Very sad news.. re: Herefordfootball - Chris Cummings...

:'( this is such sad news, he really seemed like a great person, and its sad that hes gone. I hope he can have attend many great shows in heaven.

Man......what a shock!  Thoughts and prayers go out from my family to Chris's.  When I did the Larry Campbell videos, Chris (Herefordfootball) pm'd me this message......I'm sure his family won't mind me sharing it with everyone at this time.  What a courageous YOUNG man.  Just a reminder to everyone to keep life in perspective.  Here's what Chris said:


Dear Mr. Hook,

Hi my name is Chris Cummings. I recently watched your newest video about Heat Seeker and Larry Campbell. Mr. Campbell and I are in the same boat right now. I have been diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma for three and a half years. Out look did not look good at first, the doctors didnt expect much from me. We have tried every pediatric approved chemotherapy in the book, none have proved effective against my specific type of tumor, but I'm still here kicking and managing our small herd with my family. I have undergone five lung surgeries over the course of two years to remove metasis from my lungs. They removed the tumor from my lower right calf muscle(where the tumor originated) with clean borders on the tumor and getting it all out. Right now we are working on removing tumors from my kidney and adrenale gland areas,buttoxs,upper right thigh, and my diaphragm. We were currently on an experimental chemotherapy imported from Europe(not FDA approved yet, just in the process) and that has slowed the growth of my tumor, but not completely stopping it. So we are resulting to surgery to remove the tumors from my body in a timely manner due to the fact the the tumor on my adrenale gland increased in inch in size ove the course of four weeks. But again I am here  breaking my calves to lead, breeding heifers, and managing the farm with my family. I cant quite handle the workload I use to, but I can still get out and give it my best. So in short if you would please let Mr. Campbell know that he is in the thoughts and prayers of many and that he is not alone, there are many others out there with cases similar to him and that he should not feel alone, this being a common problem to those with the shock of cancer. If there is anything I can do for the campbell family please let me know as I would be glad to assist in all ways possible. I live in NorthWest Indiana. With prayers and hope.

                                                                                                      Sincerely,
                                                                                                  Chris Cummings


Chris's Obituary:  http://www.whatsnewlaporte.com/section/obituaries/

This is like runnung into a brick wall tonight. Prayers to his family.  :'( You will be missed.

Very sad news - Chris was a class act and I very much enjoyed talking to him...he will be missed

Such sad news! My prayers go out to the Cummings family. May they find peace in this difficult time.

Jordan

Chris and I talked often almost weekly he was an inspiration to many. His father called me earlier to tell me the news of his passing he passed away at 925am June 29th.. He went peacefully and a few minutes after his passing his father said he had a beautiful smile on his face that just showed everyone how happy he was to be pain free and CANCER FREE! Chris will forever be missed, he was truly a fighter and never gave up. this happened very suddenly they went to a farm show over the weekend and he then came home complaining of pains they soon found out his breathing was not right.He went very peacefully they did have him on very high dosages of pain meds until he took his last breathe... Chris had about 22 tumors all of which consumed his spine and started attacking his lungs. If you would like to send anything  this is their address
0422 W 1200 S
Union Mills Indiana
46382
Here is his Caringbridge if you would like to see his Journey and story http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ChristopherCummings/journal
He fought this battle for almost 4 and half years
Britt

I had the pleasure of knowing Chris personally. He brought one of his donors down last year to get flushed. I spoke with him on occasion about other things as well. What an unbelievable young man. The thing i will always remember about him is how positive of an attitude he always had. He never let anything get him down and he never felt sorry for himself. He loved the cattle and was always trying to learn more and improve his herd. We have been in contact more regularly as i knew his condition was getting worse. Never one time did he ever complain or even let me think that he was going to give up. I considered Chris to be a great friend and i know he always had positive things to say about everyone. Its always hard to lose someone with that kind of attitude but i know he was in a lot of severe pain especially in the last few weeks. My prayers go out to his family now and I hope and pray that i get to see you again some day buddy!
Brian Hannon

I hope someone in his family gets to read that pm.  Such selflessness and sympathy from such a young person, he was a great person, I can tell that from the pm.  May God place His hand of comfort upon his family in this time

Very sad day.  I enjoyed reading his posts very much.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Chris' family and friends.

After a long, busy day, this stops me in my tracks! prayers go out to Chris's family. RIP Bud!   (angel)

Chris was a great kid.  In the 4 years I had known him, he never complained about his situation. I do not think I could have been as strong and positive as he was if I was in that boat.  He always had a smile to share with everyone he met.  All you had to do was mention the word "hereford" around him and his eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas time!  I guess the thing I am going to miss the most are the phone calls that started with, " Hey Steve, got a question for ya.......".                               I'm sure God has a whole pasture full of  herfs that he wants you to walk through.  

I hate hearing news like this. I never got to meet Chris in person but we did chat on facebook many a time. I think the fact that Chris was so positive about life and about giving to others that many did not know how serious his fight was, shows what a true, amazing and wonderful person he was. Even with his "status" updates sometimes he would say that he was having surgery, etc but he never complained...I don't know many who could do that. You do not come across many people as happy and positive as he was and hardly ever one that young. Speaking for myself, his outlook on life inspired and touched me. You will be missed by many Chris..enjoy playing with your Herefords in heaven.

My prayers are with his family.

LinZ

Hey Zach Thanks for the personal story!!!   I keep visualizing this kid hacking up chew and cigarettes!!!     I'm down at Riley Hospital getting chemo tonight and I really needed a laugh and you gave it to me. Thanks a Million Man!!!

Hope you dont take any offense to me getting a laugh out of this, but I thought is was funny.

Chris





Thats really funny, I keep imagining this little kid hacking up chew!!! I dont want to be mean, but  . I'm getting a 24 hour infusion of an experimental drug called yondalis, google it and you wont be able to find anything more than like a paragraph on it. They're using it on kids who have had all pediatric approved chemos and they didnt work, so they try this. Thanks Again for the laugh for the CCK. (chemocattlekid).
P.S. First time I've yacked and laughed at the same time, the nurses are freakin' out!!

Chris

Click to expand...

He sent me those after I shared a story about how my dad made me eat a bunch of mail pouch and I ended up throwing up everywhere. I don't even remember how we got on that subject but I'm glad he found it funny while he was being treated. This was over a year ago too.
Chris had a compliment for everyone too, even me, after giving him hell for the herefords  (lol) ... This is the second time in a little more than a year I've missed meeting someone very special from this board by mere hours before never having the chance to again.  :'(

We never know when this forum gives us a chance to be a friend to someone who really needs one or to give a welcome respite from some really tough days.

May God take care of the family he had to leave so early.

This is really tough to hear!!! 

I missed meeting Chris this past winter at the Hoosier Beef Congress because I was only up there during the judging contest and we I walked by his stalls I couldn't find him. We had always planned to meet somewhere again sometime. Those plans will just have to be put on hold for a while now.

I don't think you will ever find a more kind, caring, and considerate person than Chris. Thanks for being a friend Chris!  (angel)

This is a terrible thing to hear, I am new to SP, but I know through a friend that Chris lived just north of my hometown.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

(angel) (angel) (angel)


Chris was a good kid.  I chatted him with a few times about his blog and his love for hereford cattle.  Thoughts and prayers to his family.  When more information becomes available about the arrangements, please pm so I can send flowers on behalf of everyone on here.

Here is his blog

http://www.cummingsfarms.blogspot.com/

So sad that he was only 19.

Remember that God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son so that those who believe in him shall not pershish but will have everlasting life.
John 3:16

God speed Herefordfootball.

Just got in and found this... Very sad news. I didn't know him well, but I'll miss his presence here for sure.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family -  I know how hard it is to lose anyone, but especially someone so young.

God speed, Chris.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris' family and friends. (angel)
One day we will find a cure for Cancer. Anyone else who has lost a loved one to this terrible disease knows exactly how the family is feeling. It just isn't right.
RIP young man. Your love for cattle will be missed here
Gary,Kim and Sadie Lou