Bits 'n Pieces

Gary did get to come home for Thanksgiving! We thank the Lord for that! We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! We tried to laugh as much as possible and made awesome memories!
I wanted to send a little update from our trip to Chicago last Wed.
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. 8th 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!

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 pill if 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

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).

Gary had his surgery last Tuesday September 2, 2008 at The University of Chicago. Gary was in surgery over 4 hours. The surgeon said the surgery went really well. Gary's cancer was in the coracoid 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 nite. 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!

As you know Gary has been battling cancer since last summer. Gary has had two surgeries, two rounds of radiation, and two rounds of chemo therapy. Just before Gary's last round of chemo in June - Gary had a MRI in late May and there was another 'worrisome' spot in his right shoulder. Well - Gary finished his chemo treatment and then they have done more scans and then finally last Monday August 18th - Gary had a biopsy at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and we went back to Chicago yesterday to get the results and a second opinion. Well, Gary's cancer is back for a third time and we have gotten three opinions and Gary's only option to try to get some comfort from all the pain he has been in over this past year would be to amputate his right shoulder, arm and hand. This cancer that Gary has is very agressive and it has been resistant to all the treatments so now the only way to try to get some 'Quality' time with his family is that he has made the decision to amputate h is shoulder , arm and hand. Gary's surgery will be this Tuesday at the University of Chicago and then Gary will be in the hospital approx. 4 days if all goes well. We appreciate all the prayers & support we have received over this past year. Now we are all praying that this will give Gary a chance to have some 'Quality' time to spend with the kids & his family because we now know that this is a battle that Gary will not be able to conquer.

Please keep Gary in your thoughts and prayers next week as he has made this very difficult decision to be able to have more memories with the kids!

God Bless You All!

Tammy, Haley, Dakota & Gary Wilson

P.S. - It was truly special for Gary to get to see all his NOMAD FAMILY this past month in West Virginia! It was so hard, but I really believe he needed to see all his family & friends with everything he has been through over this past year.

Just heard(8/13) that Ray Clarke's surgery went well and he thinks it was successful. More as it becomes available.

Gary was released from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon so I could drive him to Chicago for his MRI Wed.

Gary should not of been released but we knew this MRI was important. In the hospital here in Peoria - Gary was on a Fentynal Pump, Dillotted, Toradal shots and Darvaset. He was really medicated. And the doctor was also trying a drug called Ketamine. Along with all his other medicines. So when I checked him out of the hospital he was heavily medicated. But by the time I got him to Chicago he was in severe pain again. I took him to the hospital in Chicago Wed. morning and they had a really hard time gettting the MRI done since Gary was in so much pain. So, the radiologist just got exactly what he had to - to compare to the previous MRI's. Then we went to see the surgeon and he wanted to admit Gary immediately because of his pain level. Gary said no that he wanted to come back home to Peoria. On the MRI results - the surgeon said that there is no change in the worrisome spot at all. So, he doesn't see any growth. Which is a good thing. However, the surgeon said the on ly thing he can offer Gary is to amputate Gary's arm to see if he has any less pain. I asked the surgeon if it would take care of the pain and he said no - because your mind will still think the limb is still there - even though it is not. So, Gary said he is not in the correct mental state to make that decision right now. We are still waiting to here from the doctor that is supposed to give us a second opinion and a biopsy to see where we go from here. I have been talking to the pain doctor here in Peoria for two days now trying to raise some of the pain medicines and I am trying to keep him out of the hospital. But, if he isn't better next week - I will have no choice but to readmit him to the hospital for pain control again.

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 contro l 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 alot 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

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 a lot 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 6, 2008

Well last week we went to Chicago on Monday April 28^th 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 won’t flex at all. The surgeon says hopefully in time - it will come back.? We will have to wait and see. Gary definitely has loss / damage 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 30^th 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 getting a cold/infection. Gary is scheduled for round three of chemo treatment on May 21^st. The surgeon is planning on doing an MRI on May 21^st when we are in Chicago to see how the surgical area is healing. Gary’s last round of chemo will be on June 11^th and after that last treatment they are planning a PET Scan. We are praying for clear results this time! I know Gary sure has had his share of rough times. I know he really needs some positive news to help him get thru all of this! The whole family needs some positive news! :-) Again, thanks for all the prayers, cards, support during all of this. We truly appreciate everything everyone has done to help us out!

Tammy

April 11, 2008 Update

Gary is finally back home. We went to Chicago April 1^st 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

Word has reached these ears stating and confirming that John & Sherry Chambers were married on

March 31, 2008

Update on Gary -

Gary was in the hospital 9 days after his surgery that was on Feb 22. Gary came home on March 2^nd. By March 6^th 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 17^th and they hospitalized him. Gary was in the hospital until March 20^th. 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 26^th - 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.
Gary's pain is not getting any better so we are going to Chicago Thurs. April 3rd to meet with the pain clinic to see what options Gary has to try to get this pain level under control.
Thank you for all the prayers and support!

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 send another update soon.
Tammy

I wanted to send an email to try to bring everyone up to date!

I apologize that I have not been very prompt on sending out my email. It is just that everything has moved so quickly!

Gary had a PET Scan on 1/28/08 and it showed abnormal activity in the shoulder area. Then Gary had a MRI of his right shoulder and it showed a golf ball tumor. Gary's oncologist sent us back up to the surgeon in Chicago. We met with him on 2/13/08 and we were told that there was another tumor in the surgical area. We went back up to Chicago for a 2nd opinion and to meet with a radiologist on 2/20/2008. We got a call the next day and was told to be in Chicago for surgery on 2/22/2008. Gary needs to have surgery, internal radiation, and possibly more chemo therapy.

Gary's surgery was rather lengthy because they were exploring the shoulder area extensively to see if there was any other abnormal activity. The surgeon was sucessful in removing the tumor. It was wrapped around a nerve and by the pectoral muscle. Gary had a really hard time coming out the the anesth. medicines. Two days later they did a chest x-ray and we were told Gary has pneumonia. They finally did a CT Chest Scan yesterday. They tried all weekend to get an IV in to inject the dye, however, Gary's veins wouldn't hold up. So, yesterday after being stuck five times - they got the IV in and we were told this morning that Gary's CT Chest Scan came back clear - no blood clots! YAH! We have worried all weekend about that.

Gary was put into his radiation treatment today. They took him into isolation about 4:00 and he has to be in there for 96 hours (4 days). They said he should be able to come out of isolation about 5:10 this Sunday. But he may have to stay until Monday to be observed Sunday night.

I will let you know what our next steps will be as soon as we know.... The surgeon said that the healing process will be slowed down due to the radiation being so quickly right after surgery. Last August Gary's staples came out in two weeks. The surgeon said this time it will be 4 weeks before the staples can come out.

Gary has 15 catheters 67 stitches, and 40 staples. It is a pretty large incision this time. The surgeon said the radiation could slow down the healing - and it could even stop the healing. I pray that doesn't happen.

I will send an update as soon as I know more!

Please continue to keep Gary in your prayers! Gary needs all the prayers he can get!

This has been very difficult for Gary and our family to handle finding out that his cancer was back a second time in six months.

Tammy

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 a lot! 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. He has been having a lot 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.

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.

Saturday was the benefit for Gary Wilson

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 so Gary drove to the benefit separately. 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 our Nomad! That made Gary so happy. I haven't seen him smile in quite some time. Then - doing a burnout in the parking lot kept Gary's spirits up!!! Thank you to all of our Nomad family that came to the benefit. It REALLY lifted Gary's spirits!!! Thank you to all the Nomaders that drove for hours to come and see Gary.

We appreciated it so much!!! Please continue to keep Gary in your prayers as he continues his Chemo treatments until the end of January. We look forward to seeing all of you in West Virginia!!

Tammy

I wanted to let our friends & nomad family know that during the Nomad Convention this year in Texas, we found out that Gary was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in his shoulder bone. When we got back home, it was a roller coaster ride for about 6 weeks. Last Thursday, Gary, finally was able to have surgery to remove the cancerous tumor in his shoulder bone (coracoid processor). The surgery was very successful. The surgeon said he was real pleased with the surgery. The surgeon only had to cut thru one muscle, and he was able to remove the whole bone that the tumor was in. Gary has about a 4 inch incision, and 19 staples. Now, Gary needs to rest up for two weeks, then at week 3 - Gary will have radiation/rehabilitation for three weeks. Then Gary will need to have Chemo. The doctors are unable to locate the primary source of Gary's cancer. So, thank you for all the prayers, they are greatly appreciated. And please keep Gary in your prayers now, for the radiation & chemo treatments. I know he really needs to keep his spirits up!

OK - very upsetting news....not what we expected at all!

We expected to talk to the doctor, to start radiation this week, then have chemo after radiation.

Well, the CT chest scan results were not good. Gary's lymph nodes are inflamed. The incision is shadowed on the ct scan, therefore they think the tumor might be growing in the incision. AND Gary has three spots on his right lung that wasn't there 6 weeks ago. So, we knew it was a fast growing cancer, and things are not looking so good right now. SO, Gary will start very aggressive chemo Monday morning and he will have a very high dose, which has alot if side effects with it. And have radiation along with the chemo treatments.

Congratulations

Shelby Jo Roberts, daughter of Tom and Sue Roberts, CNA #336, of Johnstown, Ohio graduated this month from Tiffin University with a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology. She earned two Bachelor's Degree in both Forensic Investigation and Criminal Justice from Mountain State University in 2005. She is currently a Crime Scene Analyst with a Sheriff's department in Florida.

Sallie and Dale Pfeifer CNA#35 are the proud grandparents of Thomas Vernon Pfeifer. Thomas was born May 11, 2007 to Darrin and Kelly Pfeifer of Elko NV.

Just wanted to let you know that both my mom and dad are doing fine after their kidney transplant surgery yesterday!! My mom was already released today and my dad will be at UCLA probably through the weekend/early next week if all goes well!!

Please feel free to tell others you think may want to know, as I'm afraid I'll miss someone.

I'm getting requests for an address to send flowers/cards, and I think it's best to send them to the house and I can take to my dad. Our address is: 11066 Gonsalves Pl. Cerritos, CA 90703

Thanks again to everyone for the continued support and friendship you show my dad and for all the prayers that helped get us all through the past few years!!

Most of all....THANKS TO MY MOM--without her selflessness...my dad wouldn't be on his road to living a better quality of life!!

Michelle (Mickey & Joann Christiason #1753)

We have a new grandson! Jaden William Carter was born Feb. 7, 2007. He weighed in at

Hello from Tennessee

I suppose you all wonder why you haven't heard anything from me since we got to TN. We got down here on the 29th of Jan. I was having such terrible pain with my hip I went to the emergency room, they Xrayed it found out that the hip socket had broken though and the bones were rubbing together ,so I was admitted to the hospital under morphine for 3 days they transferred to a nursing rehab facility where I have been ever since. They are giving me a lot of therapy to just tide me over until I can have surgery, which I won't be able to have until they make a special part, and they say it could be up to 6 months. They took a scan from which they make a mold then it goes someplace else to the prosthesis, there are only 3 places in the US that does this. This isn't much fun to look forward to living like this, I'm hoping I will be able to get by with someone coming in the day, as I am unable to put any weight on my right leg and it has to be in traction most of the time to try to keep the leg bone from pushing up into the intestinal area. They let me come come this afternoon for a few hours, and I will have to be going back soon, I will try to keep you updated on what is going on as I can. I wish I could have my computer at the hospital but I don't have a laptop, so will just do the best I can when I get to come home
Ruby Watt
#404 Aventura Dr.
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
615-758-3838
rw56nomad@tds.net

It is with great regret that I inform you, as an organization and as a wonderful group of friends, that Shirley Mason, my wife of 52 years passed on October 8, 2006.

She fought the good battle, even going to Sedona AZ, although she was wracked with pain. She just wanted to see all of her "Nomader" friends one more time. We included her in everything that she could physically do, and she loved it.

Happy Anniversary

Paul & Lois Reedy

They will celebrate 50 years together

September 8, 2006

Cards & Letters to

Paul & Lois Reedy

1163 Bohemia Mill Rd

Middletown DE 19709

She is doing better today, but it looks like she will be in the hospital a couple more weeks.