Billy's Page #14

Fri. 28 Feb. 2003 "Happy B-Day to my Dad in Heaven"
Hello, and welcome back to Billy's Page. No it's not my Birthday today *wink*, It's My Dad's Birthday, he passed away in 1972 (age 41), and would have been 72 today.
We were to be admitted to ACH yesterday for another round of chemotherapy, but we were sent home because Billy's blood counts are far too low to begin chemo. His blood counts will be checked again on Wed. at which time we should be admitted (fingers crossed). This puts Billy back a week in the protocol, which was a 48 week treatment of chemotherapy.
Billy did very well at his physical therapy session yesterday. His therapist is concentrating on getting Billy to bend his knee more, and getting him to lift his knee from the horizontal position. Billy is really getting around well on his crutches; he moves alot faster than with the walker.

Tues. 4 Mar. 2003
Good day to you! I hope this entry finds you all in good spirits. Billy has been doing very well in his recovery thus far. He has been involved in taking his FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests) the past couple days, and has one more tomorrow *wink*. These tests will decide how well schools teach the attending children. The schools will be graded on how well their students score on these tests, which in turn decides the funding the school will receive. I'm not too fond of this process, but what to do *wink*.
Billy received a package today from D. Gowland at Osceola Magnet School (Vero Bch.,Florida). The box contained and autographed baseball from Ken Griffy Jr., a hat from the LA Dodgers, a T- shirt from Osceola Magnet School, and an Angel ornament! Thank you ALL so very much! Thanks to Barry! and Vikki & the gang at A.F. too! What a Great Surprise!
Billy will be having his blood counts checked again on Thursday when he is re-admitted to ACH for his next round of chemotherapy. This is a 3 day session , and will require Billy to stay at ACH until at least Sunday (fingers crossed). I will enter his room # as usual when he is admitted for those of you who like to call Billy when he is in the Hospital.

Thurs . 6 Mar. 2003 (Room # 262 bed B)
Billy was admitted today at 11:00 am. He is in good spirits, and feeling well. He had an electro-cardiogram, and an echo-cardiogram this afternoon. He has these procedures done every couple months because the chemotherapy can effect the heart muscle. They also want to take a look at his port and it's connection to his artery. All seems well. Billy should be in the Hospital until at least Monday.

Fri. 7 Mar. 2003
Hello everyone! Billy was feeling the effects of the chemotherapy just about all day today. He did try to eat, but would give it all back a short time later *wink*. He had another physical therapy session this afternoon in which he concentrated on the bending of his knee. He is progressing well , but can be a bit more enthusiastic *wink*.
The Son of one of the nurses that visits Billy will be coming tomorrow to see him. They have a date to play (battle) in one of the trading card games! Billy is really into that stuff, and really amazes everyone with what he's learned about it. I have no Idea what they are talking about, but they sure enjoy the game's!

Sun. 9 Mar. 2003 - Home!
We're home! Billy was released this morning, and is resting in his own bed! He is very weak from this round of chemotherapy and is really not feeling very well. Alicia and I took advantage of the 80 degrees and sunshine to catch up on some much needed yard work, we're both beat! We are expecting some thunder storms this evening which should help us out a bit to settle all the ground we tore up! We're getting ready for some spring planting outside to brighten things up a bit, if you know what I mean *wink*.

Wed. 12 Mar. 2003
Touch and go last night *wink* . Billy had a bit of a fever last night, but it never got above 101. It peaked at 100.6, and this morning it was all but gone. He really needs some time at home before his next chemotherapy session.

Let me talk a bit about Billy's Forum (inactive). I hope you all will take part in this forum, a way of getting to know each other. You've all been following Billy's progress for the past 6 months, and you probably don't know the person who was here before you. Feel free to add your comments to the forum, other's can reply directly to you, and you to them, via this forum. I'm sure there are alot of you out there with alot on your minds, perhaps going through the very same thing as we are and would very much like to talk about it; go right ahead. I will continue to monitor it, and add my comments when warranted.

Thurs. 13 Mar. 2003
Billy on his way to get his blood counts checked (3-13-03) Here is a photo I took today of Billy (below). He is on his way to the Hospital to have his blood counts checked. As you can see, Billy is looking pretty good although he is a bit under the weather. He seems to have a bit of a cold, and sore throat. The sore on his foot has not yet healed and is giving him some trouble. His blood just doesn't clot as quickly as if it would without the chemotherapy. We have to be very careful because of this because Billy is prone to infection when his counts are as low as they are. Billy's fever has been hovering around 99-100 for the past couple days, and his energy level has been not quite as high as we'd hope for it to be. He understands that he will be back in the Hospital sooner than expected if his condition should get worse. He is scheduled to be re-admitted for the next round of chemo next week, so every day at home is very important.
Billy finished his testing (school) yesterday, and was told by his teacher that he is doing quite well considering what he is going through, and we're glad *wink*.

Fri. 14 Mar. 2003  (room # 270)
Well, we were hoping Billy could have lucked out this round *wink*. Billy's fever spiked at 102.4 this evening and he was admitted tonight at 9:00. It is so great to be only 2 miles away from ACH, they were all waiting for us when we arrived. Billy was put in isolation because of his fever and the fact that he has a terrible cough. They started Billy on fluids and anti-biotics. Alicia and I are also feeling a bit of the flu, Alicia went to her Dr. today and has an upper respiratory infection, which will probably lead to an attack (exacerbation) to her MS; lets hope not *wink*.

Sun. 16 Mar. 2003
Well, I guess you can say that this is the worst Billy has felt since this Journey has begun. His fever is still around 100-102, his cough has not gotten any better either. Billy received platelets and a blood transfusion this afternoon as well; he looks so weak and pale I had a tough time staying with him all day, I really hate to see him like this. The look in his eyes at times is like no other, and all I can do is hold his frail hand and tell him it'll all be over soon enough and you'll feel alot better; "I know Dad, I know", is what he'd say. I hate this helpless feeling, and I don't wish it on anyone.

Wed. 19 Mar 2003
Hello All *wink*. I have been very sick the past few days, as is Alicia and Billy. Billy is still in the Hospital with a very bad sinus infection, and a fever of 102 + -. Alicia has been tagged with the very same as Billy. She has an upper res. infection, and is on anti-biotics as well. Everyone at the Hospital is very upset because this all could have been prevented. Billy's room mate during last weeks chemotherapy session had a very bad cough, and we brought it to the attention of the Hospital staff, but Billy wasn't moved. He came home for 3 days and was right back sick as all ---heck. Yes, Alicia and I are upset over this episode (can you tell). Billy is due to start another round of chemo next week, but it looks as though he'll be pushed back another week now. Tomorrow is Alicia's Birthday, I stopped and picked up a card for Billy to give to her; he was so glad I did and cried a bit because he thought I'd forget because I was so sick *wink*. I assured him that I would NEVER forget, and he felt much better.

Fri. 21 Mar. 2003
Welcome back to Billy's page. Well, we are all on anti-biotics now. Billy has a bacterial infection (strep), and is on high fluids as well as nutrient's to keep his strength up. He hasn't really eaten anything by mouth in a few days, which is why he's being fed this way. His weight is also down to about 55 lbs. He was 78 lbs when he became ill. It is getting harder and harder to see him like this, and I have been kept away because of my being sick as well which makes everything much more difficult. Alicia has been spending every night at the Hospital (a week today), and she is not feeling all that well either. She comes home for a couple hours a day, if she can get away, to also take care of herself. Billy's Mom, my Wife, is such a loving, and caring Mother; The likes of which I have never ever seen before, I am so very proud of her, and Love her Dearly.

Sun. 23 Mar. 2003 - Home!
Billy was released today at 2 pm. He is still very weak, but in good spirits. We are all gonna sleep well tonight I hope, *wink*! Billy will be on anti-biotics for the next 2 weeks, and will probably not resume his chemotherapy until then. This illness has pretty much used up his resistance, and he'll have to get his strength back and his counts back up before his body (and mind) can handle the next round of chemo.

Thurs. 27 Mar. 2003
Hello to All of Billy's Friends. Billy is doing alot better than he was during the past couple weeks. He has been visited the past 2 days by our local Police Officer in charge of the D.A.R.E. program, which has to do with the "say no to drugs" program. This is a course in studies for 5th graders that is needed for graduation to the 6th grade. Billy has taken to it very well, and will be tested next week as to what he has learned. This is a very good program in which children are taught about peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, and smoking. Billy also attended physical therapy again today. He still has limited use of his leg, but he is getting stronger. The past few set backs didn't help any either *wink*.

Ama and Apa left for North Carolina yesterday; they are going to see Billy's Uncle (their Son) Fernando, who is heading out to the War zone next week, He is in the Marines.

This just in: Billy will be re-admitted to ACH tomorrow morning at 10:30 to resume his chemotherapy, We just received word from his Dr. We really thought he would be able to recover some after this illness he just had, but I guess the Dr's thought otherwise *wink*. They are really taking no chances with Billy's cancer, and since his counts are at 1500 it is ok to resume. Oh well, now to tell Billy.

Sun. 30 Mar 2003 (room # 262)
Hello everyone. Billy is on his 3rd day of 5, in this round of chemotherapy. He is holding up well, and eating good. Before I left the Hospital tonight he asked me to say "Hi" to all his Friends on the Net! So..............."Hello from Billy"! Every thing is pretty much back to normal as far as Alicia and I being sick as well. Billy should be in the Hospital until at least Wednesday, and it looks as though he will be back in the Hospital for his 11th Birthday, the 18th of April. Providing he isn't hospitalized with a fever after this round.

Wed. 2 Apr. 2003 - Home!
Yes, Billy is home! He was released this morning, and is resting in his own bed. He is feeling fairly well and is not suffering any ill effects as of yet from this round of chemotherapy. Billy was surprised to come home to a package from Alicia's Uncle Meliton (Chicago). He had taped the Super bowl game and sent Billy a copy! Billy was soooooooooooooooo Happy! Now he can relive the Dream over and over again! Billy was also given a large Bucaneers pillow by the people from Child Life at the Hospital. Thank you!

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