Austin Purvis Austin Purvis

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  We will share Austins story for those that have not heard  it, I asked Christin to send me his story so here it is- 
 When Austin was 4 years old, I got a call from his day care while at work.  They told me he was knocked down while playing soccer, that his leg was hurting.  When I arrived at the daycare, I thought maybe it was a pulled muscle.  I  took him to Care Now for xrays and discovered that he had broken his left femur. A day and night we will never forget.  That was the most terrifying ordeal. He was transported to Children's Hospital by ambulance, because the Dr's were worried the break could puncture is main artery.  I have never had to trust God more in my life. My sweet miracle baby was in so much pain but in that time was still so giving. I remember him telling the paramedic that he would bring him cookies once he was all better.   That is the kind of heart he has.  Fast forward to the arrival at Children's er. The orthopedic surgeon came in, told us he was going to run test, and come up with a plan. Later that night we were told that he had to operate first thing in the morning.  As a parent one of the scariest things is wheeling your child down the hall to get prepped for surgery. The surgery lasted for what felt like forever. It was about 4 hrs. The surgeon came out with the diagnosis while Austin was in recovery. He said Austin had a tumor in his bone, it basically caused a hole the size of the whole femur, which caused the break. So now we have this little boy that has to be wheel chair bound for 6-8 weeks, all the while we have to  wait for the results of the tumor. Talk about scary! Finally 3 weeks later we get benign results! Praise God!!!
Austin was left with portions of the tumor that the surgeon could not remove. He also had a metal plate with several screws put in.  Over the next several months we go back in for several more xrays to make sure all looks well. Then xrays every 6 months to now every year. Then the second surgery comes!!! He out grew the plate in just two years. This surgery was the longest, about 6 hrs. They surgeon added a special bone growth  simulator to the hole that was still there this time around.  Austin was very sick after. He threw up the rest of the day. It seemed like the recovery was easier on this surgery, only 4 weeks in the wheel chair. Now we are at surgery number 3, which is happening on next Thursday November 17th at noon. We were on vacation with family in Florida this summer and out of no where his leg started swelling and he couldn't walk.  We found out after the second swelling episode in September that the screws were rubbing against his muscle causing the swelling and pain. He grew, the plate grew with him, but as a result of this,  some of the screws ended up sticking out more than before. We don't know what to expect the day of surgery, the surgeon is going to check the hole in his bone, and we are praying that it has filled more.  We have the best surgeon, Austin loves him! We are nervous and everyday Austin will tell me the date and will say "mom its getting close."  I tell him he is so brave, but deep down I am so scared.  But I know that God is going to take care of my baby and he will have a full recovery. Thank you all for taking the time to read Austin's story and we welcome all of your thoughts and prayers!