Please keep this family in your prayers. They are very good friends with my brother and his wife as well as my sister and her husband. Of the 5 kids, my brother and SIL are/were God parents to 3 of the children (Megan, Brennen who passed away at age 1, and Caden who is now very ill) and my sister and BIL were God parents to Sarah who passed away at age 4.

I talked with my SIL this morning and Caden is very ill. At 3 years old he weighs just 12 pounds as he is not able to eat and needs to take a formula. He did put on weight recently but that is due to congestive heart failure. He is fighting for his life now. However, being such a tough little guy, he gets so excited when my brother enters the room and calls out his name instead of just smiling.

Anyhow, the following is part of an e-mail that my brother and his wife sent and with her permission, I am posting it here for prayers and a miracle.

"We are writing to you to ask for your help in assisting a wonderful family that we have had the privilege of knowing for almost twenty years. The Chapins; Randy, Jane, Jordan (17 years), Megan (15 years), Sarah (4 years), Brennen (1 year) and Caden (3 years) have been through many years of medical tragedies. Sarah died of heart failure at age four, complicated by a brain mass. Brennen succumbed to an undiagnosed metabolic disorder at the age of one year. Both children had rare disorders that were difficult to treat, since very little was understood about their pathologies.

Caden, born prematurely three years ago, was soon diagnosed with a similar metabolic disorder complicated by his early birth and coexisting blood anomalies. He has been hospitalized countless times since his birth. Currently, he is at Children’s Hospital for the seventh straight week, many of which have been spent in the ICU. Caden is a small, but very mighty, little guy! God made him a fighter. He has been fighting to live ever since he came into this world. The hope is that he will recover enough from his current infection to endure a stem cell transplant. Please pray that this can happen, as this dear boy really needs a miracle from God.

The emotional toll that this family has had to endure is incredible. For all the tragedy they have experienced they continue to delight in one another and face difficulties with confidence in God’s loving plan. They have been models of faith and love to all who know them. Please realize that this is a hard working family, who, with all their monetary burdens, has never asked for financial help from anyone.

Because Caden’s rare disease is undiagnosed his treatment is considered experimental, which means much of the cost is not covered by insurance. His formula alone costs the Chapin $1,500 a month. One day in the ICU costs them approximately $1,400 out of pocket. In addition, the high co-payments the family must pay are compounded each time he is seen by another specialist who might have a life-saving answer."

If any of you would like more information or would like to help this family out, please, please PM me.

Additionally, the mom was diagnosed as having a melanoma a few years ago. She had it removed, however, follow up care has been difficult and her being a mom, Caden came 1st. She now has what looks to be a melanoma on her face and will be battling that as well as taking care of her sick little one, the other kids, and her husband. Keep her in your prayers as well.

Thank you all for helping us pray for a miracle for this little boy.