There are moments in this grueling journey where time seems to stand still, trapped behind the heavy, sterile walls of the hospital. We call it the “prison camp” not out of bitterness, but because of the way it steals normalcy, comfort, and the simple freedom of a home-cooked meal or a quiet night in one’s own bed.
But today, the air feels different. Today, the news we received didn’t just provide medical data—it provided the kind of oxygen that lets our hearts finally breathe.
The Number That Set Us Free: 0.09
In the world of chemotherapy, life is often dictated by decimals. For Will, the number we were watching was his methotrexate level. It’s a toxic but necessary part of his treatment, and he cannot leave the hospital until his body has cleared enough of it to be safe.
Today, that number dropped to .09.
To most, it’s just a fraction. To us, it was the key to the golden gate. It means Will gets to escape the clinical hum of the hospital and spend three precious, beautiful nights at home. It means sleeping without being interrupted by vitals checks, eating food that doesn’t come on a plastic tray, and simply being “Will” instead of “the patient in Room X.”
The Heavy Lift: It Takes a Village
This specific round of treatment was a “heavy lift.” It was physically taxing for Will and emotionally draining for our family. Because of the demands of life and the complexities of this journey, I was only able to stay at the hospital for one night. In my absence, a team of angels stepped in to bridge the gap.
This round was carried on the incredible shoulders of Jason, Julie, and Granny. They stood in the gap, navigated the long hours, and provided the steady presence Will needed when the days felt long. Because I wasn’t there as much as usual, I don’t have a gallery of photos to share. I don’t have the digital proof of the small victories. But what I do have are memories etched deep into my heart—memories of the love that surrounded him even when I couldn’t be the one holding his hand.
Honoring Our Lifeline
To the people who stepped out of their lives to step into ours: You are the reason we are still standing. We want to publicly thank Misty Martin Adkins and Johnny, Matt Battles, Shea DiBenedetto, Dorothy Darby Johnston, Dana Roy & Brock, Tanya Cabiness Shane & Brayden, Jon Marc Roberts, Julie Davis, Jana Posey, and Jon Ross. Please hear me when I say this: we see you. We see the miles you drove. We see the weekends you sacrificed. We see the hours you spent simply being present, sitting in uncomfortable hospital chairs just so Will wouldn’t feel alone. You made his long days lighter. You made the time pass a little easier. Your love has been more than just support—it has been a lifeline that kept us afloat when the waves felt too high. Jason and I will carry your kindness with us forever.
The Final Stretch: One Round to Go
As we settle in for these three nights at home, we are staring down the finish line. It is no longer a distant dream; it is a reality waiting for us this coming Thursday.
This Thursday is the final round. The “prison camp” has one last chance to hold us, but we know it won’t last. We are entering this final push with full hearts, endless gratitude, and a faith that has been refined in the fire. We are walking toward that finish line not as a defeated family, but as a family that has seen the goodness of God in the land of the living. We have seen it in the 0.09 level, we have seen it in the faces of our friends, and we see it in the resilience of our son.
A Community Celebration
We know that thousands of you have been praying for this specific moment. You have asked for the levels to drop, for the strength to hold on, and for the end to come. Today, we invite you to celebrate this “Praise Report” with us.
Will is in his own bed tonight. The house feels whole. The “prison camp” is in the rearview mirror for now. This is a victory for all of us.
Thank you for the prayers that reached Heaven on our behalf. Thank you for the constant encouragement that filled our phones and our spirits. We are almost there. Just one more hard push. Just one more mountain to climb.
And then, the chapter closes.
With love, faith, and a heart that can finally breathe,
The Family
Join the Celebration:
Let’s flood the comments with joy for Will! He’s home where he belongs for the next three days.
👇 DROP A “🙌” BELOW TO CELEBRATE WILL’S 3 NIGHTS AT HOME AND THE FINAL ROUND COMING UP!
#WillStrong #FinishLine #GodIsGood #CancerWarrior #FinalStretch #HomeSweetHome #PraiseReport #VictoryIsComing #TheVillage
