Tomorrow: chemo? YIKES!

Theoretically, tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15th, Bill will get his first chemo injection.

YIKES!

I've read everything in English on the subject (specific to his chemicals--gemcitabine and cisplatin), and it turns out that the most comforting page was from a website in Wales, which pretty much says that he will have NO side effects. The least comforting was from a website in Pennsylvania, which made it sound pretty much like one part Armageddon, one part Apocalypse, served over ice with a lemon twist.

HEPPP ME JEEEEEEZUS!

Either way, I will be posting a big report tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, THANK YOU beyond all measure for your emails, thoughts, prayers, and CARDS! And in some cases, wickedly decadent chocolate treats: you know who you are.

I wanted to write back thank you notes for each card, because each one is so precious, but Bill said I shouldn't. Well...just KNOW you are thanked with all our hearts! YOU know who YOU are, too. :)

For tonight, I just wanted to post a clip from an email Bill sent to H.F., in San Francisco, his dear friend from childhood.

Naturally, I have failed to get Bill's permission to post this clip, but... I'll go with the theory that it's easier to get forgiveness than permission, so I'm posting it without his OK.

Oh, he WOULD have okayed it, I'm pretty sure.

It's just so beautiful, and so very, very Bill. If this doesn't remind you of why Bill is the most spectacular person in the world, then my name is....um....King Lear.

Here is what he wrote. [When he refers to "the book", he means the book he wrote, which is now on Amazon's Kindle, and also being read on Wisconsin Public Radio every day in their chapter-a-day program, of which Bill is understandably very proud]:

"Turns out, alas, that the book is doing better than I am just now. Long story short, I was diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer in August. Already had one operation at Duke; I start four months of chemo tomorrow in Boone (the Jack Nicholson character in _The Bucket List_ has a great line as he goes through chemo: "Somewhere, some lucky guy is having a heart attack.") Then an eight-hour (?!) operation at Duke next spring or thereabouts. Followed, if need be, by more chemo.

"So a certain pall has been cast on the household, as you might guess...

"The plan long-term is to remain vertical for years to come. We'll see. Meanwhile, old friendships have taken on an enhanced, even immeasurable, value. Kind of a stimulus package, I guess.

"Blessings on you and yours, Bill"