In life, no one can fully imagine what families go through when faced with a serious illness. Especially when confronted with both mental and physical turmoil, it can be an insurmountable challenge.
Ralph, Jason, and Brittney Roberts have been doing everything they can to save the life of their 15-year-old son. Their attention is not only focused on Will, but also on their deceased daughter, Darby Kate. They can’t help but wonder how they could possibly endure this pain again.
Many who follow Will Roberts’ story may not know that 13 years ago, Jason and Brittney lost a child. Darby Kate passed away when she was just 68 days old.
Yesterday, Brittney took Will to another immunotherapy session in Birmingham, while in her heart, the image of Darby Kate remained vivid.
This is what Brittney shared on March 19th:
“There are days that change your life forever… today is one of them.”
Today is Darby Kate’s birthday.
It also marked the beginning of the first storm that Jason and I had to weather together as a family.
And now, 13 years later.
We are sitting at the children’s hospital.
Another child.
Another rare diagnosis.
A war where it feels like a matter of life or death.
This journey isn’t always a bed of roses.
There are tears behind closed doors, sleepless nights, financial stress, and a constant fear weighing heavily on the chest.
There were arguments, exhaustion, and times when we didn’t recognize ourselves.
Cancer doesn’t just strike one person…it shakes the whole family.
It robs us of normalcy.
It challenges the marital relationship.
It tests faith.
It challenges your strength in ways you never imagined.
And then there were the strange things, the little things that seemed to always follow our story…
Everything changed in 2013. And now, 13 years have passed.
Will was diagnosed at Clinic No. 13. The house we lived in in Houston was number 13.
At our first immunization appointment, they tried to put us in room 13… and this mother quickly requested a different room!!! 😳
Right now, if a black cat crossed the road, I would take a detour without a second thought.
But through all the bad things, the difficulties, and the moments when we thought we couldn’t take another step forward.
We’re still here, still fighting, and still a family.
As long as Will keeps fighting, we will keep moving forward.
If I’ve learned one thing in the last 13 years… it’s that storms may return, but our strength will return too.
Thank you everyone so much.
Today (Thursday), we will continue with the 6th round of immunotherapy, followed by the penultimate round of radiation therapy!!!
Friday will mark the end of a week full of trips to Birmingham!!!
The rest of spring break will be fantastic with fishing, turkey hunting, and some prawns!
Thank you Brittney for writing about Will and Darby Kate.
I know that Brittney and Jason are fighting hard for Will.
I know that my family on Facebook will let the world know how much they love this family.
This is a story about family love, resilience, and the power of spirit. They have faced and continue to face unimaginable challenges, yet they continue to fight, continue to love, and continue to live.
