Audyn’s Faithful Army against Cancer
Thank you for visiting this GoFundMe forthe Cole family. As I sit here and type up words that would represent their journey and story, I find myself falling quite short of the emotion and faith represented in Audyn’s family. Please forgive me if I leave something out or do not have the perfect verbiage to describe this sweet family’s story. They are loved by many! More importantly, they are loved and treasured by our Almighty God! Please help fund Audyn’s cancer treatment that will cost them about $3,000 a month. She will likely need to continue treatment for a year. That’s $36,000 plus she had a hospitalization for many tests, diagnostic studies, specialty consults and mobile ICU transport. She may need chemotherapy as well pending efficacy of this medication. They are incredibly thankful for all the medical professionals that laid hands on Audyn at both hospitals she was treated at during the first week of life. They are also very thankful for prayers!
Dustin and Rachel Cole have welcomed their sweet baby girl into the world on June 5, 2020. She weighed 6lbs 9oz and 20inches long and looks just like her sisters! She was the final piece to their puzzle and their family was elated! Rachel’s words were “we are absolutely in love with her!” shortly after birth during skin to skin and nursing the OBGYN noticed that her left leg was swollen. She nursed well and then she was whisked away in a mobile ICU after their hospital was unable to work up and manage this mass. Unfortunately after giving birth they packed their things and traveled behind their sweet baby girl who was in the hands of medical professionals at Nationwide Children’s. At that time they had planned for more testing and possible surgery on an unknown growth/swelling to her left leg that is too close for comfort to her femoral artery and vein.
Through that they kept faith.
The days following were quite a blur for Rachel and Dustin and their 3 girls at home being watched by friends! They met with a surgeon and a neonatologist that day. The Ultrasound showed a solid mass that extends through and around her femoral artery. They then consulted an Oncologist. They planned to get an MRI and biopsy the mass.
They continued to keep faith and pray for healing.
The physicians were sure she would need multiple reconstructive surgeries down the road and potentially treat a malignancy. There were many tears but they continue to give Glory to God trusting his plan for Audyn and asking for complete healing.
A post for Rachel on June 7, 2020 :
“As I sit here in this calm moment, watching Audyn sleep peacefully, I can feel His presence and amongst all the recent uncertainty, I have come to realize that God shines brighter than ever during our darkest moments. It is through our relationship with Him that we feel hope and feel encouragement. Even in the midst of darkness, God is strength and light and His Word helps us to choose faith over fear.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious, that in all things He hears every prayer and He will guard our hearts and our minds.
Give your worries to God. Allow Him to be in control. He’s not surprised by anything we are going through. Nothing about this life is perfect and there will be challenges and difficult times, but throughout everything, we can lean on the comfort of Gods presence.
“So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10”
Dustin’s post on June 7, 2020:
“Lord, I could take a knee right now and continue selfish prayers with all that’s going on but to be honest all I need is your peace placed upon our baby girl and our family. Walking through these halls and waiting on test results have had my head spinning. I’ve come to realize in the short time we’ve been here that my heart has become softened even more for your love. My heart aches not only for Audyn, but also for the other babies in this place. Life is so fragile and everything can change at any moment. I don’t want to waste my time on Earth not praising you and being thankful for every blessing you’ve given my family and I. I can only hope and pray this journey will have a positive outcome.”
On June 8, 2020 Audyn’s MRI shows high probability of sarcoma. This was devastating to hear. No one wants to hear that word... cancer. Shortly after the surgeon told them that it was inoperable. She wasnot a surgical candidate due to the femoral artery involvement. Oh God how will you work? Oh God how will she heal?
Rachel posts “For the battle is not yours, it’s Gods” 2 chronicles 20:15.
Their faith continues!
Dustin posts a sermon describing tragedy and heart ache. They are going through just that. “Your disappointment isn’t dead. It is an open door for greater things.” It amazing seeing what God puts in front ofyou to show you he is with you. God is definitely with them.
On June 9, 2020 she had her biopsy of the mass to determine malignancy although the Oncologist was very sure it was a sarcoma.
Dustin posts on June 9, 2020:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)”
they. keep. faith.
Dustin post on June 10, 2020:
”God is a unifier.
God is a healer.
God is a barrier-breaker.
God is the Great I Am.
He is the God of your situation and He is with you now.”
they. keep. faith.
Rachel’s post on June 10, 2020:
“The oncologist is hoping to have some results later this afternoon. Meanwhile, miss Audyn is doing spectacular otherwise as a normal newborn and we have fallen so deeply in love with her. I can continue to feel Gods presence and love through all of this and I know it is through all of your prayers that our faith has continued to remain strong. Though devastated, and though we do have weak moments where we break down, I always seem to find more hope and strength, and again I strongly believe that is in response to all of the amazing support we have right now!! You each are so loved and appreciated.”
Finally some news. The tumor is an infantile fibrosarcoma. There are many tears of sadness. There are many questions filling their heads and hearts. There are many prayers of devastation, sadness, anger but there are also prayers of goodness and blessing.
There are three types of infantile fibrosarcoma. They were praying for NTRK. This type will not likely require chemo therapy but the other two would. She would have to take a medication that would shrink the tumor. If it is one of the other two, the results will take 2-3 weeks to find out and she will require chemo and surgery. This type of cancer has an 80% survival rate and is typically very responsive to treatment. The chance of metastasis is low and typically spreads to the lungs. She already had a CT of her chest which was negative for any findings.
June 11, 2020 they were able to come home after an ultrasound to make sure the mass did not grow to occlude her artery.
Their girls were finally all home under one roof. They were able to hold and kiss their sweet sister. Rachel and Dustin yearned for some normalcy. Rachel’s says “ my heart is full, Lord keep me in the moment.”
They continue to keep faith.
God puts a sermon in front of Rachel called “God is good and bad things happen”. Another imagery of God”s presence and guidance.
Some amazing friends put some money together and paid for newborn photography for Audyn Savannah!
On June 18, 2020 she was positive for the NTRK gene mutation! Prayers have been answered. The Oncologist outpatient visit gave them some peace with the plan of medication that will shrink the tumor. At this time she will not have to undergo Chemo. This was good news. She will have to visit Nationwide weekly to monitor liver function, hemoglobin and ANC. She will be immunocompromised with the drop in her ANC level. They plan to give the medication 2 months. If there is little to no response, she will need to undergo chemotherapy. It has grown half an inch since birth. They have not received the medication just yet but hope that it comes very soon. With the financial burden to this family for a medication that will cost a lot of money and potential chemotherapy with a week of hospital bills and delivery, I am asking for help for this family.
They continue to have faith.
They do not want to burden anyone but I told her it’s not that at all. This is a joy forsome of us. It is a joy to give and help. Formyself I live far away. I am not able to grab her kids or bring them supper. What I can do is help financially and prayerfully. Many of you know this family. Many of you will not know them. I pray that your contribution, if you choose to give, is with joy. Giving is a joyous thing. Please consider helping Audyn and their family be able to afford her expensive treatment and pay off some medical bills. The last thing these parents should have to worry about is the finances. They love Dave Ramsey! Right Dustin? :)
Please continue to pray for healing. Please pray that this medication is effective and reduces the size of her tumor substantially. The tumor has now grown and inch and is a very fast growing tumor.
I will leave you with Rachel’s words:
“We have so much faith that God has got this precious girl in his hands and will be with her every step of the way!”
God does not call the equipped. He equips the called. He has called this family. Now we are asking you to help equip them with financial support to fight this cancer. You can help. Audyn can fight this!
Let us all keep faith like the Coles!