Billy's Page #13

Tues. 28 Jan. 2003
Hello, and welcome to Page 13 of Our Journey with Billy. I hope this update finds you all in good spirits. Billy visited the Hospital today for his weekly blood tests, and all was good. Billy also had his 1st physical therapy session at the Hospital as well; again , all went well. He will be going at least twice a week to regain the strength in his legs. We learned also that he will be re-starting his chemotherapy on the 6th of February. We should have the pathology reports this Thursday as to weather the tumor in his leg was an active tumor at the time it was removed. Lets keep our fingers crossed *wink*.
Ama and Apa have returned for a few days before they head down to Miami. Billy is sure glad to see them again! as are we.

Thurs. 30 Jan. 2003
Hello, and welcome back to Billy's page. We have some GREAT news to update you with. This morning at 9:00 we received a phone call from Billy's surgeon Dr. L., he informed us that he had received the pathology report on the femur and knee that was removed from Billy's leg. The pathology was that the tumor in Billy's leg was an inactive tumor 100% dead, and that the chemotherapy was successful in producing a 100 % kill of the tumor. He was also very happy to say that our decision to remove, and replace Billy's knee was the best decision he (and us) ever made because that spot close to Billy's knee that puzzled him and all of his colleagues did in fact, turn out to be a ewings tumor as well. This has laid heavy on our minds since Billy's diagnosis in September. Billy was very pleased to hear this news, because he knew that if he (we) decided to leave his knee alone, and that "spot" turned out to be cancer (as it did), Billy would probably lose his leg if the cancer returned in his leg. We are all relieved to know we made the right choice.

Billy is with his teacher now (here at home), carrying on with his studies. He has another physical therapy session today as well. Billy had his 1st "real" bath yesterday since his surgery! We have been giving him a sponge bath as to not get his incision wet. Billy has been cleared to resume his chemotherapy on Thursday the 6th of February; This will be a 5 day session in the Hospital.

Sun. 2 Feb. 2003 
A moment of Silence ...... space shuttle disaster
Please send your thoughts and Prayers to the families of those lost in the tragic events of yesterday .

Welcome back. Billy visited his school on Friday, and was warmly greeted by all his teachers and class mates. I don't get to go to his school that often, but this visit was truly a treat for me. Thank you all at Lakeview Fundamental for all you do *wink*. Billy has enjoyed a quite weekend at home, and was visited yesterday by his Friend Trever. They spent a few hours together battling it out on the Play station!! Billy is going to try and make it to school again tomorrow (Mon.). Today he's anxiously waiting for the Pro Bowl! 6 of the Buc's players are in the game! GO NFC!

Tues. 4 Feb. 2003
Hello to all of Billy's Friends. What a day we have had today. Billy was visited by his teacher today, and spent a few hours at his studies. We went to the Hospital for his physical therapy session this afternoon. Billy walked without his walker!! Can you believe it! He was so very proud of himself, as were we. Grant it, he still needs the walker to get around, as well as his leg brace, but he did in fact, walk about 10 feet without the walker!! He realizes he has alot to look forward to in his long period of physical therapy, and he seems to welcome the challenge.
Billy got a Special package in the mail today. He knows I am a San fransisco 49er's fan, and he was sad (a bit) when his Buc's beat them in the playoffs. He was given the chance to get a hat from any one, or team he wanted. This included movie stars, and or sports stars. His surgeon, Dr. L has a great pipeline to these people and teams. Billy received a hat, signed by the entire 49er's football team! What a surprise! Thank you Dr. L, what a smile you've put on Billy's face! Dr. L does this for all of his patients, and what a terrific thing it is!

Thurs. 6 Feb. 2003 ( Room # 263 bed B )
Hello all! Billy is in the Hospital for his chemotherapy. We went in this morning at 9:30, and started chemo at 4:00 after a couple liters of fluids. This round of chemo has a very bad effect on the kidneys if Billy isn't totally hydrated, thus the fluids! Billy met with his teacher this morning as well, and even got in some physical therapy this afternoon. Ama and Apa got into town this evening, they are going to spend a few days with us and give us a break at the hospital (Thank you) .
Every one can't believe how well Billy is coming along so soon after surgery. His incision is very clean, and free of infection. He is healing very well, and with him back on chemotherapy now, it is a good thing because the chemo can hinder his healing process. The Dr's don't see a problem. We received a copy of the pathology report today, it included a photo of the femur and knee that was removed from Billy's leg. As I said in an earlier update, the tumor's (2) were 100% killed. Dr. L said he'd burn the actual photo's of the surgery to CD for us to have. If they're not too graphic I might post them to Billy's Page for you to experience.

Sat. 8 Feb. 2003
Click photo below to see Our little Angel ! I took this photo today, Billy was feeling kind of "BLAHH" from his chemotherapy. One of those "leave me alone moods". He wasn't much into walking today either. He felt very dizzy when he would stand up, so we just stuck to the exercises he could do while in bed.
Billy is feeling pretty good this time around (so far). He has managed to keep his food down and besides the typical "Blahh" feelings, he is doing just fine. As always, his counts will drop off to "0" in about a week, and we have to be extra observant of his incision, He can't risk infection. Although his incision has healed really well, he does have a blister on his heal that has yet to dry out. We'll have to keep a close eye on it as well. With a bit of luck, Billy should be home sometime on Monday (fingers crossed).

Tues. 11 Feb. 2003 -  Home!
Hello all, sorry for the "lack of info"! It's been really hectic around here! Billy was discharged at 10:00 pm last night (zzzzzzzz)! It is 11:30 am, and he is still asleep! Besides the "chemo blahs" Billy did really well this round. He had a few physical therapy sessions while in the Hospital, and he is now able to bend his knee to about 50 degrees, but his leg is still too weak to straighten out, or bend on it's own. We are to be at physical therapy again today at 2:30. Billy's teacher will be here soon for some schooling as well. If all goes as planned, Billy should return to the Hospital in about 2 weeks for the next round of chemo., but will still have his blood counts monitored weekly. Well , let me go take care of some yard work i've been neglecting *wink*!

Wed. 12 Feb. 2003
Welcome back! Yes, I did get to all that yard work that I've been putting off! The grapefruit are all starting to fall, as are the oranges! This is the peak of the season for the Pink Grapefruit; they are sooooooooooooo sweet! I figure there are at least a couple hundred left on the tree, so if you like sweet pink grape fruit, com 'n get ' em!
Billy had a real good physical therapy session yesterday. He was able to bend his leg to about 80 degrees (with help of course). He is walking better now as well, with the help of his walker. With his brace on, he can put all his weight on his leg. Click for photo (deleted) here is the latest photo of Billy's leg, and his "trophy" femur bone pieces! The pieces even include a slice of the DEAD tumor, which is visible as a whiteish section of the bone, I'll try to get a close up of the piece posted here for you to see. The photo of his incision (page 12) is not all inclusive! There is about 8 more inches up to the top of his hip that isn't visible. He didn't want to pull his shorts up any farther *wink*!!

Fri. 14 Feb. 2003
Hello, and welcome back to Billy's Page. Billy had a great day yesterday. His teacher came for a few hours of lessons, of which went well. Billy is doing very well in keeping up with his school work, and is on pace to graduate to the 6th grade with the rest of his class mates. Billy also had another physical therapy session yesterday as well, he was able to bend his leg to almost 90 degrees and had a good workout. He was able to walk a few steps without his walker, being supported by his therapist. He is really giving it his best effort, and is encouraged by the support he is getting in the process. On the way back from his physical therapy session we stopped at Billy's school so he could meet the Author of a book all the kids received. The Author was still there when we arrived, and talked a while with Billy and signed his book. His name is also Bill, and they have alot in common; Billy also likes to write.
Billy will be having his blood counts checked this afternoon at All Childrens Hospital, and wants to go back to his school to participate in the Valentines day party! Of course he'll go!

Mon. 17 Feb. 2003 ( Room # 267 bed A )
Yep, Billy is back in ACH. We have been monitoring his temp. all day, and it spiked at 101.5 at around 5:00 pm. We took him to ACH at around 7:30 pm at which time he was admitted. As always, we were expecting this. Billy has been doing so well since his surgery. He has some very good muscle movement in his thigh, although his legs are very weak from lack of movement. His exercise routine should be getting a bit tougher as to strengthen his legs more. Dr. L (Billy's surgeon) saw Billy the other day, and was very pleased at how well Billy has rebounded, and wants Billy to try a bit harder at getting his leg working to where he can take off the brace. Billy feels no pain at all as far as the incision; he does feel a bit uncomfortable when his knee is hyper-extended. The tendons in the back of his knee have shortened, and need to be stretched a bit. Be Well, good nite!

Wed. 19 Feb. 2003
Hello, welcome back to Billy's page. Billy is still in the Hospital. His fever has gone down, but his red blood cell count is very low; as is all his other counts. He may need another blood transfusion as well as platelet's, which may keep him in the Hospital a bit longer than expected. His release date is tomorrow (72 hours), we'll just have to wait and see *wink*. Billy had his physical therapy session in his room toda, they really want Billy to move his leg as much as possible to regain the strength as well as muscle tone. Dr. L saw Billy tonight, and told him the same. Dr. L is really pleased at Billy's healing process, considering the chemotherapy slows down the healing, Billy has lucked out and began his healing well ahead of the start of the chemo.

Thurs. 20 Feb. 2003 - Home!
Well, we're home! Go figure!! Billy was discharged at noon, at which time we went up to the 4th floor for physical therapy. Billy had a very intensive physical therapy session today & they should be getting more intensive as the days pass. The next chemotherapy session is due to start next Thursday (3 days).

Tues. 25 Feb. 2003
Hello All! Billy is getting himself ready for his next chemotherapy session on Thursday. He is organizing his things that he takes to the Hospital with him. His teacher was here again today, and spent a few hours with Billy, he is doing as expected in his school work (GREAT!).
Billy is now using crutches to get around, he gave up the walker, and moves alot faster this way. He still needs to wear his leg brace, and will for at least a few more months. Billy is at physical therapy at this time, and is making good progress. He is able to flex the muscles in his thigh, and can almost lift his knee from the horizontal position. Billy's incision has really healed well, between his chemotherapy sessions. As for his hair *wink*, well it is falling out again already. It started growing in after his chemo stopped before his surgery, and is now falling out *wink*. It was nice to see his features again as his hair grew back, he got his color back, and eye lashes & eye brows too; but now he's losing it all again! He say's this is the worst part of the whole process because people know he has cancer, and stare at him. He said, if he had his hair they wouldn't know what was wrong. I told him that in a few years you'll be glad to tell everyone who asks that you are "cancer survivor", and you'll do all you can to enlighten them as to your time spent battling it. Billy truly has grown up alot during the past 5 months since his diagnosis, sometimes I feel too fast.

Wow! What a Great show Billy's class mates put on at the Spring Show! The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders did a fabulous Job! Billy and I went to his school to see the show, Alicia stayed at home and had a very much needed rest. She refuses to slow down, so Billy and I hid her car keys!! (not really)!!

Thanks to All the Staff and Parents at Lakeview for the warm welcome you showed Billy and I *wink*.

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