Heading Toward His Nadir, Po' Crittuh (But Miraculous Photos!)

I would have written sooner, but I kind of feel bad when I put up bad news, because it seems to upset people, then I feel guilty, and Bill kind of says, "Well maybe you should've played that down."

So I don't know what to do! I guess I'll just keep telling the truth, and if you get upset, then go have a nice hot toddy. hahaha.

Bill was fantastic on Wednesday after the shot, due to steroids and helpful IVs. Thursday, pretty great. Friday, crash 'n burn. Saturday, so sick I couldn't leave him. Sunday (today), markedly better than Saturday.

Though it's a calculus, when I say "better." Because some things are better, but some are worse.

Mainly, fever, bleeding, pain, nausea, ((((dry heaves as early as 4 am))))), red burning skin, extreme fatigue, irritability, sadness, moments of hopelessness, hair gone, and NOW throw in a new anxiety: an MRI to see if the Red Devil did anything to the tumor, or if the tumor is just continuing to grow. That's coming up and seems like it will be a HUGE turning point in his life. No date yet. May not happen until July. But! His mouth sores didn't strike this time! Prayers answered! What a huge break that was. And then, getting some days of feeling good, like a vacation from all the suffering. Huge, unexpected blessing.

Next event is just a blood test this week, and an IV drip if his blood test is bad. The following week will be the last Red Devil before the MRI to check on whether the tumor is shrinking. I'll post as things occur.

NOW FOR SOME GOOD NEWS! A STORY OF LOVE IN PHOTOS!

A friend of mine from high school, with whom I interact daily on Facebook (Clifford), went to Univ. of Fla. as did Bill. To these guys, apparently a Gator Brotherhood is a higher status than even blood brotherhood. Because Clifford has taken on an indescribable weight of compassion for Bill, even tho they've NEVER MET! Cliff has sent Bill flowers in Gator colors, sent me a card and encouraging messages, sent Bill a huge package containing Bill's new favorite tee shirt, a Gator Nation shirt, AND a really, really nice Gator Jacket, big, and padded and warm and beautiful! Bill is more in awe every time Clifford surprises his "Gator Brother" with something.

Well.

The biggest surprise of all came yesterday, when Clifford posted on Facebook, the words: "Solidarity with Bill" and then posted these photos, in this order, to our complete shock and surprise:

First photo: Cliff writes, "Today's shirt" to show Gator solidarity with Bill.

Below: Cliff writes, "Front before Bill." That's Cliff's head.

Below: Cliff writes, "Back before Bill." Cliff's head.

Below: Cliff writes, "Front after Bill."

Below: Cliff writes, "Back after Bill."

If there's any uncertainty about what just happened, it's this: Clifford, who has never even met Bill, just reads this blog and knows Bill through Facebook and through me, SHAVED HIS HEAD in solidarity with Bill! 

I will spare you my reaction which started with shock, followed by awe, followed by tears, followed by 8 thousand posts to Clifford, in essence naming him winner of Greatest Guy in the World contest for the 21st century.

I will end this blog here. Words fail me. Words fail to convey the impact and power of THIS kind of love. Clifford, you changed all of our lives. With LOVE.

"Greater love hath no man than this: that he would lay down his (hair) for a friend."

Speechless and tearing up again,

Beffie and the Bald but not Bald-Alone Cowboy

God Bless Clifford.

And all of you for loving Bill in your own ways. We are changed by your love. THANK you.