update

Just a quick update to let everyone know how well Dad is doing. He has three chemo treatments behind him and is doing great! In my last post I mentioned that he was having chemo every other week and would be out of commission for the weekend. Boy was I wrong! He has not slowed down one bit. That doesn't mean he isn't feeling bad but he hasn't let it stop him from enjoying the weekend or getting his work done. His birthday is on Thursday and he definitely has lots to celebrate. Thank you for your continuing support and prayers!

Update

We want to thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers over the past month. My dad is doing great and has returned to work "part-time" (or as part-time as you can get when you own your own business). He is feeling great,following all of the doctor's orders, and quickly recovering from the surgery.
My mom and dad met with the oncologist this morning. Dad will have a port put in next week and begin chemotherapy the following Friday. He will have six months of chemo, every other week. The chemo will be on Friday and he will most likely be out of commission for the weekend and hopefully back to work on Mondays.
I know that many of you continue to offer your help with anything. I promise that the minute that my mom or dad says they need anything I will not hesitate to ask, but for now they are doing just fine. Thank you again!

Dad is home and is doing well. The doctor said he was not going to get better by laying around all day so dad is up and moving as much as he can. Mom and dad are very grateful for the outpouring of support that they have received. We have decided to not do a meal schedule but we are very thankful for the many offers that we have received. I think that they are both ready for things to get back to normal. Thank you again for all of the well wishes!

Monday August 10

Dad's recovery is going great, today he is eating solid foods and reading in the hospital. The surgeon has deemed the operation a success. Although the pathology report is not due for about a week, all indications so far are that the disease has been removed from his body.

If things continue to go well, we expect him home tomorrow (Tuesday).

Dad is out of surgery and in recovery. Everything went as expected. They removed a large mass in his colon and the surgeon said that as far as he could tell the cancer had not spread. They will know more when the pathology reports come back. Thank you for all of your prayers! I will update when I know more.

Bill's Surgery

Bill was diagnosed with colon cancer on July 27 and is scheduled for surgery on August 7th.

The Cather Family has received overwhelming support from friends and family and this blog has been set up to update everyone on what is going on and how well he is doing.

The news from the doctors has been increasingly optimistic. The surgery is now expected to be performed using the robotic operating room at UAB and the outlook for recovery from the operation looks like it could be as little as a couple of weeks.

Mia is doing well, healthy and ready for the challenge of having Bill at home for a while.

Anna is putting together a schedule for some meals at the house after Bill gets home (probably around August 11).

Cather Publishing is humming right along, just like it has for 100 years, and Robbie is spending some time at the shop in Bill's absence.

Heath is recovering from hip surgery, making sure that the Essex Road house is in good order.

Check back for info on Friday afternoon.

Thank you!