Sun. 13 Oct. 2002
Hello, and welcome back to Billy's Page. Alicia and I are home ( together )*wink*. Ama is spending the night at the Hospital with Billy. Today was a very stressful day. Billy's fever never went below 101 today so this afternoon he was given Hemoglobin (cells that carry oxygen in the blood), and Platelets (the clotting elements of the blood). He was also given a transfusion (Blood products added directly to the body) of 1 pint of whole irradiated blood. Billy handled this procedure fairly well. Billy did manage to eat some today, although his jaw is very painful and his mouth is sore (side effects of Chemo). It doesn't look like Billy will be coming home tomorrow, and I guess it is just as well. He is better off in the Hospital where he is in the best hands.
Billy's Hair is really starting to fall out *grin* (get those hats in the mail!!), so when I got home Alicia cut off MY hair! I couldn't convince her to do the same though!! I kind of like it ..................NOT! I hope Billy likes it!
Mrs. C., Billy's Kindergarten teacher visited him this afternoon as well. He was really happy to see her, he was one of her favorites. Thank you Mrs. C. for coming, it meant alot to Billy (and us). Until next time, Good night.
Mon. 14 Oct. 2002
Hello to all Our friends. I am including the snail mail address once again for all of you who have inquired as to where you can send your "hats"*wink*.
Wm. Alan "Billy" Gowacki
c/o
4013 Bluefish Dr. SE
St.Petersburg , Florida 33705
Thank you all for your kindness. It will be great to have something Billy can put his hands on from all of you around the world who have kept Billy in your thoughts and Prayers.
Billy's fever has not gone down to the point that the Dr.'s are comfortable, so he is receiving another transfusion today along with some morphine to help with the pain he is feeling .I am at home today, I feel as though I am coming down with something, so it is best I stay away from Billy. It's going to be very tough to not be able to give him a kiss goodnight or goodmorning. It's very tough to be away from him, I can honestly say "I can't stand it". He is in such a fragile state now, and he really needs all the support he can get. I will try and write some more later when Alicia updates me as to Billy's condition.
Well, Alicia just stopped home to bring Ama. She said that Billy is still very uncomfortable with his mouth pain, but it seems to be easing up a bit. I talked to him on the phone as well, and he seems to be in good spirits, and can't wait to come home *grin*. His fever has also eased up a bit, it was at 100.5 at 4:30.
I hope you all have a good night, until next time.
Tues. 15 Oct. 2002
Hello again to all our Friends. Billy had a surprise this morning, he was given an Autographed hat from the Florida State University Football coach Bobby Bowden. ( com 'on Gators, *wink* ) Billy is a BIG fan of ALL Florida College Football teams. He is also to be visited by the Childrens dream Fund later today.
Thank you all at WA and UWAG for your Thoughts and prayers, I knew I could count on you *wink*. I spoke to Billy a couple time already today, he is in good spirits but has to remain in the Hospital a few more days until he is more stable. He is scheduled to start his 2nd Chemotherapy session on next Tuesday (the 22nd), so I truly hope he can come home for a few days before then. He will have to spend at least another 6 days in the Hospital for this treatment as well, so you can see why it would be nice to have him home. He has only been home 4 days in the past 3 weeks.
Well Alicia is home for the night. Ama will be spending the night with Billy. Before she went to the Hospital, Ama made stuffed peppers for dinner, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!! Thank you Ama! Billy's fever has been around 100 for most of the afternoon, which is a good sign. He managed to eat some as well. He really doesn't like the fact that his hair is just about gone. He doesn't want to be seen *grin'. Wait till he see's me !! I hope to get to see him tomorrow, I miss him. Be well, good night.
Wed. 16 Oct. 2002
Hello, welcome back to Billy's Page. I have just returned from the Hospital, yes I visited with Billy today! You didn't think I could stay away another day, did you? Billy was in such a great mood, smiling and laughing for the first time in I don't know how long. It was so nice to see him this way (as a tear rolled down my cheek). His fever had leveled off at about 99 or so, with any luck we should be able to take him home tomorrow (fingers crossed). As I said earlier, at least he'll have a few days at home before his next chemotherapy session. Billy has managed to get a few smiles out, and as I sai , he is feeling much better. He won't take that hat off though!! His Blood cultures all came back clean, which means that a virus, and or infection didn't cause the high fevers he's had. They were in fact just the side effects of the chemotherapy as expected. His white blood cells are on the rise as well, which means his body is recovering from the chemotherapy too. We will have to have his blood counts checked twice per week to ensure that they are recovering. When they reach the normal levels, he will be ready for his second treatment, and we do this all over again *grin*. I'm read , are you? Alicia is at the Hospital for the night. She had a good night sleep last night at home. Please be sure to have a good night, until next time.
Thurs. 17 Oct. 2002
Hello to All Our Friends! I have just returned home after a day with My Son. He was in such a good mood to hear how much everyone was thinking about, and Praying for him. He just can't get over the fact that persons from around the world are getting to know him, and now consider him a member of their extended Families. He said, "I have more Friends than anybody"! I told him that he is a very Special Boy, and that the Love for him is Greater than any Love. Thank you all, for putting a smile on Billy's Face.
Billy wasn't able to come home today, although his blood counts are on the rise, Maybe tomorrow. The make a wish Foundation met with Us today. Billy was asked what he would like to do. He wants to meet Ryan Styles , the tall skinny guy on Drew Carie and "Who's Line is it anyway". He really likes his humor, and they are going to try and set up a meeting in Cleavland for Billy and Us to meet him, and possibly the rest of the cast! Can you believe it! Out of all the things a child can wish for, he chose this! Thats why I love him so muc .
A lot of you have asked for certain information about Billy, so I've included all this information on the Info "page" . Here you can learn a bit more about Our Precious Son . Also the Hats are starting to arrive ! Thank you so much! A few T-Shirts arrived as well! Not to mention the many Cards Billy gets daily! We can't thank you all enough, perhaps one day we can. Until next time ,be well.
Fri. 18 Oct. 2002
Hello All! How 'bout an early update today? Good! It is 1:25 pm, we just got home from the Hospital, Yes , with Billy! He is soooooo Happy to be Home. As we walked out of the hospital into the Florida sun he almost cried. It feels so good, he said. The sun on his face.
We have to be back at the Hospital on Tuesday for an MRI of his le . They want to get a picture of what the Chemo has done to the tumor's. We are schedualed to be re-admitted on Thursday to start his second session of chemotherapy , and another week in the Hospital. Billy's blood counts were almost at normal levels, and rebounded nicely. We still need to be cautious with what he comes in contact with, and who. Billy had a chance to review his guestbook, and websit . He just can't get over all the many people from all over the world who are holding him in their thoughts, hearts, and Prayers. Billy says "Thank you so much". "Thank you for taking this Journey with me, it's scary all by myself". Billy's Mom and Dad say, "Thank you too, with all our hearts".
**Below are a few pics of us! Sorry for the bad photo's the hospital lights aren't the best and the tech back then (2002) wasn't as good as today!
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