Trip to the ICU (from Angie)

Posted by on Jul 14, 2013 in Updates | 29 Comments

Over the past few days, Will started feeling more and more uncomfortable. It was getting harder for him to catch his breath after even the slightest movement. He was needing more oxygen even when just sitting and resting.

On Friday, something was off. We both knew it. He said he felt different, that he couldn’t stop what was happening, but he didn’t know what it was. That morning I asked him if he was ever tired of fighting so hard. He said, “Yes.” I asked him what keeps him fighting. He said, “I just want to glorify God here… and I got stuff to do” (in his typical “I got stuff to do, people” voice).

We continued on with the day, with all the hurdles that seem to be so common to our day-to-day lives lately.

We needed to be transported to another location from the clinic. As we were leaving, the transport man seemed stressed. Will looked at me and whispered, “We need to pray for him.” The man loaded Will in the van and closed the door. The moment he closed the door a look of terror came across his face — Will was locked in the van without A/C and with the keys in the ignition. Thankfully, it wasn’t 120 degrees out, but he was still only hooked up to a small can of oxygen in a hot van. The man and I frantically looked under all the tires for another key, while Will was able to reach a bungee cord thing and tried to swing it at the window. We called 911. Within minutes the doors were open and we were off.

It was a really long day, but we finally made it home. We did our range-motion exercises and massage. Will was able to eat a little bit and then went to bed. At about 1:30am, I noticed that his breathing had changed. It seemed to be heavier, but he was on a good amount of oxygen so I thought he would be okay and that it was safe for me to go to bed.

At 2am, Will woke up. He was having trouble breathing, and it was getting worse with each second. I tried to call 911 but it wouldn’t go through. I then tried with Will’s phone… same thing. Will was gasping for air, sweating, and starting to change colors. I ran to the lobby to have them call 911. It was terrifying. I was crying. Will couldn’t breathe. “Lord, help me! I don’t know what to do! Help me! Help me please!” The paramedics were once again there within minutes. They rushed him to the hospital. There were many people, many questions, many procedures, many needles and he was hooked up to everything. It took awhile but he began to stabilize and then they were able to get a CT Scan. Will was able to lay flat except for his head which is a huge improvement. At around 5am, he was taken to the ICU.

After a very long and incredibly difficult day, Will had fluid removed from around his lungs. After it was complete, they had over 3 1/2 liters of fluid! It wasn’t until about 9pm that Will was finally able to rest and feel a little more comfortable.

Will does have pneumonia and diminished lung capacity on both sides, but he made it through the day. He has suffered so much over these months, but today from 2am until about 9pm it did not stop. He is still in the ICU and still has pain in his side that for some reason his pain medicine doesn’t seem to effect. They are hoping to move him to another floor as soon as they are confident his breathing is okay.

I feel like when Will said earlier this week that there was no amount of pain that would stop him from fighting that it was almost prophetic. His suffering was so intense, but he fought. Even when the doctors talked to us about just being made comfortable because of the advanced cancer, Will fought for life.

Will’s fight and drive do not change, even as his physical body fails him. His strength, his love for others, his desire to live and to live to the glory of God, just make me cry out to God even more. Will makes the world better, and he makes all of us around him better, too. Lord, please be merciful.

27 Comments

  1. busbee
    July 16, 2013

    We are praying and believing. Thank you so incredibly much for sharing your story so openly. It’s changing lives. Much love!

    Reply
  2. Carrie Furr
    July 16, 2013

    Lord, be merciful, indeed. We are praying fervently for you all.

    Reply
  3. Joyce
    July 15, 2013

    You both are such an inspiration! May God bless you and be with you. He has plans for Will that we cannot understand, but I fully believe! With God, all things are possible!! All my prayers are with you both!!

    Reply
  4. JONATHA BROOKE
    July 15, 2013

    You ARE changing lives by your example. I am humbled by your LOVE. Your strength, humor and compassion in the midst of such trials are remarkable. And I thank you for sharing such difficult stuff.
    So much love and all my prayers.

    Jonatha

    Reply
  5. Tina P
    July 15, 2013

    Praying Will has made tons of progress since yesterday. I’m so sad to hear you both have had such an extra-rough week. Inspiried by your strength. Lots of prayers and love for you both.
    Tina

    Reply
  6. Harrison Cowan
    July 15, 2013

    Nothing but love and prayer and good thoughts coming your way from Florida you two!! Love you both..

    Reply
  7. katrina teague
    July 15, 2013

    Will and Angie i agree with John, May God continue to bless the both of you.

    Katrina

    Reply
  8. Emily Arnold
    July 15, 2013

    God Bless you both.

    Reply
  9. Beth
    July 15, 2013

    Dear Will and Angie,

    I’ve been following your story closely now as part of the Union community and prayed for you both. After reading this today, I will pray Psalm 73:26 for you – “my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

    Reply
  10. Jason
    July 15, 2013

    Angie and Will,

    I’m praying for you both. Thank you for your tremendous strength and thank you for communicating all of this to us, which is so hard to do. God bless you both.

    Jason

    Reply
  11. Laurie Dhonau
    July 15, 2013

    Praying for both of you and everyone around you . . .

    Reply
  12. Carol Johnson
    July 15, 2013

    Will’s selflessness in praying for the driver amidst his own horrific pain and obstacles touches me deeply. He is a remarkable man and you, Angie, a remarkable partner. I pray daily and often for you both and if I added in those who are also praying and caring it would stun us all. Blessings and Love from Allison’s Mom in China.

    Reply
  13. Leesa
    July 15, 2013

    You guys are in my thoughts….

    Reply
  14. Chris Gilbert
    July 14, 2013

    Thank you for the updates! Thinking of you guys!

    Reply
  15. Alicia
    July 14, 2013

    You tell Will what an example his fight is to us !! He is sharing Christ by his actions.Same for you,Angie. What an example of grace,service,devotion and steadfastness you are :) God, show mercy on your precious children (will and angie) and help them feel your embrace !!

    Reply
  16. Sarah James
    July 14, 2013

    “The LORD bless you and protect you:
    The LORD make His face shine on you,
    and be gracious to you;
    the LORD look with favor on you
    and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24)

    Reply
  17. Lori Cave
    July 14, 2013

    I’m lifting you and Will in prayer, Angie. Will’s strength and drive is unbelievable. A true example of God’s shining light. Love, peace, and strength to you both.

    Reply
  18. Lori Cave
    July 14, 2013

    Lifting you and Will in prayer, Angie. Will’s strength and drive is unbelievable. A true
    example of God’s shining light.

    Reply
  19. Sue Frederick-Heineman
    July 14, 2013

    Peace, mercy and grace. I continue to pray for you.

    Sue

    Reply
  20. Matt Inman
    July 14, 2013

    i thank the Lord that Will has always gone about the work he has “to do”. such a blessing

    Reply
  21. Cynthia Idle
    July 14, 2013

    You have all my love and prayers. I continue to pray for peace, comfort and rest. Right now I am adding knowing to the list. Holding you in my heart.

    Reply
  22. eileen trombacco
    July 14, 2013

    Angie and Will I wish I could just reach out and hug both of you but I am sending my prayers and love to you. My heart breaks for what you both have endured.
    May God Bless you both stay strong

    Reply
  23. Kristen
    July 14, 2013

    Angie, I fail to understand God’s process and plan. My heart breaks every day for you. I have wept and plead with God on your behalf. I’ve prayed expectantly knowing God is THE healer. I have a difficult time grasping the balance between faith in Gods will, praying expectantly and what it means for God to give us the desires of our heart among other promises He gives us. I’ll be honest I don’t get it at all but I continue to trust. We love you and pray daily for you. Fervently, expectantly, persistently. I can assure you that your journey and the approach you are both taking has changed lives. You have changed my life in very eternal ways. Keep on. Loving you from Indiana <3

    Reply
    • Renee
      July 14, 2013

      I absolutely couldn’t say it any better than what Kristen did. I don’t know you, can’t even remember how I came across your page…BUT….was immediately and deeply touched by both of you! I continue to be amazed and challenged by the strength and courage you’ve received through Christ. At the same time my heart grieves for you, my fellow brother and sister in Christ. God have mercy!!!!!! We beg you on behalf of Will and Angie, SHOW YOUR MIGHTY HEALING POWER, LORD! IT’S ALL FOR YOUR GLORY!! HOLY SPIRIT GROAN FOR US!!

      Reply
  24. Angela
    July 14, 2013

    I have journeyed with you silently via the updates. One thought kept coming to me, “A severer mercy”.

    Reply
  25. John
    July 14, 2013

    What you and Will go through each day is unreal. How each of you go through each day – with strength, with perseverance, with faith – is even more unbelievable. “I got stuff to do, people.” Will’s certainly doing it. More than he knows. More than he’ll ever know. What a fighter. What a man of God. What a testimony.

    Reply
    • Kelli
      July 14, 2013

      Amen

      Reply

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