Will and Emily Haney's Journeys

Facebook December 30th, 2010

There are times in the battle with cancer that you step back and say... Please just give me a rest!! That's how we feel right now.

The past three cycles of chemotherapy have been really, really rough. Each one have put Will into the hospital for different reasons & for numerous days. Its hard to take a step back before going forward sometimes.

We enjoyed Christmas and are now enjoying some time at home, resting & enjoying some quiet time.

The next step - we are unsure about - there are some things that we do not have control over and we have to take those things into account in our decisions for the future days.

Please make sure that you are praying for us as we make those decisions. Pray for strength, endurance and guidance for each step that we have to make. No matter what, we have our faith - and in the end, that is all that we really need!!

Facebook December 22nd 2010

The most important things in life are not things at all... This Christmas, Will and I count our many blessings!! We pray for peace for you all - for strength for us - and for guidance for our future! I will update later, but for now, I am going to enjoy my time with my husband & Readying ourselves for the busy Christmas season!

Facebook December 7th 2010

Meeting with the Doctor is never really fun... But, we do love our Doctor Ravi. When God places hurdles in front of us, I believe that he gives us folks who can " hoist " us up and over them... Ravi is one of those folks.

We were presented some not-so-good scenarios today. Will's scan was stable. Meaning the cancer activity isn't growing, but its not shrinking either. At this point, it should be. When you are given chemotherapy, those cells should be dying off. In this case, they are hanging tough.

In a lot of cases, there are other regimens of treatment that can be administered. That is when the patient in question is strong enough to take the meds. Will's immunity and strength has been really compromised - after a year and a half of treatment plus a few tough months with the new activity in the peritoneal cavity, his body is really tired.

We are going to be facing some tough choices about a lot of things in the next few weeks. If we continue on the treatment that Will is on now, the cancer will just (hopefully) stay where it is. But, that is just a band-aid for the problem. We need those cells GONE!!!

In the meantime, Ravi is looking into some other things - to see if there is another form of treatment that may prove to help us in this process.

Truthfully, we are up against a pretty tough foe right now. The cancer is not easy to beat- we knew that from the get-go, but we are not giving up. The Lord has a plan - and its not always in our ways to understand it. NO, we do not understand WHY this is happening or WHAT will happen tomorrow or a month down the road, but we know that our prayers are still being heard.

Will and I are not having an easy time considering the "other option" if this treatment doesn't help. But, we can not look at the whole, big picture without looking at the ugly side, too. God has truly blessed us with a happy life thus far. We just need a bunch more happy years together!!

... For that, we pray ...

With Thanks and Request for Prayers,

Emily

Monday October 25th
email from Emily

Good Afternoon!!

I know that you all are anxious to get an update from me about Will.

The past two weeks were busy and filled with changes of plans left and right. First, we learned that to wait for the clinical trial would not be good for Will at all. The wait time looked to be as late as the end of November. So, Dr. Ravi decided to go on and begin Round Twenty One of Chemotherapy with VAI, the same three drugs that have worked for Will in the past.

This round was busy, busy - a CT was performed to check and see if active cells were the root of Will's swollen belly - and to check for other areas of activity that will need to be monitored. After being off of any meds for nearly four weeks, the scans did show activity - some new, some old.

Will has been sick, sick, sick this time... All of the fluid that was removed from his belly (over 7 liters) helped some, but did not help the nausea.

After having fourteen treatments of VAI, he was never sick and had one blood transfusion - this time was different.

We had the regular week of Chemotherapy, other than two paracentesis procedures to drain fluid from his belly. Mid-week, Will began being sick to his stomach. I will spare you the details, but let me sum it up this way - from Tuesday night at 6 p.m. to Wednesday night at 6 p.m., Will lost 12 pounds.

The doctor was called and ordered us to go to the E.C., which is MDA's version of the Emergency Room. We waited two hours for a room and were triaged, set up with IV fluids, as Will was EXTREMELY dehydrated and settled in for 23 hours observation. During this time, Will continued to be sick and complained with a burning, hot feeling in his chest and stomach.

After the observation time was over (and let me tell you- it was AWFUL), Will was to be admitted into the hospital, as he was not improving.

We spent nearly 36 hours in the EC, waiting for a bed in the hospital - the good news was, during this time, Will received EXCELLENT care and rested as much as you can while in the hospital.

The Sarcoma NP came in on Friday evening to tell us that all of the tests were back and Will had colitis, esophogitis and an awful infection in his mouth. Of course, all of this was worsened by the sickness that he had had, along with the fact that he had a white blood cell count of 0 !!

So, meds were given to clear up the infections and he continued to get fluids, as he is not able to eat.

We decided it was best for me to come on home. Will will most likely be in-patient through most of the week. His mama, Sharon, was more than willing to come and relieve me so that I could come home and rest up and get some things done here, before we meet with the doctor again on November 2nd.

Will did receive platelets and a blood transfusion this time and is still not allowed to eat or drink until the doctor says its okay...

Now, for some better news... Will had a swollen lymph node in his neck (the same one that Ravi has been watching) and along with his belly, he was showing some "outward signs" of cancer activity... Knowing he has cancer inside of his body and actually seeing it are two totally different things...

After four days of chemotherapy this time, the node in the neck was much less swollen, which was a good sign for sure that the meds were working. And with Will's belly not swelling as much, that was a great sight!!

Dr. Ravi just happened to come to the EC Friday evening and I showed him Will's neck and belly... He smiled and said, "WOW!! This is the best thing I have seen all day - this is MAJOR progress..." Then, the pep talk began... In essence, he told us that we can not weaken - even for a minute - our faith and strength. In Dr. Ravi's words, those attributes are what are going to get us to the finish line!!

Although this regimen is TOUGH, even for the strongest person, it works. Will can endure anything if it will get him well. It just may be a little more tough this go-round, with his body weakened from 21 rounds of chemotherapy...

Prayers are needed and appreciated. Every day!!

Emily

Will & Get Well Cards...

Emily Page Haney Facebook
October 18 at 8:23pm

... There is a level of "loneliness" that a cancer patient goes through. A lot of this has to do with feeling like life is passing you by. Dr. Ravi and I have spoken about this at length & I totally agree. I just can't sit idly by & let Will feel lonely when we have so many friends here on Facebook!!

So many people complain about the little things, when Will is struggling with emotions that no one but he can understand and sort through. He never complains, ladies and gentlemen. And, I am with him almost all day every day - through the tough times during treatment and good times at home.

I wanted to ask you all to take a few minutes and send him a card to our home... I think this will REALLY lift his spirits, as our journey takes a little different course than we had planned.

Our address at home :

15327 Quinn Road
Athens, Alabama 35611

Thank you all for participating. If you choose not to do this for Will, do it for someone else who's spirits may need a little lift. Count your blessings!!!

We came in to MDA this time with some different symptoms... I guess we kind of put these by the wayside, as we were more focused on the thought of beginning the clinical trial.

There was a swollen lymph node on the left side of Will's neck. In addition, there was some painful swelling of Will's abdomen.

We spoke with Dr. Ravi last Friday (while at home and preparing to go to Montgomery for a wedding), after Will had undergone a UA to check for kidney infection and a X-ray and ultra-sound. He wanted us to wait till we got back in Houston to do a CT scan to see what was going on before the fluid on his belly was drained.

The CT was performed on Thursday, as Will's stomach grew tighter and tighter and more uncomfortable. We heard back from Dr. Ravi and we learned that there is some new activity in the peritoneal cavity which is causing the stomach fluid not to drain, as it should. Of course, on Friday afternoon, there is no Radiologist who is able to drain this fluid.

We went on and began treatment on Friday afternoon, knowing that the only way to kill those cells that are trying to build up there in the lining of the cavity was to hit it with chemotherapy!!! As you all know, we have gone back to the original form of chemotherapy - VAI - three drugs that proved to really hit Will's Rhabdo HARD... But, it also takes a real toll on his body. It’s tough stuff.

If you know Will well, you know that he doesn't complain... Ever... But, the pain became so intense that we took a trip to the Emergency Room on Sunday morning. The really nice ER doctor then told us that we had an appointment first thing Monday morning with an Interventional Radiologist. We stayed with them in the ER till 2 p.m. when we went on in to take treatment.

Sunday night, around 11 p.m., the pain became so intense that we had to go back to the ER - Will's fluid buildup was causing shortness of breath. The ER doctor that night drained 2 1/2 liters of fluid from Will's abdomen, which really relieved a lot of pressure. We kept our morning appointment with the Radiologist and were there at 9 a.m. to drain more fluid off. They ended up with 4 1/2 more liters of fluid!!

Will's stomach feels so much better. Now we have to pray that these cells that are trying to invade the stomach cavity will be killed so that this will not happen again!!

We picked up the written CT report today - there is more activity ... And, we need to pray about that. We have not met with the doctor about the CT results, only had a talk with him over the phone... We are anxious to see what this first few rounds of VAI does to the cancer cells. I am not so excited to see what it does to Will. This chemotherapy regimen causes lots of side effects. We have to avoid sickness at all costs, as his immunity will be ZERO, we have to watch for bumps and bruises, as his Cells will take a beating & we have to watch his diet to avoid some pretty bad stomach issues.

I know this update is long, but we just really wanted to update everyone on what is going on in our little world. Yall please pray for us, our doctors and the decisions that are made for beating this cancer...

With love, Emily

Good Afternoon!!
Will and I are a little "off kilter" as we came home early from Houston.

We flew out last Sunday night & had a PET scan and CT scan done on Monday and met with Dr. Ravi on Tuesday. The results of the PET and CT showed that the lesion in the lymph node near the left kidney is still active. Also, the spot that is showing up in Will's neck is still showing up on the scans. We are still unsure whether this is cancer cell activity or just the node doing its job.

Cancer Cells become smarter as you try and beat them. The cells begin to learn what you are doing & try and overcome it. The regimen of treatment that we have been doing has been working for seven rounds, but it is time to look at another route. It just so happens that MDA is hosting a clinical trial for small cell sarcomas - and it is proving to really, really be effective, especially in treating Rhabdomyosarcoma.

You all have to remember that with thousands of sarcoma patients being treated weekly, these trials are very hard to become a part of. God moves in ways that we can not understand & its not our job to question. An opening for the trial came open RIGHT before our doctors visit. Dr. Ravi has us in the slot. All we have to do is come home, rest Will's body (and get rid of the meds that he has been taking), let MDA verify insurance & come back when they call.

So, we wait. It will probably be a week or so before we know any details about the trial, the drugs, the timeline that we will be on this regimen and how long we will be in Houston while we are doing this trial.

As we learned early, early on in this journey, Chemotherapy is like a key to Cancer's lock. There are a ring FULL of keys. You have to find the right key to open the lock to get rid of the cancer that is trying to invade your body.

We are asking for specific prayer from you all :

Pray that Will's strength and health will hold strong.
Pray that this Rhabdomyosarcoma in Will's body will not progress while resting his body.
Pray that the Insurance Verification will come through quickly, with no problems and that we can start the treatment very soon.
Pray for Dr. Ravi's hands, along with the rest of our clinical team as they treat Will.
Pray, too, for me, as I try and balance life & Will & all of our emotions and worries.

We pray all of these things for us - but there are so many others who are suffering with worries and sickness. Please make sure that when you count your blessings & talk to God, that you make the time to mention those who are suffering & sick. Its hard to understand unless you have gone through something like this, but it is so important !!! Prayers work. We are living proof of that. To have come from where we were last June, we have come a long way, with God's healing hand leading. We want to be CANCER FREE so badly. It is not something that we can waiver on - or forget. We have to stay focused and prayerful always.

Thank you all for your ongoing support, prayers and love,

Emily & Will

Emily Haney
September 24th 2010

Good afternoon to you all!!

Will and I are having a pretty good week - enjoying this weekend before we head back to Houston for a week. Tonight is Haney cousin's night... And, we are really looking forward to some unwinding time!

We will head back to Houston on Sunday night. Monday, Will will have another PET scan - this will be a full body scan to check for activity all over the body. Luckily, it is really early - I think the scan starts at 7 a.m. so that they can't get too far behind!!

Tuesday, we will meet with Dr. Ravi to hear results of the scan and get the plan for Round Twenty One. What we are planning on is to start medicine on Wednesday morning, treat for 5 days and head back to Athens on Monday afternoon, the 4th of October.

My 31st birthday is the 9th & Will and I will be in Montgomery that weekend for his friend, Eric's wedding in which Will is best man. Busy times when we are home!!

On another note : Thank you all for the messages, cards & prayers through the tragic death of my precious, loving, irreplaceable Grandfather & the injury of my equally wonderful Aunt Caroline. The world is a little less bright without him in it, but we have wonderful memories to keep us going.

Please, please continue the prayers for complete healing, complete health for Will. Pray for continued strength for me, as well. We so desperately need these prayers and your support!!

With Love,

Emily

Emily Page Haney
August 21
FaceBook

I know that a lot of you are wondering... "What can I do to help y'all, other than pray"? Well, to answer : Please keep on praying, first of all... But, also be involved in our Second Annual WillPOWER Tournament of Champions, coming up on Saturday, August 28th at the ASU Softball field, on Elkton Street - behind the University Library.

Come and watch the games & eat with us - we will have the best Alabama BBQ, homemade desserts from Athens' best cooks & all kinds of concessions. Bring the kiddos, too!! There will be tons of things for them to do, as well.

Its not too late to register your team for volleyball or cornhole (kickball is already full). Email Casey at case7723@yahoo.com

We are looking for 8 volunteers to umpire the kickball games. If you are interested in helping, please email case7723@yahoo.com

Buy a T-shirt or Koozie. Email lacybethnewton@yahoo.com  to hold yours, or you can buy them at the tournament.

We will need volunteers to work the food vendor booths, registration, T-shirts, etc. - if you are interested, email Casey at case7723@yahoo.com  or Lacy at lacybethnewton@yahoo.com

This fundraiser does a whole lot more than help us financially. (Which, by the way, is more appreciated than you will ever know). It gives us a chance to feel normal - and enjoy life - which we all should do more of every single day!! Will & I will be there, good Lord willing, for the whole day.

And, we can't wait to see you there!!

With love to our whole "Pray for W&E group"

Emily


WillPower Tournament of Champions! We are having a booth of goodies to sell...or at least we are trying to ask volunteers to bake and bag goodies to sell for the event. Would any of you be willing to bake a batch of your favorite brownies, bars, cookies, Rice Krispie treats, etc., and bag them to sell for $0.50 or $1.00? We need items that adults and children would enjoy. Please contact me or Charlsa Greenhaw if you might be willing to help us with baking items for this booth. We would definitely appreciate it and Emily and Will certainly will!!

Please let me take this opportunity to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the love and concern shown to Will and Emily during the past 14 months+ YOU have made this journey bearable for them. Please continue to pray. Kathy Page [Kathy.Page@lcsk12.org]
 

Email Update
Friday 8/13

Will and I are heading back to Houston on Sunday evening for a busy week at MDA. Dr. Ravi has chosen to do another PET scan on Monday afternoon. Will has had many of these in times past - it is a pretty time consuming scan, but gives a really accurate picture of what activity, if any is going on. It measures the uptake of a particular glucose in the body - this glucose will "shine" on the scan, if cancer cells are present in that area.

We will anxiously await the results at our doctor's visit on Tuesday morning. Dr. Ravi will go over the scan with us at that time... I look forward to seeing Dr. Ravi, as we didn't get to meet with him last visit.

Round Nineteen will begin on Wednesday afternoon. We are assuming that it will be the same regimen of treatment as last time. . Two Pills each day for five days, One Medicine for the first day only & another Medicine for all Five Days.

We are planning, too, on driving into the Woodlands for a nice visit with our "old" Nurse Practitioner, Laura and her new husband, Chris!!

As we go into this round, we have a lot of confidence in the Lord's plan for us. We have to keep on looking up for strength. Will and I both really appreciate all of the wonderful support that you all have given over the past year. It's still humbling to me to think back to all of the selfless acts of kindness shown to us. We hope to fully pay it forward when all of this is behind us!!

In the meantime, please continue to pray for those who have become "family" to us through our common struggle: Jeff Crouch, Jill Butler, Randy Graviet, Nancy Hollingsworth, Betty Batts & so many others... Join us, too, as we give thanks for Mary Kathryn Carroll & Sydney Newton's good reports recently!!

Sending love to all & asking for continued prayers,

Emily
 

Emily Page Haney
Facebook
July 28th 
Tomorrow - Thursday, July 29th is Will's 34th Birthday!

Make sure that you message or write on his wall. I want him to be completely overwhelmed with love from all of our supportive, praying friends!!

We will be doing Day Two of Round Eighteen tomorrow & I have a feeling that the messages will make him feel better.

Pray for Will & Emily Haney
Facebook
July 14th 2010

Round Seventeen is one for the books. We have had a pretty good week & have stayed pretty much on schedule - which makes for a happier Emily & Will.

This regimen consists of five days of treatment. One drug is given orally - 2 pills for 5 days. One drug is given on the first day only and the other drug is given each day for five days.

We are in clinic for around 2 to 3 hours a day... Compared to the last regimen, which was 4 days of 6 hours of treatment - this is a lot easier on the mind.

As we prepare to return home, we pray hard for complete healing... because we know one set back is tough. Complete healing is what we have to ask for.

Keep on praying. We want Will to be a survivor - a man who beat Rhabdomyosarcoma!!!

With Love,

Emil

Emily Page Haney
Facebook
June 30th

I know a lot of you are concerned about the news that we received when we last met with Dr. Ravi. And, we are, too.
With a few days of shock behind you, you begin to see the big picture. Cancer is just that... Shock, Ups and Downs. Changes. Uncontrollable changes. These changes can come in many forms... Physical, Emotional, etc. One thing that has NOT waivered is our belief in God's perfect plan for His Children. We KNOW that God, our Father, CAN heal. He can. And we are asking Him to do just that.

We can pray for God to rid this from Will's body and we can do everything humanly possible, with the help of MDA and Dr. Ravi to get this stuff gone!! And, once its gone, it has to be gone for good. No more residual cells. No more growth. Complete healing. Complete health. For this, we pray!!

Monday, when we return to Houston, we go directly from airport to clinic. Will will have bloodwork two hours prior to his CTscan of his abdomen. His scan is at 11:50. Tuesday, we are to see Dr. Ravi on Tuesday morning, followed by a biopsy of the spot that showed up on the last PET scan. We are unsure (and really will never know) if this spot is new or old. We just don't like it - we know that much!!

Round Seventeen of chemotherapy will begin on Wednesday afternoon. We aren't sure as of yet if this will be the same medicine that he has had with Round Fifteen and Sixteen or if this will change, according to what the scan & biopsy shows.

Will's parents and my parents will be with us Monday through Thursday. Neither set have really gotten to experience the whole process of what weeks at MDA are like. Will and I think that this will be good for them - and they will be able to meet Dr. Ravi before Will and I meet with him, so that will be a treat, as well.

As we go in for scans & tests next week, please remember us in your prayers!

Thank you all for your support of us as we continue this battle!! Emily

Emily Page Haney
Facebook
June 15 at 4:06pm

Doctor's visit days are usually a little anxiety-filled, anyway. But, even more so with a PET scan is being read.

Will's blood work has looked great this round & he has felt great, doing whatever he wanted to do!
This is a blessing to us. Living life is important!

Dr. Ravi read the report from Will's PET scan from yesterday and shared the results with us. The cancer is back.

There is a spot, a lymph node, that is active near the left kidney. It is an old spot, that the report told us was present back in June 2009 when we first came here. It is absolutely treatable. There are many options - possibly including radiation and different chemotherapy meds.

We will continue with Round Sixteen, as planned, and come back to a CT scan of the abdomen, to review the cancer's action. Possibly, we will have a biopsy done of the spot, to get a better idea of the tumor's activity and how better to treat it.

This is a major cause for concern. And, believe me, we are concerned, but we know that God uses us to HIS glory. We have a lot more living to do...

Keep the prayers coming - please pass this news on to those who you know are concerned, too.

We love you all,

Emily & Will

 

Emily Thu 5/13/2010 1:05 PM

Heading back... Back in the saddle... On the road again... Whatever you want to say...

Will and I are flying out Sunday afternoon for another week in Houston.

We will Scan / Check up on Monday, the 17th.
This day will be BUSY - and we are still waiting to see what the schedule looks like...
This is what we will do on Monday :
- Chest X-ray, to check placement of his central line.
- Bloodwork, to check many different levels (White Blood Cell Count, Platelets, Hemoglobin, Creatatine, Magnesium, etc. )
- MUGA Heart Scan to register how well Will's heart is functioning after going through Fourteen Rounds of Chemotherapy meds, some of which are heart toxic. So far, his heart is consistently functioning well!! (This, no doubt, has a lot to do with his health before & during treatment.. But, has A LOT MORE to do with prayers!!)
- PET, this is a full body scan to see how things in regards to the cancer growth are going. A PET scan can see lesions, cell activity & tumors that some other scans do not. It is all based on FDG uptake - the areas affected by cancer will "shine" with more FDG uptake than say, a healthy part of the body. This should take around 3 hours.

Then, we will rest... We meet with Dr. Ravi on Tuesday mid-morning & begin Round Fifteen that afternoon at 1 p.m.

We are still really unsure about how many more treatments will occur or how much longer we will do this regimen of Etoposide and Ifosfamide. There is one more regimen that has proven useful in treatment of Rhabdomyosarcoma - and it involves a drug called Irinotecan. We are waiting - and wondering when Dr. Ravi will order this regimen. This will mean a different schedule for us - we may have to be in Houston for a more extended time, each time, to complete this regimen with Irinotecan. One thing we do know is that we are slated for re-assessment for treatment in June - the year mark for our time at MDA. At this point, Dr. Ravi will make the decision on whether to end treatment (and re-check after three months), continue with the same regimen, change meds...
We just pray - whatever decision is made - that it is the right one.. And, that once we are home from Houston - that we stay at home. Cancer-free. Forever.

Please say a prayer for safe travels, strength and endurance for Will and me, as we travel back and have a busy Round Fifteen.
Pray, also for our friends and family suffering and working towards being cancer-free!! Especially - Pop Hays (my friend Mandy & Mary Jane's precious Grandaddy), Mary Kathryn Carroll (my "new family" Dr. Barry Carroll's daughter), my cousin-Randy Graviet (who is at MDAnderson under clinical trials), sweet Sydney Newton (who has completed treatment & awaiting scans), Jill Butler (Senator Tom and Mrs. Karen Butler's daughter - friend from college) & Jeff Crouch (my friend Christie's daddy - being treated at MDA)... And, there are SO many others whom I pray for every day - you have your list, too!!

With much Love & Appreciation to you,

Emily
 

Taken May 3rd from Facebook: Will and I are now home and have been for a few days. I am getting back into the swing of things at work and Will is getting back into the swing of doing my honey do's. ha He knows he likes doing them all.

We will be home for another 2 weeks and then we will head back on the 16th of this month. We will get a heart scan, which is only to ensure Will's heart is maintaining its ability to thrive and it should because Will was up this morning and headed to town to do a little running. I think it is more of a run a little, catch your breath, and then run some more, but he likes staying active and I know he cant wait to run run run every day.

When we go back, we are not sure yet if the same regimen will resume or if Dr. Ravi plans on changing to the final one. We will post as soon as we know what the final say is. Until then, keep us in your prayers daily. We must "pray without ceasing" and several times a day if we can. Let the Lord know your needs for we depend on Him greatly!! We love you all!!!

Emily
 

April 22nd 2010 - Well, today is a GREAT day... Not just because it is another blessing from God, but because TODAY is our gentle giant, Sydney Newton's last treatment. She has won the battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma! She should be getting a big ol' surprise from Will and me in her room at Children's Hospital shortly!! The message reads " HAPPY LAST TREATMENT DAY! Love, Will & Emily" !!!

And, we are just as sure that Will will do the same - soon, we will be sending an e-mail telling that this is his last treatment!!

But, until then, we press on!! Monday, the 26th, we meet with Ravi and team at ten o'clock and begin the Etoposide regimen at noon. This is Round Fourteen. I still can not believe that it has been a year - April 15th was Will's original diagnosis / surgery. We had no idea then what kind of cancer it was nor that it was Rhabdo. Boy, have we come a long way. We never take a day for granted!!

Flying back to Houston after such a wonderful, restful, fulfilling time at home will not be the most fun thing we have done in a while, but it was a nice "rebuilding time". Not just physically, but mentally, too. We celebrated my mama's birthday, had an awesome yard sale, visited with friends and family (and Anna Page, more importantly), worshiped the Lord with our family at Hobbs Street & just enjoyed time together & with our precious doggies! I, also, got to work a great deal and got a lot done with my staff & seniors.

We are also celebrating our Five Year Anniversary at one of our favorite places, Connor's, on Friday - and planning a great big ol' cousin's night with all of the Haney cousins on Saturday night!

Send prayers up for complete healing for us & others who are fighting cancer- our great friends: Pop Hays, Jeff Crouch, Mary Kathryn Carroll, Randy Graviet and SO many others! Too, send a prayer of praise up for Sydney Newton & celebrate with us as our little fighter wins the most important battle in her little life!

Thank you all for following us & our journey to being cancer-free...

With love,

Emily

Emily Haney April 2010

Well, Will and I have another week at home and we are so glad for this time together and to be able to spend it with friends and family as well.

We will be heading back to Houston for round 14 on the 25th of this month. We will be there around 5 days and then we will be on our way home yet again. We are not sure how many more treatments we have left on this Etopiside regimen.

The next regimen will consist of 3 more drugs and will more than likely be one week on and one week off, one week on and one week off and so on. We will do at least 4 rounds like that, which will take up 8 weeks.

We don't have a stopping date, but hopefully this summer will be the DAY. Will's birthday is the 29th and what a birthday gift that would be. Everyone please continue to pray for complete healing for Will. He has been a real trooper through all of this, but we still have a ways to go and he needs to finish strong.

Please remember all the sick and ill in your life and pray for them without ceasing too. God is good and He is taking us to the finish line. I love you all.

Emily

Emily Haney [mailto:ephaney@pclnet.net]
Friday, March 19, 2010 10:12 AM

Lucky Round Thirteen . . .

Its going to be a long week + in Houston. Will has the first scheduled PET scan in a few cycles on Monday, the 22nd. We meet with Dr. Ravi and sweet Laura on Tuesday, the 23rd to get the results of the scan & get Round Thirteen scheduled for Thursday, the 25th. We are assuming that we will have the same regimen, Etoposide and Ifex, over a five day, five or six hour infusion in the clinic with a twenty-four hour infusion backpack going home with us each night. This is the schedule that we are used to - the same thing we have done for Round Eleven and Twelve.

Now, I have kind of skimmed over the PET scan deal... And, until right now, I haven't had much anxiety about it. But, the results of that scan mean more than I can say. Good or Bad, More or Less, lots of physical and emotional energy hang on what the scan shows. Anyway, the good book tells us "BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING BUT WITH PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION MAKE YOUR REQUESTS KNOWN TO GOD". That is what I am asking of you all.

A lot of people say that they are "praying for us"... I sincerely hope that they are... If they aren't all the time, I hope that they can pull together and pray really hard on Monday for good results! : )

Thank you all for your on-going love, support and kind words of encouragement to us. We need it.
Please pass along to anyone who might be interested in reading this...

With Love,

Emily

From Emily Haney
March 1st, 2010

Good Monday Morning to you all.

I am sure you are wondering why I am still in town on a Monday... Well, with Will graduating treatments, we have to wait twenty one days between therapy cycles. So... Thursday, the 4th, we will begin Round Twelve. We meet with Dr. Ravi and team on Tuesday, do all the necessary stuff to prepare for treatment and then hit the Mays Clinic WIDE OPEN on Thursday at noon. Will and I will return on Tuesday morning to another crazy week here at the CoA with Poke Sallet follies - our annual Foundation fundraiser - going strong March 11 - 13. Will, luckily, doesn't mind the quietness of home during our time back in Alabama. I think, too, that he can use a break from my germ-a-phobia / OCD craziness that hits me about the time we land in Huntsville.

With warmer weather coming on, it's a little easier to leave the precious pups that we love so much. They really do have it made there on Quinn Road... But, when we are home, they want to be where we are.. Whether that is on the couch, in the car or in the tub... Yes. We have visitors looming in the bathroom while we are getting ready!! I went on a Women's trip with my sisters from church last weekend & the weather was so nice at home that Will was sending me pictures of Lindy and Sandy swimming in the pond with their best friend, Sadie Gates!! It was just heaven for them! That trip to Pigeon Forge was literally like therapy for me. I just can't say enough about those ladies... And, I will say, too, that LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!! I think that Will enjoyed being at home - just him and the doggies, too!

Seems like our new regimen is going to be a little bit more tolerable for Will. Etoposide and Ifex are our new fighters in this battle... We are praying for this to keep on sweeping those last remaining, possibly hiding cells away!! Its really strange, too, to be working on Relay for Life events this year with the "CITY OF ATHENS : MAYOR'S TEAM". It definitely has a bigger meaning this year!

This whole experience is still so surreal. You would think that after almost a year of knowing what we were up against that it would just become "old hat" but, it never does. I just can't help but think about those who are daily getting diagnosed with cancer & those who are fighting, fighting as hard as they can day after day...

I ask, of course, for continued prayer for Will and me, along with the Haneys and Pages and our wonderful extended family, but also, for our "new family" - Sydney Newton, Jeff Crouch (who will be at MDA on Wednesday to begin treatment), Pop Hays (my precious Mandy's Grandaddy) and for Mary Kathryn Carroll. There are many, many more whom I pray for on a daily basis... The sheet for those undergoing cancer treatments and in cancer remission takes up a whole page in my prayer book.

Your prayers, love and support are priceless to Will & me... We love you all!!

WILL POWER T-SHIRTS

Beginning Tuesday 2/23  WILLPower T-shirts will be available again at Haney Equipment for $7 !! You can stop by the shop or e-mail shellymc@charter.net to get yours!

From Emily Haney
Friday, February 5th 2010

Good rainy Friday to all..

The past two weeks have been good for Will and myself, with things going well with us. The first week we are home, as you all know, is a little less than desirable - but, by the beginning of the second week home, Will is feeling much better, has a better appetite and enjoys getting out more to see friends and family. This round home was no different. We have supper plans with some of our nearest and dearest both tonight and tomorrow night - being careful not to be in close contact with anyone who is even feeling "sinffly". : ) It is very important for both Will and me to keep our strength and immunity up. We have really gotten used to being with each other all the time & it would be awful to be separated for even a few days. We have been blessed with very good health through this whole journey.

We fly back to our "home away from home" on Sunday evening and will return the following Sunday evening. This will be Round Eleven. Its still unreal some days. We are hoping, praying and focusing on the last treatment to be given sometime near June 2010. Our doctor in Houston says that this will be a good end point - at one year's treatment being behind us. We are still a little unsure of whether this treatment will be just like the past ten rounds or if Dr. Ravi will do the swapping of medicines that we talked about with him during our last visit. We are learning to take this walk one treatment at a time. We will keep yall updated on what this Round brought.

We have a lot more good works to do in this world, both as a couple and individually, so we request your earnest prayers to our Father for health, peace and strength for this battle. We know that He hears and answers them in His time. We are being patient and vigilant in that. Also, keep in mind that we are not the only ones suffering and worrying about these things - our gentle giant, Sydney Newton is fighting just as hard. We also have a new young lady to add to your thoughts, Mary Kathryn Carroll.

With much love and appreciation,

Emily Haney

Dr. Ravi meeting Update 1/19/2010
From Facebook -  Pray for Will & Emily Haney

This morning, we got up bright and early and hit the road to MDA. A MUGA heart scan was completed at 7 a.m., as was blood work and the chest X-ray. We met with the Nurse first and then to our favorite NP, Laura. She said, "So, how was Christmas and New Year's for yall"? We told about our little get-away to Vegas, about Christmas and our New Year's in Houston through Round Nine.

Patiently, she listened & then said, "So... Aren't you gonna ask ME how MY Christmas was"??? And, she held her left hand out to show us that SHE IS ENGAGED!!! I feel like one of my best friends is getting married. She is so excited and giddy & Will and I are so happy for her!

Back to Business... The MUGA scan showed that Will's heart is still functioning at an amazing level - even through some of the most toxic, heart weakening drugs are being given to him. His blood work and chest X-ray were good, too.

After reviewing some different numbers, levels and the last two scans, Dr. Ravi talked to us about what is ahead of us.

We have gone through 8 months of the most rigorous Chemo treatment that a person can take... The level of one drug (Adriamyacin) that one person can take (in the "hospital world" is 400. Will is already at a level of 750 of this drug. These are the kinds of life-changing things that MD Anderson can do!!! And, people ask us, "WHY HOUSTON"!?!??!? I think you all can understand now.

The "magic three" - Adria, Ifex and Vincrisitine - our three drugs that we have settled into taking are about to finish the job that Ravi set out for them to do. They have virtually eaten all of this rhabdomyosarcoma from Will's body. We aren't naive, though, we know that without the grace and healing power of God, our Father, this wouldn't even have begun to work.

So, what is next??! After Round Ten, slated to begin today at 5:30 p.m., we are going to re-evaluate. Changing the treatment regimen is a necessity - either after Round Ten or Round Eleven, we will not be taking Adriamycin anymore. It has done its job and is time to let another "player" come in and fight for us for a while. When this happens, I will let you know.

This is not a bad thing or anything to worry about - it's just time to bring something else in to continue Will's healing process. It is imperative, essential... that you all continue to pray. This is not an easy cancer to beat. Although Will looks great and feels better, too, we still have a ways to go before "ringing the final bell" ... Although it is rare for an adult patient with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma to be completely rid of the disease, we have full faith in our doctor, team and our God. We are on the right road & Dr. Ravi says that we are doing EXTREMELY well & are on the right road to beating this thing completely!!

Knowing that the Lord holds our future and that He has a BIG plan for us keeps us going ... Keep the prayers coming. We know that without HIM, we have nothing - and with HIM we have everything!!

Love to you all,

Will and Emily

Emily Page Haney January 19 at 3:43pm
Please check the "Pray for Will & Emily Haney" site under "info" and "Recent News" for a full update of how things are going for us.

Eight months is a long time to be going through this & patience is something that Will and I are both trying HARD to exercise. I ask for continued prayers for us as this journey continues...

We know that the Lord is leading - He is the Great Physician and we ask that you all take the time each day to pray... Not only for Will and me, but for so many others who are going through trials and tribulations. I dare say that each one reading this going through SOME trial or trouble.

We love you all & appreciate the continued prayers!

W & E

As Will and Emily fight cancer in Houston, we can all support them from home!!

Will is being treated by Dr. Ravi at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He has been diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare cancer, mostly seen in children.

Will and Emily's address in Houston is :
8181 Fannin Apartment 1016
Houston, Texas 77054

There is a trust fund set up at Bank Independent.

Will Haney Facebook post on December 29 at 3:51PM

The PET scan results were good. The impression says there is no evidence of new or progressive disease and the results were unchanged from the last PET scan. We haven't spoken to the dr. about the results, but the written report looks good. We must keep going. God is healing each and every day. Emily says slow and... steady wins the race. Everyone please keep the prayers going.See More
Yesterday at 3:51pm

Emily Page Haney Facebook post on December 23 at 9:22am

After a nice (but not long enough) break from therapy & our lives in Houston, Will and I will be heading back to MD Anderson this weekend.

There are many reasons for the break - both physical and emotional. But, one of the main reasons is for us to be at home without meds for a few weeks and then return to the scan table to check and make sure that this cancer is still being washed away, round by round.

The PET scan, slated for Monday, the 28th is very, very, VERY important to us. This scan will give us a lot of insight into how we are doing, how much more treatment Will will endure and how far we are from being CANCER-FREE!!

Knowing that the God whom we serve can move mountains, we are asking Him to move one for us. He can heal the sick completely, without question. We have faith that this will happen in HIS time. So, until then, we ask for you all to keep the prayers going up. Not only for Will, but for all those who are sick and suffering. Especially our little Sydney.

We love you all and hope that you have a wonderful, family and fun filled Christmas!

Will and Emily Haney

From: Emily Haney
Sent: Thursday, December 10th 2009
Subject: Will's Check-up

Hello to ALL of our wonderful supporters! With Christmas just around the corner and us all counting our blessings, I thought I'd share how we have been doing - and to let you know that you are all blessings to us. As always, if you know anyone who isn't on this list that might want to read this update, please pass it along!

Back from Houston (11 hours and one reminiscent visit in Tuscaloosa later...) yesterday, Will and I were glad to see our doggies laying in the sunshine - and we have another awesome, beautiful day today. We were able to make it to church last night & were so rested today after sleeping in our own bed!! Our Senior Centers are busy, buzzing, planning Christmas parties and get-togethers, so I am catching up and enjoying all of the wonderful hugs from my friends and co-workers here.

Will's AUM Nursing School Class buddies have planned a Christmas party for today at lunch, so after getting his teeth cleaned (NO CAVITIES!!) this morning, Will is off to Montgomery for the night for the party and a nice visit with some of his best friends and professors. I, on the other hand, will be going to my most anticipated spinning class, followed by ironing and washing clothes that have been a little neglected lately. The dogs and I will enjoy a nice night at home.

Okay. So, the "meat" of the meal... So, Monday in Houston began with Bloodwork, a chest X-ray (to check placement of the ever-important central line) and a MUGA Scan of Will's heart (to check and make sure that it is still working the way it should be - some of the drugs are really hard on the heart). We then had a doctor's visit with Dr. Ravi, Lindsey and Laura. Will's heart is functioning probably better than mine and yours... He is the picture of heart health, according to the scan. The CT scan of the Spine and Pelvis was ordered to check and see how much cancer we have knocked out with round eight of chemotherapy. After mentioning to Dr. Ravi that his neck has been sore, Will went through another CT of the neck and skull to make sure that there isn't any thing going on there.

As of yesterday afternoon, the Radiologist hadn't made a written report about the CT findings. With Dr. Ravi and Laura being out of town today and Friday, we will not hear anything until Monday from the reports. And, so, the praying begins - patience is something that I can PROMISE you all hasn't been my strong suite, but I am exercising it...

So, every six weeks (or when the Doctor deems necessary) we will be doing either a CT or a PET scan. From what Dr. Ravi said the last time, CTs are more preferred over a PET for a 6 weeks scan, since the cancer is more contained now. However, we will have a PET scan done on the 28th of December, since we haven't had one since September 11th. This will serve as a study as to how much the cancer has regressed, also how the cancer is acting after a break from treatment. We are really being "tested" now!!

Dr. Ravi also said that this "magic three" regimen is still WHIPPING this Rhabdomyosarcoma out of Will's body... So, no changes with that - we will stick with the same drugs - Ifex, Adriamycin and Vincristine - and keep on fighting this cancer with everything that we have.

With the support, love and prayers from our family and friends, we are certainly hopeful for a speedy and FULL recovery!
Thank you all & God Bless you and your families this holiday season!

- Emily, Will's wife : )

From: Emily Haney
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Will's update - home 11/09

We have been blessed with another BEAUTIFUL day of fall weather in North Alabama! Athens, I think, is one of the most wonderful places to be in the fall, with changing leaves and sunshine - you just can't beat "home".

Will and I will be traveling back to Houston on Sunday night for Round Eight. We will stay one week and come home for two weeks, good Lord willing. This schedule is a little different, since we are used to being in Houston two weeks and home for one.
We will be spending the recovery week here, doing blood work at the Athens Hospital and being monitored by Will's doctor in Huntsville, Dr. Schreeder, under the eye of Dr. Ravi (in Houston). This is just in case that he needs another blood transfusion. We have been blessed to only have had to have one transfusion in Seven Rounds of Chemo.

We are so glad that we have the choice to be in Houston. Without everyone's support, there is no way we could be as focused as we are on what is most important - Will's treatment, recovery and the goal of being CANCER-FREE! We also miss home terribly. So, we are going to do the "one week in Houston, two weeks home" routine, hoping that this is going to work. Being at home is the best medicine anyway. We just have to remember to monitor visitors and also where we visit. Catching something as simple as a cold would be awful at this point. For me & for Will. Caution is key, along with lots of rest, water and prayer.

We know, too, that at some point soon, Dr. Ravi will give us a break, most likely a two month break, from chemo and Houston all together to let Will's bone marrow re-build from the damage it has endured from Rounds and Rounds of Chemotherapy. Dr. Ravi said that he debates between every round if it is time for a break from treatment... We are just trusting in his judgment right now.

All of the tests & scans continue to show remarkable improvement with Will's condition. At our last visit, Dr. Ravi admitted that Will and I were his favorite patients : ) He takes up so much time with us - answering all of my questions, Will's questions and fully explaining every little thing that we are curious about. (And, you all can imagine as a nursing student, Will has plenty) In fact, we were able to see the first PET scan (June 6) and the last, most recent PET scan (September 11) from MD Anderson while in his office the last time. You all would not believe the difference - I just can't even begin to tell you. Coming from where we were in May/June when we met Dr. Ravi and today, we have traveled so far. SO FAR. But, we have miles to go.

Cancer is an awful, life-changing disease. Even after this rhabdomyosarcoma is done running from Will Haney, we will have years of monitoring and testing. I imagine our "frequent flyer" miles back and forth to see Dr. Ravi and everyone at MD Anderson will add up in piles. However, we are convinced, sure, faithful that Will is being healed and that he will have a full recovery. We have that faith driving us and motivating us every day. But, we don't have rose colored glasses on, we know that it is going to be a while before we are finished with treatments and all that is involved in getting well.

But, as awful as cancer is, in some ways, it has made us all better people - all who have been touched by cancer understand what I am talking about. Enjoy every minute of every day. Tell those whom you love that you love them. Cherish them. Pray & Give of yourself. Forgive others and make a new friend or two...

Please keep the prayers coming and pass this along to anyone whom you think might want an update.

With Love to you all for your prayers, support and love,

Emily (also known as Will's wife) !!

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