Supporting the Wyatt Family

Waylan is settling into his 2nd full week of radiation.  Calie posted the update below and is requesting prayers for Waylan as he is starting to experience side effects.  We don't want to forget William at home navigating life with the triplets alone.  1 family, 2 locations, hearts separated.  Please pray for Waylan, the Wyatt family, and for God to be in the middle of their days giving them their daily bread and endurance for this race.

[From Calie]  When pickles are the only thing that sound good and the only thing you can taste then pickles it is! Thanks to our sweet friends at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Dallas and our friends we’ve met here he’s been hooked up with allll the pickles 🤣🙌🏼

Waylan is really starting to feel the side effects of radiation (they’re treating his entire brain and spine) and I’m reaching out to ask that you specially pray for reduction of his symptoms. It’s breaking my heart to watch him go through this and we still have a long ways to go. 😢💔

Please specifically for:

-Vomiting/Nausea

-Stomach pain

-Back pain

-Weakness (some days he says he can’t hold his body up 😔)

-Change of taste/lack of appetite (everything tastes like water to him)

-Energy levels

I’d give anything to take this all away from my sweet boy, it’s the hardest thing as his mom to watch him go from such an energetic lover of food to a little boy struggling. We are believing and claiming that this time next year we will be able to look back and our sweet Waylan will win! That he will be cancer free and back to doing all the things normal little boys love to do! 🙏🏼💙

Update below on Waylan with radiation starting next week.  Calie & Waylan will be away from their family for 6 weeks.  Please pray for all the logistics to work themselves out and that the triplets will have days filled of fun and not missing their mom and brother.  

Thank you continuing to give to this sweet family!  Updates are also posted on facebook on Waylan's page: https://www.facebook.com/Waylansfight

[From Calie]  Tuesday and Wednesday were a complete whirlwind of traveling and doctors appointments. We were at Cook Children’s and Texas Center for Proton Therapy from 8:30 in the morning until 5 last night and then we headed back home to enjoy time with family before we head back next Tuesday for his 6 weeks of radiation-5 days a week-that will begin on Wednesday. Yesterday we checked off all the baseline tests needed before he begins radiation and did his proton radiation simulation. He had a CAT scan, MRI, and they got him all set up with his new radiation gear. He got to make his special “super hero” mask, a special pillow for his head and a bean bag that molds perfectly around his legs. This is all done to ensure his head and spine remain in the exact same position during each radiation treatment so that it targets only the spots that need radiation. I was worried about his ability to lay still, but he was an absolute CHAMP and blew me away. He really is my hero. Next week he will begin 3 weeks of radiation to treat his entire brain and spine and the remaining 3 weeks will be a booster to target his tumor location. It was surreal to watch everything being prepared for him as he begins this journey and my emotions are all over the place. I’m just so thankful to have the absolute best team of doctors and specialists that have his best interest at heart and aim to cure our sweet boy. He’s already moving mountains, and he’s going to have one heck of a testimony to share one day! 🥹💙 And of course we ended the day with his favorite meal, sushi, to celebrate after a long, hard day! I’m just so proud and amazed by this boy of mine! We may not feel ready for this journey to begin on Wednesday, but he’s already moving mountains and I have no doubt he will kick cancers big ugly butt! 👊🏼😭🫶🏼

I know it's been alittle while since there's been an update here, but the Wyatt's have been waiting for their formal diagnosis on Waylan's tumor.  The medical team wanted to grow things to make sure they knew what they were dealing with in order to prepare the best treatment plan for him.  Please read Calie's update below from Monday, 5/8.  

My goal in starting this site for the Wyatt's was definitely for prayer.  The power of prayer moves mountains.  The Wyatt's know that God loves Waylan and will be with him during this storm.  But since we are on the earthly side of heaven, I really want to help them with their expenses as well.  They are currently working through the treatment plan, what that looks like with radiation AND chemo and will be figuring out travel, housing, childcare, jobs, and MEDICAL BILLS.  While William does have a job and health insurance, not everything is covered.  They are navigating through all of that.  And of course the travel, housing, childcare, loss of work, is NOT covered.  This is where y'all have been amazing to provide for them so far.  Thank you SO much for providing daily manna for them as they've been through a diagnosis, surgery, and now finding out what they're dealing with.  Any amount you can give this precious family is such a blessing, small or big.  Waylan's fight is our fight!!  Who's with me?!

(see new facebook page below that Calie set-up just for Waylan!)

[From Calie] Prayer warriors we need you again! 🙏🏼😭

This morning, after 3 weeks of not so patiently waiting-we finally got Waylan’s diagnosis. Waylan’s cancer is CNS Neuroblastoma (FOXR2 activated). While we are thankful to have answers, it is still extremely hard news to carry. It hurts to know Waylan has to endure something so difficult and we are struggling to wrap our minds around everything.

Later this week we will be back to Cook Children’s in Ft. Worth to meet with his oncologist Thursday to further discuss what exactly this diagnosis means and his treatment plan. Treatment will move quickly now that we have a diagnosis and we do know that he will need chemo and radiation. We will then go Friday morning for a spinal tap to check his spinal fluid and place his port for treatment. Please continue to pray for us-but especially Waylan as we tell him what’s to come and as he begins this fight he has ahead of him. Please pray that Waylan’s spinal fluid and the rest of his body is free of cancer. Pray for the triplets, as their 3 year old minds cannot possibly comprehend what their bubba is about to go through. And last but not least please pray for strength, peace, and patience as we all move forward.

Our hearts are heavy and hurting. We are angry and don’t understand. However much this hurts though, we firmly believe in the power of prayer and in healing only the Great Physician can provide! This is not at all how we pictured our summer, but we’re giving it to God and trusting Him to continue to carry us through this. We are praying most of all that in the end we can praise Him because our Waylan will be HEALED. He is our comfort in this storm that’s been hurled our way. Our boy is SO brave and SO strong. We have no doubt that he will fight this with all that is in him, and we will be right there with him through it all. 💛

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https://www.facebook.com/Waylansfight/

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We created this page as a way to update you all on Waylan’s journey and to gather as many prayer warriors as we possibly can. Since we are parents of our triplets as well, this will be a page where we can primarily update everyone on Waylan’s journey. We still have a lot of unknowns and a long road ahead of us, but we WILL FIGHT THIS with all we have with him. We have faith that in the end we can say #waylanwins and cancer will NOT have the victory, but our Waylan will! 👊🏼 Please share and invite your family and friends!

Anyone else amazed at how resilient Waylan is?!  He has returned back to school, been having some fun at the Amarillo fire station, and living life with a smile on his face!  Just days after major brain surgery.  What a reminder to all of us to live our days just like Waylan.  Each day is a gift, and we should live in the moment with J O Y !!

This week the Wyatt's were back in Fort Worth with another MRI, more discussions about his tumor, and what treatment will look like.  There are still some unknowns, so please continue praying that they correctly identify this pesky tumor and can put together the most perfect treatment to get rid of it completely!  Thank you for keeping Waylan in your prayers.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.

[From Calie]  UPDATE to the update: HUGE PRAISE, HIS SPINE IS TUMOR FREE!!!  I’ve had a lot of people reach out about Waylan updates so I wanted to do a quick one. We just got back from @cookchildrens late this afternoon. We had a meeting with his oncology team yesterday followed by a spinal MRI. They did a spinal MRI as a precaution to check for spinal tumors. Since we believe his tumor is malignant, the chances of them being on his spine are greater. We are still awaiting diagnosis as his pathology results have been sent to be tested at the molecular level. We hope to hear the results of his MRI tomorrow, and the final diagnosis from his pathology results by next week. Please pray as we continue waiting, selfishly that’s the hardest part for me. And I know it’s not easy on William or Waylan either. 😞 Otherwise, our sweet Waylan is in good spirits! He got to go back to school Monday and Tuesday and will go back tomorrow. He hates missing out on PE and recess since his physical activity is very limited post craniotomy, so please pray for patience for him as well. It’s hard to keep a normally very active 7 year old boy still and away from all of his favorite activities! However terrible the circumstances we are grateful to get the extra one on one time with him as we navigate doctors appointments and tests. It’s made us realize how sweet and precious our time is, and how we cherish it even more so now. We’re having to have some big and hard conversations with him as he’s having to think of things most 7 year olds don’t-but we’re so thankful he feels comfortable coming to us with the hard stuff and pray that he always will. We’re continuously so proud of him and the way he’s handled the hurdles that we’ve continued having to jump since March. He is an amazing kid and handles things so much better than I ever could! He is a fighter through and through. 👊🏼 We will keep you all updated as we continue to learn more about what the future holds. 💙

"Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:5-6

Waylan has felt great after surgery despite some small bumps on the road.  However, they got some devastating news on Tuesday (sorry I'm a few days behind!).  Please read Calie's message below.This family needs all the prayers they can get as they continue walking through this difficult season.  As you can imagine the burden of traveling 6 hours away for treatment, having 4 children to manage, leaving jobs, etc will add extra stress.  Any amount you can give to the Wyatt's so they can focus on Waylan is SO appreciated!  Y'all have been so generous so far, but let's keep lifting them up and being a rock for them.  Thank you!

[From Calie] Prayer warriors we need you more than ever. We thought Waylan’s tumor and surgery would be our biggest hurtles but today we got the call from his oncologist. Our beautiful boy, the one who made us parents, has cancer. Writing this out feels like a nightmare. 😢 His tumor is malignant.We still have a lot of unknowns, and a long road ahead of us. We still do not know the type of tumor but we hope to get more answers in the coming days. Once we know the type we will then be able to discuss whether chemo/radiation or both are the best course of action. Tonight we had to do the hardest thing we’ve ever done, and we had to be open and honest with Waylan and tell him he has cancer. We held him as we cried together more than we ever have. We’re angry, we’re heartbroken, and we’re devastated. It’s something you never imagine having to tell your child. It’s something you pray your child will never face. I know we both would trade places with him in a heartbeat if we could. We knew the possibility of his tumor being malignant was real, but when you hear the words “your child has cancer” it breaks you wide open. It shatters you. We don’t understand why this is happening. We’re hurting in an indescribable way. The only thing we can do at this point is give our pain and our fear to God and pray that he protects Waylan and gives us all strength as we move forward. We ask that you please do the same. We could not have made it through all of this so far without the constant love, prayers, and support. We never imagined this happening, but thanks to the army of beautiful people we have surrounding us and our faith, we know that God will see us through this too. He is our hope and our foundation when we feel like we have nothing left to give. And as hard as it is to comprehend, we know He loves Waylan even more than we do and that He is holding him in the palm of his hands. He is our constant in this sea of unknown. 😭💙

WAYLAN'S DISCHARGED!!!!

[From Calie] Our super hero is officially discharged from the hospital!!! We’re heading to see brother and sisters and cannot wait to hug their little necks.

He passed his PT and OT this morning with flying colors and they couldn’t find any other reason for us to stay a day longer. The nurses and staff were bragging on what a tough patient Waylan is, leaving the hospital just 2 days after brain surgery. We prepared to be here much longer but are so thankful to know he is well enough to be out of the hospital already! Thank you, Jesus for these glimmers of light in the midst of the darkness. 💙🌞

I'm one day behind (thanks to a head cold), but I wanted to post Calie's update from yesterday 4/6.  And a pic of superman Waylan!!

[From Calie]  The team here at Cook Children’s is amazed by Waylan and the progress he’s made in just one short day post craniotomy. He is swollen and still in some pain, but his incision looks great! He was able to eat normally most of today as well as move to a normal room and even walk around some. He is blowing us all away! The care we’ve had here has been the best care we could have ever asked for, and we are in awe of this hospital and how wonderful every single nurse and staff member has been. They provide the utmost best care and it’s clear that they truly care for their patients and have their best interest at heart. 😭🏥

His surgeon said there’s a chance we may even get to bust out of this place tomorrow if Waylan continues to do so well! We will still have to wait on the pathology report, which may or may not kill me-but if Waylan can have the comfort of his home we definitely want that for him and for all of us to be together.

We’re still unclear and unsure of what lies ahead in regards to what this tumor is and whether or not it will require treatment. However, once we find out whether it is malignant or benign we will have about a month until we find the best treatment plan if that is what’s needed. We’re continuing to place our trust and hope in the Great Physician and placing whatever lies ahead in His hands, whether it’s good or bad. He is still good, and has been so good to us through this trial.

We love you all and are forever grateful for the constant love and support. ❤️

I couldn't resist putting this handsome boy's pic on another update!  Brain surgery today, and he is smiling SO big.  What joy!  7 year old warrior, child of God.

Waylan made it through surgery, and I know his family and friends are SO thankful that he's on this side of it.  However, his mom, Calie, posted an update alittle bit ago about his status and diagnosis - it's posted below.  This family needs extra prayers now.  Pray for Waylan as his little fragile body tries to heal from this incredibly complicated surgery it just endured.  Pray for the biopsy to be benign.  Pray that William and Calie feel peace despite what the medical team finds out.  Pray that the medical team can see the entire picture, all the details, effectively create a plan perfect for Waylan, and in love communicate the details with his family.  Pray without ceasing.

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[From Calie]  Thank you to everyone who has reached out and covered us in prayer today. It has probably been one of the longest and hardest days of our lives, BUT we are praising God that Waylan is out of surgery and recovering for the night in the ICU.

The tumor was removed, however it was not at all what they were expecting from his previous MRI’s. It was not the news we were hoping for, and we are still dealing with a lot of unknowns. He has another MRI scheduled for in the morning and until we hear back from pathology we unfortunately will not know the tumor type or what exactly we’re dealing with. Specific prayer requests: Waylan to regain strength in his left side, management of his pain and nausea, and that we can get answers. Clear answers on what this tumor is and whether it’s benign or malignant so that we can help Waylan and his body fight.

 We’re confused, frustrated, and just plain defeated. It’s hard to understand why Waylan has had to go through all of this just to still have so much left unknown. We’re continuing to hold onto our faith and trust that God will carry us through this trial. I do not for one second believe He is done with Waylan yet. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt Waylan was born a fighter and that through his life others lives are being touched. He’s going to have one heck of a story to tell, and we’re in complete awe of the little hero he is. 💙💪🏼

It's MRI day!  William, Calie, & Waylan are headed to Fort Worth.  They want you to know these details:

• Surgeon:  Dr. Honeycutt
• Oncologist:  Dr. Murray
• Hospital & Neurosurgeon team:  Cooks Fort Worth

Thank you for praying for this family, and especially for the bravest boy we all know, WAYLAN!!!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 ESV

What is Holy week?  Holy Week, in the Christian church, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ. In the Greek and Roman liturgical books, it is called the Great Week because great deeds were done by God during this week.

In God's perfect timing, He scheduled Waylan's brain tumor surgery in the middle of Holy Week.  Remembering the passion of Christ and what He endured in those 7 days while Waylan is facing an incredible mountain himself.

I have been moved to see how William, Calie, & Waylan have been supported in their hometown of Canyon.  Chanting "WAYLAN, WAYLAN, WAYLAN" by school friends & staff at his school - complete with firetrucks, send off cookies to keep their bellies happy, Waylan's 1st baseball game including a personalized bat giving him encouragement from the opposing team, and friend's wearing firefighter shirts showing their support.

Tomorrow, 4/4 is Waylan's MRI.  Pray that God's healing hands are placed on Him.  We know God can do GREAT THINGS.  We know that God has great plans for Waylan and that this journey is all part of his story here on earth.  Please sign-up to pray for the Wyatt family - that their nerves are calmed and that brave Waylan soaks in every moment of this amazing story God is writing in him.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4ba9af2baafc1-praying#/

Friends, Waylan is going in for an MRI 1 week from today on 4/4 and his brain tumor removal surgery is scheduled for 4/5. We'd love to cover the Wyatt family in prayer during these 2 very difficult days. Please sign-up for one or multiple 15 minute intervals. Set this time aside to pray, worship, sing, or read scripture and lift this child of God up to our Lord!  Sign-up is here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4BA9AF2BAAFC1-praying

From Calie's Facebook post:

With one week from tomorrow to go before surgery I am a roller coaster of emotions. Raw, real, huge emotions. The highest emotions and the lowest. I am in absolute awe of how through the scariest time of our lives we’ve never felt so loved. The outpouring of love and support just keeps blowing me away. Waylan has no idea the impact his story is making, I’m still spinning from it. God is so good and I’m overwhelmed with his ability to carry us through this pain. When it feels too much to bear for us, He keeps showing up and so do each of you. 😭❤️