Going public
I created this blog initially to capture my thoughts about dealing with cancer. My wife, Catherine, posted the link on her Facebook page on Tuesday. With the cat out of the bag, so to speak, I posted it on Facebook and Twitter yesterday (Wednesday). I had no idea that it would reach so many people, so quickly.
The Seattle P-I made mention of the blog: http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/169655.asp,
http://blog.seattlepi.com/thenewschick/archives/169635.asp
The response has been incredible.
I am so touched by all of the messages and well-wishes that I've received here, and on my Facebook and Twitter pages. I can't tell you what it means to continue to receive your messages of encouragement and support. Just to randomly receive DMs on Twitter directly on my cell phone, like this one that just came down: "Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way as you beat this thing." It really helps lift my spirits. I feel priviledged to hear about your own battles with cancer, and the experiences of loved ones dealing with the disease.
Why go public about it? Good question. For one thing, eventually, folks are gonna figure it out. I mean, when the anchor guy with the biggest hair in town suddenly goes bald, people will ask questions.
But seriously, Catherine puts it this way: it's best to go ahead and put it out there. No awkward conversations about "How are you doing?" "Oh, everything's okay." The less we have to dance around it, the better. I also think that by being forthcoming with this information, I can do my work as a journalist, answer some of the questions that people may have about cancer, and possibly demystify what it's like to battle it.
So, here I go. I'm not pulling any punches here. I have just begun 12 weeks of chemo, followed by several weeks of radiation. Some of this may not be pretty, but I'll continue to document this fight, and then move on with my life.
Thanks for hanging with me.
The Seattle P-I made mention of the blog: http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/169655.asp,
http://blog.seattlepi.com/thenewschick/archives/169635.asp
The response has been incredible.
I am so touched by all of the messages and well-wishes that I've received here, and on my Facebook and Twitter pages. I can't tell you what it means to continue to receive your messages of encouragement and support. Just to randomly receive DMs on Twitter directly on my cell phone, like this one that just came down: "Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way as you beat this thing." It really helps lift my spirits. I feel priviledged to hear about your own battles with cancer, and the experiences of loved ones dealing with the disease.
Why go public about it? Good question. For one thing, eventually, folks are gonna figure it out. I mean, when the anchor guy with the biggest hair in town suddenly goes bald, people will ask questions.
But seriously, Catherine puts it this way: it's best to go ahead and put it out there. No awkward conversations about "How are you doing?" "Oh, everything's okay." The less we have to dance around it, the better. I also think that by being forthcoming with this information, I can do my work as a journalist, answer some of the questions that people may have about cancer, and possibly demystify what it's like to battle it.
So, here I go. I'm not pulling any punches here. I have just begun 12 weeks of chemo, followed by several weeks of radiation. Some of this may not be pretty, but I'll continue to document this fight, and then move on with my life.
Thanks for hanging with me.
Posted by Bill Wixey at 5/28/2009 10:20 AM 
Categories: cancer hodgkin's disease bill wixey blog
Tags: cancer hodgkin's disease bill wixey blog lymphoma
Categories: cancer hodgkin's disease bill wixey blog
Tags: cancer hodgkin's disease bill wixey blog lymphoma
Hey Bill -- we're all here for you -- just let us know where to bring the chicken soup, ice cream and/or anything that helps! Really, anything we can do... just ask.
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I don't have any great words of wisdom...but like everyone else, I want you to know that I am sending every positive thought and strong prayers your way.
Thank you for sharing - You doing this makes Cancer less scary...fear of the unknown is the worst - You should be commended for sharing and making it less fearful for others.
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Fight the good fight, Bill. I feel that the more people you share this with... well,that's all the more prayers and support coming your way. Visit my blog for more info on how I have started a grass roots effort to raise awareness and funds to support the fight of Hodgkins Lymphoma. Lily is already following the Twitter page at http://www.twitter.com/BeatHodgkinsNW You have a lot of people rooting for you. So get out there and high stick, cross check, and hook Hodgkins into oblivion! Slap shot... GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL!!
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As a fellow Rose Hill Royal, Coug and cancer survivor (Stage IIIa testicular, 2001) I must say good luck and keep up the great attitude. In the fight against cancer attitude isn't everything but it sure as heck helps. Never stop asking questions, use that reporters curiosity to your advantage and learn all that you can about the treatment. Good luck and god speed.
Phil Honeywell
Pullman, WA
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Bill - Thanks for the honesty and the candor about this condition. We'll be praying for you and the family in the coming weeks. The hair might go, but Cougar Pride never does!
KDC
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Bill,
My husband and I enjoyed watching you in the mornings for several years. We wish you the best and hope for a speedy recovery.
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Prayers to you and your family.
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Bill you are the man! You have a huge fan base that's pulling and praying that you make a fast recovery. Stay strong, everyone wants you to get better soon. Thanks for being there for us everyday. Take care!
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Catherine is a smart woman. Not sure if you remember me (or us) or not--but Catherine & I worked together at WBAY. Blaine & I wish you the best as you fight this battle. We'll be praying for you & your family.
Kristin (& Blaine) Hastings
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Our prayers are with you Bill. Another thing for you to realize about being “out there” with your blog etc. is you are becoming an educator, or informer on cancer. So many people ignore the disease, choosing to change the subject as if talking about it will bring it on. In fact talking about it is the best thing to do! It brings positive support to you and brings awareness to others. I believe your Blog, tweets, and Facebook postings will be a blessing and save lives. It is so important for people to address cancer early, and shining a light on it will show that it is survivable. Your life is changed forever, and oddly to say in a good way. Cancer has a way of putting things in perspective. You will make it through this and be rewarded with more than you can imagine. God bless you and your family.
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Our thoughts are with you, Bill. I know you're going to beat this.
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Bill, we are the privileged ones! We will be praying for you as you fight this, and we are eager to follow along with the documentation of your experience. Knowledge is power, and people are looking for what's REAL. Your public journey will be helpful, maybe even life-changing for some people. Thank you for sharing.
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So many people are with you Bill. And your wife Catherine sounds like a very bright woman. Best to your family.
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My & my wife's hearts go out to you, my grandma has the same type of lymphoma as you. You will be in our thoughts and hearts every day.
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Hi Bill, I'm very sorry to hear that you have cancer. I have been a fan for a while, you seem like a nice guy. You will be in my prayers. I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer a year ago March. I did the chemo and the radiation, I finished with the radiation the middle of December. They tell me that ginger is good for nausea, get some to suck on. I didn't use it because it burned my tongue. The chemo was rough for me but I have other things going on as well, I have Addison's Disease. J.F.K. had this same disease. It made the chemo a little more rough but I made it and so will you! One day at a time is probably the easiest way. I will watch your blog and maybe write again. Bye for now.
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Thank you so much for telling us your story. I think that the more cancer is put out in the open, the better chance that it will help more people find it sooner. as you know, the sooner the better when it comes to finding and treating. we are sending you well wishes. and strength for the fight you have started. do us all a favor and kick this cancers butt. all joking aside, thank you again for coming out in the open with this. I strongly believe the more we know about cancer the better our chances.
with strength and hope
from this survivor to your victory.
Blessed Be
Mindy
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I just wanted to say that I am so sorry to hear of your epic battle. I know that everything will be ok and this is just what you have to do right now, it is all in the plan. We should never question the whys but what we are supposed to learn from each experience. I will pray for you and your family as you all endure this together and please Bill know that we, as your loyal followers, are enduring it with you. Hang tough everything will be ok.
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Bill, thanks for sharing your story. I will keep you in my prayers that God will get you through the difficult days ahead, and that you will be back to your old self.
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Bill,
I just saw your story on the news and wanted to say that I am very sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with cancer.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2008 and just finished a year of treatment including surgery, 24 weeks of weekly chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. I was also treated at SCCA and can tell you that despite the excellent care, you will be very tired of going there in about 7-8 months.
I'm sure you've been referred to support groups and websites, but I found that many of the oncology practitioners I worked with had never heard of Harmony Hill. Harmony Hill is a wellness retreat center in Union that provides free cancer retreats to patients and caregivers. It's a wonderful, safe, and accepting environment to explore the mental and emotional challenges of living with cancer.
I posted the link to my "cancer blog" above. I'm not much of a writer, but feel free to check it out if you're interested.
Take care and stay positive,
Julie Farr
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I was diagnosed with HD (2A) a year and five days ago, less than a week after I graduated from college. Definitely not what I expected for my post-graduation summer. My PowerPort chest port was "installed" two days before I started chemo on June 26th (If you don't have a port, I would highly recommend one. It may seem odd to have a foreign object inside of you, but it will completely save your veins.). My chemo lasted until early December - longer than typical 2A chemo, but my doctor didn't want me to have radiation because of my age (23).
Treatment was definitely rough, but I was able to continue working full-time. The hair loss and weight gain (from the anti-nausea steroids) were the most difficult for me; I would look in the mirror and see a completely different person. Thick hair definitely helps with the hairloss, though, so you're in luck! I chopped off my hair the day of my second treatment, when people told me my hair would start to fall out - but because my hair is the thickest out of anyone I know, it didn't start falling out until six weeks later! Even after it started to fall out, most people couldn't even tell because I had had so much to begin with. I did eventually lose a lot on top of my head (where there is more blood circulation, and therefore more chemical exposure), but I just wore hats to work for about a month.
What really kept me going was the support of my family and friends, especially my boyfriend who would stay up with me in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep (due to the anti-nausea meds). If anyone offers help, ask them to cook you meals. That was probably the best kind of help we received.
This is definitely the short version, but if you ever have any questions, please ask. I'm sure you're receiving a lot of the same information and similar offers of advice, but I want to help other cancer patients as much as possible because I often felt rather alone in my battle (mostly because of my age).
My blog is a bit spotty, but provides some insight and might help a little. My Facebook "cancer photo album" also captures certain aspects of the last year, as well.
I was declared tumor-free on December 18th. It was the first happy cry I had had in months.
Best of luck as you go into battle.
Paige
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I know you will beat this Bill, if it's any comfort my father-in-law who is 94 had the same form of cancer and beat so I know in my heart you will come through this in very successfully,hang in there.
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Best wishes as you battle this beast. We're praying for you!
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So sorry to hear the news, Bill. Wishing you great courage and determination as you battle through this tough time. My thoughts are with you.
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Bill--God Bless. I used to produce the news at KIRO, and I think you came on right around the time I was leaving.
Fight the good fight, and know that thousands of people are thinking about you and praying for you everyday.
Thanks for sharing your story. No doubt, you will save lives from doing so.
xooxo
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i wish you the best bill and your family. get well soon i will miss you on the news susan olalla washington
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Hi Bill-
You don't know me, but I know you well. You see, I watch Q13 fox morning news every morning for the last 6-7 years - you are/were my MOST FAVORITE morning anchor. Although I still watch every morning, we miss you charming and clever little jokes and personality. Bo Bice...Bob Ice...hilarious!! LOL!! Anyways, I am with Team in Training, running the Seattle Rock'n'Roll Marathon this summer and have personally raise over $2200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - our group has raise over a half a million dollars. I pray that you will battle hard and come out on top. This weekend is our longest training run (3 hours) - I hope it gives you some comfort in knowing that there are 100+ people running to find a cure for your illness and illnesses that are affecting so many people world wide. You have given me even more motivation to finish this marathon, and I thank you for that. When I saw you on the news this morning, it just confirmed that I am doing the right thing by running! You will fight, you will be strong, and you will continue on!! We are running to save lives!!!
Besk of luck and lots prayers being sent your way!
-Bri Sambo
brisambo@gmail.com
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Bill...just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you. I miss seeing you on the morning news. I had a terrible bicycle accident on Monday the 25th and have been sitting at home recovering. I just learned of your situation this morning. Anyway, just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Can you believe all these Judge shows? Its crazy!! Take Care!!
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good luck i hope everything turns out well!
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Bill, I just heard the news and I was stunned, but immediately I prayed for you, I wasnt sure what else to do. Immediately I felt peace for you and your healing, I know, feel and believe that what your going through is going to end in your complete healing, health and longevity on this earth with your children,wife and family. Bill, you have a very long life ahead of you, Bill, you will get through this aweful time and mine and my families prayers are with you. And although this is such an aweful thing to endure, It will be gone and out of your body soon and you will be able to be such an inspiration to so many for years to come. Your loved by many and prayers are circled around you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or your family and I mean that, as any Maximum Living recipe will be made for you and your family if you just let me know. Feel free to call anytime. Your a HERO!
Your Friend,
Randy
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Bill,
I'm the Assignment Manager at KWWL-TV in Waterloo, Iowa. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma about the same time you were. My first chemo treatment was May, 22.
Our morning anchor actually spotted your blog on News Blues and forwarded it to me. Your situation sounds pretty similar to my own. I did not have it in my neck, but in my chest. I'll have chemo followed by radiation as well. And yes, we're planning a health report on my experience too (I was a reporter for about five years).
I think it's great you're using "the business" to get the word out about Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was surprised to learn it's not uncommon in young people (I'm 28).
I know we can beat this. Faith and prayers make all the difference too -- with God, NOTHING is impossible.
Take care and good luck!
Jason Mortvedt
KWWL-TV: Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Dubuque
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Bill,
I'm sorry I can't relate to any of this but I know that God is bigger than all this stuff. Linda and I will definitely be praying for you. Be encouraged as many stand with you.
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Bill,
My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family during this journey. Stay strong and keep faith.
Stephanie
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