Brave young Norfolk Christian beats cancer
 2009: A Norfolk family’s prayers are answered for brave 10-year-old Owain Atthill and his battle with cancer with help of dedicated medical team.
It's the news the family has been waiting for - confirmation that their 10-year-old son has won his battle with kidney cancer and has been given the all clear by doctors. Owain and his parents Sue and Peter Atthill and sister Yasmin attend Aylsham Community Church in North Norfolk.
Owain's mother says, “We are sure that Owain's good news is the result of a lot of prayer. We have had friends and family - and people we don't even know - all around the world who have been praying for Owain over the past nine months. Our faith has helped us through the last few months and we honestly don't know if we'd have coped without it.”
Owain was diagnosed at the age of nine with a Wilms' tumour, a form of kidney cancer commonly affecting children under the age of five. Owain had an operation to remove his right kidney, which the tumour was attached to, followed by months of gruelling chemotherapy treatment and radiotherapy, leaving the youngster extremely poorly, losing more than a stone in weight and unable to go to school because he was so weak and sick.
Owain had to have the two tubes permanently into his body throughout his treatment, a Hickman line running into his chest for blood and drug transfers and a gastrostomy tube into his stomach to help his feed because constant sickness meant he has struggled to eat solid food throughout his treatment.
His parents said that to finally have the all-clear after nine months was absolutely fantastic news and a big relief.
Internet blog
The couple have used an internet blog to write an emotive online diary since June last year to help them cope with the stress on the family and Owain, who found losing his hair particularly traumatic.
After receiving the news that Owain's cancer had gone, Peter Atthill writes, "Today is nine months since Owain was first diagnosed with cancer. As humans we normally associate nine months as the gestation period of a baby inside the womb. Then the baby is born and new life comes into the world. With the news we received yesterday, today begins a whole new chapter in Owain’s life and his life effectively starts again. With treatment over his appetite will return, he’ll put on weight, regain his strength, he will continue to grow again and his hair will return. Also he will be able to return to activities that normal 10 year old boys take part in, not forgetting school of course!"
Prayer requests from the Atthill family
- Thank God for Owain's protection during surgery and that his wounds would quickly heal
- Pray that Owain's continued tummy troubles soon come to an end
- Pray that Owain's appetite will continue to improve and that he will gain weight.
To read the blog go to http://owainsjourney.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
Article and picture courtesy of the Evening News
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