Mary Jo’s Story

Site created on January 23, 2021

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Mary Jo – her real first name is two names; she no middle name - Mueller.

Perhaps you know her by one of her many nicknames?

Bucky;
Poez;
MJ;
Posey;
Murray;
Mick;
Mojo;
Jomuay;
Jofred;
Jomama;
G-Jo;
MaJoMuAy?

I am re-writing her story. I decided a better understanding of why Mary Jo was in Denver and the ensuing events:

Mary Jo contracted Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) in 2008. This bacterium is in the same family as leprosy and tuberculosis, only non-contagious. This bacterium caused bronchiectasis, pockets in her lungs. Those pockets made her very susceptible to infection.

She was all but over the 2-year protocol to eliminate the MAC when the Joplin tornado struck and back it came. This time her new pulmonologist and infectious disease specialist though she should have a 2nd opinion. I did some research and found that National Jewish Health in Denver was the #1 hospital for pulmonary issues.

Local doctors worked with National Jewish. Her 2nd bout with MAC took about two years. She had progressed from 2-3 visits a year to an annual visit. This year’s check-up was in January.

At her first appointment, January 19th, she had a stroke. Brain surgery to stop the bleeding resulted in removal of a malignant tumor. Malignant Mucosal Melanoma — 42 months after the original urethral melanoma diagnosis.

The stroke took her right side peripheral vision and made writing very difficult, but after few weeks of rehab in Colorado, she was ready to come home to start the cancer treatments: targeted radiation for two brain tumors and 2 immunotherapy drugs via infusion; One to ‘discourage’ further cancer cell growth and the other to ‘amp up’ the immune system to fight the cancer.

A 2nd MRI was done to start mapping the 2 known tumors and a third tumor was found. 4 radiation treatments were planned. The day after her 3rd treatment, she had 2 seizures. These took away her ability to read, write and speak more than a word or 2. Her mind was fine and she could answer yes/no questions. Her left arm was mildly (?) paralyzed.

Over the next few weeks, her left arm returned to normal, but she lost use of her right arm. Her right leg did not work normally. Last Thursday, the 8th, she had her 3rd infusion. That night, she was up 4 times and each time she was weaker to the point that it took me 20+ minutes to get her back in bed.

I knew my time of caring for her was over. I had her taken to ER. CT Scan and chest X-Ray revealed a new brain tumor and growth in the thoracic tumors.

She was admitted to the hospital and I began the research that brought her to The Solace House Hospice

Please do keep her in your hearts and thoughts. 

Thank you!

Don  Ayers

Newest Update

August 8, 2022

Journal entry by Don Ayers —

Mary Jo

“Posey”

Mueller

 

Colorado Celebration update

 

Hello. The celebration was very nice. Weather cooperated (mid-70s, mostly cloudy), food was great, picnic area was perfect.

27 people attended: my son Josh and family (Lindsey, Ethan, Amelia); sister-in-law Christine and partner Toper; Christine’s son Bill (Megan and their 2 youngest daughters); late brother Robert’s sons, Jason and Mark (from the Dallas area); and my first cousin Trish and husband Steven.

Also, 2 of my friends that I’ve known since 1957, Al. and, Dave (+ wife Carma); My mentor Tom and his husband Luiz; training buddy John; friend and artist Leslie (Salida, CO); Improv connections Paul, and Lori & Roger; Posey’s ex- Larry, and from the Denver Center Theatre days, Dr. Julie Cochran.

Maggie and daughter Leah. Maggie made the celebration happen, reserving the picnic area in Mt Vernon Canyon Club, providing the pots she throws for floral centerpieces on the tables, setting up a nice place for Jo’s memorial slide show to run, and more. Daughter Leah did all the flower arrangements on the tables.

I was unusually anxious the week leading up to the event, worrying about what I would say, wanting to say the right things. Did 5 separate talks and finally just spoke from the heart about what I knew and loved about my late wife, Mary Jo “Posey” Mueller.

Thanks for all who attended. Food and friendship was wonderful. Even the surprise visit of the young black bear and large raindrops falling here and there as we were cleaning up were welcome parts of this celebration.

If you would like a copy of the slide show DVD of Jo’s life, please send me your address here, or email, or text, or USPS, Pony Express – whatever works best.

There will most likely be just one more post on Caring Bridge. Not sure yet. I know Jo’s journey is now complete. Her ashes will be returned late this month from the Joplin campus of Kansas City University Medical School. I am still deciding where “we will be”, possibly half ‘n half: Joplin next to her parents and the Flat Tops of Colorado.

Take care; be kind.

Don

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