St. Jude’s helps Wimberley kid beat childhood cancer

Sometimes heartwarming stories really do happen. In the midst of wars, weather and Washington. This is one of those feel-good stories about Wimberley three-year-old Micah Witt but it didn’t start off too well for him.

After a few months of everything normal, Witt seemed okay. Parents Holly and Mike already had two children and number three was doing well, but he wasn’t focusing on things. At his two-month check up, Holly had the doctor check his eyes.

After a few tests, it was found to be a cancer tumor, more specifically, Retinoblastoma. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that begins in the retina — the sensitive lining on the inside of your eye. Retinoblastoma most commonly affects young children.”

Finding a specialist in Austin seemed futile. “There was only one doctor in Austin and he only saw three patients in a year,” Holly said.  So what does a mom do? Heavy research finally got what she needed. St. Jude’s hospital had experts on Retinoblastoma. 

“I called them on a Monday. The nurse called back on Wednesday and we were both there the following Monday. We were in Memphis (home of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital),” Holly said. Not a penny was spent on getting to Memphis.

The family still held together.

“I could do a lot of work remotely. My job knows my family comes first. I have two other children (both at Jacob’s Well Elementary) and my husband Mike would drive once a month with them to Memphis non-stop, 10 hours each way.”

In 5 and a half months, Micah had six rounds of chemo. The disease attacks more than 3,000 a year in the U.S. and is considered rare. St. Jude’s staff are experts, not only on the disease but also on caring for families.

Jump ahead to present day. Witt’s back at pre-school Zweites Haus. He is the picture of healthy and happy. His favorite food is hotdogs and macaroni, and he prefers Wimberley, instead of Memphis, because “My mom and family are here,” he said.  

Like any normal three year old, his favorite things to do are, “to jump and play and read books, especially Minnie Mouse books.” 

He has been coming to Zwietes Haus since he was four months old. “He always wore glasses to protect his eyes… He’s a delightful child, absolutely delightful. One of the reasons to get up in the morning and go to work,” teacher Lynda Edone said. 

The school has a “Team Micah” and will participate in St. Jude’s Walk/Run Austin on Saturday.

“St. Jude’s is amazing. I can never repay them. I will help them with everything, fundraising or spreading the word about St. Jude’s,” Holly said. Micah’s next six-month checkup is already paid for by St. Jude’s.

The community is invited to participate at St. Jude’s Walk/Run Austin on  Saturday.