Bill’s home – look out!

September 14, 2009
Bill's house after the recent makeover by family and friends.

Bill's house looked kind of like this after the recent makeover.

As some of you already know, Bill’s out of the hospital: hooray! Here’s the story in his own inimitable words:

My stem cell transplantation was a great success. I got out a week early, didn’t have near the side effects that most other people have, fell in love with 15 cute nurses, gagged down 42 hospital meals (finally talked them into frying bacon but they wouldn’t go for the beer), and only exposed my rear end once while walking the halls in my gown.

He’d love to see people, but he also has to be very careful about infection. Here’s what he says about it:

It’s very okay to visit me or bring food, as long as you have no symptoms of any kind of illness. Get a flu shot this fall, though, if you want to continue to be my freind. I have hand sanitizer and face mask here for you. The masks make everyone look like Mr. Ed.

Basically, the same guidelines apply as for hospital visiting, below. But, just as with the hospital, don’t let that scare you away. Bill wants and needs visitors – that’s part of his recovery. And apparently, along with his immune system, he suffered some loss of social skills and is insisting on being called King Bubba again. Visitors will help keep him humble.

Some of us Bill’s Buddies got together with his family 2 weekends ago and did a thorough makeover of his house, to make sure it was both nice, and a clean environment. It looks great. We filmed the whole thing, and it will be airing soon as part of the new show, “Neat Eye for the Messy Guy.” By the way, some of your contributions went towards buying him an excellent quality HEPA air purifier so his new immune system doesn’t have to work quite so hard: thanks again to all who donated.


Caller and band needed for Halloween benefit

September 3, 2009
Oooo, scary, kids: a Halloween dance for Bill!

Oooo, scary, kids: a Halloween dance for Bill!

Sam Keator, an Irish dance caller here in Portland, is planning a benefit dance for Bill this Halloween. He has an established Irish dance going but wants to make this a special all-square dance night, with potluck dinner beforehand. He wonders if some of you out there might want to volunteer to call or play. Write him at sam.keator@verizon.net if you’re interested. Here are the particulars:

  • Where: Historic Winona Grange #271, 8340 SW Seneca St, Tualatin
  • When: Saturday, October 31, 2009

Bill’s got a new room and phone

September 1, 2009

After a week in a room that was freezing in the morning and sweltering at night, Bill has moved to a room where the thermostat works. It’s #693 and the phone is 503-413-8743. We’ve had some great times visiting him and just wanted to encourage y’all to come on by. I know all the precautions might sound a little off-putting, but really it’s very easy, and as I say in the post below, the friendly nurses will help you through it. Please write us (Dave and Martha) at billsbuddies@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns. That gets forwarded to our pesonal emails, and we’ll respond promptly.

He’s continuing to respond really well to the treatment, coming through it like a champ.


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