FAIRMONT — The disappointments of life are always a struggle. Some do so by grappling them head-on. That seems to be the case for Trimont resident Brad Williams, who recently lost his left leg due to cancer.

A benefit and silent auction for Williams will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at Martin County West High School in Sherburn.

The benefit is a breakfast, with pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. The silent auction will close at noon and people must be present to pick up items on which they bid.

Donations for Williams may be dropped off at Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Alpha or First Farmers & Merchants Bank at Fairmont.

According to his sister-in-law, Marsha Williams, Brad’s journey began in April with pain and swelling in his left thigh. After many trips to Fairmont doctors and the ER; trips to Rochester; ambulance rides to Rochester; and many tests, scans and surgeries, they found he had sarcoma, localized in his left thigh.

After being given the options, Brad and his family made the decision to have his left leg amputated.

Brad has been doing physical and occupational therapy, but he has a long road ahead of him to get his strength back and to continue to learn his new “normal.” Marsha said one of his biggest dreams has to do with mobility.

“We’re hoping that he can get a van where he can just roll the electric wheelchair in there and scoot over to the driver’s seat,” she said. “That’s his goal is to be able to drive and he’s really looking forward to that.”

Marsha says Brad has not lost his positive outlook, finding humor in the smaller things.

“One of the crazy things is that his doctor’s name is Pete Rose, as in the ball player,” she said. “So when he first got up there and that was his doctor in the very beginning, he chuckled over that.”

Brad’s positive outlook also had a role to play in his decision to amputate.

“It’s just amazing, because he’s the one who made the decision,” Marsha said. “They could have done some chemo and he would have just laid there and it never would have got better. So he made the decision and I was very hopeful for his state of mind, because he wanted to live or he wouldn’t have done that.”

According to a CaringBridge website set up for Brad, he was discharged from Rochester in late August and has been progressing with therapy. Marsha said that after a brief setback that put him back in the hospital, he returned home again in early October.

She said that Brad and his wife, Connie, are thankful for the wonderful medical care, and the love and support of family and friends.