About 11:00am, January 30, 2004, Austin passed away peacefully. Our little friend is with Jesus now. Thank you all, each and every one of you, for all you did to make his last weeks brighter and happier, and for surrounding him with prayers and love. ~Tricia

A good friend of mine has an 8 year old grandson with a malignant brain tumor. This is from an email that I received from Austin's grandmom. Austin was originally given up to 3 years, but now that has changed. Austin's prognosis has changed to only 3 weeks to 6 months, but the doctors are advising we give him what ever he wants. They will be doing a swallow test to see what kinds of solid foods he can handle. The position of the tumor is blocking more that one spinal fluid drain. The area the tumor is leaves all his knowledge based areas of the brain still functioning, but his involuntary areas as breathing, heart beat, etc are effected by the position of the tumor. The progression will make him retain more carbon dioxide and will make him want to fall asleep. He will eventually just fall asleep and not wake up. I am thanking God for that measure of mercy. In recent days he has lost the use of one arm and he is tired a lot now.

Austin has one more doctor appt to remove the stitches from the shunt that was inserted. Then he will be under hospice care.

Austin's mom says he just lights up whenever he gets anything. I would like to ask for some cards to be sent to him. He is 8 but more like a 5-6 yr old emotionally. He loves Winnie the Pooh. He loves NASCAR's He loves kitties!