The Hengst Family
Since being diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in February of 2019, Ezra (age 4) has completed 6 rounds of chemotherapy, a tumor resection, and two stem cell transplants. About to move into radiation treatment, the Hengsts went against protocol and requested that a scan be done before moving forward. The results of the scan showed that, of the five legions that remained after round 6 of chemo (from July), only three (minimally) remained. However, there is a new, pea-sized lesion in his arm that Ezra’s doctors believe was there in the beginning, but has returned. God was, and is, so gracious to have revealed the return of Ezra’s cancer in this little area sooner, rather than later.
To fight this head on, Ezra went through 6 rounds of additional chemo and immunotherapy meds, until that treatment was no longer beneficial to him. After that intense phase of treatment, scans showed that the area of relapse remained the same with only slight progress in the in other lesions. Starting in the summer of 2020, Ezra received two treatments of MIGB Therapy (IV radiation) at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta per the recommendation of his primary oncologist and other specialists. After letting the radiation run its course, Ezra underwent a series of scans and biopsies, including a PET scan. His latest scans show that there is only one lesion left (just that stubborn area of relapse in his arm)!
Ezra is currently in NYC getting antibody treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After finishing this round of treatment, he will receive Proton Therapy radiation before returning home before returning again to NYC for another round of antibody treatment. We know God is doing a great work in Ezra’s body and through his life. Please continue to pray for healing, strength and endurance, wisdom and peace through this time.
Ezra's 2 year old little sister, Eleanor, has a congenital heart defect. She is currently in recovery from a stroke she had after her latest heart surgery. She regularly sees her cardiologist, neurologist and hematologist. She also receives in-home physical and occupational therapy to work on her deficiencies on her right side. Everyone who has a part in her care is very impressed with her own motivation and how far she’s come. Please pray for continued progress in her development and health. She is scheduled to have an ablation of an extra circuit in her heart February 17, 2021, followed by a heart catheterization a few weeks later in preparation for her next heart surgery that will take place sometime in the coming Spring.
We’re raising money to alleviate some of the financial stress Brittany and the kids will encounter during Ezra and Eleanor’s health journeys. 
