His Life Was Over Before It Began, Until God Said, “Not Yet!”

“I remember him saying, prepare yourself and your son for a life of living hell,” said Linda Hubbard. “The emergency room doctor told me that. Why would he say something like that? But, you know, fast forward to now, he was telling the truth.”

In 1982, Linda Hubbard learned of her first-born son Brandon’s diagnosis of sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that causes sudden, debilitating pain and weakness.  Eleven years later, her third child, Braxton was born with the disease also. 

Linda said, “That's the worst part about it; to see your child have excruciating pain.”

“Walking through the house, crunch down, holding my stomach. cause I’m in pain in my stomach and agony, pain and don't know what to do,” said Braxton Hubbard.

Linda said, “And there's nothing really you can do about it but try to take 'em to the hospital. and sometimes that doesn't even make the pain go away completely.” 

Both Brandon and Braxton were absent from school for months due to long hospitalizations.

Linda had little support from her husband and eventually he abandoned the family all together. Braxton looked to his older brother for guidance.

Braxton said, “My brother handled it very well. He was a person that was very, very strong. So, that’s how I took on that persona. I was strong, I would just take the pain, just like he did, because he was my hero.”

In 2009, the Hubbard family was devastated when Brandon, 27, died unexpectedly from the disease. Braxton was 16.

“It was a shock,” said Linda. “That was the most pain I’ve ever like, had to endure in my life and not know what to do with it.” 

“I didn't know how deadly, how fatal it was,” said Braxton. “When my brother died, I knew that I was going to suffer. I know that same fate because if my hero, who I look at as being stronger than me cannot beat this illness, I knew that I couldn't.” 

Braxton experienced 6 to 8 pain crises per year, with several requiring IV therapy and blood transfusions, landing him in the ICU, and the clergy were summoned because he was close to death. The church was a lifeline for them.

Braxton said, “I had nothing but darkness in my life. The only light I really had was the church.”  

At church, Braxton became friends with Jim Murdough, who prayed for him, and through Braxton Jim learned about sickle cell anemia.

Jim said, “I walked down to his room, and I peered into the room. It was kind of dark, and there he was, there he was, groaning, obviously in pain. And I walked back down to the nurse's station. I said, Excuse me, miss, you know that the young man down there is, in horrible pain? And she said, Yes, we know that, sir. She said, he is presently on the highest dosage of morphine that we're allowed to give anybody.” 

Braxton attended a men’s bible study with Jim, grew in his faith, and was encouraged to fight the disease - the group dubbed it Goliath. Braxton, they called David.

“Having Jim in my life has helped me grow spiritually,” said Braxton. “He would tell me all the time that I’m going to slay Goliath one day. He said he doesn't know how it's going to happen, but it's going to happen.” 

Jim said, “It's one thing to pray and say, okay, bud, we're with you, man, we're going to believe. But there was just more to it, to me. I had to get in there and help him somehow.”

In 2018, Braxton met with his doctor about a clinical trial to treat the disease but there were risks.

“She was telling me how she could heal me of this disease,” said Braxton. ” And i was in awe. I was in shock because all my life, I thought I was going to die from this disease. I had faith, but that doubt was still there. But when I heard that, I couldn't believe it.”

Braxton agreed and during the yearlong gene therapy procedure he lost 40 pounds. In the end, it was a success and with Jim’s help, Braxton recovered.

Braxton said, “After we're done walking, we would go and sit down, and we would do pushups.” 

Braxton claimed he’s the victor.

“Of course,” laughed Braxton. 

Jim argued, “Well, we can settle that.” 

“He's 50 years older than me,” exclaimed Braxton.

Today, Braxton is flourishing. He’s taking college classes and hoping to bring help to others suffering with sickle cell. His friendship with Jim continues to deepen and like David, Braxton did slay Goliath.

Braxton said, “The last time I had a pain crisis was back in 2018.”

“It was bittersweet though,” said Linda. “Because I wish that my other son could have had the gene therapy as well. I’m happy for Braxton and I thank God every day literally that he doesn't deal with sickle cell anymore.”

Jim said, “And I think that doors will open to that place where the Lord will use him. 

Not only to talk about how this disease devastates families and individuals, but also the healing power of this living God that wants us to be in health and prosper as our soul prospers.”

“Why would I worry for the rest of my life?” said Braxton. “God has done something tremendous in my life. I give it to God, and I just live my life day by day thanking Him. Cause I know He has me.” 

To purchase his inspiring book The Life is in the Blood click the LINK!