BY MARK MCKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
(For more information and how you can help log onto www.billysrayofhope.com)
After almost two years of torment, Billy Caldwell's family were this week given the news they have longed for by an American doctor who says they can stop Billy's intractable epilepsy seizures, allowing him to live a normal healthy life.
The epilepsy specialist at Chicago University Hospital has studied the Omagh toddler's medical history and informed Billy's family on Monday that he is 98% certain that the seizures are being caused by a nerve in the brain, that if removed will cure Billy of his epilepsy.
However, with the elation of this new found hope is the revelation that the medical bill for this assessment and treatment could be up to £250,000, which although shocking, has given Billy's parents, Charlotte and Andy the that extra drive to do whatever it takes to raise this money and save their son's life.
Reacting to this welcome news, Charlotte explained that they are still remaining cautious as they have been told continuously for almost two years by the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) that there was no options and no hope.
Charlotte said, "We are exhilarated at the thought of Billy being epilepsy free. It is unbelievable that he could lead a normal life, but we don't want to get too carried away as it would be too hard to cope with after being told for so long nothing could be done, to get this ray of hope, if something then went wrong. There is still a long journey ahead and there is always a serious risk when it involves brain surgery.
"We had been repeatedly told by the RVH that Billy was not a candidate for surgery, we had asked, we tortured them and were told nothing could be done.
"We were under the impression that they had looked into every option, but now it is emerging that options were available all along.
"I think it is really sad that basically it seems that they didn't want to spend any more money on Billy as they didn't think he was going to live. I think they gave up on Billy, it was a situation were they genuinely believed he was going to die and nothing could be done so sent him home to die. I feel we were abandoned."
With Billy set to travel to Chicago in mid to late August for his assessment, time is crucial to raise these funds as it has to be transferred into the hospitals account before they can operate, giving only another two months to raise this staggering amount of life-saving money.
"We are shocked by the figure of what it will cost, but we have to get the money, it is as simple as that, it doesn't matter what we have to do we will get the money needed to save Billy's life, said Charlotte.
A liaison nurse from the American hospital has been in contact this week and has already arranged a room with bathroom facilities in the hospital for the two to three month duration Charlotte and Andy will be staying with Billy as they never leave his side.
Charlotte said, "I never leave Billy, even when I go to the shower I have a special chair to bring Billy into the Bathroom with me in case he takes a seizure and I can't see him, as every second counts for me to administer his medication and oxygen."
Friends and family have been organising a number of charity events to help reach this huge target to save Billy's life. There will be a 3km sponsored walk in Omagh on Saturday July 21 organised by Billy's great Aunt Charlotte Moore. If anyone is interested in partaking in this event and wishes to receive sponsorship forms, call 02882249964.
Alternatively you can send a cheque made payable to Billy's ray of hope fund to either the UlsterHerald office, 14 John Street, Omagh Bt78 1DT or to 24 Beltany Road, Omagh Bt7 85NA.
