MRI Update (From Angie)
Will was unable to get all of the MRI completed yesterday. He was given as much sedation as possible before risking not being able to bring him back and the pain was still too unbearable to lay flat for that long. They were able to get enough of it to see a fracture at the T4 vertebrae. The doctor said that it looked new, but they couldn’t tell if there was a tumor there based on the pictures they got.
We would both love to know what’s going on, but the nurse explained that for as much sedation as they would have to give him to be comfortable, they would have to “breathe for him” and his lungs might not be able to start breathing on their own after it was done. He could also go under general anesthesia, but that involves other risks and greatly affects his liver and immune system. This would make the treatment at Oasis ineffective, leaving us with only conventional medical options.
So, our options were to continue treatment as we have been, without knowing if there are tumors in the spine, but treating it as though there are, with a functioning immune system and liver… or we could get the MRI and learn exactly what we face, but then our options for treatment would become surgery, chemo, radiation — again without any hope of cure, only the possibility of treating the symptoms. The goal of the second option would be the hope of Will not losing any more functionality. While we desperately don’t want Will to lose any more functionality, along with the risks involved with anesthesia, surgery — and the idea of going down that road again — we decided not to proceed with the MRI and to continue with treatment as we were.
It was a really difficult and scary decision to make, but one we felt like we had to make with our greater hope of life and not just controlling symptoms.
We will be starting home health care this week which will hopefully help us with Will’s loss of functionality. This past week was definitely a setback, but Will was without a doubt getting better before this past week and we both really trust everyone at Oasis.
The past 48 hours have involved many tears and breakdowns, by both Will and myself, and even tears from a few nurses, who within moments had their hearts captured by Will. One ER nurse came up to visit us this morning in the hospital. She said she couldn’t stop thinking about us all night. She cried as she kissed Will on the forehead. It’s so hard and it’s so sad. But… we continue on.
There is fear in what we potentially face with our decision; the ER doctor told Will, “If you choose to leave, you will never walk again and your body will eventually succumb to the cancer.” That’s a really hard thing to hear, but we have heard it before and Will is not one to listen to those who tell him he can’t do something. We know the situation is dire. That’s why we are where we are now, but statistics are just statistics. Will is Will. Everyone is different and every body is different. This was definitely a blow that we could have done without.
But, as weak and feeble as we are… by the grace of God, we’re still here to fight. We will not give in… not to our fear, to our sadness, to the negativity, to all that is thrown at us. We hold on to hope and the power of God, the power of love, the power of community.
GIVE MONEY
26 Comments
steve luyahs
July 10, 2013Praying for you Will and Angie!
Mark Imbriglio
July 10, 2013Will and Angie,
I think John said it best from July 9th. None of us really know what to do anymore.
But we’re right here. I spend time in the office everyday-I honestly don’t pray nearly as much as I should (especially considering I work in a church…shhh don’t tell my boss)-but I pray for you guys. Everyday. Years ago, whenever I got the chance to spend time with Will face to face, God used it to shape my mind and heart in many ways. He probably just saw it as hanging out after a show or sleeping on my dorm room floor, or playing cards in the hotel until 3am. But to me it was gold. The chance to connect with a visionary, a prophet. The Lord worked through Will then. He continues to teach me how to love through your story: how to love God, how to love my wife, how to truly serve.
So, for what little encouragement it is, just know that everyday, 9:00-10:00 EST there’s a washed up bass player who kneels down in his office in Connecticut and searches the face of God on your behalf.
Lisa Midgett
July 10, 2013BUT GOD………………
David Dark
July 10, 2013However it is these things work. This is David and Sarah and Dorothy and Sam and Peter saying we’re praying, we’re with you, we love you, and we thank you for all you are to and for us.
Love and Raised Hands and Closed Eyes and Hopeful Hearts,
the Dark 5
Adrian and Jesse Sánchez
July 10, 2013We love you. We admire you. We are praying with you. You are such beautiful, wonderful people. You are teaching thousands of us how to love God fully, faithfully, and with the abandon of a child. This is a gift greater than we could ever repay and a miracle of faith. Thank you so much for leading us closer to our Savior. Please remember us in your prayers, for you are truly servants of God’s divine will and vessels through which He has chosen to work miracles here on Earth.
Blessed be God forever and to His servants Will and Angie may he give peace, strength, and healing.
We love you!
Carrie Furr
July 10, 2013As so many others have shared, I think about you all daily. I pray that Will’s pain doesn’t overtake his amazing spirit and that you all have all the help you need to handle day to day life with these new circumstances. Much love and prayers from Columbus, Indiana.
Becki
July 10, 2013Dear Angie & Will-
We have been reading your posts & keeping up to date through our nieces, Laura, Amy & Sara! We know God is with you & through you he is touching us all! You both amaze us with your never failing strength & faith! You are in our prayers daily!
May God wrap his loving arms around you & fill you with!
Becki (Carew) & Larry Cox
Becki
July 10, 2013….fill you with peace!
margaux
July 10, 2013Thinking about both of you constantly and praying for your endurance, physical, emotional and spiritual and for healing. love- gaux
Matt Inman
July 10, 2013dear friends, we pray for your strength, comfort and conversations. God’s impact through you two is so great and I pray that he impacts both of you in mighty ways as well.
Leesa
July 10, 2013Hoping for a miracle…
Olivia
July 10, 2013My sweet friends,
There is not a day gone by that you have not both been on my heart and in my prayers. You have made a difficult and painful decision and continue to walk and fight by faith. Stand strong in that faith and in the knowledge that you are covered in prayer from around the world!
Blessings,
Olivia
Rhonda
July 9, 2013You don’t know me either but I have come to know beautiful souls I wish I could meet. Just to hold your hands and tell you that you are living testimonies of Gods grace. Oh, I pray for healing and renewal on this side of Heaven!
Anna Robillard
July 9, 2013Dear Angie and Will,
Though you do not know me, I have been praying for you all and following your journey. Joy Schunemann sent me prayer requests for you when Will was first diagnosed. My heart aches for you and I wish I could just give you both hugs. I just lost my very amazing mama to Ovarian cancer and I know how challenging the fight is. Never give up though and stay in the light. God is with you every step, even the incredibly hard ones where you feel like you can’t continue. He will hold your hands and your hearts, even when they are breaking. Treasure your moments together and remember that the doctors don’t know everything – only God does – and our suffering is His pain. He does not want you to hurt. Remember you are loved every moment and imagine all the prayers being sent up for you all. I will continue to hold you in my thoughts and lift you up in prayer and will pass this along to others as well. You are not alone.
Sending you love,
Anna
Clif Hinds
July 9, 2013Angie & Will, Though we do not know each other, I have been following your struggle and have kept you in my daily prayers. I know the feelings of hope and despair that you are going through. The loss of my Deb to Ovarian Cancer makes all of these struggles so personal to me. I send my love and support and will continue my prayers. God bless you both. – Clif Hinds
Durree (Doty) Berrisford
July 9, 2013Will and Angie,
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you and pray for God to heal Will. You are both such a great example of faith and what true love is all about. I will continue to pray that God gives you both the strength to keep fighting. You are a true inspiration!
Durree
Autumn (Lowery) McFall
July 9, 2013Still praying……
heather englert davis
July 9, 2013Jason and i are praying for you and will not stop!! We serve an awesome Lord!!!
Amanda Teague Higgins
July 9, 2013You all are forever in my prayers. Love you both. #goteamgray
John
July 9, 2013Angie and Will-
I don’t think any of us know what to do anymore. But we are right there with you hoping as best as we can and praying the best we know how hoping that God will show His mercy on Will in a great way. Oh God, please come. We love you guys so much!!
John
Beans
July 9, 2013Our sweet friends. You are being held by our Creator. He created you, Will. He knows every hair on your head and how strong you are. Angie, I hope He is bringing you some peace in these hard days. Hang on to your mama’s hand.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (see that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, not on our own… rest in knowing He is holding you)
God bless every breath you take and your wisdom to continue with healing choices. We love you both greatly. Pray for you hourly.
~ beans
Bethany W.
July 9, 2013Still thinking of you all and praying for peace, comfort and hope.
Allison
July 9, 2013Angie and Will,
I’ve only just recently started following your updates, but I’ve heard about you guys for awhile. After reading this post, I am touched by your faith in God and His timing.
Stand strong! God will be glorified in whatever He does.
I will be praying for you guys.
Allison
Danielle
July 9, 2013Angie and Will,
I am thinking of, and praying for you daily. Those are choices no one wants to ever have to make. Know that there are so many people you don’t even know (like us), being blessed by your story, and standing alongside you to stay strong and keep fighting!
Love,
Danielle & Damien
Nancy LaRocco
July 9, 2013We stand with you day and night and choose to believe the report of the Lord. Man judges with his eyes but God’s judgement is holy and individual. Will is in God’s hands and he hears the cries of all of our hearts. Strength and courage to go on has been given to you by Him. Your road is hard but your reward is rich. Hold fast and go forth with confidence. We support you and love you .
Kathy B.
July 9, 2013Will and Angie,
I am inspired by your faith. My prayers are with both of you for comfort, and healing for Will. I love the beautiful message below on Faith:
“Faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.”
“Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him.” Dennis E. Simmons
Blessings to you both,
Kathy B.