John’s Story

Site created on October 24, 2018




After suffering from chronic severe headaches in late summer 2018, John discovered that he was suffering from a glioblastoma brain tumor. This aggressive form of cancer had started sometime earlier in 2018, and it did not come from any where else in his body.


It is located in the forward lower right part of his brain. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael DeCuypere of the Semmes Murphy Clinic, advised that the morbidity rate for removal was too high because of its location. A biopsy was done and samples were sent to several labs. This allowed a series of treatments to begin under the care of oncologist Dr. Manjari Pandey of the West Clinic. John underwent 6 weeks of chemotherapy and 6 weeks (30 treatments) of radiation supervised by Dr. Michael Ballo of the West Clinic. It was hoped that John might benefit from using the Optune system after this to restrain further growth, but his skin rejected the attacement substance. 


The procedures reduced the tumor somewhat and with steriods, he has reamined pain-free thank goodness. His lowered immune system has made subject to numerous infections, some requiring hospitalization. His stays in either rehab or the hospital have made him unhappy. His being able to stay at home has been strong tonic. Short term memory has been deeply affected since early on. He has been able to recognize most people. His naturally  lively imagination has been on full display with his incredible team of 24/7 caregivers. He has directed them in scenes which made some of them uncomfortable at first - now they come in and say, "Hey, Mr. John! Who am I going to be today?!" Humor has been his only weapon in all this. We have appreciated him working so hard to keep all our spirits up. His loving and generous nature means that he is continually trying to 'care' for the caregivers.   That's just whoJohn has always been.







Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Bill Short

As you must know by now John passed away quietly at home Monday February 4th. I was with him as was his caregiver that day. He died in his sleep and was not in pain. Methodist Hospice was there then as well which was a great comfort to us all.

I have been grateful for the many calls, texts, and emails (and flowers and casseroles). But, I must say that I am just moved beyond expression by all the outpouring of love and sorrow showing up on social media. I am still a little fragile, so I can look at these in stages. But please know how eternally grateful his family and I are to all of you for these beautiful tributes. Your experiences with him are what I came to know and appreciate in full myself on a daily basis for over half century. Happily, I celebrate him with you! With all my love, -Bill Short
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