Editor's Note: Most times when Connect-Bridgeport follows Bridgeport High School graduates into adulthood, we report on achievements and success. This story by Jeff Toquinto tells the story of 2012 graduate and Indian soccer player Timmy Wilson and his battle with brain cancer. Yet, it is a story of achievement and success - and one which captured the attention and hearts of our readers. This story originally ran Aug. 6, 2016, and sparked interest in fundraisers and events in Wilson's honor.

 

It’s not been too long ago that many in Bridgeport remember seeing Timmy Wilson dominating the local high school soccer field as a member of the Indians’ squad. Many may also remember some of the murals he painted in his alma mater’s hallways.

 

For those that know him well, they probably remember he wasn’t too shabby as a student there and later at West Virginia University. In fact, 22-year-old Timmy Wilson, a 2012 BHS graduate, just earned his Exercise Physiology degree from West Virginia University. On top of that, he was recently accepted into Palmer Chiropractic School in Daytona, Florida.

 

Recently, however, plans on furthering his education and setting his career path have been put on hold. The delay in educational advancement has nothing to do with Wilson deciding he needed a break from the grind of the books before re-hitting them again or even to free up time to get back involved in some level on the soccer field.

 

If only a young-life, “I’m not exactly certain of what I’m wanting to do” was the issue right how. If only things were that simple.

 

Timmy Wilson, that dark-haired blur of a youngster so many recall, is in a battle right now. He’s in a battle far from home and he’s in a battle that – with friends, family and even individuals he’s never met either by his side or with him in prayer and thought – he’s determined to win.

 

In June, Timmy Wilson was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. It’s cancer; a brain tumor that is located on the brain stem.

 

Since that diagnosis, Timmy Wilson’s life has turned upside down. Those who care most have been part of the cycle that, for anyone that’s been through it, knows that the cliché of being on a “roller coaster” ride is all too true.

 

There have been surgeries. There is currently radiation. There will be chemotherapy. There will be, by the will of Timmy Wilson and those who pray so fervently for him and think about him constantly, a day soon when he’ll see things return to normal.

 

But to know where he is on the physical front, one needs to know how he got there. And those who want to know, will learn just how important you are in serving as an emotional life vest in what for many patients facing cancer and loved ones around them know can often be a whirlpool of despair.

 

Timmy’s father, Craig – who so many know in his role as the Vice President of Wilson Martino Dental – talked about the situation that led from a few concerns to circumstances where the family sought out the best care in the world.

 

“It was over a year ago, I imagine, that it first began as far as some things to be concerned about. There was some eye twitching and stuff. I didn’t give it too much thought because I’ve had things like that from drinking too much coffee or being stressed out,” said Wilson.

 

Eventually, those twitches got worse. That period was, Craig estimates, about four months ago. The real concern was that headaches began accompanying the twitching at some point, he believes, in early May.

 

“What was odd was that he would take an extra strength Excedrin and that would take care of it. We, again, thought it was stress because of the finals he was taking,” said Craig. “It was enough of a concern that we sent him down to see the Peasaks (Tim and David) and Bridgeport Express Care. Once they looked at him they sent him to Morgantown for an MRI.”

 

What the MRI revealed was a tumor. Craig said the neurologist was certain of the tumor, but the initial thought was that the tumor was glioblastoma. That, with what little the family would quickly learn was not the news they wanted.

 

“That’s probably the worst diagnosis we could have expected. It was then that I started looking around the country for the best place to deal with this,” Craig said.

 

Craig Wilson had some connections through family as to finding the best place. His father lives in Texas and goes to M.D. Anderson, which is one of the best cancer centers on the planet. A family friend doing an internship, also at M.D. Anderson, and even the family’s research kept pointing them to Duke University Medical Center and the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center to see an oncologist named Henry Friedman.

 

“For this type of cancer, this was the doctor that had been the one that had witnessed any type of success,” said Craig. “ … We dealt with him and then eventually dealt with the surgeon who agreed to work in attempting to remove the tumor who was also named Dr. Henry Friedman.”

 

Same spelling. No relation. Plenty of hope.

 

“Dr. Friedman (the surgeon) was pretty sure it wasn’t glioblastoma. We didn’t have a lot of information, but we knew that medulloblastoma was the lesser of the two,” Craig said.

 

Glioblastoma is a cancer you can get rid of, but it returns and usually comes back with a vengeance, Craig said. Timmy’s medulloblastoma is one that is a little more difficult to remove and has a better chance of spreading.

 

Eventually, surgery was done to make an attempt to remove the tumor on June 30 at Duke University. For four hours, Friedman worked to remove as much of the tumor as possible. They got some of it, but not all of it.

 

“He came through okay and was left with a big scar on the back of his head … Eventually, the pathology report that we waited for confirmed medulloblastoma, which is really a rare tumor in adults,” Craig said. “Only 2 percent of those diagnosed are over the age of 18.”

 

That would be the first surgery. There would be two more – both involving procedures to help alleviate pressure on the brain.

 

“He’s still healing up from surgery, and is on steroids due to headaches and things are healing pretty well,” said Craig.

 

A little more than two weeks ago, on July 20, a plan was put in motion to attack the rest of the tumor. The “Duke tumor team,” as Craig called it, has an itinerary in place and Timmy Wilson has begun the next phase In his battle. He’s already went through a process of having stem cells harvested and this past Monday he began a Monday through Friday process of radiation that will last for six weeks.

 

Following that, Timmy Wilson will rest his body for two to three weeks – depending on what he needs – and then he will begin chemotherapy.

 

“So far, I think things are going pretty good. The only bad part of this is they haven’t been able to control his headaches very much. Hopefully, having him back on steroids will help on that and he has some naeusa,” said Craig. “What amazes me the most is that his spirts are pretty good and doesn’t seem to be getting down in a situation where that would be easy for him to do. People reaching out to him have really been important.”

 

And they have reached out. He’s had friends from Bridgeport show up for visits. His college roommate has been with him. His boyfriend Tyler Karcher, who has some medical training of his own from the college classroom, has been there throughout. As have Craig, mom Lisa and his sister Caitlin.

 

“The big support structure is helping. We appreciate it,” said Craig.

 

Of course, a new wave of support comes from social media. The family has set up a Facebook Page called Prayers for Timmy Wilson (which can be found by clicking HERE). The page, which was set up to allow updates to be posted without Timmy or other family members being deluged by requests for information, has done just that – and something else.

 

More than 1,700 people follow the page. Craig said he updates it regularly and that Timmy reads many of the posts on a regular basis.

 

“He takes comfort from that. I know he’s taken comfort from knowing his friends are praying for him and people, many we don’t know, praying for him and doing things for him and our family,” said Craig. “Still, the social media thing was shocking to see how many people comment and share what we put on the site. I look there many times and there are people we don’t know just offering prayers and support. It amazes me in the best way possible and, yes, it’s overwhelming in the best way possible.”

 

For Craig Wilson and his family, no matter what type of shape a family is in financially, a situation such as this is expensive on multiple fronts. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help defer some of the costs and that can be accessed by clicking HERE.

 

Families going through this and their friends shouldn’t have to worry about finances. They should focus on getting well. And that’s what Timmy Wilson is doing.

 

His current 45-minute to hour long radiation treatments don’t force him to stay at the hospital and has allowed him to stay with relatives who live within an hour of the Duke hospital. Craig said Timmy still likes to get out when he can even though he does need some assistance in walking.

 

“We worry about him falling because Timmy wants to be on the go and he’s never been one to stay put, but we’re all being careful,” said Craig. “We believe we’re on the path to recovery right now and Timmy’s already making plans for his return to finishing his education.”

 

Craig said Timmy, on his own, has worked with Palmer about moving his own enrollment back. And due to the circumstances, he said Palmer seems more than agreeable about the delay for entry.

 

“It looks like they’re going to work with us so he’ll be ready to get to school when this is over,” said Craig, who was proud that his son handled those responsibilities as a young adult.

 

And that’s where it eventually should be – over. Just like those soccer matches that Timmy Wilson took part in where his task as a defender was to not allow the other team to advance or score a goal. Now, he looks to kick cancer squarely in the face and now allow it to make any advances, which is the ultimate goal.

 

Editor’s Note:Individuals wishing to send Timmy Wilson a note or a card, can do so by sending it to 800 Oakhill Drive, Holly Springs, NC 27540. Top photo shows Timmy with part of his support group, from left, Craig Wilson, Tyler Karcher, Chandler Strogen and Caitlin Wilson. Second photo shows Timmy with an upbeat attitude following one of several medical procedures, while he's shown eating cookies sent to him by friend Riley Stahl in the third photo. Fourth picture shows Timmy Wilson prior to his ongoing battle. Photos courtesy of the Wilson family and the Prayers for Timmy Wilson Facebook page.