Obituary of Malachi Ahmir Briggs

Malachi Ahmir Briggs, received his wings at 4 a.m on June 13, 2015 at 7 years old! We are deeply saddened by the loss of our precious son, but have found peace in knowing Malachi is no longer suffering and know God is working on our healing and understanding! We can wholeheartedly say that this process has transformed us individually and as a family. Malachi’s life, the cancer, his suffering and his death has made us more mindful, wiser, stronger, and brought us all closer together. For This,we are Grateful and know that not only will we survive this devastating loss, but we each have made a commitment to LIVE more fully and embody Malachi’s spirit in all that we do! Malachi was born on September 29, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV. He attended Eileen Conners Elementary School for Kindergarten and 1st grade, and due to his diagnosis started homebound services with his amazing teacher Mrs. Pamela Dumas shortly after beginning 2nd grade.. Malachi loved learning, questioning and analyzing. He was always ahead of the curve in the classroom and in life. He loved being mentally and physically challenged. He loved playing with friends, sharing and being interactive. He loved winning and competition and did not take "no" for an answer very easily. He was a leader, freethinker, and often when against the grain what others expected of him. He was fearless, unlimited and unrestricted. He was a heroic by nature and many referred to him as a “hero”. He was just, fair and believed in equality. He loved games, all types, whether indoor or outdoor, hand held or on a board (Monopoly/all 5, Clue, Battleship). Prior to his diagnosis, Malachi played basketball, soccer and T-Ball. He loved watching game shows on TV (The Chase, Idiot Test, Minute to Win It, Let's make a Deal, Family Feud, Price is Right, Brain Games, Are you Smarter than a 5th grader). Malachi loved most all card games (Uno, Skip Bo, War, Blackjack, especially POKER! He loved SVU and would often stay up on Wednesday nights and watch the new episode with his mommy.. He loved magic, whether on TV or in person, especially Dr. Magic who would visit him frequently while in the hospital. He would always try to figure out or call the magician out on his tricks. He immensely enjoyed amusement parks, winning prizes and big roller coasters. Nothing would upset him more than when they told him he was not yet tall enough to get on some of the larger roller coasters. He was so tall so it didn’t take long to reach those height restrictions. Malachi would spend hours watching learning strategies for games on youtube, surfing Amazon and watching funny videos of cats , especially after his diagnosis. The videos would make him laugh and brought so much joy to us just to hear him cracking up. He also had a side of him that was sweet, naïve, so loving, gentle, respectful, yet fearlessly honest (like telling someone they look old like a Granny, pointing out grey hairs, saying mommy you look prettier in clothes than when you get out the shower). He was generous, always giving neighborhood children toys, clothing, or whatever he felt he wanted to give away while playing in the garage, whether it belonged to him or not) Malachi was artistic and creative and spent many days and nights creating art projects with his mommy. Malachi was just full of life, full of LOVE. He loved being around others, people, young or old. He LOVED his family and we also did everything as a family unit. He loved him some “sissy” and I mean really really loved her to the point every time she came visit from California he would just want her all to himself. They would play for hours, laughing, dancing and just cuddling.. Malachi was so proud to tell people about his brother “Shaquille Powell” and that he played football at Duke. He would get excited everytime he came home to visit from College. Despite Shaqs tough love, Malachi loved him some Shaq.. He loved his granny and papa, loved his Nana, loved his Cori a.k.a Pickles. Malachi had a chance to build a special bond with his cousin Levante who came to live with us just prior to Malachi diagnosis. Malachi loved loved loved his mommy and daddy. Malachi would often wake up in the middle of the night, and out of the blue say “I Love you Mommy”. Malachi’s favorite was his daddy. They were like best friend. They always had a special bond and spent so much time together doing all the activities Malachi enjoyed the most. Malachi was his daddy’s twin in more ways than one. Malachi was his biggest fan and loved going to watch his dad's softball games on Monday or Friday Nights. He would run and play at the field for hours with his friends and would become so upset on the days the cancer kept him from going. Malachi was excited about and looking forward to being the Ring Bearer at the upcoming wedding of his parents, which we they had been planning for over a year and was scheduled for May 3, 2015. Unfortunately, the date was postponed due to Malachi's illness getting worse as months went by and May was approaching. Malachi loved holidays, birthdays, presents of any sort and ordering random thing unknowingly to me off Amazon. He had every toy imaginable that he wanted. He loved money, he loved spending. He loved family outings, whether movies, bowling, arcades, road trips, plane rides, especially the trips we made to watch his brother play football, whether at Bishop Gorman or at Duke University. He often talked about all the things he wanted to be when he grew up and could never make up his mind because he wanted to do them all. He always wanted to do it all no matter what it was. malachi was raised a Cowboys fan since birth, blue/grey room, bedding, pictures on wall, jerseys and all, but just for the competition of things and because he had a mind of his own, he would go against his daddy and claimed have become Packers fan “Cheesehead”. Malachi was full of energy, yet he was chill like his dad and enjoyed lying in bed with him and watching educational shows. Malachi is a free spirit and always did what he wanted, how he wanted, when he wanted. I loved the sound of his voice and he had the best laugh, giggle, overall goofiness when he wanted too. He loved nature, loved Montana, loved the water, loved the beaches, loved flying kites and especially loved hot tubs. He was a thrill seeker and nothing scared him. Malachi liked going fast....boats, jet skis, cars, roller coasters, zip line, it didn't matter. His mind was always going fast, always thinking, questioning, analyzing. He loved to sing, loved music, loved jamming out to loud music while rolling in the Cadillac with his dad. Malachi had a zest and zeal for life. He always pushed the limits. Malachi had a love for travel and has had the experienced many amazing things places and things in these short seven years like attending professional sporting events, college football and basketball games, amusement parks, museums, family reunions, fishing trips whether in California (San Diego, LA, Northern), Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Miami, Atlanta, Montana, Memphis and most recently had a Western Caribbean cruise planned for his birthday prior to diagnosis, which his family was hoping to attempt again this upcoming September. Malachi wanted to go to Legoland so bad and the family had attempted to go 3-4 times over these past 9 months, but because of his illness, they were never able to use the tickets purchased. He also had his eyes set on Disney Cruise and Atlantis somewhere in the near future. "What Cancer Cannot Take From You - it cannot take away your faith, shatter your hope or lessen your Love, it cannot destroy true friendship, invade the soul or take away Eternal life, it cannot conquer your spirit!" On September 10th, 2014, Malachi was diagnosed with a rare child kidney cancer called Wilms Tumor, which had had engulfed his entire kidney, traveled to his lungs, with the potential of traveling to other regions of his body (Stage 4). He immediately underwent surgery in hopes to remove the tumors, but surgeons felt the removal to be risky due to the fragility, size and locations of tumors. Chemo was our best option. The initial pathology report came back showing the tumor cells being of favorable histology, meaning they were highly susceptible to treatment and prognosis was great (80-90%). Treatment began immediately, our faith was unwavering, our hopes were high and our support was immense. Six weeks in, we realized treatment wasn't working. Worried and confused, a closer look at tumor pathology indicted a portion of the cells to be less favorable (anaplastic dysplasia). Despite these findings, we remained hopeful. We continued to pray, fight and seek a treatment that would heal Malachi. Malachi took his diagnosis with such bravery and courage, He took charge in his treatment. He questioned everything, mastered his treatment regimen, learned the names of every medication, knew time intervals, watched the clock and often told his caretakers what to do and at what time, when asked about medical history/treatment he would readily answer any question asked with clarity and insight. Malachi was wise beyond his years. Every care provider who crossed his path were impressed by his ability to process and maintain such maturity and poise despite what he was experiencing. The tumors, unfortunately, were not responding to any attempts at traditional treatment protocols. Tier I and II treatments failed. The tumors became larger, more anchored into his Vena Cava, and had doubled in size /number in his lungs. December was a tough month. We knew we were down to limited options to save Malachi's life. We consulted with top doctors and surgeons around the nation, We researched and vested in every holistic approach or alternative medicines we could find. We never gave up hope. We began the New Year on an intense Chemo regimen known as ICE. It appeared to be working and we were feeling excited with the thought of the tumors shrinking and getting to the place of surgery he so desperately needed the surgeries he so needed. The hope was short lived. As some portions of the tumors were dying and shrinking, the unfavorable cells were not affected by even the most intensive Chemo and rapidly taking over. We had no choice but to bypass surgery, relying solely on radiation as our last saving grace to slow tumor growth and potentially shrink them. We flew to UCLA in hopes we would beat this awful disease, get the surgery he so desperately needed, but Malachi was not well, and considered inoperable. His system was failing and cancer was taking over. Malachi's diagnosis has been the most physically, mentally and emotionally challenging thing we have ever faced individually or as a family unit. We pondered on the "why" many of nights. As the mother, I would not consider myself to be the competitive type, unless it came to beating the odds. I have never been one to readily or easily accept defeat or failure. My belief has always been that if one puts forth the effort, wholeheartedly, determined, persistent without excuse, ONE WILL COME OUT ON TOP. My life has been a testimony to that notion, that belief. Ahmad, Shaq and Maurisha on the other hand always play to WIN (and most likely where Malachi got his competitive nature from). Like any other battle, whether expected or unexpected, prepared or unprepared, I (we) geared up, went to war and continued to battle day after day. We fought hard! We refused to give up all the way to the end. Malachi kept unwavering determination and was tougher than most adults I know. He endured a pain and suffering undeserving to any child. To watch my baby boy, my brilliant, analytical, happy-go-lucky, full of life, full of love, abundant energy, with endless curiosity, fearlessness, limitlessness, and wildly adventurous child lay helplessly in a bed unaware of his fate is indescribable. To have no choice as a parent, but to sit, watch, and accept the fact he would never get the opportunity to live out his dreams, or the wonderful visions we imagined for him since conception. There was a time when we couldn't find the words, the understanding, the meaning, or even the total acceptance of the reality we were living, facing, and for some, those questions remain. Through it all, I have made some peace, some meaning, and my vision is to have Malachi's Celebration of life reflect just that." Services for Malachi will take place on Saturday, June 27th, 2015 at the Lakeside Events Center, 2620 Regatta Drive Suite 111, LV, NV 89128 from 12-5pm. A silent viewing will be held from 12:00 to 12:30pm, followed by an eventful Celebration of Life, Dove Release with beverages and Hor D'oeuvres to follow. FAMILY IS REQUESTING THIS TO BE AN ALL WHITE EVENT Casual Dress or Semi Formal. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations to assist with the cost of services. Checks can be made out to Kraft-Sussman Funeral Services (In honor of Malachi Briggs) or sent directly to the family. Limited flowers will be accepted. Please order through Kraft-Sussman to ensure duplicates are not sent. Malachi is survived by his mother Skarlet Forwood; father Ahmad Briggs; Sister Maurisha Williams; brother Shaquille Powell; maternal grandfather and wife Charles and Shelley Alsup; maternal uncles Daniel Olbrantz and Sean Dodson; 1st cousin Nevaeh Dodson; paternal grandfather Nathan Ray Jones paternal grandmother Genevia Jones; dog Peekaboo and cat Malachis ’personal kittys Meow "Blue" Briggs, who he adopted shortly after being diagnosed. He is predeceased by maternal grandmother Cheryl Forwood and maternal grandfather David Olbrantz. Malachi has a hosts of aunts, uncles and cousins spread out across the nation, but primarily Dallas, Texas, Northern California, Southern California, Arkansas and Louisiana. Special Acknowledgments to the unbelievable support, care and love we received by those we consider “ Malachi's Angels” who donated graciously to our Go Fund Me Account. A special acknowledgement of appreciation to The Department of Juvenile Justice and our fellow PO's;Our Bishop Gorman High School Family; Our Duke University Family (Duke Football), Children’s Specialty Clinic, especially Alexandria Walsh and Alan Ikeda. Our amazing care/support team at Summerlin and Sunrise Children's Hospital, UCLA Medical Center, Carousel Pediatrics, The Thomas Family, especially Nana Thomas who raised Malachi as her own grandchild since birth, his cousin/playbrother Levante Briggs, his favorite cousin Cori who has been like a 2nd mother/big sister/friend/and playmate, Auntie Linda and Dee Dee who helped care for Malachi and our household when times got tough, as well as the love sent continuously from auntie Sam from afar, Marcella Perro (play auntie), The Allison Family (close family friends), The Olbrantz Family, Esther-Rodriquez Brown and family, and so many other of our closest and most dear family and friends (to many to count/mention), but who have continuously loved and supported us throughout this journey from near to far. The family is so grateful for TEAM MALACHI. There is no way we could have made it as far as we have, in the way that we have, without your continued love and support. Whether you have called, text, or emailed words of encouragement; placed us on prayers list; purchased bracelets or t-shirts; made financial contributions small or large; sent gifts; made calls; researched info, made medical referrals and/or recommendations, WE APPRECIATE YOU! We understand many cannot afford to travel, take time off work, or take time away from family obligations, but we feel your love from afar and know you are here in spirit. We hope to have a videographer record the service for those who would like to have the opportunity to share in the celebration by providing those who want one.