Hello Everyone!

Well- quick update.... George is currently undergoing radiation therapy for his hip area again. The most recent bone scan did show a good bit of progression and after a couple MRI's it was determined he would need to do some radiation. He also started getting some increased pain, so he was quite anxious to get started.

He is on week 2 of a 3-4 week course. He goes in once a day to get "zapped". We are actually pretty happy about the form of radiation treatment he is getting this time- it is called tomotherapy. It is supposed to be the cutting edge of radiation- it is very precise, and can be used to retreat areas (which is what his situation called for).

After this treatment, he will also do a round for his leg- there is a spot on his femur that needs attention.

Overall, however- he feels pretty good! He is noticing less discomfort since starting the radiation, so that is encouraging.

All you can do is just keep trucking along, dealing with things as they pop up, and just hope for the best!! His attitude is great!!

Keep him in your prayers- and me, too.

HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
GEORGE!!!

An overdue thank you-
a very special friend of ours' who is SO sweet to George gave us a beautiful bit of Christmas Cheer! She made for us the very pretty wreath you see hanging on our house.
Thank you, Debbie!! We love it!!

We had an interesting turn of events today! George went to his first visit with the Orthopedic Oncologist this morning. After x-raying his leg and hip, and discussing symptoms, the doctor decided that George doesn't need to do anything right now! The one possible problem is that the doctor did not receive copies of the recent scans (even though we were told they had been sent- and received!) so he didn't have that information to help his decision. George is going to get those put on a CD on Friday and send them to the doctor, and then we'll find out if he still feels the same. If so, then George doesn't have to do any treatment right now- which would be FANTASTIC!!
This could mean that the bone scan was showing other activity- such as remineralization of the bone caused by the Zometa infusion he gets monthly- and not necessarily new tumor sites.
Pray the verdict remains the same! That would be a GREAT start to 2010!!

We are looking forward to 2010 and all it has to offer-
and have faith it is going to be a great year!!!

Love to all!!

The Williamson Clan at Christmas













George got what he wanted! Can you guess what it is??

Well, just in time for Christmas, we get a not-so-good bone scan back. bleh! It looks like the disease has made some pretty good (BAD!) progression in George's right hip/pelvis, some in his left, and a spot on his upper right femur. We had to go in yesterday to discuss this with the doctor. The GOOD news is that his spine is unaffected.
To take a closer look to see what it is that is really showing up on the scan, he got a bunch of x-rays yesterday, and has a CT scan coming up on Tuesday.
He has a referral to an orthopedic oncologist here in Cincinnati.
Radiation is most likely, there could be some surgery depending on what the additional scans show.

All in all- not the best news, but it could have always been a lot worse, so we'll focus on the positives.

Please keep George in your prayers in the upcoming weeks: that the scans reveal less disease than the bone scan indicated- wisdom for the doctors in how to proceed with treatment- wisdom for us in making decisions- success with every treatment used upon him.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support- and Merry Christmas!!!!!

(p.s. George has now entered his 9th year since diagnosis of surviving the "big C"!! hooray!!)