Prayer Request for Austin - age 15 (sad update at #3290)

More than two years ago, I asked for your prayers for my son, who was undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor. His treatment at the time, though physically brutal, was successful. However, Austin's cancer has returned, and he will be going back into radiation and chemo soon - he had surgery last week.

This is so hard - he pretty much missed Middle School with this, and now here goes High School. Pray for him to enjoy college...

Good morning, ALL!!

Back in November, 2006; along with the regretable election results, I began following this thread; to me it is about the journey of one truly brave young man and his good family traveling the difficult path with "Austin"; and to me, it is a story about hope!!

Here I submit the beginning of the story, posted initially on November 19, 2006 and "PhatHead's" updates:

Initial Post Establishing the Thread (November 19, 2006):

"More than two years ago, I asked for your prayers for my son, who was undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor. His treatment at the time, though physically brutal, was successful. However, Austin's cancer has returned, and he will be going back into radiation and chemo soon - he had surgery last week.

This is so hard - he pretty much missed Middle School with this, and now here goes High School. Pray for him to enjoy college...

We will very much appreciate all of your prayers. Thanks you.

Pax Christi.

1st Update @ Post #108 (November 22, 2006):

I just want to let you all know that the cancer has also spread to his spine. He begins chemotherapy Monday."

2nd Update @Post #144 (November 23, 2006)

I just want to give you all a little bit of an update. Austin's feeling much better so far than he did the last time through chemo in 2004-05 - very little nausea. He has lost his hair already, though - his older brother and I shaved our heads, too. Sounds corny, I know. We did not do it last time, but he is older now, and was more upset about the hair loss than when he was 11. He enjoyed buzzing us.

His next treatment phase, sometime in the spring, will be much, much tougher than this one - he'll be in the hospital for at least a month.

Thank you all for your continued prayers - i know they mean a lot to Austin, and to me.

Pax Christi.

3rd Update @ Post #262 (December 31, 2006)

Personal Note to "Nancee"

4th Update @ Post #265 (December 31, 2006):

"You are so right."

"How is that COWBOYS fan tonight? Tell him we love him, and will keep the prayers going up to our Heavenly Father for him and for his dear family!"

He is unhappy about his team - but well-grounded enough to know it is only a game!

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers.

Pax Christi!

5th Update @ Post # 474 (January 5, 2007):

Personal Note to "timer"

6th Update @ Post # 582 (January 6, 2007):

"Dear PhatHead-can you give us an update on Austin's progress?"

Of course - only I wish there were more of an update. He started chemotherapy the week after Thanksgiving. he gets it five days at a time, with a couple of weeks in between. After a few months of this, he will go into the second phase of chemo, which a great deal more difficult. When that time comes, I will definitely post some more details. For now, all we really know is that he has many months of chemotherapy, radiation and some other drugs still ahead.

Thank you again to all of you for the continued prayers.

7th Update @ Post # 676 January 8, 2007):

Thank you one and all (and especially our "Guardian Freeper" Nancee!) Meeting with docs tomorrow to start planning next phase of treatments.

8th Update @ Post # 930 (January 9, 2007):

I need to build a ping list of all the wonderful Freepers adding their prayers for Austin. I want to give you this brief update. He had his first MRI since the beginning of chemo a little over a week ago. The chemo is doing what it is supposed to - the cancer has shrunk a little bit. That is important because it means he can go on to the next phase of his treatment. His cancer is a type that can develop a resistance to chemo, but his has not. I'll post another update when that phase starts. It will be pretty intense...

Again, thank you all for your prayers - Austin is stunned by the outpouring, and it really means a lot to him (and me.)

9th Update @ Post # 1,084 (January 26, 2007):

Personal note to "Txsleuth"

10th Update @ Post # 1,085 (January 26, 2007):

"I think it is wonderful to see all of the FREEPERS involved in your son's prayer support!! What a great group of solid, faithful souls!!"

It is truly overwhelming, and we are very grateful. I only wish there were more updates to post, but the truth is, most days, most weeks, it is just drudgery and perseverance.

11th Update @ Post #1,219 (January 31, 2007):

Just a short update to all - bump and ping as you see fit...

Austin is going in for surgery Friday (the 2d) to place a central line in his chest. Over the next few days, he'll be receiving some drugs (GCSF) that will enable the doctors to harvest his own stem cells to be stored for later. His next phase of treatment is a high dose chemo which will drop his blood counts below the point where people can recover naturally. He will receive his own stem cells back at that time to enable him to recover.

We don't yet know the date when this phase will start, but we are closer now. He'll be home to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, but at the doctor's office very day (including the weekend.)

I want to thank you all again for your prayers - I truly cannot tell you how much it means to us.

12 Update @ Post # 1,653 (February 6, 2007):

Naturally we are all wondering how it went last Friday and in the days since.

The surgery was uneventful and quick, and they were able to start the stem cell harvest yesterday. That continues for a few days, and then he has five days of chemo, so it's back and forth to the hospital for a week or so. After that, the next phase and the schedule will kind of depend on how quickly he recovers from this round of chemo. We are thinking probably "the big one" will start sometime in March.

We did not really have a rooting interest in the Super Bowl, but had some friends over to watch the game and had a great time.

As always, I wish there were more updates to give you, but things don't change quickly, or change much from one day to the next. We continue to be humbled and grateful for all of your prayers and support.

This is where "Austin", "PhatHead", and "Austin's" older brother are today. And this is where we are today, too, because we have chosen to become invested in this young man and his family through our prayers, love, and personal involvement! The Lord calls us to these concerns; places individuals and families and causes on our hearts.

I ask myself, what does He want from me in this?

To love this brave young man and to walk with him and his good family through this ordeal. I know He wants me to pray for them and to embrace them with {{{{HUGS}}}} each and every day!

And He constantly reminds me of this truth:

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15, 16)

To be able to share this with so many of you continues to bless my heart and soul!! Thank you all so very much for your fellowship in prayer!!

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