Dad's Heartbreaking Goodbye To His Sick 10-Year-Old Son
March 28, 2017

Dad's Heartbreaking Goodbye After Son Loses Cancer Battle
No one knows how many days they have on this earth. But Bill Kohler knew his 10-year-old son, Ayden, didn't have many. After doctors diagnosed Ayden with a rare cancer, they guessed he had one year left to live, at best. He made it eight months. But Bill and Ayden did so much together to make the most of those months. And when the cancer finally won out, this dad's heartbreaking goodbye is a tearful reminder to cherish the ones you love while they're here.
When Bill Kohler, an army veteran, came back from Iraq, he was broken. He turned to the bottle for comfort until God sent a tiny angel to save him. That angel was Ayden.
"My whole world changed," Bill said. "He saved my life."
After Ayden's birth, Bill completely turned his life around.
"I just threw myself into him," Bill said. "Once that happened, it was like a bunch of good things started happening. I finally got into the VA, I started therapy."
Ayden grew into an active, fun loving child. Always on the move, Ayden played a ton of sports. But when he collapsed suddenly at football practice, they learned something was seriously wrong.
RELATED: Hardworking dad refuses to leave his sick son's side
Only A Little Time Left
At first, doctors thought it might just be a concussion. But Ayden's health just got worse. He started losing his motor and verbal skills.
"He was so lethargic," his dad recalled. "I had to carry him everywhere. He couldn't walk. He was losing motor function, constantly sleeping. The look in his eye was just a daze, like he wasn't even there."
That's when doctors found a tumor on the 10-year-old's brain stem, which extended to his cerebellum. They diagnosed him with a rare cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG.
The prognosis wasn't good. Doctors estimated Ayden had only eight to twelve months left to live. And with such little time left, Bill was determined to make the most of it.
RELATED: Strangers from around the world come together to grant a dying boy's wish
Bill and Ayden filled any time between doctors visits and treatments with adventures. Strangers from all over donated through a GoFundMe page so Ayden could work his way through his bucket list. He and his dad took hunting and fishing trips, attended basketball and football games, and even went backstage at the WWE to meet his wrestling heroes.
"We're trying to cram a lifetime into a few months is what we're trying to do," Bill said.
In God's Hands
As Ayden's health continued to decline, it got harder to do things. But just spending time with the ones he loved was enough.
"No matter how this turns out son, I will be by your side," Bill promised. "The whole way."
And as his time on this earth grew shorter, the conversations grew more difficult. But Bill leaned on a higher power for strength.
"What if I don't get better and die?" Ayden asked him.
"It's in God's hands," Bill replied.
And finally the time came for Ayden to find healing beyond this earth.
RELATED: Grieving parents share pictures of their son, who died at birth
Dad's Heartbreaking Goodbye
When Ayden passed, it was at home. The house was packed with everyone who loved the little boy so dearly. His dad was preparing to do an interview with a local news station when he was called into his son's room. Ayden was gone, but his dad's heartbreaking goodbye was caught on tape, which he allowed the news outlet to share.
"I'm sorry I that couldn't do more," Bill lamented over his son's body. "Go run again. Play again. . . You've given me the purpose in my life."
Those final, tender moments are heart-wrenching. It's a powerful reminder to make the most of each day. We know Ayden has found healing with his Heavenly Father above. But our hearts ache for the grief his earthly family is experiencing.
Bill's hope in sharing Ayden's story has always been to help raise awareness of pediatric cancer. And we know that God will always find a way to use our pain for something greater.
“There has to be a purpose in all this,” Bill said. “And I think bringing attention to (DIPG), trying to get more funding, is what we’re trying to do. I don’t want anyone else to go through this.”
h/t: Today
Neighbors TURNED THE STREET a sick girl's favorite color just before she headed to Heaven.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate America’s Presidents - Your Daily Prayer - February 17
Father, we thank You for the courageous men who have served our nation as president. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who have sought to follow Your will.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate America’s Presidents - Your Daily Prayer - February 17
Father, we thank You for the courageous men who have served our nation as president. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who have sought to follow Your will.
Past Stories
- 98-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Has a Special Connection to Her Great-Granddaughter
- Mom Receives a Heartwarming Message From Best Friend After Son is Diagnosed With Autism
- Retired Army Medic Pays For Stranger's Breakfast and Leaves a Heartfelt Note
- Golden Retriever Saved by Lifeboat Crew After Running Into the Ocean After a Scare
- 10-Year-Old Boy is in Recovery After Being Struck by Plane Debris While Protecting Little Sister
- Car Accident on First Date Night Without Kids in a Year, Reminds Couple That God is in Control
- Teen Wasn't Given Much of a Chance to Live After Car Crash, But Now Celebrating Her 16th Birthday
- Girl Who Died Before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others With Her Message of 'Love is Everywhere'
- Beloved Young College Student Remembered by Fellow Students After DC Plane Crash
- Stranger Jumps Into Frozen Pond in South Carolina to Save 3-Year-Old Girl
- Man Saves 83-Year-Old Father-in-Law With Parkinson's From the LA Fires in Pacific Palisades
- Woman Felt Like She Was in a Movie When Giving Birth in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot
- Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
- Woman Who Found an Old Family Photo After LA Fires Makes a Special Connection
- Teenager Who Finds Money at Restaurant, Doesn't Think Twice About Returning it to Owner
- World War Two Veteran Starts Over at 104 After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Lola Was Baptized After a Very Difficult Time
- Her 91-Year-Old Grandmother Is Besties With Her Husband and the Relationship Is Beyond Cute
- New Jersey High School Basketball Star Keeps Playing Through Cancer Diagnosis
- Dad Whose Daughter Died After Transplant Gives Kidney to Another Little Girl
- Musician is Reunited With Letterman Jacket, 30 Years After Ordering It Back in High School
- Twin Brothers Both Pop the Question Just Days Apart, Without Planning to Do So
- Girl Scout Saves Her Dad's Life Just 11 Days After Learning CPR
- This 100 Year Old Kentucky Centenarian Works At Home Depot, Offering Great Tips For a Long Life
- Woman Married 82 Years Has a Very Special Disney-Themed 100th Birthday Party
- Man Discovers 46 Year Old Christmas Present in the Wall of His Childhood Home
- 4 Year Old Twin Girls Are Heroes After Finding Retired Police Officers Wallet
- Her Cat Was Missing For 7 Years, But She Finally Came Back Home
- Delta Held a Plane So a Daughter Could Have One Last Goodbye With Her Dying Mother
- Even Through Dementia One Special Phrase Kept a Grandmother Connected to Her Husband
- Mom, Dad, and 6-Year-Old Daughter Are Heroes After Rescuing Woman From Overturned Car
- Couple Receive the Biggest Surprise Blessing After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
- Old English Sheepdog Who Appears to Have Special Powers, Receives an Award
- 49 Years Later Daughter is Reunited With Birth Mother and Other Family After Taking DNA Test
- 22 Family Members Surprise Grandparents With a Fun Family Sleepover
- Scared Doodle Rescued From Thin Frozen New Jersey Lake With Help From Neighbors Drone
- Woman Caught in a Riptide is Saved by Fisherman's Hook
- Couple Finds Lost Ring In a Snowy Wonderland During Engagement Photo Shoot
- Jimmy Carter, 39th President, Passes Away at 100, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Service
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley Talks About Getting Her Voice Back After Losing It Two Years Ago
- 90-Year-Old From Oklahoma Is Rewarded For Going Out of His Way to Help Others
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
Top Music Videos

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Captivates with Heartfelt 'My Jesus' Live Performance

Mac Powell Mac Powell 'I Love Jesus' Official Music Video

Passion Music Passion - The Lamb's Book of Life

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - It Is Well

toby mac TobyMac’ ‘God Did It’ Official Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.