(Written by Susie Brockmann, Billy’s mother) Billy was 2 ½ when he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. We were given the option to go to St. Jude with him for treatment. We were in treatment for another two years but Billy experienced seizures throughout the treatment due to the medications. Approximately two months after his diagnosis Billy was in remission.
We traveled to Peoria, Illinois, for maintenance therapy that Billy weathered fairly well, aside from some rather bad allergies. The doctors said this is sometimes due to the cranial radiation that Billy received.
By the time Billy turned five he was doing well and we were praying that he was out of the woods. Due to his illness he entered Kindergarten at the age of six. He loved school and the family seriously felt that we had beaten the disease.
During this period of time I was asked to join the Alpha Alpha chapter of ESA International in Illinois. Due to my association with St. Jude and ESA being the single largest contributor I felt that connection. St. Jude had given my son a chance for life and I owed them greatly. So I joined ESA and loved it. ESA’s purpose and the socialization with other women were good. Billy was growing into a fine young boy during this time. He wasn’t having any major medical problems due to his therapy. St. Jude checked him annually in Memphis and at various times in Peoria when I had a sudden concern over Billy’s health. Things were going well for Billy and the family.
Billy did well until he was nine. In December 1998, he awoke with a sore throat and told me he didn’t feel well. Since it was the day before Christmas break we kept him home from school. Our Christmas plans were to visit the Grandparents. I packed Billy up and we went to his pediatrician to check things out. By this time we had another son, new baby, Andy. As I entered the parking lot Billy went into a Grand Mal Seizure – non responsive and this is where our nightmare started. Billy was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and was later diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. The cause was unknown, but it was a possible side effect of intrathecal treatment and cranial radiation. Billy was freed from leukemia, but was now going to die from a brain tumor.
Billy was given 18 months to live with radiation treatment. His right side became paralyzed and he was eventually on Hospice care. We had Billy after this diagnosis for 11 months. He made it to his 10th birthday in March, which we were happy for since he loved parties and people.
Dave, Andy, and I had wonderful support from our family, friends, and ESA sisters throughout this horrible time in our lives. After Billy died on November 28, 1999, Jamie Atchison, my ESA sister, made an announcement at one of our meetings to establish a memorial educational scholarship fund in memory of Billy with the ESA Foundation. We were touched naturally and agreed that this would be acceptable. Dave and I decided that we would make it a scholarship for students who were studying or going into the field of medical research within the state of Illinois since that was where Billy was from. After some additional thought, we have broadened the major of study somewhat to include engineering since Billy loved building legos.
Dave and I are very honored that the Alpha Alpha chapter has put forth every effort into establishing this in memory of Billy. We can never bring Billy back, but knowing that so many people care helps us. Our hearts ache sometimes when we remember Billy at fundraisers for his scholarship, but it makes us feel good to honor his memory as well. Billy was a fun-loving boy who loved being with people and loved to play and have fun. We think this is something he would have wanted.
