News : Brennen Still Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser on Saturday, February 8 at the US Bank

Brennen Still battling cancer, family facing it with faith rather than fear

At last Thursday's Council meeting, the Vinton Light Plant Manager, Tom Richtmeier shared with the council that one of the City of Vinton's Electric employees,  line foreman, Brad Still and his family are going through a difficult time right now with a family crisis. Brad and wife Christine's 12 year old son Brennen was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and is receiving an experimental treatment for the cancer.

Richtmeier shared that there is a couple of ways that you can help the family. There is an account set up at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, located at 401 B Avenue in Vinton. Checks made payable to Still Family Benefit. There is also a  GoFundMe account, but this will deduct a percentage as part of the fees associated with these types of accounts. You can also drop off a donation at the iVinton office next to the Ron Da Voo.

In a statement by Brad, he said the following:  I live and work in Vinton at the Vinton Municipal Electric Utility as the line foreman. I have a wife named Christine, and three sons. Austin, Brennen, and Evan. A few weeks ago, our son Brennen at the age of twelve was diagnosed with rare cancer on his brain. News like this to a parent instantly makes your throat go into your stomach. You just felt sick instantly. Thoughts go through your mind. "Why? Why them? Why not me instead of them? He is only a child!"

This rare cancer named Leptomeningeal Melanomatosis has had only a couple of documented cases in children. To date, no one has been cured of this cancer. There is no miracle drug at this time for this type of cancer.

You are probably thinking, "Wow! Now what?" Yes, this is a bump in the road for our family. This is a big storm in our lives. I have had multiple bumps in my life. Not one, but all of them I have had, God has delivered brought me through them. I now know why we were given this burden. It's to share our story with as many people as we can.

We all have trials and tribulations in life. Whether it be sickness, financial problems, addictions, or anything else. You are not alone. There are people out their that care and God is always on your side. Pray! He does miracles every day.

The medical report for Brennen might say terminal or no known cures for his cancer. That is only human opinions written down. God is bigger than any sickness or problem. I'm going out on faith alone with this one. I truly believe from my heart and soul that God will deliver Brennen from his cancer. He WILL be the first to beat this type of cancer. Watch and be amazed at the power of God. One snap of His fingers and he will be healed. Not in my timing or anyone else's. God's timing is perfect.

Thank you for all the support and prayers from the community, surrounding communities, friends, family, and the list goes on and on. We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives. I'm looking forward to giving you a praise report that Brennen is free of his cancer.

Faith WILL move these mountains...I BELIEVE!"

I was also contacted by the Ahrenstein family who is pulling together plans for fundraising to help with expenses. If you'd like to buy a shirt to help support the family, you can do so by following this Facebook link or order directly here you must order by February 7th. 

There will also be a Spaghetti Supper on Saturday, February 8 at the US Bank Building from 4-9 cost is a freewill donation. 

Your prayers would also be appreciated for the family at this time as well as the doctors who are trying to help Brennen.

According to Brennen's Aunt Step, "Brennen was recently diagnosed with a  rare Leptomeningeal Melanomatosis cancer on his brain.  While this is no news a family wants to hear, we remain very optimistic and have continued faith he will get through this. Brennen has received tremendous care and support and I feel like miracles have been at work already.

The Monday before New Years, Brennen had a migraine headache that caused some numbness in his leg, arm, and face on his left side. Later to find out that this episode, in fact, wasn't because of the cancer but a sign to get him seen at the local hospital. It also made the doctors suspicious enough to keep digging deeper for answers. An MRI was scheduled where they initially saw something unusual on his brain.

After the MRI was completed, the local doctor felt they needed a second opinion and sent BMan by ambulance to the Iowa City Children's Hospital. More MRI's and a spinal tap confirmed that he had a spot on his brain. They decided a brain biopsy would be the next best thing to test the area and further diagnose the spot. The doctors were able to take a nickel size piece of the affected area along with some of his brain tissue... They did so without any impairments to BMan, praise the Lord!

The biopsy confirmed that Brennen has a rare form of melanoma cancer on his brain which has only had a couple of documented cases in children and a few adults to date. The doctors immediately ordered a PET scan to see if the cancer could be found in other parts of his body. The scan showed all of his organs inside his body had no signs of cancer and only noticed a few small lumps near his belly button. Praise the Lord again that this seems to be isolated! Given the rarity of the cancer and due to the area of the mass on his brain, radiation would be the last resort if chosen. It was decided that he be put on an experimental drug that is not yet FDA approved, but it has had some successes in the last five years. A port was put in Brennen's artery to his heart to start the administration of the drug every 3 weeks which helps boost the immune system to fight the cancer. The hospital has also sent parts of the biopsy to St. Jude's research center for further analysis and we are hopeful for other recommendations to fight the cancer.

All this in 17 days, it is amazing the sense of urgency and thoughtfulness those at the hospital have put forth to help Brennen. His journey so far has been blessed with many miracles. A non-related migraine brought us to this point where Brennen is in good care to fight this cancer. The doctors kept testing, took no chances and sought the opinion of others. It was found at a point in life when BMan's body and mind are strong. The biopsy was successful and caused no impairment to Brennen. The cancer looks to be isolated. Brennen is not experiencing symptoms that are typical for this stage of cancer. If not all of the above were true, the future could look different. I am thankful for the progress and our track forward but most importantly admire Brennen's strength!

I am starting this Go Fund Me page for two reasons:

1. I want to share Brennen's story to all those around us and ask you to be a part of this miracle of healing. To both join and help create a never-ending prayer chain. Be it the power of prayer of those who are near and dear to us, those who know or met our family along the way, or those who may be strangers who hear his story and have compassion for him and want to help! Together, we can lift Brennen up, surround him with love, support, and ask for God's healing to be upon him!

2. As you know, with all of his medical needs, comes many expenses, so I would love to be able to support Brennen and his family (Brad, Christine and brothers; Austin and Evan) with a monetary donation to help lessen the financial burden so they can focus on the most important person at hand...Brennen!

We truly appreciate all the prayers and positive thoughts you can send their way and if you are able to give a little that is greatly appreciated as well! God Bless!"

Be sure to reach out to this family however you can, and continue to keep them in prayer.