a spot on the right adrenal gland (which we knew about) and it also showed another spot on the left adrenal gland and a spot on the left kidney. So - I got a copy of the CD with that CT Scan and I overnited it to Dr. Villaflor in Chicago for her to compare to the CT Scan done on Jan. 16th.    When we saw Dr. Villaflor back at the beginning of Dec. and she gave Gary 6 months to 2 years - I PRAY that what time he has here won’t be like the past two weeks have been! Because so far up until this - Gary has been a fighter and these past two weeks have been extremely hard on Gary - he is SUPER depressed!  I have been running in circles.....trying to be at the hospital because I don't want Gary to be there alone, getting the kids to school, sports & activities and for the kids to see Gary too! Oh - and trying to work in the mean time! Thank you to all for the wonderful support you have given to our family through all of this - WE all truly appreciate everything  everyone has done.
Tammy

1/30/09
I wanted to let you all know - I had to take Gary back to the emergency room today.  Gary was in the hospital Jan. 21 - Jan. 24th for pancreatitis......it has gotten worse - so I took him back to the emergency room today and they admitted him. They said he will probably be there at least 4 - 5 days.  They think it is still the pancreatitis - they are going to do a CT Scan of the pancreas tomorrow. 
Tammy

1/22/09
Yesterday was insane!!!! We got to Chicago about 1:00 and Gary got his bloodwork done.  His appt. was at 2:00. We finally saw the doctor at 4:30. Gary had been having severe abdominal pain for about two weeks and Gary was in severe pain when we finally saw the doctor. The blood levels and CT scan shows Gary has pancreatitis. The doctor said Gary needed to be hospitalized for the pancreatitis. So, they gave Gary some medicine because he was vomitting due to the pain level and gave him some pain meds and we left Chicago about 6:30. We got home at 9:30 and I took him to the Emergency Room at 10:00. I finally got him admitted at 3:00 am. The oncologist said that his CT Scans = the good news is = the three spots on the lung remained stable - no change (maybe a tiny bit of shrinkage). However, the BAD news is = Gary has a new nodule on his adrenal gland (which is located at the top of the kidney). So, since the cancer has progressed and moved. Gary has to go off the chemo pill. His doctor really wants him to try another pill, or to do IV chemotherapy in Chicago. Gary has to go off this pill for four weeks before he can do anything else. So, the doctor said for Gary to be hospitalized and get the pancreatitis under control - then we can discuss his decision about if he wants to try another chemo pill or IV chemotherapy.  I am not sure if we are going to get to go to Disney - Gary is pretty weak right now and our finances are not really looking towards us getting to go........We are still trying to figure out what would be best!

Tammy


Update December 8, 2008
I wanted to send a little update from our trip to Chicago last Wed. December 3rd.
Gary went to the University of Chicago and had extensive blood work tests.  Then he had a EKG & Echocardiogram of this heart. Then we met with the oncologist
and she explained to Gary again that surgery and radiation are not an option this time.   She said the only thing that is left would be chemo. AND we all know Gary opinion about the chemo since he went thru Chemo two times already and neither time worked.  Gary then had another CT scan of the chest & abdomen. The oncologist reminded Gary that he needs to Live each day to the fullest and to take one day at a time!  We have another appt. this Wed. Dec. 10th and we will be in Chicago approx. 8-10 hours. Gary will have his blood drawn then he will take 4 chemo pills and then every two hours Gary will have his blood drawn to make sure his body is reacting to the pills ok. Then after the 8-10 hours Gary will come home and he will take the 4 chemo pills everyday after his breakfast. We are scheduled to go back to Chicago every Wed. thru the rest of December for extensive tests each visit. We are also scheduled to go back on January 21st for another CT scan of the chest & abdomen and that will tell the doctors if Gary's body is reacting to the chemo correctly or not. If the cancer has stayed the same or is shrinking then Gary can continue the pills. If the cancer has grown in the lungs at all - then he has to stop the pills. Gary has said that he is going to give the chemo pills a try - but if he feels too sick from the pills - he is going to stop them immediately - he wants to have Quality time for the time he has!
Thanks again for all the continued  prayers & support.
We hope everyone has a blessed Christmas & New Year!
The Wilsons


11/25/08
I wanted to let you know - I FINALLY heard back from Chicago today.

The doctor said that 14 out of the 15 doctors all say this is definitely the primary cancer..... that this is lung cancer. One of the doctors thinks it could be coming from the bladder.???? Anyways - they said that this is not operable - because of the location.Radiation is not an option - it overlaps where he has previously had radiation and too much radiation could really hurt Gary.So - Gary's only option is to try a clinical chemo pill. Gary has until next Wed. Dec. 3rd to make up his mind. They have him tentatively scheduled to go to Chicago on Dec. 3rd to have blood work up, an EKG and a Echo Cardiogram. Then start the chemo pillif that is what Gary chooses to do. Gary is in the hospital here in Peoria - Gary went to Kentucky last weekend and when he got home he was really sick! So, I took him to the ER and they admitted him. Gary's right lung (his cancer lung) is full of pneumonia. We are praying that he will be able to come home tomorrow. I really don't want him to be in the hospital on Thanksgiving!  We all hope you have a GREAT Thanksgiving!!!Love Ya!
Tammy, Gary, Haley & Dakota

11/12/08
I wanted to send a email to let you all know we went to Chicago today - it was time for Gary's Pet Scan & CT Scans to see how his cancer is (basically to see if his cancer is gone).
The news today was not good.  The primary cancer has finally shown up.  Gary has 3 active cancer tumors on his right lung.  The panel of doctors in Chicago are going over his options in a meeting next week.  Gary was given 3 possibilities, and if he doesn't want to try these experimental options - he has 6 months to 2 years depending on how fast it grows. And we know his is fast moving and fast growing and none of the treatments have helped him so far.  Please pray for us. I needed in my heart to let you know what is going on. We got home from Chicago late this evening and Gary felt the need in his heart to tell Haley & Dakota so they wouldn't hear it from anyone else but him. When we hear more, or when Gary makes his decision about more treatment or not - I will let you know.  This has been a VERY difficult 18 months for our whole family. And after three surgeries, two rounds of chemo and two rounds of radiation - Gary has to make this decision on his own and we have to honor whatever decision he makes.

Sincerely,  Tammy Wilson


Update 9/30/08
We went to Chicago yesterday and Gary got to get his epidural and his 52 staples out!!! YAH!!!
The pain doctor is really impressed with his level of pain! :-)
Gary is going to stop another pain med today and over the next month to two months Gary is going to go
off of his Methadone - pain medicine. But he has to go off of the pain med slowly. Gary is so happy he is able to drive now. :-)  We will be going back to Chicago in 4 weeks to get another CT Chest Scan to see how the spots on the right lung are doing. Then at the end of November Gary will have a PET Scan to see how his lung is doing. Gary is starting therapy tomorrow to rehabilitate the left arm. Gary is getting stronger each day - and his spirits are GREAT!!!! Gary actually went to a car show this past Sunday - it was his first car show all summer (except for the Nationals - which Gary doesn't remember much of).
It is so nice to have Gary back!!! :-) the kids are so excited that Gary is doing so well!! :-)
I will send another update after his Scan next month.
Tammy
Update Gary Wilson 9-08-08
Gary had his surgery last Tuesday September 2, 2008 at The University of Chicago to remove his shoulder and right arm. Gary was in surgery over 4 hours. The surgeon said the surgery went really well.  Gary's cancer was in the coracoids processor again and it was long and skinny - it extended down under the first three ribs so the surgeon had to call in a Thoracic surgeon. The surgeon said the cancer was not connected to the ribs, so he did not have to take any of the ribs, thank goodness! The pain doctor put another epidural catheter in Gary's spine before the surgery to help with the pain as the incision heals. And to try to help with phantom pain. Gary came home from the hospital late Saturday night. Gary is very weak, but his spirits seem to be pretty good, considering all he has been through! :-) Gary had a CT Chest Scan last Thursday and the surgeon said there are two new spots on the right lung. Then we discussed the news with the oncologist and she is a lung specialist and she said she believes the two spots are just scars from the radiation treatments. They are going to give Gary a month to heal from the surgery. Then they are going to do another CT Chest Scan to see if the two spots are changing at all. But, Gary needs to focus on healing right now. We need to fatten Gary up! Gary has lost over 44 pounds since all this started! Once Again - THANK YOU for all your prayers and support!
I will try to send an update soon! Gary goes back to Chicago for follow up apts. with the surgeon and the pain doctor next Monday September 15th. 
Tammy

Update July 14th 2008
I wanted to post an update following our trip to Chicago last Wednesday to get test results.
We went to Chicago and Gary's two doctor appts. turned into us seeing 5 different doctors.
I was super concerned with Gary's pain level this past two weeks so last Monday I finally called the pain clinic in Chicago that we were dealing with back in April when Gary had his epidural. I felt that the doctor here in Peoria wasn't getting anywhere with the pain - except for raising the doses on his pain meds. So, when we were in Chicago the pain clinic thought Gary needed a ultrasound of his arm again to see if he had another blood clot because of all the pain and swelling. Well - they did an ultrasound and Gary does have another blood clot in his shoulder of the surgical area and it goes down his right arm. So they put him on Lovenox (and injection twice a day for blood thinning). Then we saw the oncologist and she was really worried about the amount of Percocet Gary was taking for the pain - Gary was taking double of what his body should be on....So, they changed his pain meds. Our original appt in Chicago was to get the Pet Scan & ; CT scan results and - the good news is that it has not gone anywhere else. The bad news is that the shoulder area is still lighting up and it could be from the blood clot, a new tumor or just activity from the scar tissue. So, the oncologist wants us to go on vacation, then as soon as we get back she wants Gary to have a biopsy of the area they are worried about. The biopsy should be somewhere between July 28th and July 30th. Chicago should have the results of the biopsy when we go back for the next MRI on August 6th. That way we can get a plan if it is a new tumor. We have been consulting with the surgeon in Chicago and if Gary has to have surgery again - Gary will probably lose his right arm, because of all the nerve damage and pain he has from the last surgery. I will post something as soon as we have more results. Gary is still in severe pain - we are praying that the pain is coming from the blood clot and hopefully Gary can get some relief as soon as the blood clot starts thinning out.
Tammy

Update June 17, 2008

Gary was supposed to get his last chemo treatment June 11th. However, his platelets were too low.
We went to Chicago Friday June 13th to see the doctor for an evaluation and have blood drawn to see if he could have treatment. Gary's platelets were still low, but he did get his last chemo treatment. The doctor was evaluating Gary because of his neuropathy (numbness) in his hands and feet. Gary was still pretty numb so the doctor decided to change the chemo for the last treatment. She was worried if he stayed with the same chemo that he might not get all his feeling back. Gary usually has about 2/3 days before he bottoms out and this time he bottomed out less than 24 hours later. We have gone to oncology here in Peoria and Gary has gotten hydration fluids yesterday & today. I wanted to bring everyone up to date on the MRI results from May 21st. The surgeon said that there is a worrisome spot next to the original tumor area. He can't be sure if it is a new tumor or just scar tissue. We have worried & worried about this for weeks, and Gary's pain level is out of control again, so last Friday when Gary had his last chemo treatment we had them to do another MRI and a vascular ultrasound of his arm to make sure there weren't any blood clots.  The surgeon said that the ultrasound showed a lot of activity, scar tissue, but they did not see any blood clots. On the MRI results there hasn't been any changes in the 3 weeks since the MRI on May 21st. So, good thing - no growth. The surgeon said it is not an easy place to biopsy, so we have to wait 8 weeks and have another MRI to see if there is any growth or change in the worrisome area. I am so proud of Gary for finishing out his chemo treatments. Now we just have to continue praying that the chemo is working and that this spot is just scar tissue. Gary is scheduled to go back to Chicago on July 9th for a follow up with the radiologist and to have a Pet Scan and see the oncologist. Gary should have another MRI sometime in the beginning of August.
Tammy

Update   May 25, 2008

I took Gary to Chicago last Wed. for his # three chemo treatment. Gary's blood levels were all really good, so they gave him an even more powerful dose of chemo. Well, Gary had a bad reaction to the high level of chemo. It made him feel 'drunken'  and he couldn't stay awake. So they monitored him really well and he slept for quite some time. Then when it was time for his MRI - they had to do the MRI two different times. Gary was having uncontrollable jerking. So, they had to strap him down for the second MRI. I still don't have the results from the MRI. I am trying to be patient - but it is really hard. I am going to wait until after the holiday then I am going to call and see if the surgeon has the results. Gary really needs to hear the results. He is so convinced the cancer is back - I pray he gets the news he needs to be able to stop thinking about it all the time at least for a little bit.  With this big dose of chemo - Gary is having alot of the side effects of chemo. Gary has blisters in his mouth and he can't eat very well.  And the chemo is making Gary's feet & hands numb. The day after chemo the numbness was so bad, Gary fell and hit his head.  I will post something as soon as I get the results from the MRI.  Gary's # four round of chemo is scheduled for June 11th in Chicago.
Tammy

May 9, 2008 Update

Well last week we went to Chicago on Monday April 28th and they took out Gary’s epidural, the doctor was worried about infection in the spine. So, the epidural came out four weeks early. Gary is really happy - he can drive again. He is still in a lot pain and now he is starting occupational therapy three times a week. They are trying to get the bicep muscle to work. It doesn't have any reflex at all. The surgeon says hopefully in time - it will come back.? We will have to wait and see. Gary definitely has loss / damage in his arm from the cancer this time. We will have to give it time and see what the outcome will be. We went back to Chicago on Wednesday April 30th for round two chemo treatment. Gary bottomed out Saturday night. It seems as though about 72 hours after his chemo treatment he bottoms out. Gary is getting hydration fluids here in Peoria to help him get thru the chemo. The doctor also put Gary on a very strong antibiotic she said he is get ting a cold/infection. Gary is scheduled for round three of chemo treatment on May 21st. The surgeon is planning on doing an MRI on May 21st when we are in Chicago to see how the surgical area is healing.  Gary’s last round of chemo will be on June 11th and after that last treatment they are planning a PET Scan. We are praying for clear results this time!

I had to take Gary to the emergency room Wednesday - I called the doctor in Chicago because his antibiotic wasn't helping. Gary would take about 10 steps and be completely out of breath. So, the emergency room did a Chest X-Ray and they said it came back clear. No pneumonia. (thank goodness). Then the ER gave Gary a breathing treatment, put him on Oxygen, gave him hydration fluids. Then finally they decided to do a CT Chest Scan to make sure that he didn't have a blood clot. And that came back clear. So, they decided Gary is just really really weak from the chemo treatments. 

Again, thanks for all the prayers, cards, support during all of this. We truly appreciate everything everyone has done to help us out!  I will try to send an update after the next round of chemo.  Tammy

 

April 11, 2008 Update

Gary is finally back home. We went to Chicago April 1st and Gary was admitted to The University of Chicago for his extreme pain in his arm. Gary has nerve pain / nerve damage from the cancer that was wrapped around a nerve. The pain clinic did an emergency procedure right when I got him there on Tuesday. That was a temporary nerve block to see if there was anything they could do for him. The block was supposed to last anywhere from 6 - 36 hours. Gary’s wore off by the 6 hours. Then on Wednesday they tried to put a cathedar into his neck to get the medicine in that way. That procedure didn’t work - the cathedar got a kink in it and the meds could not go thru it. So right after that they took him back into another procedure and they put an epidural in his spine. Gary will have the epidural for 6-8 weeks. They can not leave it in any longer than the 8 weeks. The medicine is fed directly into his spine and they have numbed his arm from his shoulder to his wrist. They are trying to let the arm heal from the surgery. After 8 weeks they will take the epidural out and see exactly what nerve damage Gary has.
It took A LOT of convincing - but, we convinced Gary to start his chemo before we left the hospital.
The chemo doctor wants Gary to have one really big day of chemo then off 3 weeks, then one big day and off 3 weeks for a total of 4 treatments. The chemo will be double the dosage that he had before. So, it will be like Gary having 10 days of treatment in Peoria to one really big day in Chicago.
I will be taking Gary back to Chicago next Wed. for a follow up on the radiation and a follow up on the pain & chemo treatments.
Gary can’t drive for 6 weeks because of the medicines he is on. Gary isn’t taking that very well!
Tammy

April 4, 2008  Update
Tammy has taken Gary to Chicago.  He is in extreme pain and is in ICU due to the fact that they have given him a epidural and are administering pain medications this way.  He will be in ICU until at least Monday and Tammy called me today and asked me to post a short update for them.  She does not have access to email and is limited on phone calls.  If you call she cannot answer, but will return any calls with messages.  If anyone needs immediate contact or information, please feel free to email me and I will do my best to reach her or another family member for you. You can email me at jldeboer69@ntslink.net.  My name is Joyce and I am Gary's sister-in-law, married to Tammy's brother. 

March 27, 2008  First let me apologize for taking so long to email!
It has been a rough 6 weeks.  We went to Chicago on February 13th to see the surgeon. The surgeon reviewed Gary’s films and said that he could see a new tumor, possibly two tumors. The surgeon recommended Gary to have surgery to remove the tumor. We went back to Chicago on February 20th for a second opinion. The doctor said, yes, there is another tumor and she recommended Gary to have surgery, radiation and more chemo therapy. Gary’s last chemo treatment was on January 5th 2008 and by January 28th when Gary had another PET Scan - the tumor was the size of a golf ball in just three weeks. After the second opinion on the 20th then Gary got a call on the 21st telling him to be there on Friday February 22nd for his surgery. The surgeon was in there a long time exploring the area. Gary had one tumor the size of a golf ball and it was wrapped around a nerve. Gary had a hard time coming out of the anesthetic meds. Then two days later Gary got pneumonia. Then 5 days after the surgery Gary went into isolation for 4 days (96 hours) to have internal radiation treatment. Now Gary has had the maximum radiation in his shoulder. He can no longer have radiation in his shoulder area.
Gary was in the hospital 10 days. Gary came home on March 2nd. By March 6th I was taking Gary back to Chicago. Gary was very sick and had gotten a stomach virus or flu bug. Then a week later I took Gary back to Chicago - Gary was having severe pain in parts of his arm and numbness in other parts. They doubled Gary’s pain meds & put him on a nerve pain medicine. Gary only continued to get worse, so I took him back to Chicago on March 17th and they hospitalized him. Gary was in the hospital until March 20th. They were trying to manage his pain. Gary is on a pain patch, pain pills and two nerve pain meds. I just took Gary back to Chicago March 26th - Gary’s still in severe pain. They are having a pain management team work with him. The surgeon said Gary could have nerve damage from where the tumor was. AND they said having the internal radiation so soon after the surgery could cause the healing to be extremely slow or it could even stop the healing.
We are scheduled to go back to Chicago April 2nd to see the surgeon, radiologist and the oncologist to discuss what steps are next.
Thank you for all the prayers, cards and support!  We all truly appreciate everything everyone has done.
If I haven’t updated in a while and you want to know how things are going we have a new email address it is gonmad57@comcast.net
I will try to update soon.
Tammy

 

Feb 12, 2008  Well, we didn't like the news we got today. Another bump in the long road we have been on. The doctor said there is a mass about the size of a golf ball just underneath the surgical area.  The doctor is having us go back up to Chicago to see the surgeon. He wants him to review the films and see what is going on. The oncologist doesn't want to do a biopsy until the surgeon reviews all that is going on. The oncologist said it is a soft mass, so he doesn't think it is cancer. However, he doesn't want to do a biopsy because if it is a blood mass, then Gary could bleed alot! So, we are going to Chicago to see the surgeon that did the surgery back in August this Wednesday at 11:30. I went to the hospital after we left the doctor today and got all the medical records that we need to take to Chicago with us. I pray it is something that is easily fixed. I also pray that Gary does not have cancer again, or that he won't have to go through a surgical procedure again. I will keep you posted as soon as we know some more.
Tammy
 
Feb 4, 2008  Gary just got his PET Scan results. Gary has been having alot of pain in his shoulder.
The PET Scan showed abnormal activity in the surgery area. They said it did not show growth or cancer - so that is good!  But the doctor said that the surgical area should of healed by now. Gary has to have a MRI of his shoulder on Thursday to see why the abnormal activity and so much pain. Gary will also have another sonogram of his wrist to make sure the blood clot is dissipating on Thursday.
We will go back to the oncologist next Monday to get the MRI & sonogram results.  Tammy
 
Jan 16, 2008  PLEASE keep Gary in your prayers.......
Gary finished his last week of chemo on January 5th and was diagnosed with the flu during his chemo treatment. THEN - Just when I thought things were looking up for us........Yesterday,  Gary said  'I think you need to call the doctor'. Well, for Gary to say that there MUST be something wrong!!
 So I called out to oncology and they wanted to see him. Gary has had troubles with his arm hurting for two weeks now. Since the last week of chemo, Gary's arm has been all achy, and all through the week of chemo they had to keep moving the IV. He had troubles the whole week of chemo. Well anyways, Gary said his left arm & left hand is all swollen, very red & hot! So, the nurse wanted to see Gary.  She said yes, he has an infection where his IV was. And she sent us to the hospital to have a sonogram of the arm to make sure there wasn't any blood clots. Well, after going to Methodist they said Gary has a blood clot from his wrist to his elbow. And another vein up past his elbow has a second blood clot about 1 & 1/2 inches. AND Gary's lymph node near his arm pit is inflamed.  I told Gary - If it wasn't for bad luck - I don't think he would have any luck at all!!! So, now Gary has to go on Coumadin for 3 - 6 months (pill form) and an injection of coumidin once a day for a week. They moved Gary's PET Scan up to Jan. 29th to make sure the lymph node is ok.
Gary is finally getting over the flu. But they are going to put him back on his antibiotic for the infection in the arm.  Please keep Gary in your prayers. Just when we thought things were finally looking up for us - We have to come to another bump in the road! :-) Tammy
 

January 5, 2008

Gary's treatment this week did not go well at all!
Today - Saturday - Gary's last day of chemo - he almost didn't get it!
The nurse practitioner came in during his hydration and said - Gary - I think you have gotten the flu while getting your chemo this week. So, he got a bag and a half of hydration then she went ahead and gave him his last dose of chemo. She didn't want him to mess up his weeks regimen and she didn't want him to have to come in later to make the dose up. Gary also got a neulasta shot today for his white blood count.
Gary has 4 prescriptions I have to go & pick up.
Gary also has to go to the hospital tomorrow for two bags of hydration fluids. Then on Monday go back to oncology and get blood drawn, and two more bags of hydration fluids.
 All I can say is - YAH - Gary made it thru the chemo treatments!! Now he needs to get over the flu while going thru the side effects of the chemo.......Tammy

Wednesday Jan 2, 2008
I thought I would post an update since it has been a month since the last update!

Gary is going thru his last week of chemo therapy right now.
Gary is having a really rough week. He is very tired, no energy, no appetite.
I just keep trying to convince him to hang in there - he is almost at the end of his treatments!
Gary still has three more days of treatment to go.
Gary saw the oncologist on Monday and after this weeks treatments, Gary won't see the doctor again until Jan. 28th. Gary is scheduled for another CT Chest Scan on Jan 21st.
Gary has a follow up appt with the radiologist in April.
Thanks for all the prayers - We want to wish all of our family & friends a 'Happy New Year'!   Tammy 

Monday December 3, 2007
Gary went to the oncologist today for his check up and to get his next round of chemo treatments this week. The Oncologist went over the Pet Scan & CT Chest Scan results with us. He explained that the activity on the Pet Scan being a 2.5 SUV is the healing of the bone from the surgery and that Gary's cancer is GONE!!  We are so thankful for everyone's prayers!!! We could not of asked for a better Christmas gift!!!  Gary's spirits are so HIGH right now!!  The Oncologist also changed Gary's chemo from Cesplatin to Carboplatin. The Oncologist is hoping for Gary to not have as many side effects that he was having with the first type of Chemo. The Carboplatin can not be given with Radiation. And since Gary has completed his Radiation, the doctor feels it will be best for Gary to have this type of chemo for the last two rounds of chemo therapy. Gary is having chemo all this week, and he will get extra hydrating fluids everyday this week. Then his last round of chemo therapy is scheduled for Dec. 31 - Jan 5th.
Again, Thank you for all your prayers & support!   Tammy
 
Update 11/20/2007
Gary had a few really good days (his spirits were really high), then Sunday Gary started feeling really awful. I made him go to the doctor yesterday and Gary has a sinus infection and bronchitis.
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic. Please pray for Gary to be able to keep on schedule next week with his chemo treatments.  We hope all of our Family & Friends have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!  Tammy
Friday November 16, 2007
Gary went to the radiologist for his one month follow up and we were able to get the results from the PET Scan and the CT Chest Scan. We are so Thankful for the GREAT news we just got!!  Dr. Lal said that the right shoulder (surgical area) in Sept was a 5.5 SUV and now the area is at a 2.5 SUV. That is less than ½ of where it was!! The three spots on the right lung are GONE!!! The chemo and radiation are working as planned. Dr. Lal said that the radiation will continue to work in Gary’s shoulder until the end of January. Gary is scheduled to have two more rounds of Chemo Therapy. And that will continue to work in his body for one year. Dr. Lal said that it will continue to shrink! Gary is on the right track! Once again, Thank You to everyone for all the prayers!!   Tammy
 

Thursday November 15, 2007
Gary, Tammy, Haley & Dakota want to THANK the 'anonymous' card sender.

Your generous gift was very appreciated, and we all hope you have a Blessed Holiday Season and a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
 
November 5, 2007
Gary has had a really rough weekend. Very dehydrated, extremely weak and no energy at all.
 I thought Gary was going to end up in the hospital again. Thank goodness he didn't!
The doctor gave Gary two bags of hydration fluids today and some nausea  medicines.
Gary will have a PET Scan and a CT Chest Scan next Monday - November 12th at 9:00.
Gary has a one month follow up appointment on the 16th with the radiologist.
Gary is scheduled for his third round of Chemo treatments on Monday November 26th  thru Monday December 3rd.  Please pray for strength, and the will to continue with all of these treatments!  Tammy
 
Wednesday October 31, 2007
I wanted to let everyone know - Gary's treatment this time seems to be going very well compared to the first round of chemo treatments. This round of chemo treatments they are trying a new medication that is called Emend. It is a preventative medication for nausea. Gary takes this medication for three days during his chemo. So far this is Gary's third day and he seems to be handling everything much better....I pray that the rest of the week goes this well. The doctor told us on Monday that in between Nov. 5th - 16th Gary will have another Pet Scan, and another CT Chest Scan to check if the radiation & chemo is working. After this round of chemo, the doctor said Gary will be 50% of the way through his chemo treatments. The doctor expects Gary to have two more rounds of chemo after this set is completed. Probably the week after Thanksgiving and then the week of Christmas.
We appreciate all the prayers, cards & support everyone has shown for our family through all of this! Tammy

Monday October 22, 2007
Gary went for his treatment today and they said that today was a makeup day for the day he missed when he was admitted to the hospital.  His blood count is low and they would like him to rest up this week to replenish his white count and be ready for his next round of treatments scheduled to begin Mon Oct. 29 - Nov 5. - Tammy

Sunday October 21st
WOW -- What a GREAT turnout for the benefit!
A special THANKS to all our family, friends, and all the businesses/organizations who helped make this a huge success!  We especially want to THANK Gary's sister Malinda for all the hard work and sleepless nights as she planned an Awesome Benefit!!! (And the helpers she had along the way, but I won't mention names - I only have so much space in my message!)
Gary wasn't feeling well when it was time to go to the benefit.  I talked him into going.  I wasn't sure Gary would be able to stay for very long.  He drove to the benefit separately so if he needed to go home he could.  Shortly after we got to the benefit - Gary was outside getting some fresh air and all of a sudden - there was a NOMAD!!!  I can not believe how it lifted Gary's spirits then the next thing I know - Gary had his dad go home and get his NOMAD!  That made Gary so happy!!  I haven't seen him smile in quite some time!  SO - Thank you to all the Nomad family that came to the benefit.  It REALLY lifted his spirits!  Thank you to all the Nomaders that drove for hours to come and see Gary!
On another car note - Gary had some of his family/friends from the Central Illinois Chevy Club come and show their support too - The Central Illinois Chevy Club donated a check for $500.00!!  He really enjoyed seeing his friends/family in the car clubs that he hasn't seen in quite some time.
Gary was able to stay at the benefit from 4:00 until about 10:30!  I was so proud of him for staying so long, Gary really didn't want to miss seeing people that he hadn't seen in a while.
We would like to THANK Ricky & Steve for their donation of $500.00!  A very special THANK YOU goes out to Orrin & Kathy for their generous donation of the trip for two to LAS VEGAS!  We love you all very much - HUGS!!!
We want to express our THANKS to each and every one of our family/friends that attended and helped to make the Benefit successful!
Gary is trying to get some rest today before he starts another round of chemo this week.
Please continue to keep him in your prayers, please pray for strength to help him get thru all the treatments this week.  The chemo/radiation has caused Gary to have a lot of fatigue.  I also should add that he did finish his radiation treatments last Friday.  They said we will wait 2/3 weeks then they will do another scan to see how the surgical area and the right lung looks.
I will try to send another update in a couple of days.  -  Tammy

Sunday October 14th
Gary had a couple of good days on Friday & Saturday.  He has been sick all day today and I pray for him to have the strength to make it to his physical therapy on Mon, Wed, and Fri.  This is also his last week of radiation.  He has spent the day on the couch sleeping for most of it.  Please join us in praying that Gary will have enough strength this week to be able to attend his Benefit this Saturday.  The Monday after the benefit he is scheduled to start chemo treatments again.  -Tammy

Wednesday October 10
Gary was given food this morning and kept it down, so he was released from the hospital before 11:00 am.  Joyce

Tuesday October 9th
Today has been really rough on Gary - he just wants to go home!!!  We keep telling him that the doctors are just trying to get his colon, intestines and bowel healed so he can continue his chemo treatments.  While they are inflamed and irritated he can not have any treatments.  The nurse said he should be able to start eating a little tomorrow, and maybe to have some solid foods on Thursday.  Gary's spirits are the lowest I have ever seen them today.  I stayed with him at the hospital all day yesterday as well as last night.  I've had to go home to be with Haley & Dakota for a while as they are struggling with all of this.  When I left the hospital around 6 pm Gary's dad was there.   I will head back up around 7 am tomorrow so hopefully I can be there to hear what the doctors have to say.  As soon as I know more, I will keep you posted.  Tammy

Monday October 8th
We went to Gary's doctor appt this morning planning on finishing up another big day of chemo.  Well, that's not how things turned out.  Gary is in severe abdominal pain, he can't stand up straight and is all bent over.  The Oncologist examined Gary and told me to get him to the hospital immediately.  I took him to Methodist Medical Center and they admitted him.  About noon Gary was taken to have a CT abdominal scan.  Around 2:00 we saw a Gastro Intestinal doctor.  He said the medications Gary is taking with the chemo has really inflamed his colon, intestines, and bowel.  The doctor also said he has Colitis.  They gave him a saline IV just for hydration.  He is not allowed to eat or drink anything today to allow his bowel to rest and hopefully the colon to heal in the 4 areas where he has irritation.  They are checking to see if Gary has an infection called C-Diff.  This is very frustrating for him.  First they tell him to eat anything and everything during his chemo treatments so he wont lose too much weight and now he is hungry and can't eat anything.  In the one week since he began his chemo and radiation treatments Gary has lost 7 pounds.

Saturday October 6, 2007
Today was the 6th annual car show at our church that Gary has always put on.  Well, he made it through the day, but is really exhausted.  It was a huge success.  We had 143 cars at $15.00 per entry, with all the proceeds going to Coats for Kids!  I am so proud of Gary for making it through the whole day.  He needs to rest up tonight and tomorrow so he can handle his 6th day of chemo on Monday.  He will have another 8 hour treatment then 2 weeks off from chemo.  Then start another round of 6 day treatments on October 22.  Gary has made it through his first week of radiation, with just two more weeks to go!

Thursday October 4, 2007
Gary's spirits are not so high these past couple of days......his treatments have really been difficult. Gary's emotions are all crazy right now, and he is really nauseous. The doctor ordered two new medications today for the nausea. He is very dehydrated and tired, so tomorrow he will be getting an extra IV of saline.  I think he's really getting tired of hearing me say - you need to eat, and you need to drink!! Someday, he will thank me for being such a pest!!! I just keep trying to reassure him, that he only has tomorrow and Monday, then he will get about two weeks off before he has to start chemo again! And after tomorrow - Gary will be 1/3 the way through his radiation!!  Right now the only thing tasting good to him are Wendy's Frosty's. 

Tuesday October 2, 2007
Gary made it through his 2nd treatment of chemo today.  It was a really rough day emotionally for him.  Today's chemo was a 1 hour treatment and we were there about 3 hours.  Hopefully the rest of the week will go OK.  Gary has a lot of nausea and really bad heartburn.  The doctor has given him Prilosec to help with it.  He has a radiation treatment at 4:00 and said that if he only had to have radiation - that would be a piece of cake! : -).  At least he's trying to keep his sense of humor.  Tammy

Monday October 1, 2007
Gary started his Chemo and Radiation Therapy today.  It has been a very long day.  Radiation treatment started at 8:00 this morning then at 9:00 an appointment with the oncologist.  Oncologist said the PET scan showed that the elbow is clear, no cancer.  They will proceed with radiation and aggressive chemo to target the 3 new spots on his right lung.  We were wrong as to Gary's treatment plan - Gary will have one 6-8 hour treatment, then 4 days of 2 hour treatments and the weekend off.  The following Monday another 6-8 hour treatment, 21 days off, then another round of six days of treatment.  This will last about 4 months, with further scans to see if the spots still show up or not.  The oncologist also put Gary on a pain patch today, because the oral medicine is not helping.  Sorry for the delay in posting, but it has been a long day.

Friday September 28, 20007 
Gary had his PET scan yesterday, however the doctor is out of the office until Monday.  When we get the results we will let everyone know.
We want to thank all our family and friends who have visited the site and signed the guestbook.  We appreciate all the prayers, support and concern you all have expressed.  Please continue to check back for updates on how Gary is doing--and please continue to leave messages on the guestbook.  It has really lifted Gary's spirits to see such concern and support from everyone!

Tuesday September 25, 2007
Gary is having another PET Scan Thurs the 27th.  Gary is having severe pain in his right elbow.  With the news from yesterday of the new cancer spots, we want to be sure that this pain is just from using his arm since surgery.  The doctors want to make sure that the cancer hasn't moved to his elbow.   Tammy

Monday September 24, 2007
We went to the oncologist today, thinking that Gary would be starting radiation later this week and after three weeks of radiation Gary would start his chemo treatments.  There have been some changes to his condition and we wanted to update everyone as soon as possible.  Gary had a CT Chest Scan on Friday, September 21st to make sure everything looked clear.  Well, the CT scan did not come back clear.  The oncologist said that Gary's lymph nodes are inflamed, which could be as a result from the surgery a few weeks ago.  The incision is also showing some shadowing on the scan and that it could be a tumor growing in the incision from the surgery.  The CT scan also showed 3 new spots of cancer on Gary's right lung that did not appear on the previous test.  We know this is a very fast growing cancer.  Gary will start a very aggressive treatment process that will begin Monday, October 1st.  Starting with a 6-8 hour treatment that day, followed by 1 hour treatments every day for the rest of the week.  Then on October 8th, Gary will have another 6-8 hour treatment.  He will follow this with 21 days of no chemo, then another 6-8 hour treatment every 21 days for 4 months.  He will be very sick during these weeks.  A plan of 15 radiation treatments will begin on Oct 1st as well.  This will be Monday thru Friday for 3 weeks.  This along with physical therapy 3 times a week for the next 6-8 weeks. 
Please keep Gary in your prayers....Tammy and family

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