When Life Hands You Lemons...

Today is Billy's birthday!

He's smiling, witty, and making the best of it.  He's sporting a new look...not his first choice, but when the chemo started making his hair fall out, he decided he wanted to do something about it.  Some of the hospital staff brought up the idea of shaving.  "Do you know anyone you'd want to shave your hair?" they asked.  "Oh, my sister would love to do that!" he said (not knowing that I had never used an electric razor before).

We started on his hair on Tuesday evening.  Bobby had picked up a new electric razor from the Red Cross, and it was charged and ready to go.  It took a while to finish, but I think it turned out really well!  It's a new look for Billy--one he's never worn before.  But I think he looks good!  [Even if I do say so myself. :-)]

The whole process was a little bit of heaven for Billy, I think.  Ditching the hair felt great.  (I also took care of the beard.)  Then, I got one of those waterless shampoo caps, and my mom and I massaged his head.  He loved it!  We toweled him off, and then put lotion on.  The expression on his face said it all.

For a bit of camaraderie, Bobby decided to ditch his hair too.  Here's a new photo of the partners in crime...

Billy and Bobby

And here are all the siblings.  Me.  Four brothers.  And a new sister as of last summer (when Blair married Bobby).

Back, from left:  Chris, Bobby, Blair. Front, from left:  Michelle, Billy, Danny

You're welcome to post birthday comments for Billy.  He's been reading the blog, so he'll see them.  He's snoozing now...so we'll do birthday stuff later.  I can't fill you all in on the plans yet, because we're trying to keep some of them a surprise.  I'll share details later.

We're going to celebrate well today...but we have to be creative.  A birthday in the hospital is a new challenge.  And Billy is NPO...which means nothing by mouth.  (Well, he can drink water and eat jolly ranchers.)  But there are fun plans in place...and it should be a good day.

We keep hearing that Billy has defied the odds.  He was "septic" last Thursday, meaning that his infection was REALLY bad.  Many of the medical staff didn't expect that he'd make it through the weekend...but he did!  And he's doing really well.  He's on an "up"...

Now, we're on a pause, of sorts.  I want to write more now, but I've been attempting to get this finished all day...there's more to tell, but it's Billy's birthday.  I'll write more later.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support.  For the time being, please pray for the infection in Billy's left side.  It's spreading from his abdomen, down his leg.  Pray that his body would heal quickly, so that he doesn't need surgery.