Jim’s Story

Site created on March 18, 2018

Jim has dealt with many health issues  over the  almost 26 years that I have known him. He has lead a full life  of adventure, with family & dear friends-pretty much full steam ahead. 
But in 2016 after moving to the New Braunfels area in Scenic Hills, Jim started to experience  a movement disorder. Over the past year & half it has been diagnosed as essential tremor, cervical dystonia, and now as Huntington’s chorea or possibly Tartdivia Dyskinesia. It kept accelerating even with many different medications including Botox shots in his neck.
Only a month and a half ago , the neurological team at UT Health in San Antonio  were able to get him on a medication, called Austedo, which within a few days of taking it completely stopped his head shake & the uncontrollable arm movement that had caused him to fall many times, spill drinks, & generally making him unable to take care of himself.  He had started losing so much weight because of the shaking that he is now very skinny.
We were hopeful he would begin to gain some of his weight back with the drastically reduced shaking. 
He complained of pain for few months, and he had gone to many doctors including gastroenterologist & urologist.
He was finally scheduled for a colonoscopy. The prep just did not work and he was transferred to the hospital in San Marcos. Unfortunately, they released him after only three days but not before giving him the gallon of prep.  I had to take him to the ER in New Braunfels on March 1 when he started vomiting, had swollen stomach & legs.  He had two surgeries, including a colostomy , various scopes, and biopsies. They were feeding him by a tube. 
We received the results of a recent biopsy. Unfortunately, the result was positive for carcinoma originating in the bladder.
At this point he is too weak to undergo more surgery or chemotheraphy. 
Today, he was released into Hospice care at home. He would welcome your texts, calls, or even visits.
We  need your prayers for him “to go gentle into that good night”.

Newest Update

Final arrangements for Jim Ward

Journal entry by Linda Breland —

Jim and I have been so blessed to have wonderful friends like Chuck & Nancy Leshikar. They not only introduced us, but hosted our wedding and now the celebration of life for Jim on Saturday, April 7th at 2 pm.
Their beautiful ranch is located in Lockhart at :

1794 Old Lytton Springs RD, Lockhart , TX 78644.

It is about a one hour drive from the Scenic Hills community.

Jim’s ashes will be buried at the Coastal Bend State Veteran’s Cemetery in Corpus Christ-date to be determined.

I hope you are able to attend one of the events.
Read More of the journal titled "Final arrangements for Jim Ward"
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