Jake’s Story

Site created on November 23, 2020

Our son Jake is 18 years old and was recently diagnosed with brain cancer called Gliomatosis Cerebri. We thought we had a normal healthy young man on the verge of entering the military after graduating from high school in May of 2020. On September 30th we found out that was not the case. Jake had been suffering from headaches most of the summer, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we just brushed it off as a common headache treated with Tylenol and rest. He started experiencing double vision in the middle of September and decided something was really wrong. The hospital did a CT scan and told us he had a golf ball size mass on the scan and he needed to be referred to a neurosurgeon. We immediately scheduled the appointment and had an MRI scan that showed what we thought was only in nightmares. The golf ball size mass that we thought could just be removed was in fact a very substantial brain tumor that encompassed the whole right side of his brain and some of the left cerebral cortex. We had a biopsy completed 2 days after the initial appointment with the Neurosurgeon and during recovery had a meeting with an Oncologist. She stated that Jake had a very aggressive type of tumor that needed to be treated with radiation and chemotherapy IMMEDIATELY. We decided to meet with the Cancer specialists at Emory in Atlanta, GA to discuss different treatment options. Emory University Hospital is the only facility in the state of Georgia that offers Proton Radiation therapy, and they seemed to really have an optimistic outlook on the outcomes of his treatment plan. We started this journey a little bit over 2 months ago, and are still in the very early stages of his treatment, but we can already see that his treatment has been very costly. His medical bills have already been very extensive due to cancer medications, radiation treatments and hospital visits. We have to care for our son, Jake around the clock due to his not being able to move the left side of his body from the brain tumor. Jake is unable to walk or even sit up without help.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Travis Murphy

Sorry for the length of this post but I felt compelled to share!! I would like to share some peace, hope and the strength of God’s grace with my Caring Bridge friends and family. 

The last 8 months my Caring Bridge posts have been centered around our cancer story and it’s devastating affect to our family. I thought this post would be inspiring and uplifting for many, as it has truly touched my heart and soul. Many of you already know I had two childhood friends that meant the world to me, I loved them both dearly Little Danny Gregg and Cory Thalman. Unfortunately both their lives were cut short as well. I believe they became my guardian angels. I have always talked about them with Madison and Jake, and how much they meant to me, telling crazy stories of our childhood together. Sadly, Madison and Jake only got to meet Cory Thalman while he was alive and have memories of him when they were little. Throughout this journey with Jake, not only did I pray to God, I would also pray to them hoping they would hear my prayers too. 

I have always had a love for golf, not that I’m any good but a love for the experience of being with nature and the focus it take to play the game. During Jake’s life, Jake got to experience it with me by going on outings or listening to my stories of how I played with friends. 

On Monday I was supposed to play with a friend but he got caught up at work and couldn’t make it to the course. I decided to play by myself. I have no problem playing alone as it gives me time to think and usually play a little better. Over halfway through my game on a particular favorite hole of mine on this golf course I walked up to my ball to hit my second shot. I looked over about 20 feet and seen a neon yellow ball just sitting there. I am not a ball seeker, not even with the balls I loose. But for some reason I felt compelled to pick up this ball. On this ball was two crosses marked. I instantly got goosebumps followed by warmth to my heart. I kept the story private only telling a few people about it. Then on Wednesday I went out again to play but this time with two golfing buddies that I had told the story to and on the 18th hole yesterday, I found this white ball with the same two crosses. Both my golfing buddies were dumbfounded and we all couldn’t believe it, as they seen it with their own eyes. 

Towards the end of Jake’s journey, when we all knew the end was near I had many spiritual talks with him and read scripture daily. One of those talks was about him showing me a sign so I would know he made it to heaven. The morning Jake passed away a nurse called me saying the end was near and to get there ASAP. I was rushing to hospice and ran a red light making a left turn. When I made that turn the sun was coming up lighting up the sky with beautiful hues of color. In that moment I prayed to God and Cory Thalman to allow Cory to be with Jake once he passes over so Jake wouldn’t be scared. I always told Jake to follow Uncle Cory that he would show him the way. I believe in that moment is when Jake passed and I was only a few short miles away when this happened. When I walked into hospice the nurse approached me telling me he just passed.
 
I am one of those people that believes in signs, reasons for why we meet people in our lives and wanted to share with you the unbelievable gifts that presented itself to me from what I believe came from above. Faith and devotion to our Lord and savior is a beautiful thing. I feel better knowing I received the signs I needed. Here is a picture of the two balls. Notice the TWO crosses, why there is not 3 crosses or just one is beyond my knowledge or capacity of thought. Always believe Friends! God is with us all…. And our guardian angels too! God Bless you all and please share my story for anyone needing a little peace, hope or God’s incredible grace!
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