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Special request for Monday, January 5th

This is a special post to guarantee you know what is happening on Monday morning. So much has been happening with Team Willms, and an update will come very soon, but to share the pertinent facts, I have decided to keep this post focused on the coming surgery.

Shepherd is having the Ewing Sarcoma tumor removed from his leg on Monday, January 5th. The surgery is scheduled to start at 7:30am and is expected to last around nine hours. We have been overwhelmed and blessed by friends, family, co-workers, and people we have never met who are planning to pray for Shepherd, the surgeons, and his tired family throughout the day. If you are reading this, you are invited to join us on Monday, or heck, feel free to start now!

The Procedure

The tumor sits just below his right knee on the outside of his leg. The Surgeon will open up the leg and remove the tumor along with the upper half of his Fibula bone. Ideally, the surgical team will be able to remove all cancer without impacting the Tibia bone, but there is an expectation that it will need to be scraped at a minimum, and a chance of more significant removal, which would further impact his future leg function.

He has completed six rounds of chemotherapy. The tumor has shrunk significantly and initial forecasts sounded like Shepherd would likely regain full function of his leg as his body recovers and begins to grow after he completes chemo.

However, the tune changed in our most recent scan review with the surgical team. The tumor has appeared to stop shrinking. They now expect to remove a section of his Peroneal Nerve as well. Nothing is for sure, but if this happens they expect a permanent foot drop. This means he can push down with his foot and toes, but can’t lift up. Again, nothing is certain and we are hoping for a miracle on Monday.

How Mom and Dad are Coping

All in all, we are counting our blessings. On this journey we have met children with very challenging situations, and forecasts less promising than Shepherd’s. We know that whatever happens on Monday, we will grow from it together. That being said, we believe miracles happen, and will be praying for the surgeons, Shep’s body, and that pesky tumor to behave in a way that is in his favor.

Ashley has been holding us all together. She has been anxious about the surgery and trying to keep everyone healthy so we can stay on schedule. As an unwelcome distraction she has also been trying to work with our home insurance to find us a place to move the family this week (more on that fiasco in a forthcoming post). I pray she will get some restful sleep soon.

In a commitment to being vulnerable, I will share that I had my biggest breakdown the night we found out Shep’s leg may not recover. Since the shock of his diagnosis I have put on my blinders and focused on getting us through this year, and ringing that sweet bell of victory. I left no space for thoughts of lifetime impact. We all deal with shock in different ways. That night I was weeping on our bathroom floor at two in the morning. I have had some time with it now, and I have confidence that whatever happens, Shep is going to have a wonderful life. I don’t get to choose how God is glorified, but He has been showing His glory at every step of this journey.

Some Ways to Pray

• Wisdom and expertise of the surgeons throughout the surgery

• Complete removal of cancerous cells and tumor from Shepherd’s body

• Further shrinking of the tumor to minimize permanent impact during removal

• Quick healing for Shepherd’s body before he jumps back into chemotherapy

• Strength for exhausted parents

• God to be glorified

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. —Philippians 4:6