Life is unfair in so many ways.
For someone to look at my health situation, they could rightly say that life has been quite unfair to me.
I do agree, but I have tried to look at the positive side of things.
I know that I can’t change the past, nor can I control the future, but I can control the way that I react to it.
One of the ways to keep that positivity is searching for inspiration around me.
And lately, I’ve been inspired by a tiny human.
A little guy just 3 days younger than my own baby.
His name is Will.
Not only have I been inspired by Will, but also by his parents, who are my age.
Will was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 6 months old.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of nerve cells that occurs most in infants and children under 10.
Will’s cancer was on his spine and he had several cycles of chemotherapy.
He recently had surgery and the doctors were successful at removing most of the softball-sized tumor that had taken up firm residence on his back and ribs.
Unfortunately, Will developed an infection a few weeks after his surgery, landing him back in the hospital. His broviac catheter was removed and a slew of other issues necessitated further scans. Those scans showed that the tumor had grown back and was compressing his spinal cord. The location of the tumor puts Will at risk of developing neurological damage and/or paralysis if they do not begin an intense regimen of chemotherapy right away to pull the tumor away from the spine.
A few short months ago, he was placed in the low-risk category.
Now he has transitioned into the high-risk category for this type of cancer.
Following the high dose of chemotherapy, he would undergo a bone marrow harvest before receiving a megadose of chemo to wipe out his immune system. As his system builds back up, he would receive a stem cell transplant to restore a healthy immune system. He may even need radiation following all of this to make sure any trace of the cancer is completely gone.
I am 28 years old and fighting cancer.
And it sucks. And it’s scary.
And to think that this little baby is battling all of this is almost too difficult to wrap your head around.
But this little guy is a fighter, to say the least. A lot tougher than some adults I know.
And his smile is about as infectious as they come!
He may not comprehend what is happening with him, but he feels the love that surrounds him.
And talking about strength, his parents are incredible, too.
In the darkest hour or the brightest day, they have never left his side.
They have stood beside him with courage and determination to tackle this beast head-on,
as any parent out there would understand.
Watching your baby go through something in which you have no control over is the worst feeling in the world.
Any parent can attest to this.
They have spent many nights having to place their child in a hospital bed for bedtime rather than into his crib.
They have had to watch their baby cry out in pain that they cannot take away for him.
They have had to come to the realization that the foreseeable future will be full of more doctors, hospitals, surgeries and scans.
Will’s parents have been through hell and the journey is not over yet,
but they are tackling it with such strength and faith.
I grew up playing soccer with Brad (Will’s dad) and his sister, Kelsey. Their parents were our coaches.
This family is a true testament to God’s love.
They have always been there for others, and now I ask that we step up for them.
Please add baby Will to your prayer list – the power of prayer can do miraculous things.
No person, especially a child, deserves to go through an illness like this.
This little boy and his family need our love.
And tonight, and the next, hold your babies close before you lay them down for bed.
Thank God for their good health. Thank God for your good health.
Say a prayer for those fighting for their life, especially children like Will.
Pray for their families.
There are days when it’s hard to find the strength to stand, but you do it anyway, because you have to.
“My precious child, I love you and will never leave you.
During your trials and testings, when you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.”
W.E. Will Win! is a phrase coined for Will’s fight against cancer.
W.E. stands for baby Will Eidson.
He will beat this!!
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