Message to Our Loved Ones-Post Surgery

Hello friends & family!

Here is an update about Elijah:
(I will also be posting a blog about our journey and his recovery updates at http://www.elijahewilliams.blogspot.com/. It should be up by tomorrow evening. )

Elijah went into surgery at about 7:30 this morning. He was heading to recovery at about 3:45 this afternoon. The larger tumor was removed and the smaller one was found to be the same type so the entire right side of the liver was removed successfully - he had a bit of blood loss so he was transfused. Unfortunately he has now been moved to ICU due to his bronchopulminary dysplasia (immature lungs). He is having trouble coming out of anesthesia, his oxygen levels dropped a bit too low, and his lungs aren't functioning at full capacity. He is back on a ventilator and will spend at least a few nights in ICU. We should have the pathology report by Monday morning.

We ask that only family visit while he's in ICU but we should be back in post-op recovering by the weekend and will be able to have more visitors at that time.

Thanks so much for the prayers, messages, and calls. We have been so blessed with many loving and caring people in our lives. We are truly thankful.

In lieu of flowers/gifts please donate in his name (Elijah Ezekiel Williams) to the March of Dimes. https://www.marchofdimes.com/howtohelp/donation_in_honor.asp

Second Message to Our Loved Ones

Family & Friends- I hope this email finds you in great health & spirits.
Here is an update on Elijah:

Elijah was scheduled to have a biopsy this past Tuesday. However the pediatric oncology team proposed that his biopsy be cancelled and his case be put in front of Grand Rounds Wednesday (last night) for discussion.

This “round table” group of 5 oncologists, 3 pediatric surgeons and other clinicians discuss the most delicate/complicated cases and come up with the best possible solution. Due to 1 kidney being smaller, Elijah will undergo more testing next week to validate kidney function. If there is concern, the pediatric urologist may be involved in this surgery-to what extent is still unclear. We’ve learned today that the CT scan revealed a small spot on the right lobe of the liver that does not resemble the tumor - meaning it’s probably a hemangioma. The final decision after the round table discussion was to remove the entire tumor and, due to this small spot, the entire right lobe of the liver without preoperative chemotherapy.

Three scenarios are possible after surgery:
1-The tumor & rt. lobe of liver is removed, tests are performed approximately 2 weeks post op and it is determined that no chemotherapy will be needed but monthly monitoring will take place for up to 1 year.
2- The tumor & rt. lobe of liver is removed and a lesser amount of chemotherapy is administered to ensure all bad cells are eliminated.
3-Only a large portion of the tumor is removed & rt. lobe of liver due to its size, chemotherapy is administered to kill bad cells and to shrink the remaining portion and another surgery is performed to remove the remaining tumor. Chemotherapy post op in this scenario is a great possibility.

Testing for kidney function and a meeting with the surgeon and anesthesiologist will happen this Tuesday. Surgery will be scheduled for Thursday. Recovery could be anywhere from 3-6 weeks and if necessary, chemotherapy will begin after he is fully recovered.

Thanks so much for the prayers, the support, cards and phone messages. I will keep you all posted through email.

Our love to you all

First Message to Our Loved Ones about Elijah

Family & Friends,

I am hopeful this email finds you all in good health and spirits. Randall and I are doing well, healthy, and excited about the upcoming arrival of Elijah's little brother (I'm due on Valentines Day!). Elijah is now in the 60th percentile on the regular weight/height charts and will discontinue physical & occupational therapy around his second birthday-which means he is developmentally right on track!

I am writing to request that you pray for our little boys health. By the grace of God, a routine physical revealed a large mass on his liver. An ultrasound, CT Scan and blood work concluded that this softball sized mass is a hepatoblastoma, a form of liver cancer. The mass is too large to be removed so Elijah will undergo a biopsy to confirm the type and stage - then chemotherapy until the tumor is small enough to be removed.

Randall and I are asking our family and friends to pray that Elijah responds well to all that he is about to take on. He has already fought so hard to be with us with entering this world 14 weeks early, spending 2 1/2 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, struggling with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and undergoing 4 surgeries all before he was able to walk. He has a difficult 4 month journey ahead of him so please lift him up and pray that the strength, joy and beautiful spirit we see in him everyday continues to carry him through.

We will keep you all updated as surgery dates come available and progress is made.
Thank You for your love, support, and prayers!