Please let us welcome you, our friends to what will be our Journal on the Process we'll go through, the Mountains we'll climb, the Trials we'll face, the Pains we'll suffer, the tears we'll cry, and the Hope's we'll have.
Please understand, that this is intended to aid in the way we will cope with the fact that Our Son Billy Has "Cancer". This I hope will be a form of outlet that Billy's Mother Alicia and I can turn to in our Times of Need. I in no way, want to force any of you who will come across these entries to read them. I only hope to share with you, our friends; through these writings, our Love for Our Son and Only Child, Billy .
Wed. 18 Sept. 2002
Our Son Was Diognosed with an 8" mass in his right Femor (thigh bone). Futhur examination by the Dr. revealed that it was one of 2 things, 1: an Osteosarcoma - ( bone cancer ) tumor, or 2: Ewingsarcoma. Never the less, we were devastated. We were counseled as to the possibilities, and the prognosis. We didn't like what we heard.
Yes, Billy was just as scared and confused as we were; which lead to a sleepless night. He is such a brave boy.
Fri. 20 Sept. 2002
We Visited All Childrens Hospital ( where Billy will be treated ) again, and Dr.B-- . He went over the x-rays with Alicia and I as Billy listened in. If you have visited the link above ( ewings sarcoma ), you would now know what we do; as far as what we are possibly up against. You will have also learned that this is not a rare case .
After our counseling session we returned to Radiology to pick up Billy's "Prep Kit". Which consisted of an awful tasting liquid used in the CT scan Process. Yes, a CT scan ( cat - scan ). This test will tell the Dr's if in fact, Billy's Cancer has begun to spread .
Billy had a hard time keeping the liquid down. This was a Very Important part of the CT scan. The liquid is a form of "tracer" that absorbes into the body at points where the Cancer may have spread. Fortunately, Billy had retained enough to have some fairly good images taken, the Radiologist informed us. She also commended Billy for being such a Brave Guy. After all, this was his very 1st IV ( intra - veinous ). We should have the results on Monday when we head to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Institute in Tampa for a visit with the Pediatric Oncologist for a Biopsy on Billy's Leg. So, until next update; bye for now.
Sat. 21 Sept. 2002
Today has been an uneventful day, by which I mean nothing terrible has happened "grin". Billy said that he slept very well last night. He is taking a very strong pain med., and it really knocked him out. we watched some football today, our Gators ( University of Florida ) won!
Billy was able to keep his food down today as well. This is a good thing, he has been terribly upset and had a nervous stomach. It seems like forever until Monday, but I guess now is a great time to get used to it. We want to thank all of you, our friends; for the out-pouring of love we've received in this, the beginning of our journey.
Sun. 22 Sept. 2002
Beautiful day today here in Sunny Florida *wink*. The day was filled with Football. It is 6 pm as i update Billy's Page. I added a few more pages to this site, as you can see. Billy has received some very nice Get Well Images, and I added the pages to post them. There will be a link to the Get Well Images on each page. You can find the pages as numbers under the Text that says "Get Well Cards and Images" below. Please have a look at the Beautiful Images that Our Friends have made for Our Son. I will try and keep those links as up to date as possible too.
Billy has had a good day. His Meds are controlling the pain very well, and we are nervously awaiting tomorrow. We want to thank all of you who have signed Billy's guestbook (deactivated), and entered a pin to his guestmap. Billy is just amazed as any 10 year old can be as to the vastness of this world, and the fact that his Prayers are coming from around the World. Have a good 'nite.
Mon. 23 Sept. 2002
Well, here it is; Monday. We just got off the phone with Dr. L--.( 9:00 am ) . He talked to us about his plans for his Biopsy. We are to have an MRI at 3:00 today to give him a good Picture of the area of Billy's leg that he wants to take the Sample(s) from. He revealed to us that this was an Aggressive form of tumor, and that the sooner we get in to it the better. Billy will Be admitted to All Childrens Hospital ( in St. Petersburg, Florida ) on Wed. the 25 th. The Biopsy will be done by making an inssion ( 1 in. ) in Billy's upper thigh. Most times, the resultes are immediate; but can take a day at others. Billy will also have a "chest tap" (IV site port) installed in his upper chest at this time as well for his future Chemo - Therapy. The Dr. also informed us that even though this is an aggressive tumor, it dosn't always involve an amputation. We have our fingers crossed in either senario. He also made it clear that this is a Very Serious Cancer ( as all are ), and that we are in for at least a year of treatment., including one or more operations.
Well Friends, I guess this is it. I feel as though I was just hit in the chest with a 25 lb. hammer. Alicia ( Billy's Mom ) seems to be a bit tougher than me at this point considering her own condition. For those of you who don't know, Billy's Mom has MS ( multiple sclerosis ). I am going to step back from this computer, and take a deep breath or two. I'll add additional text to Billy's Page after we return from the Hospital, and the MRI.
12:30 - Father Gibbons from St. Pauls Catholic Church had just come to Visit with Billy. He anointed him with Holy Oil, and said a Special prayer for our Son. This was very Special for Billy, and the two of us. He received Holy Communion as well.
6:30 pm - We just got home from All Childrens Hospital. Billy had an MRI done of his leg so the Surgeon will have clear pictures of the tumor for the Biopsy on Wed. morning. They had to give Billy another IV as well, to add the "Contrast" to his system. Billy did very well being in that "Tube" for an hour. The Radiologist allowed Billy to see some of the images that were produced by the MRI, and Billy noticed the stark difference in the images of his legs. He said, "Wow, no wonder why it hurts so much".
I will add the Address to the Hospital here in the Journal when we know what Billy's Room # will be on Wed., so that any one who would like to send Billy a card or a letter of support can. Also , if any of our Friends out there would like to send a "Cyber Card" that I can add to Billy's Get Well Cards Pages, please create them to be no more than 200 x 200 pix. This will aid in the placement of the Graphics on the pages, Thank you all *wink*.
Tues. 24 Sept. 2002
Hello, welcome back to Billy's Page. I truly hope this is serving the purpose I have intended it to serve, and that nobody is offended by it or it's content. I feel this is the Best way to keep all of you, Our Friends, informed without the feeling of intrusion.
Billy insisted on going to his School today to see all his Friends before having to go to the Hospital tomorrow. Of course we let him go, and everyone was soooooo happy to see him! Billy attends Lakeview Fundamental School in St. Petersburg. Billy is taken to school each day by Alicia or myself. He hasn't been to School since the pain in his leg got to be unbearable, around the 12th of this month. We are very fortunate to be a part of this School. We were assured that Billy will be attended to as far as his studies are concerned. He will be tutored a few days a week while in the Hospital, and when he is able to return home. He will also be able to attend School on the days he feels well enough to, after the start of his treatment. For this, we are grateful.
Billy's Dad here again! Billy wanted me to tell you all that we had a very nice Dinner at The Outback Steak house. Billy had Prime Rib, with a sweet potato. He wants everyone to know "it was the BEST", and the coconut shrimp wasn't bad either!! We are gonna make it an early night, we have to be at the Hospital by 8:00 am. I asked Billy if he would mind if I took some photo's, and he said it was OK! So, I'll try and include some photo's in the next few updates,*wink*.
I just took this photo of Billy. I hope it shows up Ok to you, the visitor's. I really wanted to get a photo up on this site before Billy goes to the Hospital in the morning. I'll probably re-arrange it a couple times before I am satisfied with the way it looks *wink*. He is in his Bedroom by his desk. He wanted to stand up for the photo as well! We will all be turning in for the 'nite So, once again let me thank you all on behalf of Alicia and myself, for all the thought's and Prayer's that have flowed to Billy from all over the world. Please look at his " Guestmap" below and see what I mean! If you haven't added your pin to it, please do; and feel free to leave Billy a message in the guestbook as often as you like (hint)! So, until tomorrow; Good Night.
CLICK HERE for the next page