Spitzzeri set to make emotional return today

There's someone special missing on Kaneland's baseball team this season.

That same someone was absent for most of the boys basketball season as well.

The Knights miss their friend, Joe Spitzzeri, Jr., who was diagnosed with mono that triggered a rare white blood cell immune disorder in early December during the basketball season.

The disorder is called X-linked lymphoproliferative, and it is caused by a defect in the X-chromosome. It is related to a condition known as HLH and is fatal if untreated for 8 weeks.

Fortunately, it was detected early enough, and Spitzzeri is well on his way to recovering after undergoing treatment in Chicago, which included chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Spitzzeri has been home in Elburn here and there, but hasn't been in school regularly since December. He's been living in the city with his mom, Caryn, at Kohl's House, a home for transplant patients.

"It's just not the same without him," said Jay Levita, Kaneland's leadoff hitter. "There's no one to joke around with. Laugher -- he brings laughter to the team."

"He makes everyone get up and is exciting and funny," added Mike Pritchard, a forward on the basketball team and the third baseman. "He really livened up the team."

Levita calls Spitzzeri after every game to let him know how the team did, but he hasn't seen him in about a month. It's been longer for Pritchard and all the other Knights.

That's going to change today, as big things are planned before Kaneland's game against Western Sun Conference foe Sycamore at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva.

Before the game, the Knights are going to honor Spitzzeri with a jersey with his No. 28 on it as well as let him throw the first pitch.

"It's going to be special," Kaneland coach Brian Aversa said. "We are really looking forward to it."

The Knights have also worn a patch of his No. 28 on their black road jerseys to honor their friend.

"We are always thinking about him in the back of our minds," Aversa said. "He's still a part of this team."

They hope this can brighten the spirit of someone who has gone through a lot in the past 5 months.

It was first believed Spitzzeri, a 17-year old junior forward and shortstop/pitcher, had mono. The last basketball game he played was Dec. 8 in an overtime win over Yorkville.

Spitzzeri played most of the second half and overtime and was exhausted after the game. He later began having fevers of 104 and 105 degrees, and it soon became clear this was more than mono.

Joe Spitzzeri Sr., who is also the boys sophomore coach, began seeking the help of others. At the time, Batavia senior Nick Fruendt was also out with mono, so when the Bulldogs and a benched Fruendt came to town, Joe Sr., asked Fruendt a few questions about his illness.

"I wanted to compare," Joe Sr. said. "Nick was good enough to talk after the game, and the symptoms were nowhere near what my son had."

That night, the Spitzzeris checked Joe Jr. to Delnor Community. He was there for two days before he was admitted to Children's Memorial Hospital's diagnostic dilemma unit Jan. 4. It was there doctors diagnosed it and treated him as an inpatient until Jan. 27.

"It was just really weird," Pritchard said. "He seemed fine, but then over the course of a week, he was in the hospital."

"I was devastated," Kaneland boys basketball coach Dennis Hansen said. "He's too young to be going through this, but he's doing the best he can with it, and we are hoping for the best."

Joe Jr. underwent 8 weeks of chemotherapy, lost 40 pounds off his 6-foot tall body and had a stem cell transplant on April 2. His older sister Natalie was the donor and was a perfect match.

Joe Jr. was able to catch a few of his team's basketball games, including sitting on the bench for the playoffs.

"It was great to see him," Hansen said. "But it was sad…we were glad he was a part of the team."

During the basketball season, Tim Dillon, the father of Joe's teammate Christian Dillon, had orange wristbands that said "Joe Spitzzeri HLH: Crush It" made. They were sold for $5. The bands sold out fast and all the proceeds were donated to the Histiocyte Society.

After the basketball season ended in late March, Joe Jr. and Caryn moved into Kohl's House, where the two shared a dorm-like room.

Joe Sr. said his son is progressing well and is back to his healthy weight of 180 pounds. He's still susceptible to infections and viruses, but should be good to go in time to see his supporters and friends today.

"It's going to be awesome to see him," Levita said.

Joe Jr. also will officially be home for good today.

Although it is too early to tell if he will play sports again, Joe Jr. is expected to return to the classroom in October 2008. He has been working with Kaneland counselors and tutors throughout the school year.

"Time will tell," Hansen said of Joe Jr. playing basketball again. "It's a long road to recovery, but we want him back. More importantly, we want him back healthy."

"We definitely want him back," Aversa said. "We need him. He's a strong kid who we hope to have back next year."