Upcoming Benefit

We hope you will all be able to join us this Saturday for our benefit for the Lewis Family!

WHEN:  October 26th from 11 - 2
WHERE: Briargrove Park (2301 Seagler Road, Houston, Texas 77042)
WHY:  To support the Lewis family---surround them with love and help ease some of their financial burdens
ACTIVITIES:  Fall carnival for the kids with pony rides, carnival games, face painting, bounce house, and prizes; family photo sessions
FOOD: There will be food trucks available to purchase food; you can also purchase snow cones and baked goods
ATTIRE:  Kids can wear their Halloween costumes and we hope that adults will wear their Team William shirts!
SILENT AUCTION:  Lots of wonderful auction items!  Some items include:  Signed JJ Watts football; Gift cards to Starbucks, Top Golf and Williams Sonoma; Matilda Jane clothes; Jewelry; Texan Tickets; Photography Sessions; Personal Training Sessions; Birthday Parties and so much more....

We hope that you can come (even it's just for a little while) and support William and his family!!  Looking forward to seeing you all there!!

A Break from the Reality....

Message from William: 

Finally, I get some relaxation.  Maybe that’s not the right word, but I finished radiation on Monday, September 30, 2013, and my last dose of the first round of chemo was Saturday 28th, so I am finally getting back to acting as if things are normal.  And to some extent, they are.  I don’t have to go to radiation, so I can get back to more regular work hours.  I don’t have to take chemo, so I don’t have to keep a consistent bedtime, and I don’t have those treatments staring me in the face all the time anymore, so I don’t have a constant reminder telling me, “Don’t forget!  You’ve got cancer!” 

I don’t know what this break in treatment means physically, obviously, since I don’t have a scan until the end of the month, but mentally, it’s so much relief.  I’m sure there are people reading who have already heard me say this, but I can’t explain how much it means to me.  I did it.  I got through.  I beat the treatment, so now it’s up to the medicine to do its job.  My part is done for now. 

I had seen the bell on the wall in the waiting room at the radiation center, but I didn’t really understand what the big deal was.  It’s a bell.  We’ve all seen bells.  We’ve all heard bells.  It’s not Christmas yet.  What’s all the hubbub about?  And then it starts to make sense.  Everyone gathered around, including the doctor and the tech, and they make you realize that it is an accomplishment.  I rang it twice and shared the third with Abigail.  I hope she remembers doing it with me, and she probably will, because she forgets NOTHING. 

Yes, you just lay there every day for a few minutes on the table during radiation every day, but anyone familiar with the process knows it takes a toll.  Consider that race finished, and I couldn’t be happier. 

I know it’s a long road, and I know this is only six weeks, but each step is a big one, and this is the first of many.  Thank you for reading and praying and doing all the things you do. 

Specific prayers: 

1.     That the treatment worked and does as much good as possible. 

2.     That the months go by quickly so that I can get back on the road. 

3.     Prayers that the October 29th MRI will show no new tumor growth.   

Message from Eda:
 

This weekend William and several Team William supporters showed up to walk the Head for the Cure 5K.  God’s grace rained down on us literally!  We enjoyed this walk to raise money for brain cancer research.  Although it is thousands of times smaller than the Susan Komen walk for breast cancer awareness, we were all there mighty in spirit showing William that we are behind him to beat this!  William received a keeping the “faith” award and was presented with a glass trophy that had the word “faith" inscribed in it.  These words move us in so many ways.  Faith to believe we can do this and faith to believe God will guide our family on this journey walking with us every step of the way.  Thank you to all those who came out and walked or rather “danced in the rain” and showed their support!  We continue to be blessed by so many who are willing to offer help in all kinds of ways!  Thank you to each and every one of you!

Specific Prayers: 

1.     As William celebrates his 34^th birthday this week, I pray that he has countless blessings this year!  (Birthday is Thursday October 17) 

2.     I pray that William continues to “Keep the Faith” and stay strong for his family and when he can’t, that I am there to pick him back up. 

3.     Pray that we all stay healthy during the beginning of cold and flu season.

4.     Prayers for a great turnout for the benefit so William will know how much support and rallying he has behind him to beat this!

Ringing the Bell

William and his Girls!

Family Photo

William and his radiation MD - Dr. Bloome

Go William - thanks Charlotte for the banner!

Team William Before the Head for the Cure Walk

William Pushing His Girls

William and His Neuro-Oncologist Dr. Gilbert

Keeping the Faith Award

Remember Benefit October 26, 2013 

 

Shirts

Just a reminder that Thursday is the last day to order shirts before the benefit!  We can't wait to wear our shirts and support the Lewis Family on October 26th!

Strength in Numbers

I remember waiting to hear the news about what the neurologist said at that initial appointment.  They were headaches that were most likely migraines and nothing to worry about. Whew, a sigh of relief.  Then days later- a panicked phone call from one of my best friend’s in the whole world – you know, the kind of friend that feels like a sister. The kind of friend that you love so much – the kind of friend that her pain is your pain.  I remember Eda telling me that William’s MRA preliminary results had come in and that they were sending him straight to the ER to be admitted. I had this pit in my stomach – and there our journey began. 

It has been one of the hardest things to watch Eda and William fight this battle. They did not choose cancer...it chose them.  I have been blown away by the amazing strength, courage , composure, grace, hope and faith that they have demonstrated thus far in their fight against brain cancer.  Anyone that knows this beautiful family knows how great they are. They are blessings to all that know them, and their two girls are the the most precious dolls!! 

So many thoughts went through my head the first month while we were all adjusting to this diagnosis. One of the first things that came to mind was the importance of  capturing the moment.  To capture the big things, the small things, and all the things in between that we might take for granted. To take photographs and make hard copies of memories.  To live fully and love deeply - the right here, right now. This was their new story. Not the one they wanted nor chose, but the hand they were dealt.

I could think of no better way to capture the moment than to send an email  to the most amazing photographer I know, Shalonda Chaddock, asking for a favor.  I stumbled across Shalonda, photographer behind Chubby Cheek Photography, years ago and she immediately stole our heart.  She is one of those unique individuals that just has a glow and sense of warmth about her. I am serious. She just radiates energy and happiness and has this larger than life personality. Not only that but she’s just one of those people that always go above and beyond and inspires.  Her pictures say it all without any words.  Her pictures are the kind that capture relationships - every essence of the joy, love, laughter, and intimacy shared between families. Her pictures are absolutely beautiful treasures that capture the heart and soul of her client. They show love. They tell stories.  Not only is she oh so talented behind the camera, but she also has a heart of gold, and her reply to me came as no surprise. It read something along the lines of … Honestly I didn’t even have to read your entire email because I didn’t need to, but I will tell you that I am more than willing to do a free mini session.   She has a total servant’s heart of gold and such a incredible act of kindess for a total stranger.  I wanted to share with all of you these amazing pictures that so beautifully capture the love  shared between this special family.  These pictures tell a story of love but also in their eyes, I can see hope, faith, courage, tenacity, and perseverance. It’s everything they are fighting for---their family!

Be sure sure to check out her website at www.chubbycheekphotography.com!!

I have been amazed at the outpouring of kindness, compassion, and support for William and Eda. Team William is a dream team.  I can tell you that the overwhelming support that has poured in has indeed lifted them up...even in their darkest moments. There is something true about strength in numbers. You can feel it. We are stronger together, and it has been humbling and exciting all at the same time to see family, friends, and even total strangers band together.  Here is a quote that is close to my heart. Margaret Mead wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.”  While I don’t know if that is totally true, I do know that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change individual lives in the world. Thank you for loving my dear friend and being such an important part of our growing group, Team William, to  mobilize support for William and Eda. We can make a difference in their lives and unite with them as they hold strong to hope, show unwaivering faith and patience, and continue to gain strength in their fight against cancer.

Don’t forget to come out to our great benefit on October 26^th!! We are going to literally surround William and Eda and their girls with so much love on this day and along the way, are going to raise some funds that will help cover their mounting medical costs. Spread the word! Hope to see you all there!

Love, Charlotte Eccles

Week 5 of Radiation Complete an update from William, the man behind the mask!

I hate clichés.  But I suppose they become commonplace because they actually apply, and over the past few weeks, it seems that when it rains, it really does pour.

Let’s go back to September 9^th for a minute.  I open the mail and get a bill from Cricket Wireless.  For $2,400.  There are all kinds of inappropriate jokes I could insert here, but I’ll just say that I am not a Cricket Wireless customer.  Nor have I ever set foot in one of their stores.  On closer inspection of the bill, I realized it was not actually from Cricket Wireless, but from a financing company that opened a line of credit in my name.  What really scares me is that not only did the phone purchasers in North Carolina get my name and address right, they also used the correct social security number.

So for the first time, I don’t even feel bad calling myself a victim.  I’m a victim of identity theft.  And here’s another cliché.  Why doesn’t the perpetrator have to take the good with the bad?  I’d even agree to it.  You take all my money, and you take the disease.  I’ve already basically agreed to that.  Ask my doctors.

The worst part about the whole identity theft debacle is that it’s like being inserted into a really involved scavenger hunt.  You call Company A, and they send you to Company B, and if you find the right hint after searching through their phone system for twenty minutes, you get to move on to Company C.  And if everything works out, if you play your hand perfectly, you get nothing.  Literally, that’s the best possible outcome.  Your credit score doesn’t get obliterated, you don’t have people hounding you for payments, and you don’t pay bills for things you didn’t purchase.  You get nothing.  Good day, sir.

And now I’ve written a very negative post.  Hopefully someone reading this has been through it and realizes how frustrating it is.

All in all, the past week or two has been very good, physically speaking.  I’m still handling treatment pretty well with only some fatigue.  I’m through week five of six with radiation with last treatment being on September 30, and I get a break for a month once that regimen is complete.  It will be nice, because I will finally be able to pretend for a little while that this is not actually happening.

Every night, Abigail has been involved in the treatment.  She doesn’t really understand what it’s all about, but she helps me gather up my pills, and sometimes she even likes to put them in my mouth and make sure I swallow them.  But a lot of times, she’ll say, “Daddy, is it time to take your chemo?”  And to hear that from your own little innocent daughter brings it home.  There’s no denying that it’s real at that point.  And even though she has no idea what it means and has none of the associations with chemotherapy that adults do, it’s depressing that in some way it’s my fault she’s being brought into that terrible world.  So getting through the first round of treatment lets me go back into that “ignorance is bliss” mode of thinking, for better or for worse.  There’s your two-cliches-for-one sentence.

By the way, it is nice to see the way support travels.  Everyone reading probably knows about or has purchased the Team William shirts.  Now I see people posting on Facebook pictures of their shirts and/or wristbands, and some even from people I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting.  Thank you for helping to spread the word, show interest, and spread awareness.

So let me close with a bit of a silver lining.  Two weeks after my surgery, M.D. Anderson put on a brain tumor conference at the Omni on the west side of Houston.  I had just seen them the previous Monday, and they tried to convince me to go.  So Eda asked her parents to keep the kids for the weekend, and we went.  Although the content was a bit dry at points, we met several people going through very similar experiences.  As much as it helps for people to try to understand what’s going on and how the experience affects me, I put more credence in a person who has actually experienced it.  In fact, just yesterday we hosted a lunch for a group of five additional families with brain tumors of some type or another.  And the conversation doesn’t even need to revolve around cancer-related experiences.  It’s just good to know I’m not alone.

One of them called me about a week and a half ago and said, “I want to come pick you up on Sunday and take you to the Texans game.”  And it came just at a time I needed it.  I try to fight the battle every day and keep telling myself, “It’s all right.  You feel fine.”  But it is a battle, and sometimes that’s not enough.  I do need to lean on people to pick me up from those down times, and I appreciate all of you who have shown so much generosity and help and willingness to do so.  It makes me realize that not only have I hit the lottery in terms of physical location with this diagnosis, but also with the people around me.

So I still need prayers, and in case you need guidance, here are some suggestions for this week:

1. That the treatment finishes as well as it started, and that I am able to keep pulling myself out of bed in the morning.  I get more support from the people reading this blog, but my mattress provides a lot of support too.
2. That our younger daughter decides to help as much as the older one by doing nothing.  Literally.  All night long.
3. That my wife and family can continue their battle alongside mine.  I realize I’ve left a lot of slack to be picked up, and it’s a big chore that they did not ask to do.
4. That the criminals in North Carolina change their evil ways.
5. I told Eda I wouldn’t reuse jokes, but I can’t help it.  Please, Irish, let’s pick up the pace.  I thought it would be cancer that would kill me, not a heart attack. 

*We all hope that you all will come out to the benefit on Saturday October 26, 2013 from 11-2 pm (see Flyer below)  
*If you would still like to order a Team William Shirt, you can.  We will have one more Team William T-shirt pre-order if anyone would like to order, and it can be picked up at the benefit if you choose.

Benefit Flyer

Super Team William going into radiation week 5

Super William

Bat-girls fighting cancer alongside Daddy!

End of Week 5 (well almost)

Audrey is on the investigation team for who stole daddy's identity!

 

Benefit

On October 26th, we are going to be putting on a Fall Carnival and Silent Auction.  All the proceeds will benefit William and Eda.  We would love for kids to wear their Halloween costumes, and adults can wear their Team William shirts.  We have lots of fun events planned... please mark your calendars and tell your friends, family, and neighbors!  Also, if  you or anyone you know would like to donate an item for the Silent Auction, please email Charlotte.  All our welcome....let's show the Lewis Family how much we support them!   Looking forward to seeing you all on October 26th!

*Update coming soon on William's progress.

*Many of you have asked how they can help support the Lewis family.  Here is a list of ideas.  Thank you SO much in advance for your encouragement and love.

Team William Shirts

Thank you SO much to all of you have bought Team William shirts.  Our first order is in the process of being distributed.  If you have not gotten your shirt already, you should be getting it soon! :)  The deadline for our second order is Saturday, September 21st.  We are so excited to show William and his family our support!    Thank you for the outpouring of love!

*Many of you have asked how they can help support the Lewis family.  Here is a list of ideas.  Thank you SO much in advance for your encouragement and love.

William, We ALL SUPPORT YOU!!!