DM News:A Message from Wilson Grooms

[MelanieEppsMurray]

The following is a message from Wilson Grooms, Robert Jordan's cousin ("Brother/Cousin"). For those unfamiliar with Wilson, he plays an essential role in the family, most especially back in 2007 when he provided regular updates to fans regarding Robert Jordan's illness. 

 

Wilson Grooms:

 

This tale began almost a year ago, thinking I might have a sinus issue. Wrong!  It took a while, but in February of 2020 it was determined that I have a cancer on the extreme rear of my tongue.  The cause, HPV, Human Papilloma Virus. You see Television ads urging you to get your kids inoculated against this. Do it please. There was no such vaccine back in the day.

 

The cancer was a squamous cell.  Doctors called it a “garden variety” and were all confident that with radiation and chemo they could render me cancer free. For the next seven weeks our daughter Marisa picked me up at 8 am Monday through Friday for radiation.  Chemotherapy was once a week for the same seven weeks. The doctors were honest that the treatments are intense. The last two weeks of treatments and the first two weeks of “healing” I spent curled up in a ball.

 

We had to wait months to repeat the tests that would let us know whether the bad actor had be eradicated. Waiting isn’t my strong suit.

 

In late August a PET scan indicated “something” was still there. Doctors were divided as to what it was. It could be residual cancer.  Most thought it to be inflammation as part of the healing process. But I wasn’t feeling better. In fact I had been suffering intense headaches which began in late June. The site was visually scoped (also not fun) frequently to monitor any changes. Nothing. So in November we repeated the biopsy.

 

It’s still there. Worse, it has compromised my tongue and larynx. And it has mutated. It is now a very rare and aggressive Sarcomatoid spindle cell tumor.  The only option offered was a drastic surgery to remove all the tongue and voice box. Before making that life altering decision a full Tumor Board of specialists reviewed my case.

 

Because of the type of cancer it has become, the drastic surgery proposed by my Surgical Oncologist is no longer a viable option.  Surgery would make day to day life difficult, would not reduce the pain I am dealing with and would not extend life.  Studies show that with a sarcomatoid cancer and this surgery, patients do not live beyond 12 months. And a painful 12 months at that.

 

The treatment deemed to give me the best chance is chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. I will have my first infusion on the 30th of November. The regime is two weeks on, one week off for as long as the treatments are working. I am not certain as of now how often I will be taking the immunotherapy drug.

 

This specific treatment for this type of cancer has been only used for about four years. There are patients who were in the study when it began and are still doing well. Thus it has not been determined what an average life expectancy may be. If my cancer does not respond, I am looking at six months to perhaps a year. Please pray that I see positive results. Even if results are positive, this cancer will never be eradicated by the treatments.  The best I can hope for is that it goes into remission and that the treatments keep it there. But if God wants to work a miracle, I’m okay with that too. I know it’s selfish, but that’s what I pray for.

 

I ask for your prayers for my family that they have the strength to help me in this fight.

 

This is being posted by my daughter/cousin Melanie Murray. I have asked her to be my point of contact. I ask you please, do not contact any other family members. Melanie will post any updates as needed. But remember, no news is wonderful news.

 

Every day is a blessing. Make sure that those who are important in your life know it. Tell them. And set goals. One of mine is that I plan to see all of you at JordanCon in April. In lieu of that, I hope God will excuse Jim, aka RJ, of his storytelling duties so that we can go fishing. 

 

Onward.

 

Wilson

Brother/Cousin

4th of 3

 

Photo, from left to right: Elaine, Jonathan, Janet, Wilson, Major Miles Grooms,Marisa.

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[Arie]

*Hugs Melanie* Love and Healthy thoughts to him, and your family during this time.

[Harldin]

Yes mate good luck with your treatment, I’m sure all DM members will wish you a speedy recovery.

??????

[MelanieEppsMurray]

It has been two weeks and two treatments for Wilson. Today starts a rest week. We continue to keep praying and hoping that this is going to knock the cancer back hard. I tend to not be one to write FUCK CANCER but that's definitely my attitude right now. For everyone that has reached out to me, it's been greatly appreciated. I'll be seeing him this coming weekend so I'll pass all of the messages on them. Right now I'll probably stick with updating every two weeks so I'm not overwhelming you with minor information.     

 

Wilson's words are below.     

 

Love and Light to all!

Melanie Murray
Cousin/Daughter

 

The 1st infusion was 2 chemo drugs and an immunotherapy drug (keytruda). That equates to 4 hours in the chair, spent watching The Boys on Amazon Prime. The 2nd infusion was only one chemo drug. So, I was in and out in 1 1/2 hours. The chemo fog which accompanies infusion was minor which was a pleasant surprise. I have a week off. Then we start the cycle again. After 3 or 4 cycles we’ll do a scan to see if the chemo is having any positive affect on the cancer. Prayers are both needed and very welcome.     Feeling pretty darned good considering.

 

Wilson

Brother/Cousin 4th of 3

[SinisterDeath]

14 hours ago, MelanieEppsMurray said:

I tend to not be one to write FUCK CANCER but that's definitely my attitude right now.

 

I loved Wilson's blog posts from years ago, and I'd drop everything when he'd post a new one. 

Fight the good Fight Wilson, I don't do the whole "Prayer thing", but I really hope you kick cancer's ass, like RJ showed that RPG in 'nam.

 

 

 

 

[MelanieEppsMurray]

Positive thoughts with a lit candle work just as well..... Thank you!

[MelanieEppsMurray]

January 16, 2021 update:

I just got off the phone with Janet and Wilson. Right now things are still going along as expected. The week of the 18th is a chemo week. The third and fourth days of those are the hardest and keeping Wilson hydrated has been a bit of a challenge. The following week is an "off week" except they are going ahead and doing a port to make things easier to keep him hydrated and to do the treatments. All of the prayers, positive thoughts, happy dances or whatever you do to send positive things his way are greatly appreciated and lift his and the family's spirits. We are unsure when they will do more testing to find out if this treatment is keeping the cancer from worsening or not. When we do know something, I'll be hoping that I'm giving exciting and terrific news.  As for the secret FB group, the family is on it now so you're welcome to leave messages here or there for them to see. Just please respect their wishes to not send personal messages to their social media unless you were already in contact with them. I'll be happy to pass anything along if you wish to send something privately. 

 

Love and Light to All!

Melanie

Daughter and Cousin to Wilson

Niece to Harriet and RJ

 

[MelanieEppsMurray]

This week’s update has a bit of good and a bit of bad news. I often feel like it is better to start with the good news first. We can celebrate that there has been no noticeable progression of the cancer for Wilson. That is a major thing to be happy about.

 

So then there’s the bad news that I have to discuss. The chemo doctor was ready to stop the chemo and let the Keytruda be the main treatment to hopefully keep the cancer from progressing any further. However, Wilson has had a setback and been admitted to the hospital with a pneumonia type infection. Although exceedingly rare, this is something that can be caused by the Keytruda. If that is the case, the Keytruda may have to be stopped.

 

He is still in the hospital tonight but should be home with the family tomorrow. The oncologist is working on a Plan C and hopefully it will be a really great solution to what’s happening now. So, there’s good news and there’s bad news but we are NOT out of this battle yet! Keep up the prayers and good thoughts!

 

Melanie Murray

Cousin/Daughter