In sickness and in health....

If anyone is reading this you may or maynot know about Will's health issues over the past few months but chances are you do know that we are getting married! Traditional vows have read 'in sickness and in health'. I am not sure what ours will be but some of the sickness has come sooner than we expected. It has been quoted to us though many times....Hits not the years in your life that counts but the life in your years...' We are going to make the most of this life together but here is a little of the story.

It was March/April of this year and what had turned into the Willis and Ruth duo were trucking along in their relationship. Conversations had begun to include kids and houses and working out how to live in the same town. Medical issues came into the picture at this time as well with an upset stomach and decreased appetite for Will. There is not a whole lot of margin for weight loss so Ruth suggested a Doctor's visit. Wanting to cut our the middle man Will went straight to a GI specialist who essentially waved him off with some over the counter medications. We decided it was time now to get someone who could see the whole picture and made an appointment with a Family medicine doctor.

About this time Will was also studying to earn his 737 license in the journey to be employed by Southwest. He had completed one week of ground school and was off for the second week of simulator training. Retaining information had become harder as well as recalling words. Some simple like cup and towel and others more complex like APU or thrusters. During this month as well there had been episodes where Will had numbness down his arms and in his right leg. Lack of appetite and a 'full feeling' in his stomach continued. The medical doctor thought this could all have to do with a hiatal hernia and prescribed some strong antacid. With these in hand Will headed off to finish his training and that he did! Two days before his 33rd Birthday he returned to Nashville with a new 737 license...a sweet accomplishment but it had been a lot harder than maybe it should have been. Around the time he arrived home Will started to have splitting headaches and increasing numbness. Words were even harder to find.

Ruth was visiting Nashville and they were able to go to the doctor together this time. He poked and prodded a bit and listened a lot. They left the doctor's office with two referrals in hand to see an neurologist and another GI specialist. The neurologist was the fist one able to see Will and since it was still a week away we continued on with our trip to Jackson to see Ruth's friends graduate and enjoyed time in Nashville. Ruth had to return to San Francisco before the appointment but Will's parents heard about what was happening and came to Nashville to be beside their son.

The 26th brought an MRI and news that no one expects to hear. The neurologist saw a rather large mass on the left side of Will's head. Although they did not know what the future would hold the decision was made to move back to Kansas to receive care. In 24 hours the house was packed and the Reno's we heading back to KC to all be together. A Neurosurgeon appointment was made for Tues the 31st. Speaking became more difficult but the goal was just to make it until 2pm on the 31st in hopes some answers would be found.

Ruth came in from San Fran a couple of days early to be able to go to the appointment. Unfortunately Will's body could not wait until that time. He woke up the morning of the 31st in bad shape and unable to speak. An ambulance ride later Ruth met the rest of the Reno family in the ER. After a day spent waiting the neurosurgeon was able to see Will and removed a large tumor from the left side of he brain. He was able to extract all that he saw and family and friends who were praying were able praising the Lord for one more day added to Will's life. All those watching were able to see the hand of the Lord spare Will.