Id like to share with you that on this day, 12 years ago, we were told by Our Sons Pediatrician, that our Son had a large mass (tumor) in his right femur, and that we were expected at All Childrens Hospital ASAP. This followed at least a years worth of on and off pain he suffered through that was attributed to GROWING PAINS by another Pediatrician at the same practice. A Biopsy was done two days later, and we were told that it was ewings sarcoma. Our Son Billy started his Chemotherapy a week later which proved to be a 100% kill of the tumor. Radical surgery to replace his hip, femur, and knee (limb salvage) was done on the 17th of Jan. 2003 and deemed a success. One chemo treatment shy of his protocol completion we were told that the very same treatment to cure his ewings had destroyed his bone marrows ability to produce NORMAL blood cells. He was diagnosed with Meylodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) a pre-leaukemia condition, and that if he were to survive he would need a successful bone marrow transplant. The process was started without hesitation, to locate a compatible bone marrow Donor, and within 3 days on the bone marrow registry, a perfect 10-10 match was found in a 25 year old Male in Minn. To be sure that the bone marrow transplant would have a chance Billys Drs agreed that it would be best to remove the prosthesis that replaced his femur, hip and knee and replace it with a temporary rod covered in antibiotics. The count down was on, Billys immune system was reduced to near 0 as he was prepped for transplant. On March 4th, 2004 the bone marrow transplant was done using actual bone marrow from his donor which was 97% viable. With minimal side effects, the transplant was deemed a success, and in Jan. 2005 Billy had surgery once again to re-install another expandable prosthesis (hip, femur, knee). In April of 2005, just before Billys 13th Birthday, we had the unforgettable opportunity to meet Billys Donor, through a very secretive event held by our dear Friends Eric Horner , Debby Garris Horner, & his Band. Thank you George Hansen for saving our Sons life, we are forever grateful. This past August, Billy graduated from the University of South Florida with a BS degree in Marine Biology / Chemistry minor, and he started Grad School a few weeks later, and due to graduate with his Masters in 2 years (or so). Now, the reason for this dialog is to bring attention to the fact that tonight in Clearwater, FL., Billy and his group of Supporters will be present at the National Marrow Donor Programs Board of Directors Meeting, to which he has become a vocal Advocate for bone marrow donor registration and will be recognized at tonights meeting. We are so very PROUD of him for all that he stands for; for all his accomplishments, and his never say never attitude in the face of adversity. He is the SURVIVORS SURVIVOR, and like His Mother and I, will never stop giving back. Bravo Son..........Bravo. .................................................................................................... Sept. 17-19 Clearwater, FL What: Public Session during Board of Directors Meeting for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)/Be the Match Registry When: Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) Where: Hyatt Regency Clearwater, 301 South Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33767
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:29:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015