The counts were starting to drop, but nothing drastic. Ricky showed no signs of infection, so we prepared for the big trip south.
The first night we stayed with relatives in Fresno. It was an easy four hour run. The next day we arrived at our trailer park in Orange. The next morning I called Stanford Children’s Hospital to see about the results of the latest blood work. The news was not good. He had no white cells at all; the hemoglobin was low, and the platelet count was less than 12,000 (50,000 is normal). Just a bump and he could bleed.
Now Ricky’s temperature was 102. What to do? Here we were. Ricky was so eager to go to Disneyland. All the arrangements were made. OK, I’ll give him some aspirin. We will be careful and WE WILL GO.
No one knows with what fear and trembling we made that decision. A wheelchair was provided at the gate and one of the guides gave Ricky a stuffed Mickey Mouse with a Mouseketeer hat. We went everywhere a wheelchair could go.
Ricky laughed at the bears in Country Bear Jamboree, especially the old hound bear singing, “Blood on the Saddle.”
But the best of all was “It’s a Small World.” We went down the exit ramp and they held the boat while Dale carefully lifted Ricky in. It was a beautiful, delightful ride we will always remember.
Ricky was beginning to get tired so we went back to the trailer to rest. Ricky’s temperature was back to normal.
That night I dreamed I saw Ricky running through a field of tall grass.
The next day we went to African Safari. Ricky could see all the animals from the car window by sitting in the tilted front seat.
Then we had to go to March Air Force Base for more blood work. The cells were building back.
After looking at a lot of brochures, we decided that the Hollywood Wax Museum would be the best place for a wheelchair. Universal Studios would be fun, but there was too much “on and off” traveling there, and the tour was too long. The wax museum was interesting. Ricky liked the Star Trek best of all.
On to Edwards Air Force Base and more blood work. The cell counts were looking good now.
Ricky loved seeing Dan again and Jason, our two-year-old grandson. Dan was stationed at Edwards AFB. Jason didn’t know what to make of Ricky in that cast and brace. We went on a picnic and Ricky lay on a blanket on the grass.
Life was fine.
Chapter 18 to follow
