Meet Justin Hicks

My sister's son, but my HERO !

Justin Hicks is my nephew and my hero. He has been an amazing part of my life for the past 22 years. At 22 years old, he is the strongest man that I have ever or will ever know.

What seemed to be a healthy, energetic baby boy, ended up being so much different than we ever imagined. At three years of age, Justin was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which is having fluid on the brain. Then, at five years old he was diagnosed with a rare cancer called meningiomatosis. This means he has cancerous cells in the lining of his brain and his spine. It was then that we realized that our lives would never be the same. This cancer was a very rapidly growing, aggressive, and mysterious disease. Many of the doctors were baffled. He went through chemotherapy, many hospital admissions, and radiation. The medication he was on unreal. Things were looking grim, and the doctors gave him a prognosis of not living more than a year, and if he did surpass that time period, he would for sure be in a wheel chair due to the cancer growing down in his spine. I know I don't even have to tell you the fear and pain my sister experienced with this news.  

We found out that God gives us strength every day. We prayed. Naturally, we questioned. We begged. We even asked God to let each of us take his place so he wouldn't have to go through it anymore. We never gave up hope that the doctors were incorrect in their prognosis. And my sister, who was a rock through it all, never gave up researching and trying to find that one thing that may make him the exception to this horrible disease. She was determine that they would not go down without a fight. He went through a battle that many men would have not been able to stand. Boy, did he go through a battle!

I am so thankful to tell you that our prayers were answered. With aggressive treatment,the initial prognosis had taken a turn in Justin's favor. Justin and his mother fought a good fight! He is now 22 years old. Due to the rare nature of this particular cancer, he is not considered to be in remission, but he is considered "stable". He has been with the Cancer Survivors clinic with Texas Children's Hospital for nearly five years now. Unfortunately, a bit of damage was done from the effects of the disease and the treatments, like radiation. His build is smaller than a typical 22 year old, and his mental development is on the level of someone much younger. For example, his verbal skills are that of a four year old, and non-verbal skills are more like a six or seven year old. It's almost as if his developmental skills were frozen in time. He has always attended special education classes in school. Sure, he's not a typical 22 year old, but when I think of who Justin is, there is nothing typical about him anyway. The reason I say he is not typical is because he is the strongest, kindest, most patient person I know. He is a genuine, caring guy. He is fine with how things are. He doesn't waste time worrying about what he doesn't have. He enjoys his life and makes the best of it. I want to be him when I grow up! 

So, who is Justin Hicks? He loves cars, trucks, motorcycles, animals, racing, and firemen, and most of all his uncle Tony (HA-Ha). He loves country and western music, and strumming on his guitar. Although it is just a strumming to some people, it is music to my ears. He can name all of his favorite country and western singers. He will tell you all there is to know about them, whether it is true or something from his imagination. You gotta watch what he tells you! Sometimes he has a language of his own. We know what he is talking about, and he knows that. We both share an interest in Nascar (he has great taste). He loves racing and cars so much, that if you were to walk into his room,  you wouldn't believe how many cars he has. His favorites are Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart. Although he has countless cars in his room, he knows every one of them. He watch's quietly when you pick one up, and if you don't set it back down, he will follow you through the house, patiently waiting for you to return his prized possession. He will make sure to get that car back.

Well, as you can see, there is a lot to say about Justin. I wish you could know him. I know he would leave a mark on your life like he has mine. I wish we could all have his patience, kindness, and courage. You know God gave him so much to replace what he has lost. Maybe it's not in the typical aspect of an 22 year old, but that's what makes him so outstanding.

Justin and Vallory, I love you. You are the strongest people I know. You are my heroes!

Thank you for fighting a good fight. 

                                                                                                Uncle Tony         

HE DID IT. JUSTIN GRADUATED 06/07/09

       NEW CANEY HIGH SCHOOL

              CLASS OF 2009

JUSTIN WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU !!!

Justin Hicks is an

Honorary member

of the Coryell City

Osage Volunteer

Fire Department !

             

Justin Hicks is an Honorary member

of the Porter Texas

Fire Department !