Austin’s Story

Site created on June 2, 2019

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. Thank you for visiting.                Austin woke up early Saturday morning at about 3 am with a horrible headache.   After trying medicine at home with no success his headache continued to the point of making him sick.  We took him in to the er at Vernon Memorial Hospital at around 5 that morning.  The doctor there had a CT scan done which showed a mass on Austin's brain.  They then transferred him to UW Madison Children's Hospital.  After meeting with his team of specialists we came up with a care plan.  The first step which they performed right away was to perform a surgery to place a drain tube into his brain to relieve fluid buildup caused by the tumor.  That went very well and has helped with the horrible headache.  The next step will be to remove the tumor itself.  They are going to perform that surgery on Tuesday, June 4th.  After they remove the tumor tests will be ran to determine the type of tumor and what the next step of care will be based on that.  As the doctors described it, it's going to be a marathon but Austin is very strong and brave and is going to beat this!!!!  We thank everyone for all the prayers, messages, and support!!!!

Newest Update

April 14, 2020

Journal entry by Tony Widner —

It has been awhile since we made a post. We have been staying home and not doing anything to keep Austin safe during this COVID 19 pandemic. We had gotten some pretty great news this week and it’s only Tuesday. So here it goes.........

Just got off the phone with American Family Children's Hospital.  Austin's results from his MRI'S and lumbar puncture from yesterday and his Covid 19 test were all negative!!!!!  That means that he has officially FINISHED his treatment program and everything is CANCER FREE!!!!!!!!  The almost year of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and numerous surgeries along with all the prayers worked!!!!  AUSTIN HAS OFFICIALLY PINNED CANCER!!!!  He can now move on to continuing to regain his physical abilities. His doctor said he needs to party.  Once everyone is able to be together again we will have a big party with everyone. THANK YOU to all the people, businesses, health care facilities,  and the Viroqua Schools 
for all the prayers and support that got us through this journey!!!!!!
Read More of the journal titled "April 14, 2020"
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Austin Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation powers a page like Austin's for two weeks.

If you donate by May 12, your gift will be doubled, up to $10,000, thanks to a gift from Living Water Foundation.

Leave a comment of support for Austin

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top