Austin was diagnosed with stage IV appendiceal adenocarcinoma at the beginning of August 2022. It came hard, and it came fast. It wiped out his strength, and he began fighting a mountain of symptoms. He struggled with cancer-filled fluid filling his abdomen, nausea, fatigue and everything else you can imagine. Appendix cancer is rare, and being the rare boy Austin is, his cancer is very aggressive and not known to have a cure. Different treatment types exist, but not all are successful. We decided, even with the odds stacked against us, to fight.

We started chemotherapy in August and have been in and out of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital many times. His body did not respond to the first type of chemotherapy. We changed plans and began a different kind of chemo. Unfortunately, while trying his new chemo we ended up in the hospital with bowel blockages and malnourishment complications. While trying to place a gastric venting tube and a feeding tube, we found out things are worse than we thought. There is more cancer than can be seen on the CT scans. Austin's entire abdomen and all the organs within are covered in nodules and tumors, this cancer is everywhere.

We have been working closely with his oncologist on treatment. He has told us he has pushed Austin harder than he would others because Austin has something to fight for. But we have been very aware of the low success rates of his treatment.

Austin and I had a very difficult discussion today. He was super honest with me and told me he has been in pain and is ready to live the rest of his life the best he can. We have decided to end treatment. Austin wants to go out on his own terms, surrounded by love and his family. We will be transitioning to hospice care very soon.

We are so heartbroken. We feel robbed of our life together. But we know Austin will always be with us. We know that when his time does come, he will feel peace and no longer have to suffer.

Austin loves his boys with all his heart, and it's super difficult not to think about all the moments we will miss him as they grow. I have loved Austin for 13 years, and 10 years of a beautiful marriage. We got to discover who we are together and grow. We have had the best adventures, and he will continue to be with us on the adventures to come. Austin has been my best friend for years, and this is going to hurt.

We've set up this account to help us through the transition of losing our Austin. We will use it to support our boys and carry on.

Thank you to everyone who loves us, checks in on us, and prays for us. We feel the love and couldn't do this without you. Thank you to those who donated to our Venmo account, it has been a huge blessing to our family.

We are forever grateful for all of you who have touched and blessed our lives. Austin is everyone's "bestie," and we know he will leave a hole in this world.

We love all of you so much. Thank you for being with us during the hardest ride of our life.