Support the Clancy Family!

As many of you know, Bill has been suffering from many health issues in the last few months. We are yet to receive a diagnosis, but his full history is posted on his Caring Bridge page (below). In summary, he has been dealing with some right hand numbness and pain since October. After extensive testing that all came back negative, he had a seizure on New Year’s Eve. More MRI’s were done, and four unidentified “white spots” were found in his brain, two in his lungs, and one in his adrenal glands. A biopsy was done to take a sample from one of the spots in his brain. After this surgery he was able to talk and still only felt tingling in his right hand and leg. Unfortunately, a few hours later, he developed a blood clot behind the biopsy. He lost movement in his entire right side - arm & hand as well as leg & foot. He lost most of his speech, only able to get a few words out at a time, and is struggling with cognitive issues. He is unable to walk without the help of a walker and PTs. He was working with PTs, OTs, and SLPs at Mary Free Bed in GR to regain strength. After worsening speech and cognitive problems, he was transferred to Mercy Health Saint Mary's Hospital on Jan 26th & had another MRI & CT. Results showed the hematoma is SLOWLY dissipating, but there is some increased swelling, so IV steroids were given. After several consults (including a very highly regarded GR Neurosurgeon), we have no biopsy diagnosis except that everyone thinks it "could be" something different, and there are multiple critical markers that are ABSENT for some really nasty things. After much research, we do not have a confident tissue diagnosis from the brain biopsy that has already been taken. At this point we are seeking a transfer to UofM.

 

Anyone who knows Bill knows how hard it is for him to ask for help. However, we know this is going to be a long and difficult road for Bill and his family. Due to COVID restrictions, he can only have a few visitors. His wife, daughters, and siblings are traveling to and from GR daily to visit him. He is having a hard time communicating, but it is clear that he knows what is going on. The Bill everyone knows and loves is in there - fighting to be heard! We know we have a great circle of friends, family, and community, and his family is grateful for all the love, support, and prayers. It will be a long recovery, and Bill will be off of work for an extended period of time. Money raised will go towards travel expenses for the family, any unforeseen medical expenses, and will help to support the family while Bill is off of work. Any extra money raised will be donated to brain cancer research to help further research efforts on these tough types of cancer.

 

Below is the link for his CaringBridge page that Diane and Molly and Maggie will keep updated.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/billclancy/journal/view/id/61f411a66ed8c0e50b50f654