Today was Kevin’s last day of radiation therapy! When we first discussed radiation around New Year's, we had no idea how tough it would be to complete. It’s a huge achievement for Kevin to finish this treatment. All things considered, he managed to get through it relatively well. He only took five days off from radiation after he had his major complication four weeks ago. Now, here he is, improving (once again) and finally done with radiation!
Most likely, Kevin will stay at Stanford for another several days so the doctors and nurses can monitor him to make sure he’s continuing to improve. At some point down the line, he will go to a rehab facility to work on his motor skills. Kevin needs rehab to essentially reconnect his brain to the rest of his body. His brain is still as sharp and smart as it has always been. However, since the tumor is in his brain stem, his brain can’t get signals through his brain stem and to his body. It will take a long time to re-forge these connections. In four to six weeks, they will take a MRI to decide what his chemotherapy course will be.
Kevin spoke much louder with the speaking valve today. It was amazing to hear him greet us as we walked into his room. With more practice, he’ll be able to use that valve regularly. It’ll be wonderful when he can communicate well with us again!
Please think of Kevin again tomorrow, Saturday, at noon Pacific! Thank you to everyone for your amazing love and support.
Kevin in the tube
Santa Cruz Chocolate Milkshake Rankings
- 1. Marianne's Ice Cream (Mexican Chocolate shake)
- 2. Marianne's Ice Cream (Chocolate Brownie shake)
- 3. Cold Stone (Dark chocolate ice cream, normal chocolate ice cream, and brownies)
- Marianne's Ice Cream (Chocolate Chocolate-chip Swirl)
- 4. Saturn Cafe (Chocolate ice cream and peanut butter)
- 5. Jack's Burgers
- 6. Betty's Burgers
- 7. Carpo's
- 8. Burger King
- 8. Sno-White Drive In
- 10. Chill Out Cafe (Chocolate, banana and peanut butter—I guess too many flavors for Kevin's taste!)
Shake Stars
- ★★★★1/2 Butterscotch Swirl from Marianne's
- ★★★★1/2 Butter Pecan from Marianne's
- ★★★★☆ Bananas Foster Shake (homemade)
- ★★★★☆ Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Shake from Marianne's
- ★★★★☆ 3AM Truffle from Marrianne's
Palo Alto Chocolate Milkshake Rankings
- 1. "Old Fashioned" Chocolate Shake from Peninsula Creamery
- 2. Chocolate Shake from Häagen-Dazs
- 3. Chocolate Shake from In-N-Out
- 3. Chocolate Shake from Jeffrey's Hamburgers
- 3. Chocolate Shake from Rick's Rather Rich
- 4. Chocolate Shake from Palo Alto Creamery
16 comments:
Fantastic news - Congratulations to Kevin (and to his whole family support team) for making it through radiation.
Must be fantastic to have him out of ICU so you all can spend more time together and communicate. Thats got to feel great for all. Keep it up Kevin!
We'll absolutely be sendind you all our support and love Saturday at noon especially. Look at where you are today vs last Saturday. Lets all hope for another terrific week of progress ahead.
Thinking of you all....all the time.
Love, Cindy and Terriann
Thank you for the wonderful update...So glad radiation is over & out of the petri-dish called icu.....I will, once again, be conversing with the universe at noon on Saturday! I find it intresting that Kevins progress after last Saturdays noon was possibly more than at any other time..So I will once again forward the time to my friends (including my 40 year pen pal from Santa Cruz, Mumbai, India) & at noon on Saturday the universe will carry all of this energy to Kevin!.....You are a dear family & each of you are in my heart & my daily prayers. xo teddy
HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Way to go Kevin! The completion of Radiation is such a huge accomplishment! Steve and Bob have nothing on you! We are sending our good thoughts and prayers for your continued strength and tenacity in getting better each and every day.
God bless everyone who has helped you get through these last few months. To your family,and friends: your unwavering love, faith, hope, and determination is so special and incredible. you are a force to be reckoned with!
Love Toni and Steve.
Sending our heartfelt prayers and thoughts Saturday at Noon
Thank you so much for the updates! We all at Colgate and at the Townhouse are thinking of Kevin and Kathlin! We all miss both of you here, mostly we wouldn’t know how to take care of ourselves with crazy Carini around. But we give Kevin all of our positive vibes that we can. Plus we all think that Bob and Steve have over stayed their visits and have to leave now!
I'm really glad that Kevin is doing so much better and that he also recognizes for himself all the improvement, I see it just like a game changer that leads to a comeback!! Keep the positive spirit man!!!
Whenever I think of Kevin I think of the opening shot of the Olympics and the young man racing down the mountain. Kevin has that same strength and dedication and the same family support required to conquer extreme challenges. We’ll be thinking of him Saturday and sending out support to Kevin and his extraordinary family. We love you, Ann and Doug Darling
Cant ask for better news Kev!!! Im so proud of you and its an honor to be your friend I miss you and cant wait to surf manre with you!! Hope to hear your voice on the phone soon.
Hope your sis has some good news for tomorrow until then just know how many people love you and cant wait till your better. Plus a big high-five for roro he has been making sure everyone knows whats up kudos to him!
Love ya bro talk to you soon
Tyler and Sofie
Hey Kevin, Glad to hear you are done with radiation. It sounds like you are getting a rest from all the hard stuff. Relax, and gear up for the next challenge! Love, Christine
Five days off does not make a slacker!!! We are all in awe!
the Nevitt family
Kevin,
This is absolutely outstanding!!! I had no idea you were this close to reaching the next step. I can't wait to hear good news. You're doin' it, man! Everyone will keep the positive vibes flowing!
-Max
OH, how wonderful! - I have chills from the good news!!
Kevin, You continue to be in our prayers. Thanks for the updates. We are so pleased that you are making progress. We keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers at all times. Love Margy, Glenn and family.
Kevin- Great news!! And it's so nice to be kept in the loop with this blog. We prayed for you today again at Newman Mass--and will continue to do so every Sunday. Lots of positive thoughts!
Kathleen
kevkev,
just finished one of the roughest weekends of marketing so far. worked my butt off for 2 days got no booked jobs on the 2 estimates i did, and didnt get any leads. but you know what? i sent all my positive thoughts for you at noon on saturday, and thats all that matters (well school matters too lol).
i am so happy to hear these news. i dont know if your sis told you, but the group reached over 1,000 members! some may not know you, but they know what you are going through and they are pulling for you. the road ahead is probably still very long, but this is a major step.
let me know, stacy or any family member, when kevin wants to get in the water (pool for now) and ill arrange something for him.
anyways, kevin, as tyler said, it really is an honor to be your friend, and i am speechless to be part of this.
love you brother, keep checking the facebook group, you are getting lots of support on there too.
see you soon buddy
:)
i always knew it wasnt if. its when. you can do it!
That is amazing news! Kevin's strength is unbelievable and I cant wait to hear his voice again soon. We are all pulling for Kevin and your family, thank you for sharing this great news!
Fantastic news Williams family!! We are pulling for you every step of the way. Thanks for keeping us all posted. Please let us know when you need some more juice!
Hi Stacy and family! I'm so sorry to hear about Kevin's cancer but I can tell from your entries that he has a lot of love and support around him. Your family can count on me keeping Kevin in my thoughts. I admire his and your family's strength. Keep up the fight. ~ Kate Nestler
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