Tues. 29 Oct. 2002
Hello All, and welcome back to Billy's Page. We went to the Hospital this afternoon to have Billy's blood counts checked. His blood counts were high, but should be on the decrease over the next few days. As always, this is expected, and puts Billy back in the vunerable state, or prone to infections. His Dr. did say that it was Ok for Billy to attend class tomorrow at his school, if all his class mates are in good health. He is very excited about it, and can't wait! It has been seven weeks since he was last in class. His class mates don't know he is coming though! They will be just as surprised as he will be!
We all (Alicia, Ama, Fernando, Billy, and Me) went out to Dinner tonight. We went to Shell's, a seafood Restaurant here in St. Pete. Billy had his favorite, Snow Crab Legs! We all had a wonderful time, and enjoyed our evening out. Ama and Fernando are going to Disney tomorrow, before they head down to Miami where they will meet up with Jorge, and Apa at Juani's house. They plan on staying down there for a couple weeks, and will return here, on their way back to NJ. Good night All, Be Well.
Wed. 30 Oct. 2002
Hello, I hope you all had a great day. Billy had a wonderful day at School today. He spent about 4 hours there, and was very happy to see everyone. He is going to try and go again tomorrow if he is up to it. Bill came home to yet another surprise! There were a couple package's waiting here for him. The first one he opened was a cap sent from Costa Rica (Thank you "T"), and an Autographed (By Ron Zook, head coach) Poster of the University of Florida Football team (Go Gators). Thank you Coach Zook! Billy was sooooooooo Surprised, and yes, the poster went up on the wall next to Brett Favre, and Tyrone Williams, just below the Buc's!!
Ama and Fernando left for Disney this morning, and called a short time later as they were ready to board their 1st ride!! Have fun you two!!
Thurs. 31 Oct. 2002
Happy Holloween! Billy went to School again today, and had a great day. It didn't start off too well though *wink*. Billy had eggs and toast for breakfast, and he managed to keep it down about 10 mins. He insisted on going to School, and had no further episodes; and he came home with a bag full of candy! It is really good to see him upbeat, and participating in his School activities. He is going to try and go to School between his chemotherapy treatments, as long as he feels well and the other students are in good health. After his surgery he'll probably be unable to attend School for some time, so he wants to get as much time at School in as possible. This is a Great attitude, and we commend him for it. Alicia and I want to thank everyone, Students and Teachers at Lakeview Fundamental (Billy's School), for the warm welcome you've shown to our son in his return to class; THANK YOU ALL!
Fri. 1 Nov. 2002
Welcome back to Billy's Page. Billy never made it to school today, he didn't feel too well. He did get another surprise though! Apa (Alicia's Father) and Jorge (Alicia's brother) arrived at our home this afternoon. They will stay for a few days before heading down to Miami. Billy was very happy to see them, as you can imagine. Billy and Jorge will probably be up all night playing Football Footballon the Play station II, they have a real big rivalry between them!! Well, I hope you all have a great evening.
Sat. 2 Nov. 2002
Hello, and welcome back to Billy's page. Billy had a wonderful day with his Uncle Jorge. Apa and Jorge are now on their way to Miami. Ama and Apa are coming back to see Billy on their way back to NJ in a couple weeks. They're going to spend some time in Miami at Juani's House. Billy misses them already!
Billy is feeling pretty good, he hasn't had a fever as of yet, and we have our fingers crossed that he doesn't *wink*. Be sure to have a wonderful evening, and we'll talk again tomorrow.
Mon. 4 Nov. 2002
Hello All. Had a fairly good day yesterday, Billy and I watched some football. Both of Our teams came out winners, Billy's Buc's, and my 49er's! Billy is starting to feel pretty lousy, which unfortunately is expecte. It is very difficult for him to swallow even soup. He realizes that it is very important for him to eat, and is very upset that he just can't, He is very weak as a result.
His at home teacher spent a few hours with him today, and he did well. It is very hard for him to concentrate due to his discomfort. Billy has lost about 12 pounds, and can't wait to get it back *wink*. We are schedualed to be at the Hospital at 2:00 tomorrow for his bi-weekly blood tests, if his fever is up he'll probably be admitted. We are schedualed to start the next chemotherapy session on the 14th of this month (5 days in the Hospital). Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Be Well.
Tues. 5 Nov. 2002
Billy was admitted to the Hospital this afternoon. His temperature was 102, and he was so very weak. His blood counts were at rock bottom, his platelets were also at the lowest. Billy was then given anti-biotics, and a transfusion of blood and platelets. He has tried to eat but can't due to the pain in his throat. I really had a hard time with the way Billy looked , but hid it from him as best as I could. Alicia too, became emotional while Billy was being treated. Billy has lost 15 pounds (not 10), and looks so frail. I truly thought this would be a good thing, writing about Billy's treatments. I truly thought this would be a much needed outlet or a way to cope with Billy's cancer. It is so very hard to live this, and then write about it. I will continue to try and update this Journey on a daily basis, but please understand if I miss a day or two now and then. We depend on all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and support more than you know, and Billy sure needs them, and you. He also needs me, and Alicia to be strong, both on the outside and on the inside. I don't want to let him down.
Billy should be in the Hospital for at least 4 days, or until his blood counts are up as well as his platelets and hemoglobin. As with his previous round of chemotherapy, he'll probably get a couple days at home before his next round of chemotherapy is schedualed to begin Nov. 14th, or at least we hope so.
I hope you all have a good night, please keep Billy in your thoughts and Prayers. Good night.
Thurs. 7 Nov. 2002
Hello All, and welcome back to Billy's Page. Billy has undergone a couple of days of intense treatments to fight his fever, and overall weak condition. Today was a great day for Billy as far as his condition compared to a few days ago. He woke up in a foul mood but ate breakfast, and had some more meds, and came out of the poor condition he was in. Billy livened up to the point that he even took in a couple of hours of Schooling. His teacher came to the Hospital for his studies. He is doing Great with the progress in his studies as well.
Billy had speggetti and meatballs for a late lunch, along with one of his favorites, celery with peanut butter!! It was just sooooooooooo wonderful to see him come around. Dr. G. said that if all goes well, Billy will be able to return home tomorrow afternoon . Of course his blood counts will be very low still, but his fever should gone. It was normal all day today, as it was evident in his chearful disposition!! Billy received another hat yesterday, one from the Gators. His Uncle Fern got it for him! He also got another package from Universal Angel Foundation. I didn't open it *wink*, but I think I know what it might be! Thanks Kiddo!
Fri. 8 Nov. 2002
Hello All. Billy was released from the Hospital today. His fever had subsided, and although his blood counts are still very low, his Dr. said it was OK to go home. He, as always, must be careful as to who he comes in contact with. The slightest infection such as a cold can put him back in the Hospital. We still have to give Billy an injection of GCSF until his blood counts are back to normal. We are to be at the Hospital on Monday to have Billy's blood counts checked again. If Billy's blood counts are up (they should be) he will be re-admitted on Thursday the 14th for another chemotherapy session. This session will cosist of the other 3 chemotherapy drugs, and will be administered for 5 consecutive days. This again, will knock Billy's blood counts down and cause another cycle of what we've just been through. But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, we'll try to enjoy the next 5 days or so with Billy at home.
Billy received another hat today. It was from The Osceola Explorers (here in Florida), Thank you Mr. S. (Principal). A few of the Teachers from Billy's School are coming to surprise him later this afternoon, this should be fun!
Fun it was *wink*, Mrs. J. and Mrs. C. stopped by and to OUR surprise, brought with them Dinner! Not just any Dinner, a whole Ham, Salad, and Desert. Thank you soooooooooo much. It couldn't have come at a better time. Alicia had just said to me that she was truly too tired, and that if I minded if she didn't cook! Certainly, I wouldn't have, but neither of us had to! This was truly a surprise!
Sat. 9 Nov. 2002
Hello All, It's Saturday and you know what that means! As you can tell by the football image above, it's college football day! The Gators are on pay per view, and Florida State is playing Georgia Tech (and winning). Miami is leading Tennessee. The Buc's are off tomorrow, so Billy will have to watch the Fin's beat the Jets (sorry Jorge)!
Billy is feeling pretty good today, and again asked me to say "Thank you" to All of you for your support, thoughts and Prayers. He looked through his guestbook again today, and can't believe that over 400 of you have added your comments, thoughts and Prayers. I hope you all have a good night, and Be Well.
CLICK HERE for page #8