It's been a good and relaxing weekend. We haven't had any problems. He's ate ice cream, jello and some steak. We enjoyed seeing his son (Bill) and wife (Betty Lou) along with that old gray headed man that comes with Wanda, John Gatewood. It's been nice that he was able to visit and relax a little before the start of his chemo and radiation on Monday. We appreciate all the cards and prayers. We are staying positive and taking them one day at a time.

WOW.....Wilroy and I both finally got a good night sleep last night without many issues. He has rested most of today and hasn't been near as restless. He doesn't have much of an appetite but he's enjoying following Dr's orders that he can eat what he wants and that's been ice cream, ice cream and ice cream. Just a quick note to let you all know how our day went since the night before last was so miserable. Enjoy your weekend and I'll let you know how ours goes on Sunday or Monday.

Well, after a sleepless night with issues of all kinds with Wilroy, we went to see Dr Mattern. They have decided they are not waiting for an opportunity to do the PET scan any longer. Wilroy has just to many issues to not get started. Between, Wilroy's health issues, holidays, Mattern's vacation and scheduling conflicts we have lost 3 weeks. Monday, he will have the dry run radiation at 11:00 and Chemo at 1:00. He will be given a lower dose of both of these because of his other health issues. Dr. Mattern will monitor his progress and change the dose after he sees how it effects him. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Wilroy was discharged today from Riverside. He is home after a very eventful and crazy ride home. Long story that we will tell everyone about later. They did change his picc line from one arm to the other but they weren't able to get the PET scan done today. He has a Dr's appointment with Dr Mattern tomorrow and they are working on getting the PET scan scheduled for Friday possibly. He's very glad to be home in front of his own TV and in his own recliner. Never a dull moment around a Sammons that's for sure.

Wilroy is still in Riverside Hospital. His blood clots haven't "dissolved" to their liking (Dr's). The one in his picc line arm is the main issue. They are going to try today to move the (picc line) to the other arm and he's tentatively scheduled for a PET scan as well. When all of this happens and they are happy with the status of his blood clots then he will start Chemo. Wilroy is doing well and gaining back some strength in his legs. He is a little more stable when he walks. Thanks so much for all your concerns and prayers. We are being positive and strong.

Wilroy has stabilized some what over the weekend. His swelling and blood clots have improved a little. He is still in the hospital waiting for Dr Mattern to return from vacation to decide on a new plan of attack. Dr Gillespie (Radiation Dr) decision to wait on radiation hasn't changed. So, we are in a holding pattern for now.
Wilroy really enjoyed seeing family and friends this weekend. Joan and Merle (his sisters), Chris and Bill (his sons) and their wives Robin and Betty Lou came to visit. His long time friend from childhood, John Gatewood "The old gray headed man that comes with Wanda" as Cyndie always called him and his riding buddy Bill Edmundson came as well. It was nice to see everyone and have them all come and visit. Let's hope all the catching up and fun times continue to give him new energy for the weeks ahead. Thanks again for all your cards, comments and prayers.

The last couple of days have not gone as anyone planned. Wilroy was to start radiation treatment after his "tattoo" appointment. But after looking at his films again. The radiation Dr wanted to discuss another plan of attack with Dr Mattern. She feels like the areas need to get Chemo before radiation and will discuss that with Dr Mattern on his return Tuesday from vacation.

This morning started on the right track but was quickly changed to another track. Wilroy had a lot of discomfort in his legs and lower back. We, also noticed the left hand and forearm with the picc in it was swollen. We called the Dr and were told to come in. The Dr filling in for Dr Mattern, after much discussion decided he needed to admit him to Riverside to get things back on track so he could start Chemo next week. Wilroy appears to have numerous blood clots in his legs and arm that they are concerned about. So, Wilroy is in Riverside hospital, Rm 411 until they can get his blood back on track. He's resting with some added pain meds and a shot every 12 hours to help thin his blood.
Thanks for all you prayers and concerns

Wilroy has been on a steady holding pattern for the last couple of days. Today he goes and gets his "tattoo" markings for radiation. We should know the actual day he starts radiation and chemo late this afternoon. We have had a great visit with Cyndie. She returns home to Florida this morning. Thanks for all your comments, thoughts and prayers.

Friday was a one Doctor Day. Yea!!! Dr Mattern (oncologist) went over his schedule for his Chemo and gave us lots of reading material. For once in his life Wilroy has Dr orders to eat whatever he wants. Wilroy was very happy about that...BUT, the Dr also told him he has to tell his wife about any unusal things that are going on with him. Now, most of you know Wilroy and he's not a big talker so that will be a major undertaking for him. He still can only whisper and most likely his voice box nerve has been damaged and his voice won't come back. So, he can't scream at me for nagging him (YEA!)...like he really would. Ok, back to his schedule. He will start radiation treatment Wed (5-20) or Thur (5-21) with his Chemo starting Thur or Friday of the same week. He will have Chemo treatments once a week for 16 weeks. They will do a CT scan on weeks 7 or 8, 12, and 16 to check his progress and a PET scan after week 16. If everything looks good they will consider him in remission. All of this is based on his scan results during his treatments and subject to change. Dr Mattern said they pride themselves for not making their patients very sick so hopefully that's how it will go for Wilroy. Dr said he will lose some hair from his treatments and some from radiation, every person is different so we will see. In his defense Dr Mattern said "I will cause you to lose some of your hair but your radiation Dr will cause you to lose more" as he laughs. Wilroy is hanging in there for now. He gets tired very easily and has lost another 2 lbs this week, he's lost about 40 lbs since late December. Wilroy has wonderful compassionate Dr's and we can't say enough about how they have treated us so far. It's not everyday that you get Dr's cell phone numbers but we have them to use for any questions or concerns. Except Dr Mattern said "don't call me about appointment info as I would not have a clue, my staff keeps in line with all of that...." HA ...
Cyndie came in last night and will be here with him until Tuesday morning so we are enjoying her visit. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

WOW...What a day. Well, we made 3 of the appointments and one was rescheduled for tomorrow @ 2:00. Well, Life is a journey of learning and this was a learning experience kind of day for both of us. Wilroy started his day at One Day Surgery to get his picc line put in for his Chemo. This thing is inserted in his upper arm and then it weaves through his body until it reaches all the way into the tumor. This line is used to insert Chemo treatment. Next after bypassing his one appointment (too late) and on to Riverside Cancer Center and the radiology oncology dept. They asked 3 million questions and then the Dr came in and (she is wonderful) told us what to expect and what was going to happen M-F everyday for 6 weeks. His first appt (Tuesday) will be to put permanent marks on his chest for the radiation. Then he will start things going along after that for a few days and then finally the treatment itself. We then went to the heart Dr's office and he had an ultra sound on his heart to see how it was doing. She thought things were OK but the heart Dr will look at them and let Dr Mattern(onocologist) know for the appointment tomorrow at 2:00. WOW....That was enough for one day. We went to get something to eat and he's home in the chair resting. Enough for one day. Whew........

Hello Everyone,

Today has been a good day. We have added one more appointment to Thursday. He has to see his heart Dr at 3:00. That pretty much will take up the whole day now. We will let you know of any new developments as we go along.

Hello Family and Friends,

This is all new to us but we will try to post updates to Wilroy's condition and treatments as we go along.

Wilroy has 3 appointments Thursday. One at Riverside Cancer Center for his radiation therapy introduction, one at Riverside to have a Picc line placed and the last one with Dr Mattern at 4:00 to see about getting things scheduled.

He should start Chemo and Radiation sometime next week and we will post the progress as he goes along.