Prayers for a young Scout

[geoffav]

Brendan is one of our newest Boy Scouts and had been sick some recently. He was suffering with some intense pain near the end of the week and was flown by helicopter to Birmingham, AL for some tests. We just heard today that he has stage IV cancer of the liver which has spread to a lung.

This boy is about one year younger than my son and I have worked with him on several projects. I would have bet everything I own that he was the picture of health the last time I saw him. This situation is very serious and I ask for your thoughts and prayers for Brendan, his family, and his fellow Scouts.

We are gathering the Troop today to tell them the news and explain some details. That will happen at 4:30 today so try to add your prayers to ours then and in the days to come. God Bless

[2FAST4U]

So very sorry to hear this terrible news. Sending prayers!

[raceral]

Man, tough story.. you never know what each day will bring. Prayers sent

[geoffav]

I don't think the boys get it. We have the pastor of the sponsoring Church (my Church) coming to pray with them. One of our members is a doctor and he will be there to tell them about the medical aspects. I don't image he will do much more than give them some basic info.

I'm leaving in about 30 minutes for this meeting and would rather do anything else. I hope we can inform the boys without terrifying them.

[BigLeo69]

the "C" word sucks thats what i call it it has plagued many along with many of my family members, a Hail Mary from me for the young Lad

[VPR-KLR]

Den2 pack 545 will be praying for him.

[WAYNES WORLD]

All the best for the young fellow and his friends as well. This is very sad news indeed.
Wayne

[geoffav]

A brief update is below and thank you for the prayers and kind words.

They started Chemo yesterday but Brendan's dad tells us the outlook is bleak. The doctors estimate at best the treatments will extend his life for 2 months. He was given 3 weeks without any treatment. My son is a Life scout and is attending the Woodlore Camping School this week which should be fun and exiting for him. I'm glad he's doing that now and I have time to clear my head before discussing this with him. None of the boys at Woodlore have the update info.

I have this on my mind almost constantly and just can't square this update with the fact that we did his 2nd Class board of review one week ago.

[geoffav]

Originally Posted by VPR-KLR

Den2 pack 545 will be praying for him.

Thanks, I sure would like to report on a miracle but the updates are bleak.

[Cobra Cory]

You can ask Kathy how angry I get when I see kids get sick like that. Simply pisses me off. I know it isn't a good reaction but it just ticks me right off to see kids suffer. I just don't get the reasoning for it to happen to someone so young, when there are so many evil people on this planet that could take their place in the sick line.
Kathy and I are praying for him and his family in this time of need.
I wish I could do more.
It is going to be a tough road they will be traveling on.

God, keep Brendan in your heart.

[Someday I Suppose]

Geoff, horible news for sure, Brandon will be in our thoughts for sure, doctors aren't always right.

Like Cory said kids being sick is the worst, such a helpless feeling for sure...

[evvander11]

One of my best friends was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer after he collapsed playing basketball, was given 6 months...that was almost 5 years ago, so there is reason to be optimistic!

From one eagle scout to fellow scouts, he will be in my thoughts and prayers!

[happybigblock]

Terrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and the hope for a miracle.

-Steve & Theresa

[geoffav]

Originally Posted by evvander11

One of my best friends was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer after he collapsed playing basketball, was given 6 months...that was almost 5 years ago, so there is reason to be optimistic!

From one eagle scout to fellow scouts, he will be in my thoughts and prayers!

I know what you mean about staying optimistic. One of my good friends happens to be a doctor and I asked him about why they would start chemo. He had some interesting stories about not giving up hope.

[geoffav]

I wish the reason for resurrecting this OLD thread was to report a miracle, sadly it is not. OR is it.

It's been 13 months plus from when we thought Brendon had only weeks left. I remember posting this then and being hurt and confused. While Brendon was a new Scout to our Troop, his Dad had been our Scoutmaster many years ago. I had a great conversation with Brendon's dad when he came by a Scout fundraiser I was working with my wife and son. His words confirmed what a fight Brendon was waging and that the doctors had told the family most everything had been done. They should prepare themselves.

My conversation with the Dad was the weekend prior to the 4th of July. The end of last week they took Brendon to Destin to enjoy the beach. I heard from them that he had taken a turn for the worse and was on life support at Sacred Heart in Destin. While we braced for news we heard he was moved by jet to Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL. This weekend we had more fundraising and all of us had Brendon on our minds. Then we get an update and a picture of Brendon eating pizza. This was followed later by a picture of him having some custard donuts, a favorite of mine too.

Long story getting longer, Brendon is well enough to come home. A CT scan confirmed he has no additional tumors or issues. His Mom reports that he is the "happiest I’ve seen him in so long. He can’t stop smiling and seems like an angel."

More info on Brendon is available on Facebook. He has friends all over the World pulling for him.

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[geoffav]

When I first posted this in June 2011, I was sad and angry. How could this be happening, why one of our Scouts, why someone so young with so much promise? I don't have all the answers yet but because of the last 13 months of watching people from ALL OVER care for Brendon, my faith could not be stronger. The work done by his doctors and nurses has be monumental. The people who have come together to support the family have all been touched and changed for all time.

We still have hope and now know how much courage and character matter in a life. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers from you guys. God Bless.

[2FAST4U]

This is indeed good news. I hope and pray there is no more incidents like this one. God speed!

[geoffav]

It's been a tough time since June of 2011. I wanted to update you guys who have offered your prayers and thank you. Brendon is at home with hospice care. We see so many people doing everything they can to help him and his family. It's sad but inspiring.

A foundation was set up in Brendon's name to raise money for the researchers at Children's Hospital. The local community has come together to meet a goal before the end of the year. Walmart has really pitched in along with so many of their vendors. Frankly, every business in town has provided support. Even our small car club has donated generously.

The Doctors involved with Brendon's care and the research are on the heals of real progress with this rare cancer. We should meet our goal but it will require some hard fundraising and generous donations.

Brendon's Mom keeps us updated on FB and the link is below if you want to be in the loop. I talk to his Dad pretty often and don't mind telling you many tears have fallen as we talk. While we all hope for the ultimate miracle, there may come a day when I post a final chapter.

Thank you for the prayers. They are still needed and appreciated.

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[NiceGuyEddie]

continued prayers from Life Scout, Troop 64 Hicksville, Long Island, New york, 1981-1988.

SPL 1986-1987

.

[NAGA]

Thanks for the update Geoff. There's still hope for a miracle. I've had good religious people try to explain this to me but I still don't understand how this can be allowed.

It won't stop me from praying.


d

[geoffav]

Originally Posted by NAGA

Thanks for the update Geoff. There's still hope for a miracle. I've had good religious people try to explain this to me but I still don't understand how this can be allowed.

It won't stop me from praying.


d

I won't pretend to know God's plan. While it might seem unfair to compare the lives of a sick child with that of an evil person who survives to old age. I have learned to not do it.

I'm not sure why we are here but I know the world is a better place because of Brendon. I know so many people because of him, good people. I know our Scouts are learning about life and how precious it is. I know two Doctors that have learned so much about a rare type of cancer that would not be possible without this tough young Scout. I recently learned that when I was first told about this issue, the Docs had told the parents he might not make it to Friday. That was in June of 2011.

The "no crap" assessment from the Doctors is that their actions may have kept him going for a couple of months. That leaves a year and counting sustained by the prayers of people all over the world and from different faiths. Awesome.

[Cobra Cory]

The power of prayer my friend.....The power of prayer.
Kathy and I are still praying for this young man and his family. His name is still on our fridge on the pray for list. See it everyday.
I think that kid has a mission to fulfill and it simply hasn't gotten done yet.
Keep the Faith.
Kathy and Paul.

[geoffav]

Originally Posted by Cobra Cory

The power of prayer my friend.....The power of prayer.
Kathy and I are still praying for this young man and his family. His name is still on our fridge on the pray for list. See it everyday.
I think that kid has a mission to fulfill and it simply hasn't gotten done yet.
Keep the Faith.
Kathy and Paul.

That's exactly right. Thx

It might help to see a picture of our boys from when Brendon was well. He is front and center for this picture. His Dad is on the back row with the glasses and my son is on the far right of the front row. I didn't make this trip so I'm not in the picture but the guy in the suit is Gov. Bentley. There's not much I wouldn't do to take Brendon back to this happy day.

On a positive note, tonight our car club donated $1000 to Brendon's foundation. This is over and above the "personal" checks written by members. While you won't hear too many people praising Walmart, I can tell you they have done some remarkable things to support the foundation. They are huge contributors to our annual toy drive as well.

[geoffav]

I just received a text from Brendan's Dad. Early today he took a turn for the worse and about an hour ago he passed away peacefully.

I'll post some other info later. I don't feel like saying more now. It's been a bad week.

[Steven K]

So sorry to hear the news.

[geoffav]

Of all times, I'm having some "issues" with some of our Boy Scout family. Add me to your prayers, I'm going to need all the help I can get to make the next few days go smoothly. I don't want us to fail Brendan's family in their time of need.

[speedfreak]

Im sorry to hear that

[watermoccasin]

Sorry to hear that. Peace to you, his family, the troop.

[geoffav]

We had a huge birthday party for Brendan a few months ago. Most of the town was there and I'm sure we will come together to celebrate his short but meaningful life.

[VPR-KLR]

I'm so sorry.
Please send our condolences to the family.