Sawyer Strong

07/24/2026

Sawyer is officially headed to the beach with a whole bunch of the fam bam to celebrate the end of treatment! 🌊☀️

As you can see, his scar from his tumor resection has healed so beautifully. Over the last few days he’s had a little more hair loss, but if you know Sawyer, you know he’s rocking it with confidence anyway.

Stay tuned for all the beach adventures as this sweet boy lives life to the fullest and squeezes every drop out of the little bit of summer that’s left.

Our hearts are so full. After everything these last 200+ days have held, this trip feels like such a gift. We are incredibly grateful—for God’s faithfulness, for St. Jude, for every prayer, every encouraging message, and every person who has walked this journey with us.

Here’s to making memories, soaking up the sunshine, and celebrating life. 💙🏖️

07/17/2026

We made it. ❤️

Today, Sawyer completed treatment.

I don’t know that I have the words to fully describe what this moment means—for my child, for our family, and for me… his “Mommy Doctor,” as he calls me these days.

St. Jude has given us something that once felt impossible: a path home with our son.

He’s still healing, but he’s whole.

Scans are still to come in a month, but today… he’s whole.

He carries a scar that tells his story, but he is WHOLE.

Sawyer may never fully understand just how differently this journey could have gone. But I do.

And because of that, I will never stop thanking God for His grace and mercy. We are incredibly blessed—not only to be Sawyer’s family, but to be a St. Jude family.

To every person who has prayed, sent a message, donated, encouraged us, cried with us, celebrated with us, or simply whispered Sawyer’s name to God when you thought of him…

Thank you.

You have carried us more than you’ll ever know.

As we begin the transition back to “normal” life—whatever normal looks like now—we ask that you continue praying for Sawyer.

Please pray for clear scans on August 19th and for the words we’ve longed to hear on August 20th:

No Evidence of Disease.

We love each and every one of you who has been part of this journey, no matter how big or small your role may have seemed.

We truly would not be here without your prayers, your love, and God’s amazing grace.

200 days.
Countless prayers.
Infinite grace.

Sawyer Strong. Always. 💚🔔

07/16/2026

07/16/2026

Almost go time!!

07/13/2026

We just checked in for the first appointment of Sawyer’s last week of radiation treatment.

I don’t even know how to put into words what I’m feeling. It’s joy. It’s gratitude. It’s relief. It’s also a little somber, knowing this story could have ended so differently.

More than anything, though, I am overwhelmed by how incredibly proud I am of Sawyer.

Over the past seven months, I’ve watched him face things that no 17-year-old should ever have to endure. Surgery. Chemotherapy. Radiation. Countless pokes, scans, appointments, and days when his body was exhausted. Yet through it all, he has complained so little.

Instead, he has met each new day with a quiet courage and a fierce determination that has surprised all of us. This journey has revealed a side of Sawyer that even those who know him best had never fully seen. His strength doesn’t come from pretending things aren’t hard—it comes from choosing to keep going anyway.

He has taught me more about bravery than I could ever teach him.

As we begin this final week, my heart is overflowing with thankfulness. Thank you to every single person who has prayed for him, encouraged us, loved on our family, and walked beside us. We have never been alone.

Three more treatments.

Three more chances to ring hope a little louder.

We’re almost home. ❤️

07/08/2026

☀️🚒💊Heat Safety Starts Before You Step Outside

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Review the information below, stay hydrated, and be mindful of how your body responds when spending time outdoors.

If you have questions about your medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes.

07/08/2026

This week Sawyer has knocked out radiation treatments #16 and #17! 🎉 We’re getting closer and closer.

Today he got to spend time in the STEM Lab, one of his absolute favorite places on campus. They tested different things to see which had the highest sugar content, and every time I peeked in, he was completely in his element. 🧪💙 Mr. Randy even said Sawyer is quite the scientist, and I have to agree!

Tomorrow is “poke day,” which is definitely not his favorite. We’d really appreciate your prayers that all of his labs look exactly as they should. 🙏

He also got a haircut here at St. Jude today. It was a little bittersweet because, other than me, only a couple of people have ever cut his hair. But goodness, it was time, and he looks so handsome.

Thank you all for continuing to pray, encourage, and walk this road with us. Every treatment completed is one step closer to the finish line. 💛

07/02/2026

Meet Dr. O. ❤️

There are some people God places in your life for a reason, and without a doubt, Dr. O is one of those people for our family.

He is an incredibly brilliant neuro-oncologist, but what has impacted us most isn’t just his knowledge—it’s his heart. He genuinely loves his patients, and Sawyer absolutely adores and respects him. There is such a peace that comes from knowing the physician leading your child’s care truly sees him as more than a diagnosis. We will never stop thanking God for choosing Dr. O to walk this road with our boy.

Today he walked into the room with that familiar smile and said, “I hear someone isn’t drinking enough?” Before I could even respond, Sawyer grabbed his drink and started chugging it. 😂 I think it’s safe to say Dr. O has a little more authority than Mom these days.

The good news is Dr. O gave us the green light to travel home this weekend—but only if Sawyer keeps his promise to drink more and eat something. If not, we’ll be making a stop for IV fluids.

Right now his kidney function has dropped some and his bilirubin is elevated. His team believes it’s from dehydration, made worse by the constant night sweats and relentless nausea he’s been battling from radiation. Tonight he was so excited that I was making Alfredo. He took two bites, laid his fork down, looked at me with tears in his eyes, and said, “I can’t… what’s wrong with me?” As his mom, that question cut straight through my heart. I just wanted to tell him everything was going to be okay.

Tonight he started a new medication for nausea, and we’re praying this is the one that finally gives him some relief. Please pray that he’s able to eat, drink, stay hydrated, and that his labs rebound quickly. Pray for strength as he finishes these last radiation treatments, and pray that we have a safe, peaceful, uneventful trip home this weekend.

God has carried us through every mountain and every valley so far, and I know He won’t stop now. Thank you for continuing to pray for our sweet boy. We feel every single one of them. ❤️

And Dr. O if this somehow reaches you I know, I broke the rules posting your pic. But I had to give you all the credit for the work you’ve put in for Sawyer, You can fuss at me later!

07/01/2026

Today Sawyer completed radiation treatment #13. 💙

13 down, 11 to go.

To say I’m proud of him would be the biggest understatement.

This phase of treatment has honestly been harder on him physically than chemotherapy ever was, but somehow he continues to handle it all with so much courage. He’s exhausted… but he’s still smiling. His stomach has given him a fit… but he’s still smiling.

One of today’s biggest victories happened with Child Life. He worked so hard practicing swallowing pills, and I truly think we’re on our way to saying goodbye to liquid medications and hiding medicine in food. That may seem small to some, but for Sawyer, it’s a huge milestone, so we are celebrating. I told him that’s “big man” stuff right there. 😊

Today I sat in on his physical therapy session and watched him give every ounce of energy he had. As I watched, I couldn’t help but think, if that were me, I’d probably be lying on the floor ready to quit. But not Sawyer. Even with the night sweats, the ever-growing dark circles under his eyes, and the fatigue that continues to build, he still greets each day with a smile.

This kid has absolutely no quit in him.

That kind of strength doesn’t come from willpower alone. It speaks to the God we serve, who continues to carry him through every hard day, and to the incredible fight He has placed within this sweet boy.
Thank you, Jesus, for another treatment completed and for the strength You continue to provide—one day, one step, and one victory at a time.

13 down. 11 to go. 💛🎗️
❤️💙

06/26/2026

Sawyers numbers are improving, we just have to get his fluid intake up! We’ve set timers in his phone on the hour to remind him to drink and it seems to be working. Here’s a few photos of Sawyer and some of his favorite people at St. Jude (yes rose counts iykyk). And a pic of Sawyer with his art piece that is now displayed in the teens and 20s art gallery hallway.