Hi everyone,

This is just a post to let you know that the one year anniversary of Bill's surgery was November 10th. It seems so much further away than just one year.

He is doing very well, as are all of us.

You probably know that my Dad passed away October 21st. I want to tell everyone how much he helped our family since Bill was diagnosed. It was September of 2003 when Bill drove himself(!) to the hospital in Red Wing and they said he had appendicitis. He had surgery that night. A few weeks later his doctor informed us that he had cancer in his appendix. We were both shocked, as much by the kind of cancer Bill had as the fact of the cancer itself. My Mom had cancer of the appendix and I grew up hearing just how rare it was. When we called my Dad to tell him the news he could hardly believe it.

He was our rock during that first year. He is the one who told us that every patient is different, and that no doctor knows the course any one person's disease will take. He gave us great comfort all through this difficult journey. His experience as a doctor, dealing with patients and families was such a huge help. I can't tell you in words what his love and support meant to our family.

At Dad's funeral I spoke of all the people, throughout my life, who had come up to me and told me how my Dad had helped them or how my Dad had saved their life. I now know from personal experience what they meant and why they loved him so much.

Thanks to everyone who had been there for us through the past five years. We could not have done it without you. I want to say a special thanks to my Dad. Without him the last five years would have been so much harder and already I miss him very much.

Joy