Most of you have heard about JoAnna’s recent diagnosis of brain cancer. On December 27, she went to the ER for high blood pressure and severe headaches. After 17.5 hours of tests, scans, and waiting, she was told that there was a mass in her brain that could be the cause of her issues. On January 3, we met with a neurosurgeon who suggested that she wait six weeks to see if the mass was actively growing or benign. On January 10, one week later, she had a seizure while waiting to meet with her pain doctor. She was rushed back to the ER where it was determined that the brain mass (tumor) had doubled in size during the two weeks following the December 27th discovery. Two days later, on January 12, the neurosurgeon operated and removed a major portion of the tumor. Because it was so close to the motor cortex, he could not remove it all for fear of paralysis. Following surgery she had limited movement on her left side. Today, she is able to walk and grasp with her left hand, but weakness remains. We met with the neurosurgeon again on January 17. He told us that the tumor was the most aggressive one he had seen in 30 years of practice. He also told us that there was no treatment for her tumor and that neither radiation nor chemotherapy were options. He predicted that JoAnna would live for 1 to 3 months before succumbing to the cancer.
Needless to say, we were devastated with the news. Reluctantly, we shared the prognosis with friends and family. Since that time, we have been continuously overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from each of you. Your prayers, phone calls, visits, flowers, food, emails, texts, letters, cards, gifts and expressions of love have been testaments to love, friendships, faith, and goodness. You have sustained us through this difficult period, and we are eternally grateful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
BUT! This story is not finished! Last Thursday, we visited a local oncologist. We don’t even know how we got the appointment, but we went. After meeting one another, the Doctor looked at JoAnna and said that based on her appearance, she was nowhere close to death! He then told us that with radiation and chemotherapy, she could easily live 1-2 years or more! THIS IS AN ANSWER TO PRAYER! She should start treatments next week. Radiation 5 days/week for six weeks. The doc was also shocked that no one had made arrangements for JoAnna to be in physical therapy and occupational therapy. That should start next week as well.
So…..THANK YOU! Thanks for loving us. Thanks for your friendship. Thank you for your TLC and your prayers. Please continue the prayers and visits as time permits. We will keep you posted on her progress.
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