Update on Devin

Summary of April:

He started the month very nauseous and had to go to the ER on Sunday April 3rd for IV nausea medicine.

Throughout the next week he did okay but was quite nauseous and had mouth sores.  At the end of the week he was feeling sick.

The week of the 10th he started feeling a little sicker and was running a low grade fever.  The night of Wednesday the 13th his fever went up to 103 degrees and he had to go to the hospital.  His white blood count was very low and they had to admit him.  He was in the hospital until Saturday and had to have a blood transfusion while he was there.  During this week because he was sick he did not get radiation treatment.  He was scheduled to have his next round of chemotherapy starting on Monday the 18th.  He also started radiation again. 

He did the radiation first and then went to get his chemotherapy .  His white count was still a little low so they delayed the chemotherapy for a week. On Wednesday when he was going for his daily radiation treatment he was very nauseous and when he was done they sent him over to his doctors for an IV nausea treatment.  They were concerned he was so nauseous this far after a chemotherapy treatment and sent him to get an CT scan to see if anything had grown in his stomach or liver and were causing the nausea.  

The next Monday April 25th he went in for radiation first.  It was his last day and he graduated from radiation.  Then we went to see his doctor and have chemotherapy . The doctor told us the results of the CT scan. He said there was no new growths but the cancer had not shrunk either.  That doesn't mean it still won't because the radiation can still have an affect weeks after it is done and he still has some chemotherapy rounds to go.  

Then he  went to the room where they do  the chemotherapy treatments and got his treatment.  When it was done he got his chemotherapy bag to wear home and was able to go home after a long day. He did okay the next few days. 

On Thursday he had an appointment with the pain doctor and he was feeling quite nauseous so after the appointment the doctor sent him to get some IV nausea medicine and some fluids.  He felt better when we went home but was already getting mouth sores from the therapy.  He went on Friday to get his chemo bag off and was feeling very nauseous again so they gave him another IV treatment.  We got some stronger medicine for mouth sores while we were there because they were getting quite bad.  

In all, Devin had a rough April.

I'll try and get a summary of May posted here soon. 

Thank you for your prayers & faith.

Julie

Devin's Benefit Concert is coming up! Don't miss it! If you can't make it to the event, you can donate to help Devin by visiting any Zions Bank and donating funds to the "Devin Willis Donation Fund". 

Evening to Benefit Devin & Family

Jon Schmidt and Jason Hewlett benefit concert: 

• May 31st, 2011 at 7pm
• Tickets: $15.00 - $25.00
• To purchase tickets please call 801-852-7007 or visit http://coveycenter.org

Mr. Schmidt is a renowned classical style pianist. Mr. Hewlett is an entertainer, musician, and impressionist. There will be a silent auction prior to the concert at 6:30pm.Please join us for this unforgettable night.

Devin Update 4/14

Devin started his second round of chemotherapy on Monday March 28th.

He had his radiation treatment first, and then met with his Oncologist. Several hours later they hooked up his chemotherapy drugs.

After Devin got home he actually felt pretty good and we were happy about that. 

The next morning, we found that the port through which his chemotherapy drugs were being administered was leaking. So, we had to go to the doctors and get his port access changed before he could start his radiation. Altogether, Devin had a pretty good day that day. 

The next morning during his radiation treatment we discovered that his port was leaking yet again. So once again, we had to go back to the doctors and get it changed. After we arrived home, Devin was feeling rather nauseous so he rested. Later that day, while I was at a parent teacher conference for one of our kids, Devin called me to tell me that his port was leaking. I promptly called the doctors and they told me to bring him into the hospital.

After an x-ray on his port showed no visible reason for the leak we went home again, confused why it kept leaking all the time. The doctors and nurses conveyed to us that they weren't sure why the port kept leaking and that this was a first time mystery for them. 

Over the next several days, Devin felt quite nauseous. He got his other chemotherapy drug taken off on Friday. He continues to feel nauseous and is having to take medicine every 4 hours to keep it under control.  

We thank you all for your prayers and support.

Julie

March 30, 2011 - Update on Devin

During Devin's first week of chemo he woke up one Thursday morning around 7 am, not feeling at all well, and had a fever of 100. I checked his temperature again an hour later and by then it had gone up to 101.  His Doctors told us to call if the temperature reached that number. I promptly called the doctors office and they told us to come in.  

Damon came over and helped me take Devin in because he just wanted to stay in bed. His doctors and nurses did some blood tests and put him on oxygen.  They also sent him for a chest x-ray to make sure he didn't have pneumonia.  After deciding he didn't have pneumonia they discovered he did have an infection. They sent him to the hospital and started him on antibiotics.  They kept him in the hospital until Saturday and then sent him home with more antibiotics.  

Devin's mother and sister (with three of her kids) came from California to visit on Saturday for a few days. It was fun to see them and their visit was good for Devin.  

The next Monday morning the Doctor called and said they got the last blood test back and discovered that Devin had a staph infection.  So, they wanted us to watch his temperature closely and call if it went up again. If it did he would have to go back to the hospital.  

In the meantime he was now having pain in is right side by his ribs.  They have to keep adjusting his pain medicine as his pain increases.  He didn't have to go back to the hospital but he has not felt too well.  He has been nauseous and in pain. Thankfully, we are finally starting to get the pain under control and his Doctors gave him a different nausea medicine to try.  

He goes to radiation every morning Monday through Friday.  

Thanks for all your love and prayers. We really appreciate them.

Julie Willis

Devin Update

Devin started his chemo and radiation treatments on Monday. It was a long day spending most of it at the doctors getting the first of two chemo drugs, medicine for nausea, and special fluids to help prevent kidney damage.  He was sent home with a fanny pack pump with the other chemo medicine which will keep putting the chemo drug into him. He wears that until Friday.  Then he was off to get his first radiation treatment.  When he got home he was tired but actually had a better night then he has had in a long time.  They are finally getting his pain medicine regulated.  Tuesday he was feeling better then he has in a while.  No nausea and not too much pain.  Then in the early afternoon he was off to radiation treatment. After he got home the nausea hit and he hasn't felt to well since. He has had nausea most of the time since then.  He sees a doctor Thursday, hopefully they can give him something besides the medicine he has right now to help.  

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. - Willis Family

Devin's Story

Devin was recently diagnosed with Stage Four Esophageal Cancer. This was a huge surprise to his friends and family and everyone that knows and loves him.

As a longtime employee of Prosper Inc, Devin's presence is felt in every major part of our business. He helped pioneer the Customer Service Department which has blessed the lives of tens of thousands of people across the world. His good nature and optimism helped shape our culture of "Helping People Prosper".

Devin's personal motto is to "leave people better than you find them". Certainly, we've all felt his love and attention as he's consistantly helped us to become better people. He has dedicated his life to his family, friends and co-workers ensuring that those around him are happy.

Now it is our time to dedicate our love and support to Devin and his family. We've set up an account where all donations will go directly to his wife, Julie, and will be used to support his cancer treatments and hospital bills. These donations will also help to empower his family financially while Devin is working on his goal of recovery.

There are two ways to donate to help Devin:

(1) Email Prosper's representative at pr@prospercorp.com to let us know your pledge amount. This number will be deducted from your next paycheck. (This option is for Prosper Employees).

(2) Pledge financial support online by visiting http://pledgie.com/campaigns/14720. You will be using PayPal for this transaction.

Together we can make a difference in Devin's life.