Billy's Page #12

Sat. 18 Jan. 2003 ( ACH room # 262 )
Hello, and welcome back to Billy's Page. Today is exactly 4 months since we found out Our Son (Your Friend) has cancer. Can you believe it, it seems like so very much longer, considering what he's gone through so far, 4 sessions of chemotherapy, and this extensive - radical surgery. I spent the whole day with Billy today, and I am happy to say he is doing just fine. He was visited by a few of our Friends; thanks Mr. B, and Mr. and Mrs. M. It was good of you all to come up to see Billy. We, and he appreciates it *wink*.
Billy was able to eat some fresh fruit this afternoon, and he feels fairly well. He is in no pain at this time, but he is also heavily medicated. He has an epidural to administer his pain medications. He is able to move his toes, and he has good feeling in his leg below his knee. He has 2 drain tubes in his leg to drain off any fluids that build up in his leg during this first part of his healing process. I tell you, they are working really well too! The physical therapy people stopped in today and brought Billy a new walker so he can start breaking in his new leg on Monday. He is really looking forward to getting back on his feet, both of them.
Alicia, Aunt Ana, and Uncle Juani are with Billy now. Aunt Ana came down from New Jersey tonight, and will stay until Wed. She has some work to take care of in California, and will return again next Sat. Tomorrow is gonna be one heck of a day! Our Buc's are playing the Eagles in the NFC championship game at 3:00, Billy can't wait ! his room is going to be packed!!
GO BUC'S
It should be a Great game, and for Billy's sake, I really hope the Buc's win it Big!

Sun. 19 Jan. 2003 "BUC'S WIN 27-10"
As you can see, Our Buc's are going to the Super Bowl! What a Great game, and a great end to a very stressful day *wink*. Billy was so excited to be able to watch such a good game, one in which no one gave us much of a chance. Well, our team is going to the "Big Game"! As the game was on Billy was fitted for a cast. It will be from his hip to his toes, until his leg regains it's strength. The physical therapy people spent some time with Billy today as well. They got Billy to stand up for a couple minutes which was very tough to do, but Billy did it! They will try to get him up every day while he is there, and he should start his PT after the next chemotherapy session. Dr. L came by this morning to check on Billy and removed one of the drains from his leg. He still has one more which will be removed tomorrow along with the epidural. Billy received a pint of blood today as well because his hemoglobin count was low too. His temperature was also up a bit at 100. Billy is really doing well, and knows what it's going to take to over come this, and get back to normal or as close as possible. We are so Proud of Him, and we know you are too.

Mon. 20 Jan. 2003
Here is a photo of Billy today just before the Dr.'s visit (below). As you can tell, Billy is in good spirits *wink*. The Dr. removed the last drain today (visible in photo), as well as his epedural and catheter. You can also see the "chest tap" in his upper right chest area, this is where he receives his Chemo. and any other meds while in the Hospital .Billy is so glad to be rid of all the things that tie him down! He was visited by the other surgeon who assisted Dr. L with Billy's surgery, and he couldn't say enough about Billy's progress. He really didn't expect Billy to be able to stand for at least a couple more days, but check this photo out! Billy standing up 3 days after reconstructing his right leg! Here Billy's is standing up with the help of his physical therapist (below). Can you believe it?! We are all amazed at the efforts Billy has made in every aspect of his battle with Cancer. He refuses to let this monster get to him in any way. Yes, he is in some serious pain, but he knows it won't last forever, and is anxious to get on with it. We are so proud of him, and I just can't stop saying it! Aunt Ana will be staying with Billy tonight at the Hospital (thanks Ana)*wink*.
If all goes well, Billy will probably get to come home on Friday. He is scheduled to start his next round of chemotherapy on Monday, so at least he'll get a couple days off at home. Well, I'm going to see if I can do some updating of this website. As you can tell it needs some tweeking, I haven't had the time lately *wink*! Good Night ...

Tue. 21 Jan. 2003
Hello all, let me apologize for the error in my HTML and images the past couple days *wink*, I guess I have a good excuse huh! My personal proof reader has brought a few "faux pas" to light! I'm sure there will be more until I get my head on straight, but I hope you understand! Thanks Kat! Any way, today started off on a bad note. Billy did not feel very well, and really didn't get a rest last night. He got a room mate at 2:30 am, and was up ever since. He had very bad pains in his belly just about all day. He was able to go "poo" a couple times which worked wonders. He finally got comfortable this afternoon, and was able to get to stand up a few time today. His new brace arrived as well and he tried it on for size, and it was a perfect fit. He will have to wear it for A few months until his leg is strong enough to support his weight. The Dr. is so impressed with Billy's progress that he will let him go home tomorrow after physical therapy! Can you believe it! They have given Alicia and I instructions on how Billy is to move with his leg, so we are confident that Billy will be just fine. The Dr. also said that Billy's chemotherapy will probably restart in 2 weeks instead of Monday! which gives Billy a few weeks to be at Home and recuperate. All the thoughts and Prayers must really be working! Thank you all!

Wed. 22 Jan. 2003
Well here he is (photo below)! Can you believe it, 5 days after surgery to replace Billy's femur and knee he is attempting to walk from the car to the house. Dr. L visited Billy last night and came to the conclusion that Billy is well enough to go Home (Billy agreed)! We brought him home around 1:00 this afternoon. We put his new brace on his leg, and he had a wheel chair ride to the front door where I met him with the car. It was pretty touchy getting Billy into the car but we eventually got it right! The brace keeps his leg straight, and it can't bend. I imagine it will get easier the more we do it! Here is a photo (below) of Billy with Aunt Ana as we came home, Aunt Ana and Billy coming home after surgeryfrom the Hospital. I remember some one had requested a photo of Billy and Aunt Ana here on the web site! Ana left this afternoon for a trip to San Francisco, she is due to return next Wed. for a few more days before she heads back to New Jersey. Thanks for all your help Ana *wink*. I had to modify Billy's bed so that he didn't have to bend so far to get in and out. I raised it up another 8 inches, so he has an easier time of it. There are a few things he is not supposed to do while he is healing, and bending past 90 degrees is one of them! The last thing he wants to do is pop his hip out of it's socket! Billy will be visiting the physical therapist for the next 7 days, and we have to visit Dr. L in Tampa so he can remove Billy's bandage and look at the incision on Friday. I really can't wait to see it! Thank you all once again for all of your help during and after Billy's surgery, he really came through it with flying colors!

Fri. 24 Jan. 2003 (One week after surgery)
Hello every one, I hope this update finds you all in good spirits. Billy visited his surgeon today at his office in Tampa. Billy's incision - Here is a photo (below) I took of Billy's surgical incision. I hope you all don't mind this photo, and please don't view the larger one if you are sensitive to this type of thing. I just figured you all are privy to Billy's situation, and have been from the start . Dr. L said that Billy is by far one of his best patients, and that he is doing far better than expected at this point in his recovery. There is minimal swelling in his leg, as well as great healing of his incision, and as you can see it is a quite large one, It extends about 4 more inches up under his shorts.
Billy received another Buc's Championship shirt today, thanks Ms. C and Mom. Also Billy received a card and gift certificate (toys R Us) from V&J from Floraham Park, NJ; Thank you Both!! Billy is really looking forward to his rehab which started the day after his surgery! his next session is on Tuesday, but the real PT will begin after his chemotherapy is complete in about 6 months. In the meantime, he will do his PT at ACH a couple time a week.

Sun. 26 Jan 2003 "Super Bowl Sunday"
Well, after 27 long years Our Buc's are in the "Big Game"! I can tell you one thing, this house will be "rock' in" come game time! Billy is probably the biggest Buc's fan there is, and he is so very excited that his team is in the Super Bowl! Alicia is preparing one of Billy's favorite football meals, "Super Bowl Chili"! Slow cooked in a crock pot! Yes, it is one of our favorites as well!! So, are you all gonna watch the game? Who are you rooting for? GO BUC'S!

Mon. 27 Jan. 2003
Boy, Billy is one "happy camper" today! The Tampa Bay Buc's really acme through in a big way last night by winning the Super Bowl 48-21! It has been a long time coming for our home team, but they can finally call themselves "CHAMPS"!
Billy will be going to the Hospital tomorrow for his blood tests, and will be having some physical therapy as well while there. He is feeling very well, now even more so!! We will find out tomorrow when his chemotherapy will resume as well. Aunt Ana will be heading back to N.J. tomorrow, it has been a wonderful visit and she has been a Great help as well as a positive influence for Billy as usual, he really enjoys her company, and so do we *wink*! Thanks for all your help Ana!

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