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Ayden Cole was four years old on March 1st. He is the older of two boys in the Cole family. His three year old brother is Jackson and Ayden’s parents are Joey and Stephanie Cole. On August 29th, Ayden was taken to the hospital because he kept complaining about stomach pains. The initial reaction was that he may have appendicitis. However, that was not the cause. A CT scan showed an enlarged liver and spleen. More tests as they tried to find the cause. From September 8th to 11th he was in the Greenville Memorial Hospital. Finally, on October first, it was finally proven that he had leukemia. His parents were shocked, both Stephanie and Joey cried a lot.
Ayden is a daddy’s boy and Joey was overcome with concern. Ayden was immediately prepared for chemo treatment. The treatment was every week and he was given medicine everyday. In children, leukemia is a cancer of the early blood-forming cells. Most often, cancer of the white blood cells. The disease most commonly occurs in children ages 2 to 8, with a peak incidence at age 4. Ayden is tired a lot and he’s very weak. He doesn’t play much anymore and loves to sit with his daddy, Joey and watch television or hug his dog, Mason. Joey told me that Mason must have known about Ayden because the dog would lie next to Ayden and put his head on his stomach.
Finally this little, fun loving kid started to eat again. You can see by the pictures how he is now physically different than before the treatments. The good news is that there is now a 95% survival rate. The treatment to be cancer free and in remission takes 38 months. Only then will they know. This means it will be December 2013 before Ayden might be in remission and cancer free.
The Cole family is a very close family. Joey told us as soon as his son loses all his hair because of treatment, he will shave his head. His brother Jackson only knows that his brother is sick. His mother Stephanie is very caring. She firmly believes “God has a purpose and a plan.”
The Cole family gives Ayden the best medicine of all. Everyone including grandparents and relatives give Ayden a lot of love - a lot of prayer.
The medical costs keep mounting. This Saturday, November 10th there will be a golf tournament benefit with all proceeds going to help with medical expenses. It will be at the Meadowbrook Golf Course. The $60 per person fee includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart and a BBQ dinner. If you would like to participate, call 828-289-1141.
If you are fortunate enough to spend time with Ayden’s mom, dad and brother, you will discover what family is all about and what love is all about. You will see the determination of everyone to see this disease conquered and have Ayden totally in remission by December 2013. Meanwhile, let us pray and help in any way we can.
For more information on how you can help this family call 828-447-4001 or 828-289-7090.
