Along this journey we have met incredible people, reconnected with old friends, deepened old and new friendships, and heard story after story about other people somehow connecting because of this experience. We are overwhelmed by the beauty of community.
Will and I, both being introverts, have found it hard at times to put ourselves out there and really connect with people. We have spent many evenings throughout our marriage talking about how we might cultivate community better. We always knew it was important, but until we were faced with a life and death situation, we didn't know just how much we needed other people in our lives -- and you have been here with us.
I am brought to tears by how much love we have received these past 9 months. And, now, with treatment in Arizona... we have been here for 3 weeks and we already have the resources we need for the initial 8 weeks plus more!
To say "thank you" does not seem adequate for how much our hearts are overflowing with thankfulness!
Will is doing really well. This week was probably the hardest since we first arrived but it's still an improvement from how he felt before. Last night, Will got sick and then developed a cough. Getting a cough has been one of our greatest fears because of the excruciating pain that he feels in his chest; even a small cough was unbearable. But last night, for the first time since the tumor developed on his sternum, there wasn't any pain with the cough! Just another sign of improvement!
One treatment he has is IPT, insulin potentiation therapy. After this therapy, Will was given apple juice to raise his blood sugar levels after having them lowered by the insulin. Will has eaten by mouth only once or twice in the past 5 months, but this past week, he ate! Coconut mango sorbet! And, he was able to taste it...! His taste buds have returned (mostly)! It was so exciting that we had to take pictures. We were even sent home with a strawberry sorbet for him to enjoy (and practice) over the weekend.
We are still very early on in the treatment, but at this point, we could not be more pleased with the care and we could not be more confident that this is exactly where we are supposed to be. It is a wonderful environment with very loving, caring, knowledgeable people. It's also nice walking through this with the other patients here, who are incredible people to be around each day.
We are missing all of our friends very much, but we know we are we are supposed to be here. And we also know that we could not be here if we didn't have a community of family and friends and even strangers, making it possible.
GIVE MONEY
20 Comments
Gwen
July 1, 2013I don’t know you, and I don’t believe in God, or the power of prayer, but I am rooting for you and am so happy to see your progress. Hope you keep making strides.
Dan Beck
June 29, 2013Happy Birthday Will!
Catherine Culley
June 29, 2013Happy birthday William from the Culleys! Praying for you and wish you a very blessed day!
Maxine Cockerill
June 29, 2013Will and Angie
So glad to hear the hope in your message.
I continue to keep you in my prayers and know that God is hearing all those lifted up in your behalf.
Rick Reiter
June 28, 2013Will & Angie, we continue to pray with you and rejoice at the victories God has given so far. You’re never far from our minds (my wife’s and mine). Even though she’s never met you she’s always checking up on you and praying for you both. While we mourn and celebrate with you throughout the ups and downs, we are encouraged by you and strengthened by you. May Jesus continue to move in Will’s body and restore his health. Thanks for the update! Rick & Melissa
Michael Andre gray
June 28, 2013Eat my man….eat
Kristy McNutt
June 27, 2013Angie thank you SO MUCH for this update! God and you and William have been on my mind SO much for the last LONG months. To know that my old Whitlock friend is doing better and being blessed by you and the Lord is AWESOME! Continue to pray at all times for his GREATNESS!
Ray Cook
June 27, 2013Good evening, my name is Ray Cook and I am a friend of Martha and David Millhouse in Indiana. I have also been touched by your love for each other and your faith. I have been following your updates for several months and even though I am a manly man I have cried while reading the updates. You are two of the finest Christians that I know and your lives and pain are touching people all over the country. I have been praying for you everyday and will continue to pray for you everyday. If you would give me an address I will have some special soups sent to you. They are from a company in Northern Kentucky that developed them for people going through cancer treatments and have a problem with the lack of appetite. It is very nutritional and it tastes good even with the side effects of treatment. I just discovered it from talking with a professor at Miami Univerity that is a nutritionist. If you don’t feel comfortable with this offer I am not offended and I will be praying for you everyday. God Bless you and your family. Ray Cook
katrina teague
June 27, 2013Will and Angie,
He is an awesome God, It is great to see William eating a little, and to see a smile upon your face. You and William have a touched my heart , my life in a way that i can’t even explain. Its truly a love story. I am completely blown away!!!! The courage and faith that you both have display during this storm, because thats what this is. That you guys are going through. But just remember you are going through it. You are not stuck in it. Because joy is coming, when praises go up blessing come down.
And many praises are going up for you guys. You guys say such encouraging words to others. This is truly a strong marriage and God filled.
Life can bring our way many challenges and difficulties… no matter what you are facing yesterday, today or tomorrow you are not alone… Jesus said in Matthew 28;20 ” And Surely I am with you always.”
Love trina
Nancy LaRocco
June 27, 2013Such wonderful news for such a wonderful couple. God has certainly gone before you and we are so grateful you continue to rest in the cleft of the rock. I am delighted to pass on the good news to so many who are praying for you. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Will is looking better all the time. Hugs to you both.
Amber Clark-Runyan
June 27, 2013So glad to hear his progress. I love and miss u Angie!!! Both of u are amazing!!!
John
June 27, 2013So grateful for this update!! I love hearing of every ounce of improvement. Love it, love it, love it!!!!!!
Harrison Cowan
June 27, 2013And I say it again.. the POWER OF PRAYER is NOTHING TO MESS WITH… Keep on keeping on you two.. Prayer warriors will continue to lift your names up in Prayer. We all love you and are behind you every step of the way.. This has made my day!!!
slc
June 27, 2013praise jesus in all this! i see god working in and thru you both. it’s a big blessing! i pray this week that god will overflow your cups!
Mee Mee Gray
June 27, 2013Angie, this is so amazing to hear! You and Will have touched so many lives throughout this journey! Love you guys and keep pushing! LOOK AT GOD!!
Erin Homesley Booth
June 27, 2013Will and Angie,
I am so elated to hear this great news! I pray for you all constantly and am very encouraged by the improvement and peace that God is giving. Thank you for sharing this story. We all long for the next post. You both HAVE touched so many lives through this, and before, and I am thankful to know you and have the opportunity to share in your journey. I love you so very much and pray for many, many more good days! I leave you with my favorite verse, which is on my mirror, to daily remind me of how much OUR God loves us!
“The Lord, your God is with you,
The Mighty Warrior, who saves you.
He will take great delight in you;
In his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing!” – Zephaniah 3:17
Amanda Speight Belcher
June 27, 2013So good to hear good news and positive things happening in Arizona! Still praying!! We love you!
David & Teresa Purichia
June 27, 2013We continue to lift you up to the Lord every day!
jacinta
June 26, 2013Praise Jesus! I’m so thankful for Will’s improvement.
Iris Chapman
June 27, 2013So many people have been strengthened by your faith and progress. May God continue to bless and keep you in his care.