Our tests this week reveal that Dashiell's time with us is shortening. The few remaining treatment options may reduce his discomfort, but none of our physicians believes that cure is possible any longer.

Timing is hard to project, but can be likely measured in weeks or months.

Pam and I are coming to grips with this as much as we can. It is not a surprise, but is a shock nonetheless.

I am devastated, to be blunt. I am also aware that how we/I respond will set a course for our family and specifically for my sons. Finding balance has been a challenge.

I appreciate your words and kindness over this past year in a way that I cannot convey.

Meaningful thoughts are fragmented right now, but be assured that we have no regrets, and although we will grieve, the joy of sharing his life and love will outweigh our sadness, eventually.

Be strong, and cherish the time you have with your son.

Our prayers continue. There just are no good words... May God give grace, strength and comfort,

Rob

I was wondering how things were going. Prayers for all of you.

Brian, your family has been in my thoughts and prayers, and that will continue...

I am so very sorry, Brian.

Terribly sorry to hear this Brian. Make the most of the time you have left with your son.

Thanks for keeping us posted.

NT

May God bless and strengthen all of you as you go through this.

course.

--
Sincerely,

Hobie

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

May the Good Lord find a way to ease your grief.

Dave

I am very sorry to hear this.
Enjoy each other as long as you can. Grieve as much as necessary. Keep your memories close to your heart.

and give you strength.

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

nm

Our prayers continue for you and your family.

My prayers to you all.

With heavy heart,

Murphy

.

Prayers on the way

Brother, this news fills my eyes with tears and my heart with sorrow.
It will not mean much now, but be assured that the care and love you've given him throughout his life will help the healing in the long run.

Prayers for strength and healing continue.

Mark

My prayers go out for you, your family and Dashiell.

Prayers continue for the whole family.

I cant imagine the pain your going through!!

God works in mysterious ways. I went through a lot the first few years with my boys. Hold your faith and support all of your family. I will continue to pray for all of you.

So sorry to hear this. Prayers for Dashiell and you all.
Lord please bless all of them.

I am finding it impossible to put into words how this effects us. The wife and I have been quietly following your updates here and on Facebook, with sadness and joy over the many events in Dash's life these past months.

Frankly, we find you and your wife amazing. Not sure how we would respond to a similar situation with our children, probably not as well as the two of you. You are rocks of foundation for the entire family.

Our hearts and prayers go out to you and yours. Hold Dash tightly in your heart, he has been an enlightenment to all.......

Otony

Sorry that it has come to this, prayer for all.

Our prayers are with you all.

Words are insufficient

--

to place myself in your shoes and feel how horrible that must be. I have no words that can lessen the pain. Just know I will be praying for you all during this very hard time.

Very sorry Brian. Prayers continuing. God Bless!

This is tough territory. I'm sure you're doing what you can for everyone.

I lost a son nearly two years ago. It helped me to take advice from a few trusted people who ensured that I eat a bit, rested a bit, and the like.

Prayers go up for you and yours,
Mike P

That pain shared is pain divided and that joy shared is joy multiplied.

Please remember that there are others on this board that have walked this path before and would be honored to share yours.

yrusik@yahoo.com

Byron

My thoughts are with you and your family during these trying times. Enjoy the time you have left together to its fullest.

Matt

The loss is something no parent should have to face, Please, God, be with these fine people through the joy of remaining days and the pain of being finally separated, in Jesus Name, I pray.

.

ntxt

Your family is in my prayers.

I'll hug my kids closer tonight. I'm so sorry.

-AaronB

Prayers for all.

Your family has been on our church's prayer list since we first found out. We will continue to keep you before the Throne of Peace.

You guys have done an amazing job of handling this so far; I pray God gives you the strength and guidance to continue to do so. For what I've seen, yours could be a model for others you g through tough times. I don't know if I'd have the strength that you have shown in the past year and your family will be so much stronger for that strength.

God Bless you all,
Doug K

And logged on and saw this thread. It’s becoming all too frequent that when I’m presented with a long thread such as this, it’s usually bad news.

Brian
If I could say the right words, I would say them. If I could do the right thing, I would do it. There is nothing I can say, and nothing I can do. May the gentle hand of God guide the little lad, as he journeys down a road, which only he can travel. May God send the Holy Ghost to guide his mother and father with a beacon of light in this dark time.

Brian,

I don't know you or your wife Pam. I'm only mildly familiar with your situation as I've been far removed from this board, as well as many other things. I felt compelled to respond to your post and it appears I may have been led here this morning for some unknown reason? On September 10, 2006 my wife Robin and I lost our youngest child Cade at the age of 4-1/2. Cade was the youngest of our three children, all boys. Unfortunately, I'm unable to provide you with any pearls of wisdom that will aid in the walk you and your family will have to make. I'm unaware of any greater pain, both physically and emotionally, than that of losing something so precious as one of your children. Nothing I know of prepares a parent for that, regardless of the duration of the illness or disease. Cade became ill on September 5th and passed away on the 10th. We were told he had contracted a rare virus with no known means of cure and he eventually succumbed to heart failure. I was with Cade in the hospital when he went into cardiac arrest and I began CPR on my own child. There will be those who will tell you you to be strong and cherish the time you had. There will be others who attempt to offer words of support and encouragement, many falling so very short, but with good intentions nonetheless. Everyone is an individual and how they handle such a horrible tragedy of losing a child is also done so individually as well. Some are able to cope if you will better than others. Before Cade's passing I considered myself to be made of granite! The bark on my tree was harder than anything you may be able to imagine as well. After his death, I realized I was not made of stone and for the better part of 5 years sank into a deep pit of depression. I all but walked away from everything that meant anything to me. I was not there for my two boys who are now 18 and almost 15. My wife, the love of my life, endured terrible pain as well and I was also not there for her as I should have been. Self pity is a terrible thing Brian, but it took me a long time to realize that! To compound matters, my dad unexpectadly passed away the day after Christmas 2011. I worshipped the ground he walked on! While I'm no expert on giving advice, I can say with great certainty that your family and close friends are the ones who will provide the only comfort in trying times ahead, and trust there will be many. I wish I could sugar coat it, but that would not be fair. Cling to your wife and children, be there for them and them for you. Don't follow the path I took as it was filled with darkness and pain and the ones I loved so deeply paid the price. There are no "do overs" and if you fail to rely on the ones that mean the most there will be a cost. Nothing means more to me than my family and I'm blessed beyond words to still have them with me. My family will pray for you and yours and know there are others that share in your pain and will be here for you. God bless your precious child always!!

Regards,
Chuck, Robin, Charlie and Cole Smith

that I think I understand now but will, more, later.

Thank you all for your kind words of compassion.

..