Bill Pietri William Pietri

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


Bill's words.... I was so scared from my wife's driving that I started shaking!  Well, not exactly…


On May 24, Bill and I (wife Denise) were in the car going to meet my Uncle for lunch when Bill had a seizure/stroke.  Luckily I was driving! It lasted 30 sec to min and  he was able to ask what was happening to him.  When it stopped, I immediately started the stroke questions which he passed no problem.  He seemed alert and was able to help decide which ER to go to. Yes, we were going to an ER whether he objected or not.   Since he seemed OK, we opted for the further ER hospital Metro where our doctors are associated.


Once there and in an ER room, he did not know what had happened, where we were going or why he was there.  Oh my! A CT scan was done quickly which ruled out a stroke. So, looking at a seizure and why. He was admitted for observation and more tests.  For many scary hours during all this, his short term memory was affected. He kept asking why I thought he should be there, where were we going, what time is it.  10 min later, he would ask again.. Or asking him, he had no idea.


The next day they told us the MRI showed an abnormal area in his left frontal lobe.  What? Really? We were expecting that the blow to his head last Nov during our Airstream adventure had something to do with it. Which they are very sure it is not,  So, abnormal area! Yikes! At this point, doctors said it could be many things… swelling from seizure (but then what caused the seizure?), infection, and yes, tumor.  So, more tests.. Doctors decided that it was very unlikely to be an infection as he would be much, much worse or even in a coma. No wonder they were adamant about getting a copy of medical directives.   LIttle did I know! He has no fever, or any sign of infection and continues to improve. His short term memory is coming back! So, it is something else. They suspect a tumor. Next step Brain Biopsy! He is released awaiting scheduling of another MRI and appt with Neurosurgeon and instructions that he can not drive for 6 months!  Michigan law after a seizure. He is not happy with that one.

Bill has no memory of the seizure, he remembers getting in the car and then being in ER at some point after the CT. This is common with a seizure.  Bill has now had a functional MRI… this maps the brain in preparation for surgery.  And we have been to see the Neurosurgeon. Yup, something there. And it has changed a bit in the different MRI’s. Doctor does suspect a tumor.. Although his first idea was an infection because it presents like a tumor in a juvenile or adolescence.  We do not exactly understand that. But again, since Bill has no sign of infection, he suspects tumor. Bill, myself and Tom all continue to see signs that something is not right and thinking back we all saw signs of this the last 6 months to a year.  Most we chalked up to just worsening senior moments.


A brain Biopsy was performed last Fri June 22.  Bill is home and recovering.     Yes,  they did find what they suspected..  A Glioma Brian tumor. Yes a cancer tumor.  We will not know the characteristics or stage (how fast it grows) for a few more days.   At this point we will see an oncologist for recommended treatment.   


Please keep us in your thoughts as we progress this difficult time. 

I am starting this blog so that we (myself Denise and the boys, William, Tom and Karl) can quickly  keep all of you informed as to what is happening. I apologize to anyone I have not answered recently and to any family and friends we have not informed yet.  It has been a very busy month and we are just coming to grips with the reality.  


The donation blurb on the website is NOT us asking for money.  It is the website Caring Bridge asking for money to support their site. Donate if you want but know it is a general donation.