William | CaringBridge

Journal entry by Natalie Troiani — Sep 17, 2023

This was an interesting weekend, kind of rainy and dreary and Bucky hasn’t been his typical energetic self. As he sat and snuggled with me all day today, I wondered if he knew deep in his heart that it was three years ago that his journey with his brain tumor began.

Three years ago yesterday, I was at Central DuPage Hospital with a three year old Will being told that our perfect little boy had a mass in his brain. I remember so much about that day. I remember thinking I was a bad mom because I must have missed a concussion, that was the only logical explanation for the sudden change in Will’s walk and the new tremor in his hand. I remember the look of fear on the doctor’s face when he came in the room to tell me about the mass, he had said he saw nothing odd with his walk and I think he was humoring me by even ordering the CT scan to begin with. I remember the spinning light up toy that the nurse used to distract Bucky while they tried to put in an IV line and how he convinced the nurse to let him keep it. I remember they couldn’t get the IV line in and they tried again and again and when they finally got it in, he ripped it out. I remember begging the doctor to let my mom in the hospital so I could tell her in person what was going on (we were in the height of COVID so my mom had been waiting for us in the car and Brad was at home because Maggie was only three weeks old). I remember the look on my mom’s face when I told her. I remember calling Brad to tell him what was going on and telling him he needed to pack bags for us and that mom was coming to get the girls and we were waiting on an ambulance to bring us to Chicago to Lurie Children’s Hospital. I remember the AMAZING EMTs who finally got an IV line in and how they put a mini cast on Will’s Toy Story cowboy Woody so they would both have something on their arm. I remember our phenomenal doctor calling me while I was in an ambulance, lights and sirens going, to check on me and Will and to let us know she was following everything on MyChart. I remember getting to the ED at Lurie and meeting with a bunch of doctors. And I remember Bucky was wearing his Olaf onsie pajamas and one of the doctors commenting on how cute he was.

I’m not sure how much Bucky remembers from that day, or the days immediately following. But for better or worse, everything about that day has become a core memory for me.

Fortunately, over the last three years, we’ve made different core memories as a family. And this December we will get to make even more when we go on Bucky’s Make A Wish trip to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and Give Kids The World Village! For a young boy who loves Christmas, Toy Story, Disney, the Grinch and Spider-Man as much Bucky does, this trip will surely be an unforgettable experience! All three of the kids have been through so much in the last three years and while this certainly isn’t the way we wanted to be able to go to Disney, we are so grateful for this opportunity. If you aren’t familiar with the Make A Wish Foundation or Give Kids The World Village, I encourage you to learn more about these incredible organizations.

As always, thank you to everyone who continues to help our family, pray for our family and support us in so many ways. We love and appreciate you all so very much!

Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.

Help William Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like William's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Newest Update

Three years and core memories

Leave a comment of support for William

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Newest Update

Leave a comment of support for William

Invite friends and family to visit the site

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.