In the long, grueling war against cancer, there are days that crawl by like centuries, and then there are days that shine with the brilliance of pure hope. Yesterday was one of the bright ones. After five long, exhausting nights of being “held captive” within sterile white walls and the constant hum of medical machinery, Will officially “busted out” of the hospital.
The feeling of finally leaving, walking through those sliding glass doors, and breathing in the air of freedom is something that, for a young warrior like Will, is beyond description. But this homecoming isn’t the finish line; it is a brief, beautiful sanctuary—a moment for our family to regroup and prepare for the most significant journey we have faced yet: the trip to MD Anderson.
1. The Intermission Between Battles
While being home is a victory, the war has not paused. Will has only a few precious days to enjoy the comfort of his own bed and the familiarity of his toys before facing outpatient chemotherapy this Thursday and Friday. These treatments are the necessary anchors, keeping the disease at bay and ensuring his body is as strong as possible for the milestones ahead.
Home, right now, is a place of restoration. It is where he can eat a meal cooked in his own kitchen and hear the laughter of his brother, Charlie, without the interruption of a nurse’s page. Every minute spent within these walls is a dose of spiritual medicine, helping him wash away the trauma of the last five nights.
2. The Journey to MD Anderson: Safety Above All Else
Next week, we embark on a massive journey to Houston, Texas, to visit MD Anderson—one of the premier cancer treatment centers in the world. This is where we are placing our trust for the next critical phase of Will’s recovery.
However, this trip brings with it a significant layer of anxiety. According to the doctors’ calculations, Will’s blood counts will hit their absolute lowest point on the very day we are scheduled to travel. With a compromised immune system that is virtually non-existent, a commercial flight is simply not an option. We cannot risk a single stray germ or virus undoing months of progress. Because of this, we are coordinating every detail to ensure he travels in a “safety bubble” until we reach Houston. This isn’t just caution; it is the fierce protection of his life.
3. Prayers for Bone Fusion and the Dream of New Steps
The primary mission of this MD Anderson visit is tied to a life-changing milestone. We are fervently praying for a specific report from his orthopedic oncologist: that Will’s bone has properly and fully fused together.
Following his previous complex bone graft surgery, the stability and healing of that bone is the master key. It is the only thing that will unlock the door to the next stage: the prosthetic process.
Imagine the emotions of a parent envisioning the day their child stands tall again—not on crutches, not in a wheelchair, but supported by a combination of incredible technology and an even more incredible will to live. If the surgeon gives us the green light, Will can finally begin the process of being fitted for a prosthetic limb. It is more than a medical device; it is a symbol of freedom, of future runs in the backyard, and the reclaiming of a childhood that cancer tried to steal.
4. The Last Two Weeks in the “Prison Camp”
Once we return from MD Anderson, we will face the final, most daunting hurdle: the last two chemotherapy treatments.
Will will have to return to the hospital, the place he playfully yet poignantly refers to as his “prison camp.” He will be held there for another two weeks. Two weeks of IV lines, nausea, and bone-deep exhaustion. But unlike every stay before, these two weeks carry a different weight.
We are praying, believing, and declaring that these will be the final two weeks of cancer treatment. We are finally seeing the finish line. The light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a faint glimmer; it is becoming a radiant sun. Two final weeks of “captivity” to pay for a lifetime of freedom.
5. Honoring the Village
Looking back at this journey—from the devastating day of diagnosis to this final lap—we know we could never have made it this far alone.
Thank you for your unceasing prayers, your encouraging messages, and the constant support from our community. You are the ones who have kept the flame of hope burning when the storms were at their fiercest. You know who you are, and we want you to know that every step Will takes is powered by the love you have poured into our family.
Conclusion: The Final Lap
Will “busted out” yesterday, and it was a small victory that signals the massive victory to come. We are packing our bags—not just with clothes and medical records, but with an unshakable faith.
Please keep Will in your strongest prayers next week as we navigate MD Anderson. Pray for his bone fusion, pray for a safe journey, and pray for those last two weeks in the hospital to pass with supernatural speed.
The war is almost over. Our little warrior is coming home to the world where he belongs.
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