Chuck Williams, BB1, lived a life of Passion, He lived a good life...No, he lived a great life.

After 19 months of fighting like a Champion, in the ring with Cancer, Chuck Williams, BB1, was taken down at 4:47 pm. Sunday  11-19-17.  He lived his life the way he wanted up until his last breath, doing what he loved the most. Being with his brother Jim Williams, at a Car Show.

Chuck and Penelope

Chuck started Immuno Therapy, 11 day's before his death. He had told me he was scared to try a third trial after suffering such horrific side effects from the first two. But, he said, he would never stop trying to do whatever was available to buy him more time. He said, "this trial will either extend my life or kill me. it's the title fight". We believe there's a possibility that's what brought about his untimely death. 

Chuck was dealing with tremendous pain. He was doing heavy pain meds to try and keep doing what he loved. He was waiting for his Alfa 4C Spider, to arrive from Italy, and had reservations for the Barrett Jackson Car Show in Scottsdale in January. He refused Hospice and got up everyday to do his life. He didn't live to see his beautiful red Alfa, or go to the events he had planned.

Jim and Chuck

On Friday November 16th, Jim, against his wishes, drove Chuck to Palm Springs, for an all weekend car show. They enjoyed the pre-show that day and Chuck had fun scooting around in his electric scooter, making jokes and talking to the people. He said to Jim, "did you bring your checkbook bro, you may want to buy something." That night he began to suffer shortness of breath and extreme pain. By morning he was  so bad he couldn't talk to me on the phone. They didn't go to the big Saturday car show. Saturday night, Chuck looked and sounded so bad. Chuck said, "I'm going."  Jim called 911 and Chuck was admitted to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs. The last thing he said to Jim was, "I guess this is it Bro."  Jim, grabbed his shoulders and said, "No this is not it."  Chuck was incubated and became unresponsive.  He could no longer breath on his own. He had actually drowned in his own fluid.

Chuck's girlfriend of 17 years, Penelope, called me at 9:30 am Sunday morning. She was heading to Palms Springs, from Santa Barbara.  I told her I'd leave Laguna Beach and meet her there. Jim met us and took us to ICU see Chuck. He was very yellow, but his beautiful face looked like a much younger man to me. However, his body was very swollen with fluid. His liver had failed and his lungs had filled with 30 pounds of fluid. He would never breath on his own again. 

My daughter, Georgia, called and asked to have the phone put up to his ear. She proceeded to give the most heartfelt goodbye to her uncle Chuck. So much so, we all broke down and cried. She asked if her dad, could say goodbye as well. Gene's sincerity and love for his friend of 47 years made as weep even harder. My sister Donna, sent a Beach Boy song "409" and made a little video of his life for us to share. It was thick with emotion in the room, to the point of fainting.

Jim made the call to take him off the life supports. But, my sister Billee Williams, asked us to wait until she got there to say goodbye. When she arrived, she asked us to hold hands around Chuck's bed. With all her Spirit, she prayed, lifting her beloved cousin up into the arms of Jesus. By now, we were all bonded as one loving energy around Chuck, as they removed the breathing tube. Though his heart beat was strong, the morphine slowed it down and after a half hour he let go.  He took his last breath surrounded by love.

I woke up this morning with a huge void and sense of loss. Yet, my first impulse was to call Chuck and review the incredible experience. I will miss my Superman everyday. He was like no other. He ran the race and finished a Warrior. Ancient Greeks would say after one died. "Did he live his life with Passion? Not what did he do in his life, or was he successful. If the answer was yes, they would say, "he lived a good life." 

Chuck lived a good life. a great life. He was a true Passionology Ninja, here to teach others the real meaning of life. He lived it to the fullest with a smile on his face and a spark in his eye, no matter what was happening in private. We should all live by his example and ask ourselves, "are we living with passion." If the answer is yes, then we can say we are living a good life.

Rest in Peace my Darling Cuz. You will be remembered as being THE GREATEST!!!

https://www.photosnack.com/SharrieWilliams/chuckwilliamsbb1memorial.html
Please enjoy a video Memorial of Chucks life. Click on speaker in left corner for music. Click arrow to start and if it stops click to keep pictures moving until you get to the yellow racing car on the track.

Lovely comment from Mike Love's daughter, Melinda Love

As Mike love’s daughter I have been approached countless times by people asking me to let my dad know that they are The Beach Boys’ “biggest fan”. I always smile and say thank you. But you all know as well as I do their biggest fan was Chuck. BB1. Chuck was a fixture in our little world for as long as I can remember. And he will be deeply missed. ❤️ Melinda Love

Mike Love

Page Liked · November 21 · 

 

Today, one of my best friends, Chuck Williams, lovingly known to many as BB1 (Beach Boys’ #1 fan), passed away. He was an enormous, wonderful friend and a great fan. He even had a Beach Boys shrine in his home. I will truly miss him and the indomitable, passionate spirit he brought to life.
Peace & Love,
ML

Chuck believes his Passionology and love for his fleet of cars is what's keeping his Spirit up in this battle for his life

It's been about 6 weeks since the Chuck Report.  In that time he started and quit another Cancer pill that just about destroyed him. He's been off all medication for a few weeks now. He told me that he's going in the ring one more time to fight his Liver Cancer.

"This is the Title Fight" he said. "If I can't win the Championship Belt, that's it." 

He starts Immunotherapy treatment next week. Immunotherapy uses certain parts of a person’s immune system to fight diseases such as cancer. 
 https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/immunotherapy/what-is-immunotherapy.html

His symptoms from the last round of drugs have been devastating. He feet and legs are swollen with fluid and the water pills haven't done much. He's had nurses come in three times a week to massage the water back up to his upper extremities and has to wear full length support stockings. So far it's working. He finally fits into his driving shoes and after months being grounded, can drive his cars. Today he say's he's going to take his Cobra out for a ride around Montecito. 

Chuck is so inspired about the new treatment, using his own cells to fight the Cancer cells, that he feels there is hope. He believes his own DNA will be better than all the drugs he's been given, to kill the tumors. So, to celebrate, he plans to customize and order an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, that comes out in 2018.

He's still waiting for his Alfa Romeo, 4C Spider, to be delivered from Italy. Chuck believes his Passionology and love for his fleet of cars is what's keeping his Spirit up and giving him the Will to keep fighting the Cancer.

He's a born fighter and Cancer, you're not going to take him down. 

Chuck believes that his personal relationship with Mike Love and the Beach Boys, has been the greatest accomplishment in his life. For over 50 years he's kept them as friends. Mike Love trusts Chuck completely and considers him an official Beach Boy.

More to come, stay tuned. 

BB1 continues to take major blows in his fight with Liver Cancer, but, he keeps getting back up

Chuck has been fighting Cancer now for over 18 months.  He's had Thera Sphere Y90, a very evasive procedure that had side effects and it wound up doing nothing to stop the Cancer. He was put on a Liver Transplant list, only to be taken off because the cancer left the liver and lodged onto his rib. He proceeded to do an FDA approved drug that made him so sick and miserable he couldn't function. It cost $8,000. He quit and is fighting to get some of his money back. After all that he went without treatment or heavy drugs for a few weeks and began to feel more like himself.

The Doctor recommended he try Xeloda a drug that has worked for Breast and Lung Cancer but it has shown in clinical studies to have an effect of Cancer Tumor growth, but not necessarily for Liver Cancer. Another $8,000. But, he's a fighter and says he has to do what ever it takes. He's been on the new drug for 2 weeks. He's miserable. The side effects are as bad as the first drug. He honestly can't walk on his feet, because of the nerve pain. His lips are so dry they bleed and chunks of skin are falling off. His hands and feet have open sores and he has boils all over his body.  He's lost 7 lbs. Not good.  He sleeps in the afternoons, and his appetite isn't what it normally is. He has pain throughout his body and he cramps up so bad sometimes he can't move until it stops.  After being off for a week the Doctor will adjust the drug to see if that will lower the side effects.   Eventually Chuck hopes, they will get the drugs right so he can function.

Right now, his passion for his new Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, being built in Italy right now and his new Mclaren 570S Coup, is what's keeping his Spirits up.  Hopefully the cars will arrive by his 68th Birthday, November 23rd. So, right now it's one day at a time now.

Keep sending him your love and good vibrations.

The latest update on Chuck, BB1's progress with his fight with liver Cancer.

At this point Chuck has decided to stop taking the Cancer drug. It made him deathly sick and made his life unmanageable.  He's felt a lot better going it without treatment. His last report showed that his numbers had actually improved, which is unusual. He believes it's his Superman Powers, that are fighting the Kryptonite. He also believes Passionology, is the secret to fighting his deadly opponent.

To counteract the negative effects of Cancer, he's continuing with his projects and not backing down.

Here is quote directly from Chuck.  "The 2018 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider will be my personal Exotic Supercar Track Toy. The other car is a Porsche 2017 911GT-3 Cup Car for the Track to be leased from my Company REEEEEL RACING to SPEEDVEGAS. My Company will supply Race Cars for SPEEDVEGAS every eighteen months or so. A Big 15th is coming OH YEA!   XXX/OOO  BB1." 

Besides that, he wants to recreate from scratch the original 1930s Maybelline truck just for the fun of it and cruise around with me.

These are lofty Aspirations, but, his DNA is loaded with Aspiration.  I will keep you abreast of his business plans, his health and his Passions.  

Keep the Good Vibrations coming his way.  We love you BB1.

BB1, with his Indomitable Good Vibrations and Positive Spirit is standing up to his Cancer like a Champion

It's been two months since my last post on Chuck's blog. He's continued to stay true to his Superman persona and fight his vulnerability to Kryptonite, his "Full Fry."  

Chuck is a born fighter and like a true Warrior he has Passion and Positivety in his DNA. He doesn't back down. Where others might back down to the challenges of life and death. He's a Pit Bull and will fight to his last breath. In BB1's case he has lived the life of all good things for all. Now, it's the other side of the challenge. He's relying on his overwhelming inner strength and his Spiritual Mind over Matter. 

In the last month, his Doctor's at UCLA, told him that the TheraSphere they blasted his liver tumor with, didn't do what they expected or hoped it would.  They sent him home with some cancer pills and said, these might prolong your life. However, there is nothing more we can do. With 52 horrible side effects, Chuck suffered the tortures of the damned, yet never complained of terrible pain, water retention and nausea. He continued his passion for his cars and even ordered a new Alfa Romeo, for more Passionology. He coined a new word, PASSIONOLOGY and calls himself a PASSIONOLOGIST.  He believes that if he keeps his Passion ignited he can overcome any negative outcome.
  

In the last three days, his Spirit has been tested to the limit. He's had food poisoning like symptoms, extreme swelling, pain in his groin and feet and nausea. He had decided to stop the cancer pills and live his life. His Doctors want him to continue. He's at a crossroad. A life and death decision. But, through it all he's remaining positive and staying as active as he can. 

Continue holding him in your thoughts and prayers and I will keep you posted as the RACE TO THE FINISH LINE CONTINUES.

Chuck isn't backing down to Cancer it will be a fight to the finish

"Here is my latest reaction to RACING TO THE FINISH? I plan on running several more Track Events.  

This is my only escape from reality of Liver Cancer and I will run every Race there is and I will win the Race at God's pace.

 The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 2018 will be ordered this month or June. I have the right people involved for a special ordered 4C Spider at the executive level.

 Could have the car by the end of the year 2017 for a 2018 model. OH YEA!"

A born fighter, Chuck will continue to live his life the way he wants to. He is supposed to start his cancer fighting pills, but will wait until he returns home to Santa Barbara in June.

Keeping his mind off the Cancer and focused on his passion is his best defense. So far he feels pretty good and has his positive attitude that he feels is in his DNA.

Maybe he's Born with it.

Not expecting this news! The Thera Sphere never actually worked.

Chuck with his sister Nancy

Chuck found out this week that the cancer in his liver has spread and has taken hold on his ribs. He is now off the transplant list. He will start taking medication specially made up for his cancer. The prognosis is one year. Hopefully more. He leaves for Vegas tomorrow for 6 weeks of racing and he still plans to buy two new Alfa Romeos, as mentioned in my last post. He isn't giving up. This is devastating and unexpected news. We're all reeling from it. In shock denial. For someone as dynamic, charismatic and full of life at 67, it just seems impossible. There are miracles and if anyone can turn the tables, it's BB1.  More will be revealed and I'll keep you posted in a couple weeks when he goes back to UCLA.

Nancy's son, John Clark, Chuck and Jim Williams

Jim, Chuck and John

NEWS FLASH! Chuck, BB1 has been authorized to go on the Liver Transplant list

It's been a year since Chuck, BB1, was diagnosed with Liver Cancer. During that time, he did the TheraSphere Y90 treatment, that blasted the tumor with millions of radiation balls. He thought he was going in for a second treatment, when his Doctor informed him that the TheraSphere did it's job in the first treatment and it's made it possible for him to be put on the Liver Transplant list. It takes 2 to 3 years usually, before a liver becomes available, so we pray his liver numbers hold steady until that happens. 

Chuck will continue to live his life to the fullest. He has his eye on two new Alfa Romeos, a Red 4C Spider and a Red Stelvio Quadrifoglio, 505HP SUV.  He plans to spend as much time as possible at SpeedVegas, racing cars.  He will also spend time with his good friend, Mike Love, of the Beach Boys.

Proud to be a MonToy. BB1's Very Exclusive Car Club (Invitation Only)

Recently Mike did a concert in Santa Barbara at the Arlington Theater, where Chuck asked him to be an honorary member of his club, "The MonToys." Mike wore his new MonToy cap on stage during the performance to make it official. 

It's not the size of the person it's the size of the fight inside the person.

Keep Chuck in your prayers. He has a long way to go. Chuck has always known it was not going to be easy. He sizes up his enemy... the enemy is the Liver tumor...  Always a fighter he is up for the challenge. Chuck feels good, sounds great, has an amazing positive attitude.  That is what keeps him ahead of the race. 

Chuck Williams, BB1, takes another jab at Cancer, slowing the tumor down to a stop

 

Chuck and Penelope headed to UCLA, December 14th, not knowing what was going to happen. A phone call the night before warned that his insurance had not authorized paying for a second Thera Sphere treatment. Which is a big deal.  One treatment is $80,000. However, that didn't stop our Champ. He told them he'd be there at 8:00 for a scheduled MRI. 

After the MRI, BB1, got word that his insurance authorized the treatment.  He met with Dr. Gnomes, his Surgeon and she was pleased with the results of the MRI.  She was finally able to get a clear picture of his first Thera Sphere treatment, almost 4 months ago. 

The first treatment blasted the liver tumor with billions of radiation balls, but the surgeon had been unable to decipher if she'd hit the mark because the picture was too foggy.

She had told Chuck to go and enjoy his trip to Zion in August, with Penelope, in his Motor Coach and give the liver time to settle down. He did, but the side effects were rough for the first 3 weeks.

Now that the liver has calmed down, she  was able to get a clear and it was good news. 

The Surgeon, had hit the tumor in the bulls eye.  She was thrilled.  The Thera Sphere had stopped it's growth and a second treatment was unnecessary at this time.  She want's to see Chuck in 3 months  for another MRI, and at that point, if there's any changes, a second Thera Sphere treatment will be discussed.

Chuck at the Lakers Game  recently with his brother Jim

Chuck is over the moon.  He feels pretty good, except for his Popeye feet and legs. The edema is still an issue and has slowed him down. Which, if you know Chuck, is out of sync with his normal "in the ring, dancing feet."

"I'm like normal people now." he said, "I'm used to being more like Superman, even at 67."

So, that's it.  Chuck can enjoy Christmas and head to Arizona for the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Show, in January and then hit Vegas for a few laps around the track.  

Merry Christmas Everyone.  Chuck thanks you all for the love, support and prayers on his behalf. He truly believes that's what is getting him through his ordeal with Cancer. 

 

The Power of Prayer, Good Vibrations and a strong support group helps Chuck Williams, BB1, go to the next round with Cancer

NEWS FLASH:

Just when Chuck, BB1, was down for the count, he got up and won the second round with Cancer.

It's been touch and go with Cancer the last three month,s since Chuck, BB1, had his first Thera Sphere treatment at UCLA. The first blow came when his MRI, was unable to give his Oncologist the information she needed to move forward, because the picture was too cloudy to read.

Following the treatment, Chuck's body filled with 18 lbs of edema and he was unable to fit in his clothes or shoes. He was concerned. But, his indomitable Spirit kept him focused on his life and he headed to Zion, with Penelope for rest and relaxation.

He didn't feel well. He couldn't sleep and was in pain. But, he never stopped believing he could win the battle.  When his blood tests came back they showed high liver numbers, he was told that if the numbers didn't go down, there would be little more they could do. His Liver would continue to fail. Chuck refused Chemo Therapy as an option, and refused to stop believing he could get those numbers down with mind over matter.  Miraculously, he seemed to will them down... except for one. 

The most important number, the bilirubin, remained at 2.1.  It had to be below 2, to continue the second Therma Sphere treatment. So he waited and he kept his Spirits up. Then, last weekend, he and his brother, Jim, drove Chuck's, Motor Coach to Palm Springs to see his old friend, Mike Love, of the Beach Boys, in concert. Mike arranged for him to park the Coach in VIP parking and he and Jim got a beautiful Jr. Suite at the Hilton Hotel. The concert was inspiring and Mike as always made Chuck feel like a Star. 

On Monday, November 21, just as he pulled into his driveway, the phone was ringing. It was the Doctor.  "Chuck," she said, "your bilirubin is under 2 and we can proceed".

Today, he got a call scheduling his next MRI, on December 14. and the second Thera Sphere treatment will follow at UCLA. The Miracle continues. Chuck can only have three treatments three months apart. If all goes well he will have number three 90 day's later.  And, if this happens, there is a 75 to 90% chance the treatments will work and the 2 tumors will back off. extending his life.

Chuck asked me to thank everyone who has sent prayers, comments on his Facebook group page and just wished him luck and good vibrations. He said, he believes, that all of you are part of the miracle that has given him this green light. He sincerely appreciates your love and support. He also believes that none of this would have been possible with out so many people wishing him well.

Keep the well wishes coming and with God's Will, Chuck will come through his second Thera Sphere treatment, with flying colors and he will win yet another round in the ring with Cancer.

Stay tuned for more good news next month.    

Cancer takes a few more Jabs, but, BB1, Chuck Williams continues to get up and fight

Chuck has been taking a lot of jabs from his opponent in the ring lately. After his last bout with the Cancer treatment TheraSphere August 17th, the Doctor wasn't happy with his liver numbers and suggested the liver needed to calm down for a month. With that Chuck and Penelope headed to Zion in his Mercedes Motor Coach and set up housekeeping for a week. They had a restful and relaxing time together and came home feeling great. The main side effect of the TheraSphere has been pain 24/7, which medication has kept in check and edema. Chuck gained 18 pounds of fluid weight and his normally lose jeans are too tight to wear. He now wears sweats. Yesterday the Doctor ordered water pills and hopefully the water and his liver numbers will come down, so he can have a second TheraSphere treatment on September 30th.  Chuck's still dealing with fatigue, but he's finally sleeping a little better. His old Chuck sense of humor is in tact and so is his appetite. So, he's still strong enough to go another round with Cancer in the ring.  

More will be revealed after September 30th.  Pray for a full recovery and a miracle.

Chuck Williams, BB1, hasn't given up hope beating his liver cancer and either should we

Here is the latest update on BB1, Chuck Williams in the ring with Cancer:

Jim and Chuck Williams,

He returned to UCLA on Wednesday, the 31 of August, for tests and scans to view the tumor and the effects of his TheraSphere treatment done a month ago. The Doctor was concerned because his liver numbers were higher than she hoped. She told Chuck to go on his road trip to Utah and enjoy being in Zion Park.  She wants the liver to calm down and believes that in the next 6 weeks, perhaps his numbers will begin to drop. However, she also discovered another tumor next to a blood supply vein, that will need to be zapped with TheraSphere radiation bubbles as well. The last zap sent over 90 million radiation bubbles into the original tumor. He can only have three zaps of TheraSphere, so let's hope the next one produces the effects Chuck needs to see.

Chuck isn't sleeping well. He's in pain, both in the area of his liver and in his shoulder and back. He's been asked to give up protein and concentrate on Carbs, because they're easier for the liver to break down. He's fine with eating that way.  He's still up and at em everyday.  He's happy to be packing up his Mercedes Motor Coach, and heading to God's Country, with his girlfriend, Penelope for some rest and relaxation. It takes a lot to take Superman down.  

We will know more in a month to six weeks, so stay tuned for further updates. When you think of BB1, imagine him racing at Speed Vegas. He will be stopping off there to do a couple laps, before heading to Zion. May the force be with him.

Chuck Williams gets well wishes from Beach Boy Al Jardine before going into UCLA on July 22nd for Cancer treatment!

 

Gene, Sharrie, Ann, Chuck

On July 8th, BB1 went in to UCLA to have part one of his Cancer Treatment done. It was a great success. They were able to cut off the blood supply to the tumor with no negative results. Now the big test comes this Friday, July 22, when Chuck goes in for the real deal.  The Doctor will insert radioactive balls into the tumor and hopefully blast them to kingdom come. There's a 70% to 95% chance on the procedure working. There is no % on the treatment until they apply it to Chuck. Everyone else is no longer with us.  It's still to early to have an accurate % and we don't know how often Chuck will repeat the treatment just yet.  Please send "Good Vibrations Chuck's was this Friday and pray he comes through a big winner.

Here is a wonderful email I received from Chuck telling me about a phone call he received from Beach Boy Al Jardine. Al's words really lifted Chuck's Spirit and made him feel like a million bucks.  Maybe two million.  

Al Jardine and Chuck Williams, BB1

Cuz.  I just got a call from Beach Boy Al Jardine. He has heard the news through the Beach Boys network probably Mike or Bruce. He and Brian and Al's son Adam who is on Tour with Brian all wished me well on my up-coming procedures. It made my Day to hear The Beach Boys are a part of my A-Team support and Love group.

To me that means a lot. He also told me tonight when they perform he will try to send some Good Vibrations my way and a perfect song would be any song because he knows the Love I have for all the songs The Beach Boys have.

So true and REEEEEL. He is in talks with people that want to start a Radio Station and told me that he thought I would be the best DJ for the Beach Boys could ever have----I agreed.

I will call you from the "W" Hotel when I get down there on July 21, 2016, at check-in time and I get situated in my Suite the Hotel calls it the Wonderful Suite pretty cool that is one of my favorite songs from SMILE 1965-6. Hope All Is Well  XXX/OOO   BB1

PS...
In regards to the picture posted:  We are all standing in front of Chuck's brand new 1976 Jeep Cherokee that he bought from his salary at The Shoe Inn that Chuck owned and operated for three years and sold Concert tickets to bring in more sales another Brilliant and Profitable Idea by Chuck. The store was located in the Montecito Village close to Chuck's Estate and his Parents Estate. He gave the Jeep to Nancy Chuck's younger sister for her Wedding Present in August 1976 she was moving to Colorado and needed a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle. Chuck already had started his Car Collection and owned Three Cars plus had all the access to his Friend Mike Love's Cars who Mike put Chuck in charge of his Collection while The Beach Boys were on Tour. He actually restored Mike's 1962 Bentley S2 and his 1949 MG TC. The MG TC ended up on The Beach Boys Album Cover "ENDLESS HARMONY" soundtrack to a Beach Boys Story dedicated to Dennis and Carl Wilson. The Shoe Inn was early for its time and shoes sales were flat in Montecito so Chuck came up with Marketing of selling Concert Tickets through his Shoe Store and this was before Ticket Master Chuck even had the Idea of using The Beach Boys song "Take A Load Off Your Feet" that The Beach Boys gave him permission to use at no cost because he and Mike had become such good Friends. He was producing all the Shows at the Santa Barbara County Bowl. His first Show at the Bowl was in 1973 with The Beach Boys you could say he was a bit ahead of his time. Needless to say Shoe Sales took Off. All the customers got a one on one lesson on The Beach Boys and came in to meet Chuck and learn how Chuck worked with the most popular Band in the world at the time and bought Shoes at the same time. His Dad thought it was a Brilliant Idea. The Shoe Inn was Noel's Idea for Chuck to work in sales. Chuck wanted something different of course. He pulled it off without hurting his Dad's Idea. The rest is History.

Update on Chuck Williams. BB1's progress with Liver Cancer

Chuck, Anne, Sharrie, Gene 1976

BB1, Chuck Williams will be going to UCLA next Friday, July 8th, to begin the process of preparing him for a new treatment called TheraSphere^®.   If all goes well, he will start the TheraSphere therapy on July 31.  Send him Good Vibrations, Prayers and Well Wishes, that he is one of the lucky ones to push Cancer back for a long time.

 TheraSphere is a liver cancer therapy that consists of millions of small glass microspheres (20 to 30 micrometers in diameter) containing radioactive Y-90. The product will be injected into Chuck's liver through a catheter and be delivered directly to the tumor via blood flow.

If the tumor responds, by shrinking after the treatment, he will be repeating it every three months for as long as he lives.  This will cut into his road trips in the Coach to not more than two weeks at a stretch. He still hopes to continue racing in Vegas and has ordered a new yellow Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, that will arrive in October. Chuck at 66, has always landed on his feet.  I pray he's lucky and is blessed with many happy years to come.

 

BB1's Cancer is not curable at this point. There is a 50/50 chance that it will shrink and prolong his life

 

The Alfa and the Cobra

 written by Chuck's girlfriend Penelope

Finally we have action! They freaked him out by calling him the night before (Tuesday) & said that he was not eligible for the medical appointment. They called too late for him to respond (closed), so we went down anyway (I got up at 4:30). Went there and waited 40 minutes while they cleared him (he did have coverage) for his appointment and finally met with Dr Gomes (elegant fingers and thankfully a cut & dried, extremely intelligent woman surgeon) after a half hour consultation with the aide. The aide had him sign the waiver (in case they punctured a vein and/ or killed him during the “test drive” and/ or actual procedure, whereby on the first, they determine by a needle threading up the groin vein into his liver veins with a tiny cord, remove the needle & thread after directing a tube is inserted to the sites (different veins leading to stomach and lungs from the liver) to determine if there are stints (weakness, etc) with a tiny camera.

Apparently, the procedure includes closing off those stints with some glue. That is the “dry run”. The actual procedure (lengthy name) requires some sedation and takes 6-8 hours (outpatient also, like the “dry run”). They then direct tiny glass beads into the tumor that are radiated and hope that it shrinks the tumor.

It is a 50/50 chance that it will shrink.  A month after the procedure, he goes back again to have another ultrasound to determine if it works. She says that it is 50/ 50 on his chances and that the cancer is treated as a disease and not curable at this point. The objective is to stabilize/ shrink the tumor. It appears that due to his cirrhosis, he is not a viable candidate for liver transplant, although they keep trying to squeeze more money from him, by setting up other appointments with heart doctors, etc.

So we do not know when the first appointment (dry run) is occurring, hopefully within 10 days. The actual procedure is dependent upon appointment availability and if any cancellations occur.