He posted this earlier today.

I will send some prayers your way right now

I'm really sad to hear you have that cancer, we are praying for you
God works his miracles every day, hopefully you will soon be one also

Bless you and the family Billy

Fight,fight with all your might

Man this hurts really bad...we love you Billy, and will pray for you and your family through this. If you need something, anything, just let us know please. I hope to talk to you soon!

Stay strong Billy! You and your family are in our thoughts.

Prayers to the entire Gebhart clan and may Billy kick Cancers butt. My son passed a few months ago due to Cancer. The last pic I have of him and I was DragWeek 2017 taken by Billys daughter.Squirrel,Hemi Joel and Jerico GTX along with Billy were in the pic.Fight your azz off buddy.

Think I can say everyone here is pulling for you brother.

Mike

Prayers sent for Billy, stay positive and strong brother.

Prayers sent with more to follow.

I am having a hard time accepting the fact that you have cancer. You are to great a guy to have it. I will let the other Mopar guys in the valley know. I am praying for recovery to to come as soon as possible.

Raul

I'm so sorry to hear this. May God bless you and your family Billy. We'll be praying for you!

Prayers sent Billy!

Prayers on the way and God Bless. Ron

Prayers for Billy and family.
Doug

Prayers sent, hang in there dude, just remind the big c that your drag week tested and kick it's butt!

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts...as others have said, if there is anything we can do, let us know.

Prayers sent from another moparts family member

Get well!!

I hold you in my best thoughts all the way over this side of the map. Bless you, Billy

Oh no.... Best wishes for a favorable outcome, and comfort to the whole family.

Billy, this is a tough break for sure! We are all praying for your recovery ! God Bless!

Prayers sent from the Gentry household
Get well brother

Cancer sucks. Having gone through bone Cancer with Mom and Alzheimer’s with Dad it’s not an easy road but I’m sure you are a fighter and can take this head on. You and your Family are in my thoughts and Prayers

Thoughts and prayers.
Beat that cancer like it owes you money !

Billy needs all the prayers, love and positive energy we can muster sent his way. He is one of the good guys and we need him around a lot longer.
Bill Lamb

While you are going through this I hope you can enjoy life as much as possible.

Very sad news indeed.

Wishing you and yours all the best for a successful battle with what lies ahead.

I'm sorry you and your family are going through this, wishing you and your family the best for a positive outcome.

Jon

Thoughts and prayers to a speedy recovery to you and your family,Billy.I can imagine how hard it was to lose the 50lbs,but it is going to do a world of good to you and your family in terms of strength and mobility to battle and recover from this illness.Case managers generally available through your insurance co.to help you co-ordinate your resources to receive your best care options.Be strong, bro.Again, prayers for you and your family. Bill

HOLY CRAP ! i just don't know what to say !
billy, you are a tough guy, so i know you will give a good fight ! in the meantime, all the best being sent to you and your family !!!!!!!!

Does the family have a GoFundMe account set up for accepting contributions to help offset the expenses? Thoughts & prayers ain't gonna pay the bills...

Prayers for you and your family Billy.

My family will have you and your entire family in our prayers to beat this. Stay strong and fight! And Brads idea is a good one if anyone knows let us all know.

Man I hate to hear this! Hell of a nice guy and family...met them on drag week this past year.
Prayers w/ you Billy!

awww man. Praying for you Billy!

Prayers sent......Cancer sucks....

Praying that you beat it and get the win light. Way too many people getting cancer. Take care.

You don't know me but I feel like a part of your family reading all your dragweek stories over the years. You are a major inspiration to me every time I feel like giving up on something. I think of all the trails and tribulations you went through getting through dragweek and the impossible timetables you and your family work through to attend it.
I think what would Billy do, and then, more often than not, I accomplish want I thought was impossible.

My family and I will be praying for the best possible outcome. A long happy life with your family.

Prayers sent with more to follow. Hang tough buddy!

He's on my FB and saw his post and commented, prayers to him and his family. If they need anything, I'm sure many of us here would be willing to help out however we can.
You got this Billy!!

Praying for speedy recovery!

Jeff

Get well Billy! We are pulling for ya!

Get well soon!

Prayers for you and yours, for a full and complete recovery.

So sorry to hear your'e dealing with this, Billy. Prayers sent your way ...

Prayers sent Billy

Very sorry to hear this, Wishing you the best of luck, we are all pulling for you.

Damn. Prayers to you and the family hope you beat this!

praying for you and your family

Prayers sent for you and your family at this time

Billy, you have my number. NinaBill and I will be there for anything you need. She beat cancer in 2017 and We are praying you will beat it too.

You will be in our prayers...

I'm praying hard for you Billy! We all need you to get well

Prayers that you can beat this Billy, and Brad and Al are correct on some financial help, I know you have a strong family to help

Get better Billy!

Thanks for all the kind words guys, it means so much to me. So far the "pain mangement" part of my treatment has been consistently behind by two or three weeks, which is wrecking any chance at quality rest. I think we are on the verge of taking care of that problem, but it's been hell so far.

Hope all goes well

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.


Mark

Hang tough Billy . Praying for peace,rest and healing.

Unsettling news to say the least. Many prayers for Billy and the entire Gebhart family.

MoparBilly, God bless you and your family and the very very best wishes.

Sorry to hear this Billy, All the best to you and your family. keep fighting brother.

Kim and I send you and your family our prayers and best wishes for rest and recovery. Hang in there Billy!

Scott

Thoughts and prayers on the way. Hang in there.



Tim

Read this note yesterday and My wife and I praying for your speedy recovery.

Prayers sent may God bless you and your family in your time of need.

Horrible news, will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Get well Billy, Praying for a positive outcome.

Prayers sent for you and the family Billy..praying you beat this and soon!

Prayers sent for you and your family

praying for you billy!

I am praying today in the name of Jesus!

Billy, its inspiring to see so many of your friends & Moparts members praying for you and your family & my prayers for God to heal you are included, too. Jesus says He'll honor our prayers for eachother & that's what just helped me overcome a glioblastoma brain tumor removal so I'm praying it'll be there for you, too.

We are all praying for you !!!

Good Luck Billy, don't give up the fight! Rick Kolber

The very best of luck Billy wished!
Keep a bottle of Nitrous at hand to spray the crap out of it once a while!

With about 40 degrees of timing and a pig rich tune up. That should knock the rods out of it.

Stay positive.

Kevin

You are definately in my prayers Billy
You are probably the most loved and respedted person on Moparts and l know u can beat this. It will not be easy, but if l can beat cancer you can too
God bless you and your family and pray hard my friend

Prayers ascending!!

Hang in There Billy and Family, Hope you pull through ok - you seem like a tough SOB

Best wishes and prayers from over the ditch downunder

Al

I don't know what they are doing to manage your pain, but a Dr. I worked with used to do an injection that went through the aorta and targeted the nerve bundle that controls the pain in that area. Patients said they got relief for a few weeks with this procedure. I hope all goes well for you. It is a tough cancer to fight.

You're right Billy, you are in God's hands now. I pray as His will is done that he share your pain and shower you with His loveing Grace. I pray that same Grace will comfort your family and friends also. What ever your future holds please make sure you are right with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That being through repentance and Love for Jesus Christ. May God be with you and comfort you.

Billy this was horrible news for me to hear. I will will be praying for you everyday. Asking God for a miracle for you. He has granted them in the past and I have no doubt they will continue into the future. Jim Pierce

Hello All.

This is MoparBilly's oldest daughter Randi. (The one who doesn't go to drag week and wears holes in her rotors and breaks cams in her street car.)

It is day 10 of MoparBilly up here as an inpatient (pun intended) at CTCA.

Let do a recap and get every one up to speed.
4/10 - Diagnosis - Went to primary care doctor with back pain and concerns with 20-25 lb weight loss. CT scan found masses in pancreas and liver. Bilirubin @ 0.7
4/12 - Dad let the close family know at Bruce/Skippy's birthday dinner.

Thursday 5/9 (aka Day 1) - went to sign up for clinical trials with Dr. Tan at CTCA. There was concern with his now 50 lb weight loss, fevers, and he had abdominal pain. Labs were taken. Treatment plan was for a chemo port to be placed Monday.
Thursday 5/9 (Admission) - Labs came back showing elevated white blood cell count of 20k (possible infection/cholangitis), and Jaundice (bilirubin of 6.4). Treatment plan became celiac plexus block for pain management and a consult for a liver stent.

Friday 5/10 (Day 2) - Under went procedure for Celiac plexus block. Pain was much better controlled with block, fentanyl patch. Overall a good day and Dad/Billy got more sleep than he had in 2 weeks and things were looking up. Blood cultures/x rays taken to confirm signs of pneumonia as fever and chest congestion was reported.

Saturday 5/11 (Day 3) - Overall a good day. Physical therapist came to review and prevent deconditioning. PT recommended rest and short walks 4 times a day. Blood Cultures were still pending. He was on liquid diet as necessary post op, but there was growing concern with malnutrition and low sodium levels. MRI showed no biliary obstruction but did show increased tumor burden. X ray was still pending to confirm pneumonia in left lung. Highlight of the day was a wonderful visit with Darryl Frary. At this point Mom Holly Gebhart was also very sick from stress, cold, work and sadly could not join at the hospital due to fever/possible contaigent, so Rachael and I took lead on staying with Dad/Billy with occasional help from Benjamin who is also trying to help at home.

Sunday 5/12 (Day 4) - Sepsis/pneumonia/cholangitis suspected. Taking antibiotics & waiting on cultures and results. Tolerating liquid diet. Highlight of the day was a visit from John Bycroft and Ryan Giacone.

Monday 5/13 (Day 5) - It was a day of disappointment. Jaundice was worsening. We were expecting more information and more treatment only to find out Dr. Tan was out of the country (possibly in China). We were told it was less like that it was pneumonia, so the antibiotics were switched up to start fighting sepsis/cholangitis. Port placement for chemo was delayed. Sodium was still low and doctor were very concerned with malnutrition/inability to eat normally. At this point, we started keeping a log of food and medicine and other notes as days were starting to run together. Family members are now "debriefing" each other as we cross being up here to keep Dad on track with goals for eatting/movement/pain management. Bright side of the day was a short visit from Bruce, his grandson. We also a great respiratory tech Nicole who explained what we were fighting against with shortened of breath. Our excellent night nurse, also named Nicole, gave us some education and assigned us a very experienced day nurse named Brook.

Tuesday 5/14 (Day 6 - a day of ups and downs) We had an excellent nurse named Brook, who went above and beyond to make sure we got good information and he wasn't in pain. Nocor made him loopy, so she reached out to the pain specialist and we switched to dilaudid, but his blood pressure dropped so we doubled fluid IV were given to bring it back up. Understanding our growing concern regarding the liver/jaundice, Brook reached out to the GI specialist and a plan was made for additional testing with an endoscopy (camera down the throat) and a stent procedure depending on the results. GI even used a racing analogy when explaining possible benefits and risks. Brook got a hug from a grateful patient at the end of the day.

Wednesday, 5/15 (a long day 7) With the endoscopy and possible stent scheduled. Dad/Billy could have no food or drink after midnight. It was a anxious morning spent waiting for them to come get him for the scope. Finally at 10 am they came to take him down for imagining. He was placed in a waiting room and saw 3 other procedures done while I desperately tried to catch up on work projects I was behind on. He was finally brought back to the room around 4:30 pm, very groggy and sore but after a successful stent surgery which had immediately follow after the results of the scope.

Thursday, 5/16 (a busy Day 8) I had to go into the office to work but Dad/Billy got plenty of attention from Rachael as well as Mom (who had no fever) and the Oklahoma crowd who just made it into town: Bill, Brian/Boone, Dale, Darren who were all down to show their support by sorting and selling Dad's many spare car parts to help prepare for the pending hospital bills. After all that post op excitement, Dad was given some Ambien to help get well rested over the night...
This was a mistake. Ambien has several side effects Dad experienced. Most concerning of which were confusion, hallucinations, and mood swings which had us up every hour to hour and a half. It was a very rough night with neither him or I getting very much sleep.

Friday, 5/17 (Day 9) With our severe lack of sleep, irritation was running high for Dad and I. He continued to bloat, retain water, had a lack of appetite, and fatigue. Staff continued to encourage eatting and movement, but at this point both were a struggle with his swelling belly. We were also still concerned with lack of information. Rachael had gotten us the log in information for the CTCA patient portal and we were finally able to see the results of blood work and cultures taken days before. Dad had been getting blood draws daily with the assistance of ultrasounds each time. With more than a week of this, it was getting old and decided he should have a PiccLine installed to allow for the blood draws to be done easier (even if he was sleeping). Doctor also noticed swelling in Dad's arm and order an ultrasound. We continued to express concern with his belly/gas and an x ray & urine test was ordered.

The morning was anxious. While waiting we wanted to be taken for imagining, we to get Dad a shower. We waited 45+ minutes for our nurse to bring is towels and fresh gown before I asked another nurse. After the shower, we were told they would be coming to get him for the ultrasound. He had to go to the bathroom first and I asked the nurse for a few moments to get him cleaned up. She readied the wheelchair and disappeared. Once done in the bathroom, we sat 20 minutes waiting for her to reappear and take him down. At this point, I reached out to the nurse team lead, who told me imaging was running behind and it would be another 20 minutes. The lead came in to inform us of this and discover that his antibiotic, which should have been administered at 6 am, had not been popped and activated. He had been without his antibiotic for the last 6 hours. I was livid.

Dad remained in the chair waiting, exhausted and falling asleep sitting up for another 45 minutes before they took him down. Knowing that I was highly agitated, after the ultrasound and PiccLine, Dad sent the awesome tech to let me know what was going on and that these procedures at least were going smoothly.

On the way back up, in order to best position the wheelchair and transfer Dad back to bed, I move the recliner against the entry way wall. Our assigned nurse, who had kept is waiting and messed up the antibiotics, told me in couldn't be there or she would need to remove it from the room. I snapped at her. She had the gall to tell me "she didn't need my attitude." Fuming, I highly considered putted her head through the wall, but she lucky decided to leave the room at that time. Dad told me to sit down before I got myself banned from the hospital. Thankfully, we only had 2 hours til shift change and I decided I would let her live. The next time she came in, it was with the very handsome and jovial tech who talked to me while she finished up, so she must have had some survival instincts. I did apologize for my "attitude" before she went home and I highly doubt that they will assign her to us again during the remainder of our stay.
During this visit, the tech, Jon, weighted Dad first with the bed and then with the standing scale. Dad had gone from 125 KG to 140 KG. For those of you who don't metric, that is a 33lb weight gain over the course of 6 days. I was shocked and concerned and asked if we could see a doctor. Dad also expressed that he was at an eight out of ten pain level. We waited 45 minutes before I again tracked down another nurse to get him the requested pain medication.

By the time the doc came in, Dad had finally had enough of this very trying day and fell into some good sleep. His Dr came back to talk to Papa and I. He came in again concerned about Dad's eating and movement. He said that he would consult a nuerfrologist/renel/kidney Dr for the case but that we were taking Dad off fluids. He said that Dad would continue to retain fluid as he didn't have a stent. I politely freaked out and had to convince the Dr that Dad had already gotten the stent. I showed him the paper work we had received afterwards. Thankfully, I keep everything and had been keeping track because' despite supposedly having just got off the phone with the GI, he didn't know Dad had a stent!

He lamely wrapped up that we would keep an eye on liver function as that would likely be the concern of Dr. Tan upon his return to qualify Dad for the clinical trials.

Feeling frustrated, I was watching Dad sleep and noticed short quick breathes. Not sure if this was an issue, I stepped outside and happened to see our previous wonderful night nurse, Nicole, coming on shift. She came in to check on him, let me vent some frustration with our day and offered to reach out to the night shift doctor to come meet with us.

The night shift doctor very politely let me and Rachael vent about the events of the day. She actually examined Dad's swollen belly and said we would have to get and ultra sound to determine if the amount qualified for a drain procedure, but being Friday night that he could not get it before Monday unless it was an emergency. I was furious that the early doctor was more concerned with his arm and blood clot and moving than the abdominal swelling and discomfort, as he could have had something done about it. Now we were looking at waiting the whole weekend with him in discomfort.

The night doctor indicated that if we had made them aware of the swelling and the weight gain that it should have been addressed. She order an emergency ultrasound for Saturday and requested a care conference between all Dad's doctors for Monday. She left detailed notes for our day shift doctor on Saturday. She change out the Ambien sleep aid for a much more effective sleep/pain aid and we all got some better sleep going into Saturday hopeful.

At the end of our visit with the night shift doctor, I was still feeling frustrated with our day shift experience. I asked if the was anything we needed to do to better communicate. Nicole, my favorite night shift nurse so far, said we were doing everything right. She praised our log and said that most patients don't have strong advocates for care like Dad does with our family. She commended Rachael and I on our log and keeping track. It helps to know we are doing all that is with in our control to get Dad taken care of.

After a shower and a meal I was feeling much better. Papa (Bill Gebhart) was a world of help as we shared responsibility of checking on Dad through the early morning hours.

I will tell more once I get a little more sleep. Need to prep for day 11.

For those of you who want to help in some way -
Thoughts and prayers always help. He has been looking at what you've posted.
Dad is selling several car parts to help cover pending hospital bills. You can get in contact with my uncles about what's available.
Dad could use a few visitors at the hospital, but we don't want to flood him.
And we are trying to get his back yard cleaned up for him before he comes home. We could use some help on Monday.
Feel free to email me @ Iamafish101@aol.com for more information.

Wow!!!

I mean....... just wow!!

Hopefully the level of care improves for him.........it’s frustrating just hearing about it.
I can’t imagine living it.

Still sending good thoughts your way.

So sorry to hear all of this. Prayers and strength sent immediately your way from my family!

Thank you Randi for the up date.

Billy you are blessed to have your caring loving family! I am still praying for you and your family

Thank you for the updates! He's very lucky to have you guys looking out for him.

Been praying everyday for Billy! Super sad to hear about all of the mess you guys are dealing with. Please tell him Brian and Fred from IMM wish him the very best and will continue to pray for him.

Randi, please tell Billy, NinaBill and I are praying for him. NinaBill is having medical problems now. So I have to stay close, but will be with you with good thoughts and prays.

I been watching this like I've been gut punched, Billy is a friend I've never met and I have lived the Drag Week experience though his writing. Health care is complicated and having active advocates is vital. Best wishes from Steve the Skeptic, and a warning. There are plenty of snake oil salesmen that prey on sick, scared people and their families, just beware and run any "alternative medicine" by the doctors first, many are harmful or will reduce the effectiveness of real treatment.

Randi,
Thanks so much for the update. Sorry this has been so tough. You are all in my prayers.
Bill Lamb

I sure hope things start getting better and they can at least get his pain managed!

Thanks for the update. I'll continue praying for y'all.

Thanks for the update on Billy...We will be thinking of him and your family. Hang in there and keep us posted!

Thank you Randi.

You are the best possible advocate he could have.

The experiences you relate with hospital staff are all too familiar.....I assumed a similar
role for my Father back in the summer of 2012.

Wishing your whole family strength and comfort. Hang in there Billy!

Thanks for the updates. We are still praying for Billy to beat this deal. Going through this can be very tough hopefully they can come up with a great treatment plan and get him some pain management while they are working on the best solution. Pain management can be tricky especially with the type of things he is dealing with but I am sure there are some smart folks there doing the very best they can under the circumstances.

Stay strong and keep being his advocate, it is the best thing you can do. Tell everyone there we are praying for them and to keep doing what you are doing. Surround him with your love and support while being his best advocates.

Thanks Randi for the updates, I can't imagine dealing with that many doctors, nurses, specialists and so forth, would drive me nuts, glad he has you all to keep an eye on him,,,and them!
I will contact one of the brothers about parts, but is there a GoFundMe account or something of the sort for us to help pitch in?

Randi, thanks for the updates. My wife spent a year in the hospital with me by her side as an advocate. I learned quickly that being an advocate for her was the most important and challenging job I ever had. I learned quickly that if we didn't understand something or were not comfortable with something, to speak up and have them explain it until we did. Billy, my first drag week afterwards, your kind words meant a lot. I continue to pray for your healing and peace for you and your family.

Thanks for the update, our thoughts and prayers will be with you and Billy.

Thoughts are with you all from the PNW

Stopped by tonight and said hi to his brothers. They have a plan to move the parts and cars. In the end it's just stuff but when the chips are down and you need help his three brothers took a week off work and drove a 1000 miles to take care of family. May we all be this blessed in tough times.

Amen to that!

prayers sent.

Not trying to make sour grapes but many of the "Dr." on duty at many hospitals are interns serving their internships so not all of them are as good as they will become later with more experience
Randi, keep a sharp eye on all of the folks working on your Dad just like your doing

UPDATE: Not the news we hoped for. "Not a good time for the Gebharts my friends. I hate to put this news out here like this but i know that there is a whole racing community of you guys that know and love my father Billy Gebhart, and i feel a responsibility to let you know that we things are not looking well. Unfortunately my dads time is running out and it is very devistating it has been decided that he will be on palliative care and we are trying to keep him here at the cancer treatment center in goodyear so he can be as well cated for and as comfortable as possible as long as he has left. You may contact me if you have questions."

So sad. I pray for God's grace and comfort for the whole Gebhart family. Cancer has taken three of my family members, my mother and two cousins.

I am very sorry to hear about this. Prayers for peace and comfort for all.

That is sad news indeed. Billy, I'm still praying for you and for Rachel and the whole Gephart family as well.

Lord please watch over the Gephart family in this time of need....

Hoping for the best possible outcome.

really tough to hear. i just don't know what to say..................

Love ya Billy!

Gosh I second this:

really tough to hear. i just don't know what to say..................

Let's all wish for a miracle!

Alright guys. Wanted to give you some details. Most of you know that my Dad was at one point known as "Red Light Billy". In his typical fashion he is trying to get off the line before his time.

We had finally got out of inpatient care, and Dad had 2 good days at home. We came back to the hospital to get his chemo port in and his white blood cell count was too high to count and his blood was too thin to safely complete the procedure. He was admitted to inpatient but it was determined his liver is no longer healthy enough to continue chemo. The last couple of days have been hard as he has been struggling through pain and brain fog. We have switched to palliative or comfort care. He's on morphine and is in a lot less pain.

We have elected to remain inpatient at the Goodyear Cancer Treatment Center of America. It is safer as Dad is such a big man; we need some help keeping him clean, safe and comfortable. We are not sure how much time we have before he has to go through tech for the big race upstairs. If anyone wants to visit you can, but he is mostly sleeping/uncouncious now.

I will keep everyone up to date on what happens next and will be planning a big memorial here in Phoenix as well as another one in Oklahoma. I'll keep you posted on times and dates of both. Dad said he wanted us to get together and celebrate his life at the end.

I also want to get together all the drag week stories and get them bound and published as that was something Dad always wanted to do and ran out of time. I am hoping to have it ready by Drag week 2019 so Dad can be there in spirit. We may create a kick starter to get it done. I'll keep you guys in the loop. I also want to try to finish up Drag week 2018 as well. It won't be the same as Dad's writing but I can't leave his story unfinished. If anyone wants to post some drag week memories or some pictures I'll be looking on here or you can reach me at 602 488 2695 or iamafish101@aol.com.

Thank you Randi for the hard news.

Thank you Billy for taking the time to bring us along on your adventures, the storys are some of my Moparts favorites.

My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. Rod McGregor

Tell your dad for me "Bios Condios, Muchacho" (SP)
In Espanol it means Go with "God, ,my friend" have a safe journey

Prayers sent from the Gentry Family

This is a big kick in the gut to the Mopar, and Drag Week community. I have been lucky enough to meet, and talk with Billy, Rachel, and the brothers, at Drag Week since 2015. At least once every year, Billy, and I, had about a hour long conversation about life, cars, and just some laughs. In 2017, we were in Cordova Illinois for the start of Drag Week, and I had asked Billy what changed his mind about going that year since he had considered taking the year off? He looked right at me and said, "Monte (Smith) passing away, really got me thinking. I really only get to spend a couple weeks a year with my brothers, and family, and I'm not passing up the opportunity to make memories with them, as we just never know when any of our times up."