Pray for Wayne and his family!

Our family is facing the greatest challenge of our lives to this point in time. Wayne, my husband, partner of 25 years, and father of my two daughters (Kyrah and Raven), is in the Oncology ICU at evergreen Kirkland right now fighting for his life. 

He was diagnosed late July with stage 3,  aggressive bladder cancer. Treatment to prevent the spread was quickly in progress. Bladder cancer is usually very survivable if it stays within the bladder. This is not so much the crisis, but it plays into where he’s at now. 

On Labor Day, he went into the hospital with a dangerously high fever. He was admitted in for Sepsis, a staph infection in his bloodstream. The entry point appeared to be from his port. It was placed in his chest just a few weeks prior, and he had received his first chemo treatment. 

With his immune system destroyed from the chemo, his body is not able to fight infection the way it should. His port was removed and he was put on IV antibiotics (which will continue for at minimum another month). 

Meanwhile, his infection continued growing. Antibiotics were not working. Within two days , he was incoherent of what’s been going on around him and is in a state of delirium. I have had to consent to all treatment and procedures, something I never anticipated having to do for my 49 year old spouse. 

After almost two weeks, the infection has finally stopped growing. He’s had three blood transfusions, was intubated for pneumonia so they could safely perform procedures, and is in kidney failure receiving dialysis.  In testing, they’ve also found what appears to be cancer in his spine as well. 

Prolonged central infection is often not survivable after two weeks, especially with the immunodeficient. 

Anyone that knows Wayne, and many of you do, know he’s a stubborn son of a bitch. 

He’s putting up a hell of a fight right now, and was extubated a couple days ago and is breathing on his own again. He’s maintaining at the moment, but his status could change at any time. 

He’s far from safe still,  and will remain hospitalized for an unforeseen amount of time. If he manages to pull out of this and make a full recovery, then is facing what the delay in his cancer treatment has caused, or whether he’s even able to continue, if his kidneys are non-functional. 

We pray for the best, but are preparing for the worst. The kindness and caring in this community is overwhelming. So many people…friends, family, acquaintances and complete strangers, have reached out to offer help to make our lives more manageable through this process. 

I’m struggling to maintain my household my business, our collective finances, and my sanity in tact through it all as I wait for hospital bills to start rolling in. I’ve missed more time at work than I can afford, but  I don’t want to miss being present with him on what could very possibly be his last days. 

This has been the hardest, most heart wrenching and simultaneously beautiful experiences I’ve ever witnessed. My heart pours out with gratitude and so much love for all of you. Our family, friends, this community, all of the medical staff caring for that asshole(spoken with so much love), leaves me awestruck.  

So if you feel compelled to offer help, in whatever form moves you, our family is so, so grateful for the love in your hearts.

What we need most are your prayers, your Light, you’re positive thoughts and good vibes directed our way. If you want to write them down and leave them here…any words for Wayne, prayers, thoughts, memories, to know he’s so loved that alone means the world.  

All of my love and gratitude, namaste friends,

Jen Willson