The Cost of Clean Margins. (A Note From Will)

Posted by on Dec 18, 2012 in Updates | 12 Comments

I’m so thankful for the many that have come alongside me; my family, and my friends that have become family in this journey.  Our hearts are warmed with each prayer, encouraging note, car ride, gift, donation, meal, and well wish.

The early days and nights leading to surgery were long.  I was in the most physical pain I have ever felt to date, and the emotional toll of varying diagnosis was enough to put me under. But we all prayed and we fought together.

Then we had a clear diagnosis and surgical treatment plan laid out.  It eased my mind.  I remember smiling on the drive home the afternoon the surgeon told us that I definitively had cancer, and the potential cost of getting clean margins through surgery.  We did not know exactly where we where going, but we knew where we were.

The pain got worse, and I found reservoirs of strength I never knew I had.  My face was tearing apart, and my eye was pushing out of its socket.  My jaw wrenched with pain that made it hard to speak.  This tumor was trying to kill me, and I felt it chasing after my life.  I was scared.  I felt more fear than I had ever known.

The days grew longer waiting for surgery and the thoughts of the tumor reaching the optic nerve in my eye, thus rendering my cancer inoperable, raced in my head.

We checked into the hospital a couple days early, because my eye had bulged so far out the socket it would not close.  The pain was… painful, but moreover it didn’t feel safe or fair to be home anymore.  I wanted to go in so that Angie would not carry the burden of care alone.

The surgery date came.  I don’t remember it or the day after. Most of it is completely wiped from my memory as if it never happened.

I woke up on the Thursday after surgery, and felt a new pain. like someone was roasting my thigh with a blowtorch.

My throat was sore.  I couldn’t breathe.  Too many people were talking. I tried to talk, but no one could understand what I was saying.

The blowtorch pain was the skin graft on my thigh, which is about the size of 5 iphones lined up side by side.  The treatment of the graft was a heat lamp to further roast the skin and dry it out.

I cried.

The following nights in the hospital brought more pain, fear, bleeding, vomiting, choking, hallucinating, and night terrors.  Those nights were also mixed with seeing some of the people I love most in this world.  So there was laughter, and progress, and first steps, and everyone telling me how great I looked.

I was afraid to look in the mirror.  I also couldn’t get out of bed. I didn’t look at myself until the Sunday after surgery.

On Monday, I stood in front of the mirror.  I was swollen.

I looked under the eye patch.  I was a monster.

Back to bed.

Wednesday they sent us home, and the doctors said that my margins were clean.  The surgical  mission accomplished, and we were happy. Our friends rejoiced.

But the cost…

The cost of clean margins: they cut out my upper right jaw and all of those corresponding teeth.

They took my right sino-nasal cavity.

They cut out my right eye & surrounding area on my face.

A small price to pay for life.  Part one completed.

Now on to part two of radiation, and possibly chemo.

Then on to part three of more reconstructive and plastic surgery to put my face back together.

Then part four of speech pathology and occupational therapy to learn how to swallow and speak again.

Meanwhile, we follow up with counseling. physical therapy and monitoring the blood clot in my lung, and hoping I don’t develop another.

We also pray  the cancer doesn’t return.

Many many days ahead of us will be hard.

Angie and I will walk through this one step at a time.

We are fighting and we hope you will continue to fight with us.

Thanks!

#goteamgray

12 Comments

  1. Michael Lawrence
    December 23, 2012

    Dear Will & Angie,

    Adrienne and I continue to pray for you. We praise God for his care and sustaining mercy through all of this, and for what is still to come. Remember that the goal of our faith is to be found faithful when he returns. Mat 24:46. He will make you whole.

    Reply
  2. Kim Godawa
    December 19, 2012

    Thank you for taking the time to re-live the moments and keep us updated. We are thrilled you are doing so well. Praying for endurance, hope, and courage as you and Angie move forward.
    Kim and Brian

    Reply
  3. Michele
    December 19, 2012

    God is amazing, powerful and mighty in every way, but He sometimes shows those strengths in the lives of people who follow Him. YOU are one of those people, Will. I thank God for the example that He has made you in your strength, your dignity, and your grace. You are what a faithful follower of Jesus Christ looks like!! Keep lookin’ up!

    We praise You God, for You are good!

    Reply
  4. Kim Wynn Boyd
    December 19, 2012

    You are a true inspiration! Will be praying for you and your family!

    Reply
  5. Shai
    December 19, 2012

    Will and Angie,

    Thank you for sharing your journey.
    I’m so glad the surgery went well and that even though you write about a long journey ahead, there is strength and hope in your voice.

    Can’t believe you got to go to a Stevie concert! How awesome is that!

    Will be praying for you!

    Shai

    Reply
  6. Ellen Ingraham
    December 19, 2012

    Will,

    You are inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story.

    I am an on-line friend of Josh’s that joined in to watch your journey, cheer you on, and send good energy your way.

    What beautiful friends and a loving community you have around you.

    Unlike other things that go on in our country, people like all of you make me proud to be an American and give me hope for our future.

    Much love, Friend on the East Coast, Ellen

    Reply
  7. barbara and dave masoner
    December 19, 2012

    We, too, are standing with you both, in Jesus’ name!

    Reply
  8. Thabiti
    December 19, 2012

    Brother,

    Know that the Anyabwiles keep you before the throne of grace. Afiya and Eden still remember you as the “tallest man we’ve ever seen.” We’re grateful that by God’s power you’re still standing tall! We love you and Angie and we’re interceding with our Lord.

    Thabiti

    Reply
  9. Celeste and Larry Kistler
    December 19, 2012

    We feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet you and have you in our home. We also we so glad to have met Angie at church when we were visiting with Tanner and Molly in September.
    You are always in our hearts and we prayer for you daily. Continue to heal and have the peace of Christ during His season when He came to us.

    Love, Celeste and Larry Kistler

    Reply
  10. Jessica
    December 19, 2012

    So thankful you & Angie are in my life. Love you guys. Thanks for letting us in to experience all that you are.

    Reply
  11. Lauren
    December 18, 2012

    You are a beautiful testament of our Lord’s power and grace. We love you and stand beside you in this valley.

    Reply
  12. Alex G
    December 18, 2012

    OH YES !!!!!!
    We are right beside you.
    Anytime there when you need us !!!!!!!

    Can’t wait to see ya again :)

    Love
    A.

    Reply

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