On September 14, 2019, my family and I were attending my grandfather's funeral. The week before the funeral, my dad was experiencing some seemingly light unrelated symptoms such as weakness in his left side and misplacing some words when talking. During the visitation, I noticed that he said a name wrong and was having trouble tying his shoes. I just attributed this to stress from the loss and just overall forgetfulness (because who doesn't experience forgetting or misplacing words from time to time). As we left the funeral, my dad was driving my family like he always does. Out of nowhere he turned his head to the left and pulled to the side of the four lane highway. Initially, we thought he was just asking my mom to drive (as she had been complaining about his driving previously--nothing unheard of). We quickly realized that there was something much worse happening, but were unaware of what exactly was occurring. Up until this point, my dad has been extremely healthy besides having high blood pressure. My dad's mom passed on October 13, 2018 of heart complications, so that was the initial thought; heart attack, stroke, etc. We rushed to UMMC in Jackson, MS, with my mom driving and me in the backseat trying frantically to diagnose and throw every solution at him that I could find. We made it from Louisville to Jackson in about an hour and luckily got him seen quickly. The hours passed very slowly afterwards.
Only one person was allowed to wait with him in the ER room. Finally, it was my turn to go back. As he and I sat there waiting to hear the news, we tried to talk about anything but the elephant in the room. Eventually, the doctor came in the room and asked where my mom was and if my dad had previously experienced seizures. At this point there was no avoiding the elephant in the room. Both shaking, waiting on my mom to get back to the room, holding our breaths, we both knew something bad was about to happen. Finally, everyone was present and no one was breathing. The doctor said the words no one wants to hear: "golf ball sized brain tumor." Honestly, I don't remember much more of that night because of the utter shock other than begging God for the doctor to have mixed up the scans.
My dad was admitted to UMMC that night and it would be days of waiting before we learned that he would in fact need brain surgery to remove the tumor. In that time, we were told that it was benign, that it was on the top of his brain, that it was in the center of his brain, that it was to the left of his brain, that he was only going to have 7-11 months to live, etc. all while his symptoms seemed to be progressing worse and worse. At UMMC they told us that they would operate, but they had not yet done an upper body scan and could not tell us where the tumor definitively was in his brain. At this point, we realized that it would be in his best interest to get him to MD Anderson in Houston. In order to do this, we had to fight UMMC to get him discharged and to get his records. He had to be discharged before an appointment could be made at MD Anderson.
Finally having him discharged and having an appointment made, we left for MD Anderson from UMMC. We drove all through the night and through a tropical storm and finally made it to the hotel in Houston where my dad stayed for two days before his appointment at MD Anderson.
That Friday, September 20, 2019, Daddy met with Dr. Rao the neurosurgeon. He showed us the scans of the tumor and explained how we would proceed going forward. He explained that it was either benign or a glioblastoma (extremely aggressive brain malignancy). Daddy was admitted to the hospital at MD Anderson and had surgery the following Wednesday to remove the tumor. During surgery, they were able to remove 100% of the visible tumor and diagnose. That night, after my family and I had been waiting and praying on the edge of our seats for about 8 hours, we saw Rao speedily walk by. Catching up to him, he asked for all of the family to meet him in a private room. At this point, our hearts were all pounding 90 to nothing and I don't think anyone was breathing. As we sat there, Dr. Rao would continue to say the unthinkable. It was in fact a glioblastoma. What we had all been dreading and praying against had finally come to fruition and there was no avoiding it at that point. However, we were told pre-surgery that Daddy would have deficits from surgery and there were zero. He immediately came out stronger than we could have ever imagined.
That night, I would go to see my strong Daddy that had always been a wall of protection for me with his head wrapped. We all knew the diagnosis when we went in to see him post-surgery, but he did not. My aunt and I were the first ones to see him. I walked in expecting him to be worried, confused, etc. The very first question he asked me was, "Are you ok being back here?" That's who he is. Just woken up, just had brain surgery, and the very first words out of his mouth were "are YOU ok". And then naturally, without being asked, he said, "You can take my picture." I have never been more in awe or more proud of any human being in my life than I have been in that moment. He smiled to let the world know he was better than ok, he was thriving immediately post-surgery. That's how strong this man that is my absolute hero is.
I stayed up most of that night dreading the next day. I knew how strong his faith had been that God would make this a benign tumor and how positive he was. I knew how big his faith had been, so I was terrified that this diagnosis would devastate that. With my mom, aunts, and myself circling his bed, Dr. Rao gave him the diagnosis. Again, another moment of zero breaths and at this point it seemed no heart beats in the room. We all looked to him waiting on the fall out and expecting the worst. This incredible man, in that very moment, took this news and did not let it get to him. He did not let it defeat him and he did not let it shake his faith in what God could and would do even for a minute.
Pre-surgery, my dad said that he would walk out of that hospital as he had had to be wheeled in initially. He did not disappoint! A day and a half after BRAIN SURGERY, he all but sprinted out of that hospital with NO assistance. We would make it to Starkville the next day and then begin a waiting game.
With glioblastomas, there are microscopic "tentacles" of cancer that are often still there so chemo and radiation are a necessity regardless of removing 100% of the visible tumor. So, on October, 11, 2019, he met with an oncologist to discuss treatment. He decided to pursue a trial radiation (it has a stronger dosage than conventional radiation). He also was told that he would be starting a chemo pill the day before radiation began. However, he had to be approved by insurance, approved by those conducting the study, and then put into a randomization to determine if he could get the proton radiation (higher dosage). This began a battle with insurance that would last until November 4, 2019. After being denied twice, he and my mom kept fighting for him to receive the trail radiation and on November 4th, we finally got the incredible news that he would in fact be receiving the proton therapy radiation!
So, as of last night, November 10th, 2019, Daddy has started his chemo pills that he will take once a day for 28 days and then for 5 days every 28 days for 12 months. As of tonight (November 11, 2019) at 10pm, he will beginning his proton therapy radiation which will continue for 6 weeks.
Obviously between the hotel/apartment stays, multiple trips to and from Houston, treatments, surgery, and hospital stays, my parents are incurring significant unforeseen costs. Many people have asked about how to donate, and we obviously would not outright ask for money. We, as a family and with the help of others, have decided that this is the best avenue through which people can help if you feel called to. Any amount at all would be greatly appreciated. Honestly if you want to give $.50 or $500, my dad as well as the rest of us would be very grateful. Honestly, he did not even want me to post this or the amount of their costs because he doesn't want anyone to feel obligated to give. Again, we just know that many people have asked how they can help and specifically about setting up a GoFundMe.
The reason I personally have decided to post this in addition to the aforementioned thought processes is because of who my dad is. Obviously none of us are perfect and we all fall short of the glory of God. However, in my humble opinion, my dad is one of the best people I know if not the best. I have watched him my entire life set a completely selfless example for me. Growing up, there would be times when we would have a bunch of regular bills and just not a ton of extra money, but my dad would give without holding back time and time again to anyone he heard of that was in need. I have watched him devote his life to helping his elders, especially my grandparents, without a second thought day in and day out. I can personally attest that he has always given to me without ceasing even if it meant that he had to eat sandwiches at lunch instead of going to eat out. He has always given to me even when I have begged him not to. He is the MOST selfless caring person I have ever met, and he has held our entire family together. He takes care of everyone, so now it's time for me to do what I can to try to take care of him. He has shown incredible strength and faith throughout this terrifying journey, and I could not be more proud to call him my dad.
Thank yall in advance for all yall have done and will do. Every single thoughtful gift, donation, act of kindness has and will be greatly appreciated. Again, please do not feel obligated to give. We have created this page for anyone that just wants to give or feels called to give.
"He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles."-Job 9:10
"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."- 2 Corinthians 12:9
Only one person was allowed to wait with him in the ER room. Finally, it was my turn to go back. As he and I sat there waiting to hear the news, we tried to talk about anything but the elephant in the room. Eventually, the doctor came in the room and asked where my mom was and if my dad had previously experienced seizures. At this point there was no avoiding the elephant in the room. Both shaking, waiting on my mom to get back to the room, holding our breaths, we both knew something bad was about to happen. Finally, everyone was present and no one was breathing. The doctor said the words no one wants to hear: "golf ball sized brain tumor." Honestly, I don't remember much more of that night because of the utter shock other than begging God for the doctor to have mixed up the scans.
My dad was admitted to UMMC that night and it would be days of waiting before we learned that he would in fact need brain surgery to remove the tumor. In that time, we were told that it was benign, that it was on the top of his brain, that it was in the center of his brain, that it was to the left of his brain, that he was only going to have 7-11 months to live, etc. all while his symptoms seemed to be progressing worse and worse. At UMMC they told us that they would operate, but they had not yet done an upper body scan and could not tell us where the tumor definitively was in his brain. At this point, we realized that it would be in his best interest to get him to MD Anderson in Houston. In order to do this, we had to fight UMMC to get him discharged and to get his records. He had to be discharged before an appointment could be made at MD Anderson.
Finally having him discharged and having an appointment made, we left for MD Anderson from UMMC. We drove all through the night and through a tropical storm and finally made it to the hotel in Houston where my dad stayed for two days before his appointment at MD Anderson.
That Friday, September 20, 2019, Daddy met with Dr. Rao the neurosurgeon. He showed us the scans of the tumor and explained how we would proceed going forward. He explained that it was either benign or a glioblastoma (extremely aggressive brain malignancy). Daddy was admitted to the hospital at MD Anderson and had surgery the following Wednesday to remove the tumor. During surgery, they were able to remove 100% of the visible tumor and diagnose. That night, after my family and I had been waiting and praying on the edge of our seats for about 8 hours, we saw Rao speedily walk by. Catching up to him, he asked for all of the family to meet him in a private room. At this point, our hearts were all pounding 90 to nothing and I don't think anyone was breathing. As we sat there, Dr. Rao would continue to say the unthinkable. It was in fact a glioblastoma. What we had all been dreading and praying against had finally come to fruition and there was no avoiding it at that point. However, we were told pre-surgery that Daddy would have deficits from surgery and there were zero. He immediately came out stronger than we could have ever imagined.
That night, I would go to see my strong Daddy that had always been a wall of protection for me with his head wrapped. We all knew the diagnosis when we went in to see him post-surgery, but he did not. My aunt and I were the first ones to see him. I walked in expecting him to be worried, confused, etc. The very first question he asked me was, "Are you ok being back here?" That's who he is. Just woken up, just had brain surgery, and the very first words out of his mouth were "are YOU ok". And then naturally, without being asked, he said, "You can take my picture." I have never been more in awe or more proud of any human being in my life than I have been in that moment. He smiled to let the world know he was better than ok, he was thriving immediately post-surgery. That's how strong this man that is my absolute hero is.
I stayed up most of that night dreading the next day. I knew how strong his faith had been that God would make this a benign tumor and how positive he was. I knew how big his faith had been, so I was terrified that this diagnosis would devastate that. With my mom, aunts, and myself circling his bed, Dr. Rao gave him the diagnosis. Again, another moment of zero breaths and at this point it seemed no heart beats in the room. We all looked to him waiting on the fall out and expecting the worst. This incredible man, in that very moment, took this news and did not let it get to him. He did not let it defeat him and he did not let it shake his faith in what God could and would do even for a minute.
Pre-surgery, my dad said that he would walk out of that hospital as he had had to be wheeled in initially. He did not disappoint! A day and a half after BRAIN SURGERY, he all but sprinted out of that hospital with NO assistance. We would make it to Starkville the next day and then begin a waiting game.
With glioblastomas, there are microscopic "tentacles" of cancer that are often still there so chemo and radiation are a necessity regardless of removing 100% of the visible tumor. So, on October, 11, 2019, he met with an oncologist to discuss treatment. He decided to pursue a trial radiation (it has a stronger dosage than conventional radiation). He also was told that he would be starting a chemo pill the day before radiation began. However, he had to be approved by insurance, approved by those conducting the study, and then put into a randomization to determine if he could get the proton radiation (higher dosage). This began a battle with insurance that would last until November 4, 2019. After being denied twice, he and my mom kept fighting for him to receive the trail radiation and on November 4th, we finally got the incredible news that he would in fact be receiving the proton therapy radiation!
So, as of last night, November 10th, 2019, Daddy has started his chemo pills that he will take once a day for 28 days and then for 5 days every 28 days for 12 months. As of tonight (November 11, 2019) at 10pm, he will beginning his proton therapy radiation which will continue for 6 weeks.
Obviously between the hotel/apartment stays, multiple trips to and from Houston, treatments, surgery, and hospital stays, my parents are incurring significant unforeseen costs. Many people have asked about how to donate, and we obviously would not outright ask for money. We, as a family and with the help of others, have decided that this is the best avenue through which people can help if you feel called to. Any amount at all would be greatly appreciated. Honestly if you want to give $.50 or $500, my dad as well as the rest of us would be very grateful. Honestly, he did not even want me to post this or the amount of their costs because he doesn't want anyone to feel obligated to give. Again, we just know that many people have asked how they can help and specifically about setting up a GoFundMe.
The reason I personally have decided to post this in addition to the aforementioned thought processes is because of who my dad is. Obviously none of us are perfect and we all fall short of the glory of God. However, in my humble opinion, my dad is one of the best people I know if not the best. I have watched him my entire life set a completely selfless example for me. Growing up, there would be times when we would have a bunch of regular bills and just not a ton of extra money, but my dad would give without holding back time and time again to anyone he heard of that was in need. I have watched him devote his life to helping his elders, especially my grandparents, without a second thought day in and day out. I can personally attest that he has always given to me without ceasing even if it meant that he had to eat sandwiches at lunch instead of going to eat out. He has always given to me even when I have begged him not to. He is the MOST selfless caring person I have ever met, and he has held our entire family together. He takes care of everyone, so now it's time for me to do what I can to try to take care of him. He has shown incredible strength and faith throughout this terrifying journey, and I could not be more proud to call him my dad.
Thank yall in advance for all yall have done and will do. Every single thoughtful gift, donation, act of kindness has and will be greatly appreciated. Again, please do not feel obligated to give. We have created this page for anyone that just wants to give or feels called to give.
"He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles."-Job 9:10
"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."- 2 Corinthians 12:9
Organizer and beneficiary
Scottie Williamson
Beneficiary