- A 6-year-old boy who was receiving hospice care at his Georgia home died on Aug. 6
- Axyl Womack was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer
- “You were the strongest little boy I’ll ever know,” his grieving parents wrote after his death
A 6-year-old boy whose bone cancer quickly spread following his diagnosis has died after spending his final days at home with his loved ones and with one last visit from Santa.
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 6, Axyl Womack died at his Monticello, Georgia, home with his parents, Augusta and William, and his adoring family by his side.
“It’s with a broken heart to say that our sweet Axyl got his wings early this morning,” his grieving mom and dad wrote in a Facebook post later that day. “We were all with him when he passed. We are going to miss our sweet, energetic, always smiling, tuff, strong, happy little boy. Axyl touched so many people and loved so big.”
While Axyl’s life was far too short, they’re grateful for the wonderful times they had together as a family.
“You were the strongest little boy I’ll ever know to go through what you did,” Augusta and William wrote. “No more hospitals, no more doctors, no more pokies (shots), no more surgeries, no more tubies, no more medicine, no more Mr. Wiggles (pump), no more scans, no more chemo.”
The Womack family said they take comfort in imagining Axyl as a vibrant, healthy 6 year old again. “Go get them frogs, play in [the] dirt, drive them Hot Wheels, go fishing. Go do all the things a little boy loves to do,” said his mom. “You can run and have your hair back. You have both arms again. Without the cancer. And don’t worry about us, sweetie, we will be okay. Hurt and brokenhearted, but we will be okay.”
“I am so proud to be your mama, sweet boy,” she added.
The Womack family’s lives changed abruptly in March when his parents took their youngest son to see the doctor after he fell and hurt his right arm.
His X-rays showed a mass, and his parents took him to a children’s hospital, leading to the eventual diagnosis of osteosarcoma, which begins in the cells that create bones, and is most often diagnosed in teens and young adults, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In June, Axyl’s arm was removed, and he underwent chemotherapy in the hopes that the aggressive bone cancer would be isolated. Instead, a follow-up exam revealed that the cancer had spread to every part of his body.
“When he went to have his scan, it was awful,” family member Cory McMichael previously told PEOPLE. “From head to toe, he’s covered, just completely covered in cancer.”
According to McMichael, Axyl’s doctors explained that “it feels like every bone in his body is broken.”
By late July, a GoFundMe was created to help cover medical costs. There, Augusta shared that her youngest child had just a few weeks to a few months to live, and would receive hospice care from his home.
“His cancer spread from his brain to his tiny toes in a matter of a few weeks,” his mom wrote in the emotional update. “There is nothing else they can do for our baby but make him comfortable at this point.”
Even as Axyl’s condition worsened during his last days, his community surrounded him with love, PEOPLE previously reported. Multiple fundraisers were organized, featuring the monster trucks, helicopters, fire trucks and fast cars he loved so much.
One of Axyl’s final outings was at an event put together by locals and first responders on July 27.
“It was such a good day, because with all this going on, he was able to get out, and smile and laugh a little bit,” McMichael, who helped organize the events, told PEOPLE.
The weekend before he died, Axyl was visited by a Santa performer so he could celebrate Christmas with his older brothers, Jaxon, 14, and Braxton, 10.
When Santa was at his house, Axyl gave him a hug and told him he loved him. The moving moment brought tears to Santa’s eyes.
In a post on Facebook on Sunday, Aug. 3, Axyl’s parents shared their appreciation for those who participated.
“This was a happy time, for even just a moment, that our family was able to smile,” they wrote. “Just wrap your babies in big hugs and get the videos of them being silly. Or even the small moments you’ll want to remember them as they grow up. If only for yourself.”
On Wednesday, William and Augusta said a final goodbye to their little boy.
“I don’t know what the reason [is] why God needed you more. I might not ever understand,” the parents wrote in the joint statement on Facebook. “Maybe it’s to get people to understand this childhood cancer or maybe it’s to get us all together again. Either way, sweetie, I hope I can understand one day. See you in my dreams, Axyl.”
