Easton Carraway wins battle against cancer

By Jessica Vaughn / jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 9/20/17

FOLEY – After months of living a nightmare of ups and downs, little Easton Carraway returned home from St. Jude’s Hospital on Sept 5, cancer free.

Earlier this year, after taking Easton to …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Easton Carraway wins battle against cancer

Posted

FOLEY – After months of living a nightmare of ups and downs, little Easton Carraway returned home from St. Jude’s Hospital on Sept 5, cancer free.

Earlier this year, after taking Easton to Women’s and Children’s Hospital for what appeared to be severe stomach aches, the results came back far worse. Easton was only 15-months-old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. A tumor was growing in his pelvic area, and had spread to the muscle tissue around the pelvis as well as both lungs.

Once the diagnosis came, Easton and his parents, Foley fireman Cody and Kahlee Carraway, left for St. Jude’s Hospital, where they remained for months during Easton’s treatments. The family began a Facebook page shortly after, Easton’s Journey, where they gave updates to the community on Easton’s progress and recovery.

“We’re in a whirlwind now,” said Cody Carraway once the family arrived in Memphis. “We’re an emotional wreck, we don’t sleep, we’re just watching our baby that two weeks ago was running around and playing in the house now fighting for his life. It’s a nightmare that no other parent should have to go through.”

The very month Easton was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, the Foley Fire Department hosted a benefit to help raise funds for the medical bills, and the outpouring from the community was nothing short of amazing.

“We can’t believe that the community has come together so much to be behind us,” said Kahlee Carraway. “We really appreciate it. We’re leaning on them.”

Only a couple of months after arriving at St. Jude’s, Easton began recovering with the help of chemotherapy, but it was far from an easy process. Months passed of intensive treatment, and the tumor continued to shrink in size, offering hope to the family and all those on Team Easton. Finally, in August, Easton had to go through a major lung surgery.

As Easton’s dad Cody updated on their Facebook page: “The doctors originally thought they could do this procedure with a scope. Now they have decided they cannot. They said it's due to an air pocket in Easton’s left lung where a tumor used to be. They will not be able to see the air pocket with a scope.”

The results of the procedure took 5 days to return, and during that time Easton had to have a chest tube and be inpatient. The surgery was successful, and on Aug 28, the family posted that Easton was cancer free. The road to recovery wasn’t without its bumps, as shortly following the surgery Easton developed a high fever and found himself back in St. Jude’s treatment. They brought his temperature back down to normal, and after a few days in observation, Easton was officially declared cancer-free and the family could return home.

“This journey is not over, there will be tons of tests and scans and blood work continuously until he is 18 years old,” said Cody Carraway. “But he has defeated the evil cancer that was inside him. This kid is the strongest person I know. He goes through chemo and huge surgeries and miserable tests, and the minute he finishes he's right back to smiling and playing. Thank you all for the continued prayers and support thus far, y'all have got us through. Please continue to pray for Easton as he tackles the last few things standing in his way!”

Now at home, the Carraways are thrilled to find their son returning to normal. On some of the most recent updates on Easton’s Journey, they state that his personality is returning quickly, and that his hair is growing as well. He is now playing and laughing through the day, and though he still has a long road ahead, Easton is recovering well.

One thing the Carraways state as being their biggest support through the rough times is their community, who came forward with an outpouring of love through texts, messages, and benefits to help support Easton and his harrowing battle. The fight is not over for many other children, and the community is continuing their support of Easton and the other children and families going through a similar situation.

“For the last 5 months, we’ve all essentially been a part of Team Easton,” said Foley Fire Chief Joe Darby. “Little Easton’s been at St. Jude’s, and some wonderful things have come from that. Our city has embraced an opportunity to be a bigger part of St. Jude, we’ve seen firsthand what St. Jude does, and we know how important it is.”

In honor of Child Cancer Awareness Month, states across America will be “going gold” to show their support, as well as participating in 63 separate walks across the country. One of the walks is for Mobile/Baldwin County, and will take place on Sept 23 at U.S.S. Battleship Memorial Park. People from around the counties have already signed up on Team Easton, and the Foley Fire Department will be in attendance to support the cause as well. Everyone is invited to attend and show their support of Team Easton and every patient at St. Jude’s Hospital.

“I want to express my appreciation on behalf of that family for everything that’s been done,” said Darby. “Cody told me the very first trip they came back just to visit that he will forever be indebted to this city and to St. Jude. He needs that support, and I know it’s going to be a long road still, but I appreciate that.”

For updates on Easton as he continues to recover, you can visit the family’s Facebook page at Easton’s Journey, and you can visit StJude.org to see upcoming events that they have planned or to donate towards fighting child cancer.